It can be helpful to have quick links available for any number of situations, questions, or needs, but who has the time to keep an organised list?
We've compiled this list of 25 disability resources you can keep on hand to assist when you and those you work with need it most. There's something here for everyone, from Government and advocacy resources, to accessibility tools, calculators and fun podcasts.
Don't forget to Ctrl + D to bookmark this page for future reference!
Accessed That: Disability-Friendly Travel Podcast
What is it: Queensland’s new podcast that explores what it’s really like to travel as a person with a disability. Each week join our hosts - Oliver Hunter, a comedian with Cerebral Palsy, and Paralympic swimmer Karni Liddell – as they chat to travel lovers about their experience navigating the world, hearing the highs, the lows and the low down from the people who have been there, accessed that.
AI Bots for NDIS
What is it: Chatbot assistants with learnt areas of expertise including: NDIS, AAT, Human Rights Law, and Disability Inclusion. Some of the better chatbots provide sources for their information, but please double-check all information to ensure it is factual.
https://ndisguru.com
Association for Children with Disability
What is it: ACD is the Victorian advocacy service for children with disability and their families. They help families gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to advocate for their children. Services are free and include Information resources, workshops and peer support, and The ACD Support Line – a telephone advocacy service.
Audio Descriptions on ABC iView
What is it: Audio Description has been available on ABC TV since 2020. In 2023, the ABC expanded its audio description service to ABC iView, allowing audiences to watch their favourite programs on-demand and independently.
https://iviewsupport.abc.net.au/hc/en-us/articles/6577039126927-Audio-Description-AD-on-ABC-iview
Autism Connect
What is it: Autism Connect is a free, national autism helpline, providing independent and expert information over phone, email and webchat. It supports Autistic people, their families and carers, health professionals, researchers, teachers, employers and the broader community. Their website also has a great collection of autism resources.
Be My Eyes App
What is it: A free app for receiving video support at a moment’s notice. Every day, sighted volunteers and professionals lend their eyes to solve tasks big and small to assist blind and low-vision people lead more independent lives.
Download from the Apple store: https://apple.co/2WUBGUw
Download from the Google Play store: https://bit.ly/2WXX3V6
Download from the Google Play store: https://bit.ly/2WXX3V6
Carer Gateway Support
What is it: Carer Gateway is an Australian Government program providing free services and support for carers no matter where they live in Australia. Carer Gateway provides many services to support carers in their caring role, including: peer support groups, support packages, counselling, coaching, online skills courses and emergency respite.
Challenging NDIS Decisions Resources
What is it: Appealing decisions made by the NDIA can be a complex and overwhelming process. This resource from the Housing Hub and Public Interest Advocacy Centre will be valuable for NDIS participants and supporters trying to navigate the process of requesting a review.
Disability Advocacy Organisation List
What is it: Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) collection of National and State-based disability advocacy groups.
Disability Gateway Government Resource Site
What is it: The Disability Gateway has information and services to help people with disability, their family, friends and carers, to find the support they need in Australia. With an easy-to-use search site you can filter by location, area of life, and categories to find available supports in your area.
Disability Glossary A-Z
What is it: An extensive glossary of terms relating to disability, with additional links to disability organisations supporting those terms.
Disability Support Guide
What is it: A listing of informative resources across any and all disability topics, from different conditions, to accessibility, advice, and the latest news. They also have a helpful Provider search function that can be filtered by location, service types, registration group and service delivery.
Deciding With Support - Supported Decision Making
What is it: A toolkit of resources on supported decision making for everyone involved in positive behaviour support. Deciding with Support is for people with disability and the people who support them. It is to help people make decisions about their behaviour support plans. Available in English, Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Filipino, Hindi, and Vietnamese languages.
Hidden Disability Sunflower Lanyard
What is it: A simple tool to share that you have a hidden disability voluntarily. Simply by wearing the Sunflower, you’re letting everyone know that you might need extra help, understanding, or just more time. Businesses from every sector have been joining the global Sunflower network - retail, travel and tourism, transport, education, healthcare, central and local government agencies, football teams, theme parks, theatres and financial institutions.
IncludeAbility Disability Employment Resources
What is it: IncludeAbility is a suite of resources designed to support:
- employers who want to create meaningful employment opportunities for people with disability
- people with disability seeking employment, developing a career or considering self-employment.
- employers who want to create meaningful employment opportunities for people with disability
- people with disability seeking employment, developing a career or considering self-employment.
Information Resources for Students with disability
What is it: The Australian Government worked with Children and Young People with Disability Australia to co-design information resources to help students with disability and their caregivers understand their rights under the Disability Standards for Education 2005.
Microsoft Accessibility Tools and Resources
What is it: Promoting disability inclusion through improved digital access. Resources for designers and business, learning programs, and collections of accessibility tools for different needs.
Number Cruncher Tool
What is it: The Plan Tracker Number Cruncher is designed to help you work out the cost of services and supports, for up to 3 years (the maximum length of an NDIS Plan). You can count on the Number Cruncher to accurately work out how much of your budget you’re spending on a particular service, so there are no surprises.
Services Australia Health and Disability Resources
What is it: A listing of payments and services if you live with disability as well as resources for other help and support available in your community.
Simple Financial Management for NDIS Providers
What is it: A free online training program by NDS designed to support providers operating in an NDIS environment to understand the financial levers that underpin the sustainability of their organisation.
The Field: Disability-Friendly Job Site
What is it: An employment site for people with disability. Giving hiring managers a tool that removes barriers and equips them and their organisations to hire more inclusively, while unlocking incredible talent across all industries, roles, and levels of experience.
Transition Support Project Resources and Training
What is it: Resources around mental health and the NDIS. The Transition Support Project primarily helps Commonwealth-funded community mental health services transition their clients to new NDIS supports, but the collection of resources and training is extensive.
Vision Australia Resources
What is it: Easy tips to make your business more inclusive to customers who are blind or have low vision. Includes tip sheets by industry, digital and print guides, schools, employment services, and audio descriptions.
Workforce Capability Framework
What is it: The NDIS Workforce Capability Framework describes the attitudes, skills and knowledge expected of all workers funded under the NDIS. It gives clear, practical examples and establishes a shared language of ‘what good looks like’ for participants when they receive NDIS supports and services.
Zero Tolerance Initiative
What is it: Zero Tolerance is an initiative led by NDS in partnership with the disability sector. It assists disability service providers to understand, implement and improve practices which safeguard the rights of people they support.