You can get the Sydney and Sydney Greater West now and other editions can be ordered. $13 from each book sold will go to directly to fundraising for Ability Options clients.
Not only do you help a fabulous cause by purchasing a book you will also be entitled to huge savings. Buy the book online now http://bit.ly/LTKtuf
]]>The lucky winners are:
A very special thanks also to our generous sponsors:
Beautiful Hailey is in this important YouTube clip.
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Our nursery is an Australian Disability Enterprise that provides employment and training opportunities to people with a disability. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Extensive variety of plants available at low prices, including herbs, potted colour, hedging lines and hanging baskets. Bagged potting mix and cow manure also for sale!
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Michelle Rowland, who was the first Sydney Federal representative to publicly show her support for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
During her visit, the Prime Minister was given a glimpse of Australia’s future with an NDIS when she met with participants and their families who are assisted by Ability Options’ Self-Managed Services.
These participants have been able to achieve amazing outcomes thanks to the choice and control that is offered by individualised funding.
Later in the day during an interview with Channel 10’s The Project, Julia Gillard spoke highly of her time at Ability Options, saying, “I’ve met with people who are providing disability services and doing just some amazing things by their fellow Australians.
Ability Options’ Chief Executive, Matt Donnelly and Executive Leader of Marketing and Communications, Nettie Burke welcome the Prime Minister to Ability Options. 
Sayed Mohammade Waliullah (Walee, centre) Mir with Ability Options Consultants, Gemma Boidin and Debbie Clifford (pictured left). Walee, his mother and sister (Fouzia and Bheshta Mir, pictured right) spoke to the Prime Minster about being able to create the life he wants through Ability Options’ Self-Managed Services.
Julia Gillard also met with participants from Ability Options’ Transition to Work service. 
Julia Gillard spoke with Ability Options’ social media team; Janet Chiapparone, Josh Taig and Hailey Lindermann. The Prime Minister asked them about their jobs sharing information and stories from Ability Options to the online community.
The Prime Minister talked to Clare Hooper and Clare’s mum, Helen. Clare is a prizewinning artist, a dedicated volunteer and a respected member of her community. Clare has been able to achieve these things with the support of Ability Options’ Self-Managed Services and has the flexibility to direct her funding towards activities and resources that meet her needs and goals.
Self-Managed Services participant, Cath Potter meets the Prime Minister. Cath is a member of the Sydney Street Choir and recently produced a CD of songs using her individualised funding.
Over the past six months, the nursery has significantly increased its equipment and infrastructure to cater for a big increase in demand. This included a second new polyhouse, creating capacity for up to 240,000 more plants a year, and investment in capital works and equipment including a motorised potting machine and a Kubota tractor and trailer.
Nursery Manager, Talbot Wilson says the nursery’s new equipment has made a big difference.
“We are now able to fill larger scale orders and have increased our efficiency, quality and production,” Talbot said. “The equipment also provides new learning and skill-building opportunities for staff.”
“We’ve also adopted different growing methods such as propagation and growing from seed to ensure the highest quality products for our customers,” he said.
One such customer is Citywide who is contracted by the City of Sydney and who has just begun purchasing plants from the nursery. Most recently, the nursery supplied 28,000 plants to Citywide, which will feature in the gardens of Hyde Park and the Archibald Fountain.
Jody Rigby from Citywide says the company is pleased to use such a positive enterprise.
“Citywide is proud to support Ability Options Wholesale Nursery which not only provides a wide range of stock and great service to its customers, but also creates training and work opportunities to people with a disability,” Jody said.
The nursery is located at 279 Mamre Road, St Clair and can be contacted on (02) 9670 2097.
A display of Ability Options Wholesale Nursery’s plants in Hyde Park in December last year
Bag a bargain at our plant sales!
Ability Options Wholesale nursery holds regular open day sales, giving the community the opportunity to buy direct and save. Open days will be held on:
• Saturday 20 April, 8am-3pm
Check our
]]>Ability Options’ Transition to Work is a two year program assisting school leavers with a disability develop the skills, knowledge and experience needed to enter the workforce. It provides real life work experience, a career plan and skill building opportunities all tailored to each person’s needs, interests and goals.
Steven was interested in working in aged care and so Transition to Work consultants arranged work experience for Steven at BCS Aminya and focused on helping him develop the skills he would need.
When Steven graduated from Transition to Work, Ability Options Employment helped Steven get a job at BCS Aminya within the lifestyle team. Steven now receives ongoing, on-the-job support from Ben Glover, an Ability Options Job Support Consultant.
Steven says he really likes his job. “I enjoy serving food to residents and having a chat and playing games with them,” he said.
Steven’s mum, Noelene, was initially apprehensive about life after school for Steven but says that Ability Options has helped him blossom.
“We’ve noticed such a change in Steven. He’s really come out of his shell,” Noelene said. “He has developed in so many ways, including making many friends and developing his living skills and he has exceeded our and his own expectations.”
To find out more about Transition to Work or employment services call (02) 8811 1777.
Steven is very popular with residents at BCS Aminya
Ability Options Employment Consultant, Baseer Rizvi, helped Matthew overcome his anxiety by initially supporting him to volunteer at his local church.
Baseer then helped Matthew find a job he was interested in at McDonald’s and provided initial on the job support to Matthew during each of his shifts. This support was gradually pared back as Matthew’s confidence and skills increased and Matthew is now able to work independently.
Matthew says Ability Options has been a great help. “Baseer’s really helped me with social interaction skills, which is what I needed most.” Matthew said. “He and other staff have been there to give me advice or help me if I got anxious.”
McDonald’s Westmead Manager, Natasha Fox says that Matthew fits in well and is always friendly and chatty. “Matthew is always enthusiastic to complete his job to the highest standard and he’s great to have as part of the team,” Natasha said. “We’ve also appreciated the support from Ability Options who have not just helped Matthew build his skills, but his confidence too.”
Matthew and Baseer
Each architecturally designed, state-of-the-art two-bedroom villa will be part of a cluster, within a local community, close to amenities and transport.
Ability Options will offer people a supportive environment with maximum independence. Ability Options staff will help connect people to local services and activities allowing them to do what they want, their way.
If you are interested in our SAIF project, contact Nicola Hayhoe on (02) 8811 1720.
Exciting housing opportunities for people with a disability.
Unlike traditional ‘one size fits all’ programs, Individualised Funding enables Kristy to have full control over her life. Ability Options provides the plans, support and flexibility to help her make it happen.
Kristy has completed a Bachelor of History (Honours), a Bachelor of Law and will this year complete a Practicing Certificate at the College of Law in Sydney.
What are your goals?
My goals are simple really — to get a job that I really like, I am good at and that I can help people in. More generally, I want to be able to do what I want, when I want, how I want and with whom I want like everyone else.
What do you like most about studying and then practicing law?
I like how words can be twisted to mean different things— that’s cool!
What do you like doing in your spare time?
I read, go to movies and have coffee with my friends.
What do you like about most about Ability Options’ Self-Managed Service?
I like that I have choice and control over what I do. I can choose my own people to work with me. I can control and can see how my money is spent. It offers me flexibility and respect to achieve the things that I want, giving me the same opportunities as others.
How is your Ability Options consultant able to support you?
Jodie helps me by giving me ideas about things to do and keeps an eye on my budget. She’s positive and creative to help me get the most of out of my funding and that’s what you want in a consultant.
To find out more about Individualised Funding call Manager, Debbie Clifford, on (02) 8811 1770.
Kristy and Jodie