The allabilityhour’s Podcast

Major changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) are raising plenty of questions for participants, families and service providers. So what do these reforms mean for the people who rely on the scheme every day?
This week on the AllAbility Hour, DJ Sparky and Patti from Achieve Australia welcome back Ella from First2Care to discuss the latest NDIS reforms, including plan reassessments, funding changes and the future of plan management.
Ella explains several changes discussed in the reform process, including new requirements around contacting participants, who can submit plan reassessment requests and the importance of keeping supporting evidence up to date.
One of the key messages is the importance of staying in contact with the NDIS. Ella discusses circumstances in which plans may be suspended when the agency is unable to contact a participant or their nominee, and why responding to calls, emails and requests for information is essential.
The conversation also explores changes to plan reassessments, including who can request them, the types of circumstances that may be considered and the role of support coordinators in helping participants prepare the necessary documentation.
Another major topic is the potential impact of funding reductions for social and community participation. Ella and Patti discuss how changes to support budgets could affect participants' ability to access community activities and why individual circumstances, functional capacity and supporting assessments remain important.
Ella also shares her personal perspective as a parent of a child with cerebral palsy, explaining why the long-term sustainability of the NDIS matters to families who may need access to equipment, therapy and other essential supports for many years to come.
The episode also looks ahead to proposed changes to plan management, including the introduction of a panel of approved plan managers and what that could mean for participants who currently use independent plan management providers.
Throughout the conversation, the message remains clear: stay informed, ask questions and understand how changes may affect your individual NDIS plan.
Whether you're an NDIS participant, family member, support coordinator or provider, this episode offers an opportunity to hear about the reforms being discussed and the questions worth raising with the NDIS.
📞 Contact Information
First2Care – Ella
📞 1300 322 273 – Head Office📱 0448 986 989 – Ella🌐 First2Care
Achieve Australia
📞 1300 224 438🌐 www.achieveaustralia.org.au
Patty – Customer Engagement Partner, Achieve Australia
📱 0426 107 647
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
📞 1800 800 110🌐 www.ndis.gov.au
For official advice about plan reassessments, funding decisions and eligibility, contact the NDIS directly.
 
Important: This episode reflects the reforms and interpretations discussed by the guests. Specific claims about automatic funding reductions, reassessment restrictions, plan suspensions and future plan management arrangements have not been independently verified. Listeners should check current NDIS guidance before making decisions about their supports.
The AllAbility Hour is proudly brought to you by West Bremer Media and Achieve Australia, celebrating inclusion, accessibility and the voices of people of all abilities.

Finishing high school is an exciting milestone, but for young people with disability and their families, preparing for life after Year 12 can come with plenty of questions.
This week on the AllAbility Hour, DJ Sparky and Patty from Achieve Australia welcome Maddie and her mum, Kris, to share their experiences of preparing for the transition from school into employment, independence and adult life.
Maddie is in her final weeks at Ipswich Special School, attending classes three days a week while spending her other days volunteering with eWaste Connection, where donated electrical equipment is dismantled and recycled. With graduation fast approaching, Maddie has one big goal in mind — getting a job!
Kris, who is also an employee of Achieve Australia, shares some practical advice for families navigating the school-leaving process. She explains how information provided by Ipswich Special School helped her prepare for important steps, including obtaining identification, applying for a Tax File Number and understanding the documentation needed when accessing government services.
A major focus of the conversation is School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES), an NDIS support designed to help eligible young people with disability prepare for employment.
Kris explains why families should begin exploring employment pathways and discussing NDIS funding well before their child finishes school, rather than waiting until graduation. She also shares how Endeavour Foundation has been working with Maddie to identify her strengths, develop her confidence and explore potential employment opportunities.
One particularly exciting possibility is Project SEARCH, a program delivered through UnitingCare that could give Maddie the opportunity to undertake a year-long employment training program at St Andrew's Hospital. With an assessment approaching, Maddie and Kris are keeping their fingers crossed!
The conversation also explores how employment providers can work with businesses to identify opportunities that suit a person's individual skills and interests, rather than simply relying on traditional job advertisements.
And there's another side to Maddie's busy life — she's also involved in the Ipswich Orpheus Chorale's production of Raven's Requiem, alongside Patty, showing that life beyond the classroom is already filled with exciting opportunities.
Kris leaves families with an important message: start planning early, ask questions and don't leave everything until the last minute.
It's an informative and encouraging episode about preparing for adulthood, exploring employment pathways, building independence and helping young people with disability work towards their goals.
📞 Contact Information
Achieve Australia
🌐 www.achieveaustralia.org.au📞 1300 224 438
Patty – Customer Engagement Partner, Achieve Australia📱 0426 107 647
Endeavour Foundation
🌐 www.endeavour.com.au
NDIS – Employment Supports and Planning
🌐 www.ndis.gov.au📞 1800 800 110
For families preparing for the transition from school, contact your NDIS planner or Local Area Coordinator to discuss employment goals, available supports and individual eligibility.

