Ability Links wins Premier’s Award

Ability Links NSW has been awarded a 2017 Premier’s Award for improving government services at a special ceremony in Sydney.

Intereach CEO Keryn Fox said the award recognised people who have worked on programs, initiatives, innovations or improvements that contribute to improving customer satisfaction with government services.

“This is an acknowledgment of the great support that is being provided for people with a disability in the community by Ability Links staff both at a state, and local level within the Riverina Murray region which is delivered by Intereach.

“Ability Links NSW is a truly unique program and our Linkers go above and beyond to support people with a disability reach their goals and dreams.”

“Every day our Linkers support people in the community to access services and make community connections as a part of reaching their goals. This all contributes to building better relationships with government services.”

To date, Ability Links providers across New South Wales have supported more than 80,000 participants across NSW.

“The program model is a winner” according to Urbis Director of Economic and Social Advisory Alison Wallace, who was responsible for the three-year evaluation of the Ability Links NSW program.

“In 25 years of evaluating government initiatives, I have rarely come across a program that has achieved so much in such a short space of time.”

“People with disability, their families and carers highly value Ability Links and told us countless stories of the positive impact it has had. The evaluation clearly shows that people’s lives really are being changed,” she said.

Pictured: Ability Links participant Jason and Intereach Linker Kerein Mullins are a great example of the opportunities that can be generated through community partnership and linkages. A collaboration between Intereach and Northcott Disability Services has enabled Jason to access affordable driving lessons in the local region with an appropriately modified vehicle.