The allabilityhour’s Podcast

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.

This week on the AllAbility Hour, DJ Sparky and Patti from Achieve Australia welcome back Peter and Grandel from DCA Mentoring Support (DCAM) for a conversation about embracing change, the power of lived experience, and creating opportunities for people with disability.
Peter and Grandel share their involvement in helping participants and support workers navigate the transition from Focal Community Services to Achieve Australia. Through their Embracing Change workshops, they created a safe, interactive space where people could talk openly about the transition, recognise Focal’s 52-year legacy, and look positively towards the opportunities ahead with Achieve Australia.
The pair also explain the work of DCAM, which recently celebrated five years under its current identity. With both Peter and Grandel bringing their own lived experience of cerebral palsy, their focus is on mentoring, capacity building, support work, workshops and helping people understand that no two experiences of disability are the same. Their message is simple but powerful — your story matters.
The episode also looks ahead to the Fresh Futures Market Ipswich, happening Wednesday, 2 September at the Ipswich Showgrounds. The expo connects school leavers and people with disability with employment pathways, service providers, allied health professionals and other opportunities as they transition into adult life. DJ Sparky will also be there showcasing radio and potentially taking the AllAbility Hour on the road!
It’s an uplifting episode about respecting the past, embracing what comes next, and ensuring people with disability have a genuine voice in shaping their future.
📞 Contact Information
DCA Mentoring Support (DCAM)📧 askus@dcam.com.au📱 Find DCA Mentoring Support on social media.
Fresh Futures Market – Ipswich📅 Wednesday, 2 September 2026⏰ 9:00am – 2:00pm📍 Ipswich Showgrounds🌐 freshfuturesinc.com – select the Ipswich event for further information and stallholder enquiries.

This week on the AllAbility Hour marks an exciting milestone as DJ Sparky and Patty announce that Focal Community Services has officially joined Achieve Australia, opening the door to even more opportunities for people with disability across Ipswich and South East Queensland.
Joining the show is Fiona from Achieve Australia, who shares the organisation's 75-year history of supporting people with disability and explains why the partnership with Focal is such a natural fit. Together, they discuss how both organisations share the same person-centred values and commitment to empowering people to live independent, fulfilling lives.
Listeners will hear what the transition means for current participants, with reassurance that support workers, familiar faces, and existing programs will largely remain the same. The discussion also explores the additional benefits that come with joining a larger organisation, including expanded clinical services, stronger back-office support, enhanced training opportunities, and the potential to introduce new programs to the Ipswich community.
Patty also announces her new role as Customer Engagement Partner with Achieve Australia, where she'll continue working closely with participants, families, providers, and the community to connect people with the supports they need.
While the name may be changing, the mission remains the same — delivering quality, person-centred support and ensuring the voices of people with disability continue to be heard.
📞 Contact Information
Achieve Australia
🌐 Achieve Australia
📞 1300 224 438
For local enquiries in Ipswich and surrounding areas, you can also contact:
Patty – Customer Engagement Partner
📱 0426 107 647
If you'd like to learn more about Achieve Australia, enquire about disability supports, community programs, accommodation services, or discuss how the transition may affect you or your family, the team is ready to help.

This week on the AllAbility Hour, DJ Sparky and Patty from Focal Community Services are joined by Michael from Down Syndrome and Intellectual Disability Queensland (DSiDQ) to discuss the organisation's mission of empowering people with intellectual disability to live full, independent, and meaningful lives.
Michael shares his personal journey as the father of a young man with Down syndrome and how that lived experience inspired him to move from the hospitality industry into community engagement. The conversation explores the importance of recognising that every person is unique, regardless of their diagnosis, and why personalised support and inclusive opportunities are so important.
Listeners will discover the wide range of free services and programs offered by DSiDQ, including advocacy, information and referral services, inclusive education support for schools, employment connection programs, and the inspiring Hear Me Out program, which helps participants develop confidence, self-advocacy, public speaking, and debating skills.
The episode also highlights the importance of supporting siblings of people with disability, creating truly inclusive workplaces, and helping employers recognise the value that people with intellectual disability bring to their organisations.
Packed with practical information and inspiring stories, this episode is a must-listen for families, educators, employers, and anyone passionate about creating a more inclusive community.
📞 Contact Information
Down Syndrome and Intellectual Disability Queensland (DSiDQ)
🌐 Down Syndrome and Intellectual Disability Queensland
📞 (07) 3356 6655
📧 office@dsidq.org.au
DSiDQ provides a range of free supports and services including:
Information and referral services
Advocacy and resources
Inclusive education support
Employment Connection Program
Hear Me Out self-advocacy program
Support for individuals and families across Queensland
For more information about upcoming programs or to access support, contact the DSiDQ team or visit their website.

This week on the AllAbility Hour, DJ Sparky and Patty from Focal Community Services welcome Kiara from the iCare Group to discuss her journey into the disability sector and the importance of delivering genuinely person-centred supports.
Drawing from her own lived experience supporting family members with disability, Kiara shares how a passion for helping others led her from aged care into disability support, eventually becoming the Supported Independent Living (SIL) Manager at iCare Group. She reflects on the lessons learned from working as an independent support worker and how those experiences shaped her understanding of quality care, compliance, and participant outcomes.
The conversation explores the range of services offered by iCare Group, including Supported Independent Living (SIL), community access, and their exciting expansion into allied health services such as occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychology, and psychiatry. Kiara also discusses the importance of collaboration between providers, support coordinators, allied health professionals, and families to ensure participants receive the best possible outcomes.
Listeners will gain valuable insight into the challenges facing the disability sector, the importance of communication across care teams, and why putting people first remains at the heart of quality disability support.
Whether you're an NDIS participant, family member, support worker, or provider, this episode highlights the power of collaboration, lived experience, and community in helping people achieve greater independence and quality of life.
📞 Contact Information
iCare Group
📞 (07) 3050 7191
🌐 Follow iCare Group on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok for updates and community stories.
iCare Group provides:
Supported Independent Living (SIL)
Community Access Supports
NDIS Services
Allied Health Services (coming soon)
Participant-centred support across South East Queensland

This week on the AllAbility Hour, DJ Sparky and Patty from Focal Community Services welcome Ella from First2Care Plan Management to unpack the latest NDIS Price Guide changes and what they mean for participants, providers, and families.
Drawing on both her professional experience and her personal journey as the mother of a teenager with cerebral palsy, Ella shares the realities of navigating the NDIS and why truly individualised supports are so important. She discusses the challenges of advocating for a loved one, the importance of lived experience in shaping the Scheme, and why no two people with the same diagnosis have identical support needs.
The conversation then turns to the recent NDIS Price Guide updates, including changes affecting plan managers, registered and unregistered providers, and allied health pricing. Ella explains the move towards greater independence for plan management businesses, how conflict of interest reforms will impact the sector, and why these changes aim to improve transparency and reduce fraud within the Scheme.
Listeners will also gain valuable insight into the role of an independent plan manager, how plan management can help participants better understand and manage their funding, and why having a real person to talk to can make navigating the NDIS much less overwhelming.
Whether you're an NDIS participant, family member, support coordinator or provider, this episode offers practical information and expert insight into the latest changes affecting the disability community.
📞 Contact Information
First2Care Plan Management
🌐 First2Care Plan Management
📞 1300 322 273
If you'd like to learn more about independent plan management, understand your NDIS funding, or receive support navigating the latest NDIS changes, the First2Care team is ready to help.