Finding the right place to call home is important for everyone, but for people with disability, having a home designed around their individual needs can make a world of difference.
This week on the AllAbility Hour, DJ Sparky and Patti from Achieve Australia welcome Susanna Ratcliffe from JustSDA Services to explore Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), how it works within the NDIS and the opportunities it can provide for people with significant support needs.
Susanna explains that SDA is a specialised form of housing funded through the NDIS, designed to support people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs. The conversation explores the four SDA design categories — Improved Liveability, Fully Accessible, High Physical Support and Robust — and how different housing features can help people live more comfortably, safely and independently.
The episode also tackles an important distinction: the difference between SDA and Supported Independent Living (SIL).
While SDA relates to the physical home and its specialised design features, SIL refers to the support people receive with everyday living. Susanna explains why separating housing from support services is so important, allowing participants to have greater choice and control over who provides assistance in their own home.
With more than 15 years of experience in disability service provision before moving into specialist housing, Susanna shares her insights into what makes a successful housing arrangement, including the importance of collaboration between accommodation providers, support workers and participants.
For listeners wondering whether SDA could be an option for themselves or someone they support, Susanna also walks through the application process. She discusses the importance of obtaining a Functional Capacity Assessment, working with occupational therapists and other relevant professionals, and ensuring housing needs and personal goals are clearly documented as part of an NDIS plan.
The conversation highlights why finding the right housing isn't simply about having somewhere to live — it's about independence, dignity, choice and creating a home that genuinely meets a person's needs.
Whether you're an NDIS participant, family member, support coordinator or disability service provider, this episode offers a valuable introduction to specialist disability housing and the steps involved in exploring your options.
📞 Contact Information
JustSDA Services – Susanna Ratcliffe
🌐 www.justsda.com.au 📞 0450 217 756 LinkedIn: Search Susanna Ratcliffe
For enquiries about Specialist Disability Accommodation, SDA eligibility or available housing options, contact Susanna directly.

Big changes are underway for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), and understanding what they could mean for participants, families and service providers is more important than ever.
This week on the AllAbility Hour, DJ Sparky is joined by Patti from Achieve Australia to unpack the latest NDIS reforms, the proposed changes to funding and support arrangements, and where people can turn for information and guidance.
Patti discusses the Securing the NDIS for Future Generations legislation and the government's efforts to improve the long-term sustainability of the scheme. The conversation explores changes relating to eligibility assessments, plan reassessments, funding arrangements, provider compliance, fraud prevention and pricing decisions.
A major focus is the potential impact on people with disability and their everyday supports. Patti raises concerns about possible reductions in community participation funding and explains why changes to individual plans could affect people's ability to access activities, build independence and remain connected with their communities.
The episode also looks at the rollout of Thriving Kids, proposed changes to support coordination, and stronger requirements for providers to maintain records and meet compliance obligations.
While the reforms are intended to strengthen the NDIS for future generations, Patti acknowledges that navigating changes can be confusing and potentially stressful, particularly when participants are uncertain about how their individual funding and supports may be affected.
The key message from this week's episode is simple: Don't be afraid to ask questions.
Whether you're an NDIS participant, family member, support coordinator or service provider, understanding your circumstances and seeking reliable information is essential. Patti encourages listeners to contact the NDIS directly and work with their existing support networks to understand what the reforms may mean for them.
Achieve Australia is also helping participants stay informed by providing access to information and updates throughout the reform process.
It's an important conversation about change, sustainability, protecting participant choice and making sure people with disability have the information they need to navigate the future of the NDIS.
📞 Contact Information
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
🌐 www.ndis.gov.au 📞 1800 800 110
For official information about NDIS reforms and how changes may affect your individual circumstances, contact the NDIS directly.
Achieve Australia
🌐 www.achieveaustralia.org.au 📞 1300 224 438

