Our Programs and Services

We offer a range of programs and services focused on increasing the abilities and skills of each individual.

• Self Managed Programs
• Community Access Program
• Supported Living
• Case management
• Respite services

Self Management Services

Self Management services assist people to plan and purchase their own activities and programs in accordance with their interests and life goals. More than this, Self Management is an innovative approach to service provision placing the person with the disability in the driver’s seat to manage the resources allocated to them for community programs, as opposed to people fitting into programs and alternatives that have already been designed.

The corner stone of our Self Managed services is the development of a Person Centred Plan for each individual, focusing on their abilities and passions while utilising and expanding their support network.

Part of Ability Options’ commitment to the Self Managed Program is the coordination of The Seminar Program. The Seminar Program provides opportunities for families and people receiving a service to come together and discuss their programs and hear innovative speakers in the field. This program also provides invaluable feedback and direction for Ability Options from the families using our services.

Ability Options is one of two service providers in NSW that successfully piloted the Self Managed Community Participation program (2 year pilot). At present, we offer the following self managed services:

• Community Participation

• Life Choices & Active Ageing

• Early Start (Pilot)

Community Participation funding is utilised by people to learn new skills to promote their independence, pursue their interests and life goals and access support as required to become involved in community based activities.

Life Choices and Active Ageing funding is used by people to participate in community based activities, develop independent living skills as required, and access age appropriate activities.

Case Management

Ability Options offers specialist case management programs for people living in the Penrith Local Government Area who need someone to help them identify and access the services they need to live in their home and community.

Case Management Services are tailored to the needs of each individual and documented in a Support Plan which clearly states their goals and when and how they want to achieve them.

The Case Management Consultant works with the person and/or their family, to enable them to achieve their goals and, over time, become independent in getting the services they need including:

• Information provision
• Referral to other services
• Assessment
• Service planning, co-ordination and monitoring
• Advocacy and support in accessing services

The Case Manager meets with the client and together they undertake a comprehensive assessment which will help them to identify that person’s goals and the areas of their life that they need assistance with. A Support Plan is developed to clearly identify the services needed, who will arrange them and when. The Case Manager then negotiates commencement of services and monitors them to make sure that everything is working as expected.

The Case Manager Program provides client with a single person they can communicate with to arrange the services they need and resolve any problems or issues they may encounter.

Supported Living

Ability Options provides accommodation services for over 100 people with an intellectual disability from a wide range of age groups living in NSW, offering a range of service models (ranging from units to purpose built houses and group homes with 24 hour support).

Services are provided to people living independently in their own homes through drop-in support provided several times a week to people living in specialised support models who require 24 hour assistance. More specifically, Ability Options runs specialised support models for people with Prader Willi Syndrome, people living with ongoing mental health issues, and people at risk of crime or become victims of crime.

Our services also work in partnership with Government agencies like Housing NSW and community housing providers to assist people to find a suitable home and support to maintain a public housing tenancy. The Outreach program assists people to develop independent living skills and some other longer term service users with minor levels of assistance to manage their household and live independently.

Service Objectives

• The provision of a service focused on individual need

• The provision of a service focused on education, community support and expanding social networks

• The ongoing development of a quality service through training

• Promotion of the full participation of people we support in all aspects of service delivery and management

• To maintain all accommodation in line with community standards

• Ability Options maintains a system of quality assurance

• To operate within the allocated resources

An educational and training approach is tailored to each individual enabling them to reach their own level of independence.

Community Access Program

The Community Access Program provides quality training and recreational opportunities for the people we support. This program includes term based training courses, weekly and monthly recreational outings, short holidays and individual support to access community activities.

The training programs are available to people supported by other organisations or people living in other community settings. The aim of the program is to increase the interaction of people with disabilities and the opportunities to learn and follow interests.

Respite Services

Ability Options’ Out of School Hours support service provides activities for teenagers with disabilities in Goulburn after school and during school holidays. This service provides planned activities and support for teenagers with disabilities while providing a respite service for parents and families.

Ability Options provides 24 hour specialised centre based respite services to the Ageing Disability and Home Care program, providing support for people who have assessed as being homeless.