Help! - Disability Services

Disability Services and Information Tasmania

• accessibility.com.au  - The disability information resource.
• National Industry Association for Disability Services (ACROD) is the National Industry Association for Disability Services. ACROD's membership includes over 550 non-government, non-profit organisations, which collectively operate several thousand services for Australians with all types of disabilities, including intellectual, physical, psychiatric and sensory. ACROD's members are located in every State and Territory in Australia and range in size from very small support groups to very large service providers.
• Advocacy Tasmania Inc - Aged and Disability Advocacy
• Department of Health and Human Services Service Directory A very comprehensive and alphabetical list containing information about human services and support groups in Tasmania.
• Disability Information and Communication Exchange - The official web site of the National Council on Intellectual Disability
• Giant Steps Tasmania The state’s most experienced specialist organisation for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The heart of the company is Giant Steps School in Deloraine which offers a wide-ranging and effective program for children with ASD.
• Meals on Wheels Association of Tasmania Inc
• The Office of the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner - can help if you've been discriminated against in employment, education and many other areas.
• Physical Disability Council of Australia - PDCA is run entirely by people with physical disabilities, for people with physical disabilities. It does not discriminate on the basis of disability, nor does PDCA determine what a physical disability is. PDCA operates under an inclusion policy and offers membership and/or services to any person with a disability who seeks its support.
• St Michaels Association inc  Training and accommodation for disabled and a broad range of clients in order to confidently move more into the daily life of the community
• Tasmanian Disability Forum The forum is a community focused web site that helps provide information efficiently to users, and in turn provides an opportunity for users to converse with others in an online environment about disability issues. You do not have to register to contribute to the Forum, if you wish you can place a query or comment anonymously.
• Tascare Society for Children - Supports children with a disability and their families.

Products to assist people with disabilities

• Book "A Penny for your Thoughts"  The book is an uplifting autobiography by Penny Harland, coauthored by Sarah Patterson. Penny Harland is now in her mid fifties but has been both deaf and blind since very early childhood. She now suffers with balance problems and a muscle wasting disease as well. As a young girl her education faltered when she was forced from school to take up work in a sheltered workshop making toilet brushes! What this lady has done since is truly inspirational! She has soldiered on to get a University education! She has earned a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Education! Her elderly father is a war veteran who can barely walk from his bedroom. Her mother has suffered a stroke. Yet Penny still helps keep the family going! Now Penny has written an inspirational book to share her struggle and success with others - titled "A Penny for your Thoughts". 
   
• NEW! Achievable Concepts - Adapted recreation and sporting equipment for people with disabilities and the aged. Includes Beach wheelchairs, Cycling & trikes, Exercise equipment, Electric scooters & bikes, Fishing, Golf, Lawn bowls, Mt buggy/stroller, Motor cycling, Pool wheelchair, Seating, Snow skiing and Ten pin bowling products
     
• BadBacks has articles, discussion forums and a range of traditional & alternative back care products to help relieve injury or chronic pain conditions and help healing. They also have preventative products and relief for people (like me) who spend a lot of time sitting at computers.  
  
• Mite-Y-Fresh - Sydney-based store featuring products for asthma and allergy sufferers that assist in controlling and protecting against airborne allergens. Includes Dust Mite Allergy Bedding, Dehumidifiers, and Air Purifiers.