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Resources

Disability Services Commission

The Disability Services Commission (DSC) provides services such as occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech therapy, psychology, podiatry and dental services to people with disabilities. Some of the services are provided directly through DSC while others are provided by a range of DSC funded organisations. If your family member is eligible, they can register with DSC and access services based on an assessment of their needs. DSC can also help with accommodation support, post school options and many other services. If you are eligible for DSC services, you will be assigned, or can request, a Local Area Coordinator whose job it is to help you find and access various supports and services. A list of some services available from DSC can be found here.

Condition Specific Agencies and Support Groups

Organisations which focus on specific disabilities, illnesses or issues can provide valuable information specific to your child's special needs, and often offer support groups where people coping with similar issues can share information and support specific to their child's disability. Some are also funded to provide therapy services. Here are some that we know of.

Carer Support - Counselling, Education, Information

Carer Support - Siblings

  • Siblings Australia
  • Livewire is a police protected and monitored website for young people between 10 and 21 years of age living with a serious illness, chronic condition or disability. It has specific sites for parents and siblings.
  • Your Shout is a website developed for adolescent siblings of children with disabilities by the Association for Children with a Disability.
  • The Australian Association for Children with Disabilities provides a range of sibling resources.

Financial Support for Carers

The Carer's Allowance and Carer's Payment and other entitlements may be available to you through Centrelink.

Advocacy

Respite

Need a break? Respite can take many forms, from help with housework to a place for your disabled child to stay for a night or two, to funding or organised activities for you to have a break yourself.

Help is available from a number of organisations, including:

Pre-School Playgroups

  • Playgroup WA can provide information on playgroups specifically for children with disabilities.
  • MyTime provide support for mothers, fathers, grandparents and anyone caring for a child with a disability or chronic medical condition. Play helpers provide activities for children while carers have an opportunity to share and discuss issues.

School Support Services

  • Inclusion Support Agencies support the inclusion of children with additional needs, including disabilities, in Australian Government Approved Childcare Services.
  • Centre for Inclusive Education Specialist support services for children with disabilities.
  • Hospital School Services  provide education support for students whose physical or mental health prevents them from successfully participating in their own school programs. Includes ward based school services.

Disability Therapy and Service Providers

Disability Service Providers provide a range of services that may include accommodation, respite, supported employment, recreation and transport.

Lending Libraries and Book Stores

  • Activ Library has an extensive library on disabilities and continually updates its resources. You can join for a small fee, sign on to their mailing list for free, or even ask your Local Area Coordinator to borrow something for you.
  • Carers WA also has a lending library with a range of resources including videos.
  • Ability Books specialises in health and disability issues.
  • Noah's Ark Toy Library provides specialised toys, resources and educational development programmes to children and young people with special needs and their families.

Support Groups

Recreation