A familiar voice is back on the AllAbility Hour this week, as DJ Sparky and Patty from Achieve Australia welcome Crystal back to the microphone to find out how she’s progressing.
Since her first appearance, Crystal has been throwing herself into the Dance Troupe, working as part of the team, learning new routines and practising at home. She’s also preparing for an exciting performance at the Ipswich Disability Interagency Meeting on November 25, where the group will not only perform but also have the opportunity to speak about their lives and experiences as part of a panel.
For Crystal, it’s another chance to meet new people, share her story and continue building her confidence — although she admits there’s still one particular dance routine giving her a bit of trouble!
The conversation also looks at the importance of having a support team that works together. Crystal is supported by Achieve Australia alongside independent support workers, her support coordinator and her mum. Patti explains why communication and collaboration between everyone involved can make such a difference in providing consistent, person-centred support.
Crystal also speaks openly about anxiety and the strategies she’s working on to manage it. She explains how talking things through with people she trusts can help her calm down, while Patti reflects on the growing self-awareness Crystal is showing when recognising what she needs during difficult moments.
And Crystal came prepared with another very important job — shout-outs! She gives some love to the people who play an important part in her life, including Andrea, Patti, Sally, her mum and support coordinator Candy.
It’s a warm and very personal episode about confidence, community participation, teamwork and the difference a strong support network can make.
 

Finding a support worker isn't just about finding someone who can fill a shift — it's about finding someone who understands the person they're supporting.
This week on the AllAbility Hour, DJ Sparky is joined by Tyrone from Bespoke to talk about support work, compliance, matching workers with participants and why getting the little details right can make such a big difference.
Tyrone shares the story of how he and his business partner Andrew entered the disability sector, drawing on their own family lived experience before deciding to establish their own business. He also discusses the significant compliance requirements involved in operating within the NDIS and why he believes strong auditing and accountability are important across the sector.
A major focus of the conversation is Bespoke Workforce Solutions' approach to matching support workers. Rather than simply sending an available worker into an unfamiliar environment, Tyrone explains the importance of onboarding workers into an organisation's systems and ensuring they understand a participant's individual needs, preferences and potential triggers before arriving for a shift.
Tyrone also shares a story about a participant whose life changed dramatically following serious health issues. By connecting him with an opportunity involving animals, Tyrone says they've seen him rediscover something he's passionate about while gaining social connection and a renewed sense of purpose.
The episode also explores the growth of Bespoke Care, the organisation's registered provider arm, and how it works alongside the workforce business while maintaining separate systems for participant information and privacy.
It's a conversation about looking beyond filling a roster, recognising the individuality of every participant and understanding why the relationship between a person and their support worker really matters.
📞 Contact Information
Bespoke Care / Bespoke Workforce Solutions
🌐 bespokeau.com
Bespoke works across a large part of Queensland and Northern NSW, with Tyrone describing its service area as extending from Townsville to Byron Bay and west to Toowoomba. The organisation welcomes enquiries from both participants looking for support and people interested in support work.

What exactly is boccia? DJ Sparky and Patti had the same question!
This week on the AllAbility Hour, Emily from Sports4All joins DJ Sparky and Patty from Achieve Australia to introduce listeners to a Paralympic sport they may never have encountered before — and explain why boccia can provide an incredible opportunity for people with disability to get involved in sport.
Emily explains how boccia works, from throwing or kicking the ball to using a ramp that can be adapted to a player's movement and ability. Similar in concept to bowls, the game can be played individually or as a team, with plenty of strategy, skill and even the opportunity for trick shots!
The conversation explores how boccia can be adapted for different abilities, how classifications help players compete alongside others with similar functional abilities, and the opportunities available for people to try the sport through clubs, schools and community programs.
Emily also explains the broader work of Sports4All, which works with sporting clubs, schools and organisations to help them better understand inclusion and make meaningful changes. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, inclusion coaches work directly with organisations to identify what inclusion can look like for their particular community.
With boccia opportunities growing across Queensland — including locally in Ipswich — this episode is a great introduction to a sport where the focus is on finding a way for people to participate.
And after spending the episode learning about it, Sparky and Patty might just have to get onto the court and give boccia a go themselves!
📞 Contact Information
Sports4All – Emily📞 0424 666 762🌐 sport4all.com.au
Sports4All can assist sporting clubs, schools and organisations wanting to explore inclusion and create more accessible opportunities for participation.
Want to discover Boccia?
Search for Boccia Australia, Moreton Bay Boccia Bugs on Facebook, or connect with You Me and the Community in Ipswich to find out more about opportunities to play.

