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Thanks to a range of assistive technologies funded through his NDIS plan, Kemal Omar is participating in everyday life again, and it means the world to him and his family.

The 56-year-old, who has an intellectual disability, has painted an array of colourful abstracts on canvas, also featured on silk, inspired by the world around him.

More than 6 years since she was diagnosed with a rare, life-threatening condition, Darwin first grader Aviana (Avi) McElwee is thriving – and so is Avi’s mum, Bethan.

The future looks bright for Jeff Gooding. He feels he has found a new family – a house manager, support workers and house mates who all have his best interests at heart. Jeff, 50, has Multiple Sclerosis (MS). He also has seizures resulting in partial memory loss. Both challenging conditions, Jeff lived in Woolloomooloo with his elderly mum, who cared for him until she sadly passed away. Never married, an only child and with no children, Jeff lived alone until he had a fall. Not able to walk or manage on his own, he ended up in residential aged care...

A communication device made for non-speaking people with autism is helping young Harvey Hart find his voice. Harvey, 6, from Calliope in central Queensland, uses an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device as part of his NDIS plan. This tool has helped Harvey, who speaks few words, to communicate and participate in daily activities. His mother, Shannon Hart, who self-manages his NDIS plan, says the ‘Liberator’ AAC device allows Harvey to reach his full potential. ‘When Harvey was about 18 months old, we picked up a few signs that he might be autistic,’ Shannon said. ‘He was having problems with...

Turning the streets of historic Williamstown purple and white for the annual A-T Wheelathon marks a double delight for founder and local, Luke Ogden. Luke, who was who was born with a rare condition called Ataxia-telangiectasia (AT), created the event in 2022 to shine a light of support on the disease. The NDIS participant said the event, which raises awareness and funds for the Brash A-T Foundation, would be even bigger than the first. “For this year’s event, there’s a different kind of circuit and it’s going to be huge,” Luke said. “It’s open to everybody. On the Wheelathon page...

Sam Valavanis is working toward his chosen career in radio and he’s excited about the future. ‘I’d love to be a presenter on a prime-time program for one of the major commercial stations,’ Sam says. He recently completed an Audio Ability radio broadcasting course with the Community Media Training Organisation. The course aims to build the media skills, knowledge, and confidence of people who live with disability. Sam learned broadcasting skills and gained work experience in a radio station, supported by a mentor with industry experience. The medium of radio is ideal for Sam, a skilled listener and a natural...