Report: Ability Links passes 80,000 participants

graphic of leaves
Report: Ability Links passes 80,000 participants

When Zoe was just 14-months-old she was diagnosed with ‘clicky’ hips.

 

Several failed operations over the next 20 years left Zoe with little confidence in herself and unsure how to reach her goals.

Fortunately, Zoe was referred to Ability Links and was able to get the support she needed to pursue her goals and ultimately get the job of her dreams.

Zoe’s story is just one of the 80,000 plus people who have experience first-hand the benefit of Ability Links NSW since its inception three years ago.

Ability Links is a free program that supports people with disability, their families and carers to connect with their local community, achieve their goals and aspirations, and live enriched and fulfilled lives.

Recently, an independent evaluation by Urbis Pty Ltd found Ability Links NSW contributes significantly to improving peoples’ lives and contributes to what social access experts describe as a “major shift” in community attitudes towards inclusion of people with disabilities.

Ability Links NSW program manager Mardi Chartres from Intereach said the program has been a great success across the Riverina Murray region.

“We see the very real impact Ability Links can have on people in the community every day,” Mardi said.

“Ability Links is playing a big role in supporting people with disability to reach their goals, and making our communities more inclusive for everyone.”

Through support from Ability Links NSW and a lot of her own hard work, Zoe has now completed a Certificate III and Certificate IV in Community Services and recently got a job as a Youth Support Worker.

“When I first met with Ability Links I didn’t have much confidence in myself,” Zoe said. “I was really negative and didn’t want to do anything.”

“Ability Links helped me to realise that I could achieve my dreams through different pathways and that it’s ok to ask questions and get help.

“It made a difference just having someone believe in me. It then made me believe in myself.”