This week on the AllAbility Hour, DJ Sparky and Patty from Achieve Australia sit down for a catch-up on a big few weeks in the Ipswich disability community — from the first month of Achieve Australia to Fresh Futures and some important conversations around disability accommodation.
Patty reflects on the transition from Focal Community Services to Achieve Australia, sharing how participants have settled into the change while continuing with the programs, familiar supports and activities they know. The pair also revisit the Embracing Change workshops and the special time capsule created by participants to recognise Focal's 52-year history while looking towards the future.
There’s also a wrap-up of the Fresh Futures Market at the Ipswich Showgrounds, where students, families and people with disability were able to connect with service providers and explore employment, programs, independent living and other options for life after school. Sparky and Patty discuss just how daunting that transition can be — not only for young people with disability, but also for their families — and why having information and choices in one place can make such a difference.
Following Patty's visit to an SDA conference, the conversation turns to an important reminder: disability can become part of anyone's life. They discuss stories of people whose circumstances changed through accident or illness and why understanding the supports available before they're needed can be incredibly valuable.
The episode also breaks down some of the accommodation options available to eligible people with disability, including Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), Supported Independent Living (SIL) and Medium Term Accommodation (MTA), and encourages people and families to explore the choices and supports that may be available to them.
It’s a relaxed but important AllAbility Hour about change, independence, planning for the future and making sure people know there are options available.
📞 Contact Information
Achieve Australia
For information about disability supports, programs, accommodation options or services available through Achieve Australia:
🌐 Achieve Australia website📞 1300 224 438
Patty – Customer Engagement Partner, Achieve Australia📱 0426 107 647

This week on the AllAbility Hour, DJ Sparky and Patty from Achieve Australia bring together two fantastic stories about independence, inclusion, friendship and finding something you love.
First up is Kristel, who wastes absolutely no time getting involved on her very first day with Achieve Australia — asking straight away if she could get behind the microphone and tell listeners about herself!
Kristel shares her love of singing, dancing and getting out into the community, along with some of the challenges she experiences living with an intellectual impairment. She speaks openly about anxiety, recognising when she needs some space to regroup, and how the right support can help her manage those moments.
Transport and independence are also a big part of Kristel's story. Living in the Lowood area can make accessing activities in Ipswich difficult, but with support she's now able to participate in performing arts and dance programs. She's also learning to use public transport and developing skills that could eventually help her travel more independently.
Then, Rosanne from the Madeleine Stewart Dance Company joins the show to talk about creating a genuinely inclusive space for people with disability to discover dance, drama and drumming. The organisation now welcomes more than 350 students each week across South East Queensland, with classes designed around the abilities and needs of the people taking part.
Rosanne explains how the programs can build much more than performance skills. For participants who may have previously felt isolated or struggled to fit into mainstream classes, they can provide friendship, confidence and a genuine sense of belonging. More than half of the organisation's staff are also neurodivergent or people with disability, with some students progressing into paid employment and performance opportunities.
It's an episode that captures exactly what the AllAbility Hour is about — giving people a voice, creating opportunities and celebrating what can happen when people are supported to pursue the things they're passionate about.
📞 Contact Information
Madeleine Stewart Dance Company
🌐 madeleinestewartdancecompany.com📞 Rosanne – 0428 156 688📱 Facebook: Madeleine Stewart Dance Company📸 Instagram: @insideoutsidedance_ndis
The company offers inclusive dance, drama and drumming programs, with pathways ranging from social participation and friendship through to competitions, professional performances and international opportunitie

There’s plenty of energy, laughter and personality on this week’s AllAbility Hour as DJ Sparky and Patty from Achieve Australia are joined by members of the Performing Arts Group!
Jess, Shaylee, Amy, Shelby, Josh, Dom and Tom take over the microphones to share what they love about performing arts, from singing and dancing to acting, spending time with friends and, most importantly, having plenty of fun along the way.
The group gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at their sessions, which include vocal and physical warm-ups, learning lyrics, singing together and hitting the dance studio to practise their moves. They’re currently working on a huge range of songs, including favourites from Moana, One Direction, Little Mix, High School Musical 2, Taylor Swift and Barbie.
There’s also plenty to look forward to, with the group preparing for upcoming community performances — including Achieve Australia’s Thank You Ipswich event and the Fresh Futures Market.
Beyond putting on a great show, the Performing Arts Group is about building confidence, developing new skills, forming friendships and giving people with disability the opportunity to express themselves and shine on stage.
And judging by the energy around the table this week, they’re certainly ready to put on a show!
📞 Contact Information
Achieve Australia – Performing Arts Group
🌐 Achieve Australia📱 Patty – 0426 107 647
Interested in joining the Performing Arts Group, or looking for a talented and enthusiastic group to perform at your community event? Get in touch with Patti or Achieve Australia to find out more.
Fresh Futures Market – Ipswich📅 Wednesday, 2 September 2026⏰ 9:00am – 1:00pm🎤 Performing Arts Group expected on stage from around 9:30am.