Our agenda - Forward Ability Support

Our agenda

Forward Ability Support is a not-for-profit organisation that has been supporting people living with spinal cord injury for more than 60 years. Our primary objective has always been to improve the quality of life of people living with SCI, recognising that each person’s goals and aspirations are individual to them. This means that after 60 years, we are still listening to better understand what is important to our members, their families and other stakeholders within the community. The common issues raised resonate with our purpose to lead the way with services and supports towards a brighter, positive future for our community – to make a real difference to the lives of people living with a spinal cord injury – to maximise life choices, independence and quality of life in the long term. 

Our Board has been working hard to formulate our Agenda – based on what we have heard and we believe are the pressing issues of the day. In this edition of the newsletter, we are proud to present our Agenda to clearly signpost those issues we will be focusing on. We will be working tirelessly on behalf of our members and their supporters not only to draw attention to these issues but also to make a tangible difference in these areas.

What we stand for and what we are working towards

We want to see:

  • Equalised supports across the disability and aged care sectors
  • A refocus by the NDIS on choice and control for participants
  • An Australian society that genuinely embraces people living with disability
  • Ongoing applied research and support to improve care for people living with SCI
  • Bespoke accommodation for people living with SCI 

Equalised supports across the disability and aged care sectors

What does that mean?

The fact that people over 65 cannot become an NDIS participant is unfair and inequitable.
Recommendation 72 of the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety states that those living with disability over the age of 65 and accessing an aged care package should be entitled to the same level of financial support as afforded under the NDIS.

What we’re doing

Forward Ability Support is collaborating with stakeholders and policymakers to work positively with the Albanese Government to encourage the undertaking of straightforward reforms in addition to helping ensure this recommendation is adopted by the Federal Government.

An NDIS that truly delivers choice and control to participants – as initially envisaged

What does that mean?

The twin principles of a person living with a disability having choice over the services and accommodations they receive and having control over how these are delivered are inviolate.

Over time, there has been an increasing focus on the cost of the NDIS, with choice and control taking a back seat. 
People living with disability need to access a transparently operated Scheme that delivers financial support that matches their needs. 

What we’re doing

We will continue to work with our members living with spinal cord injury to ensure they receive the financial support from the NDIS necessary to deliver the level of care and service required to meet their needs and retain choice and control over how those funds are used.

An Australian society that fully embraces people living with disability

What does that mean?

15% of people in this country live with a disability. 
We believe that all hindrances to these Australians leading a full and productive life, be they physical or attitudinal, should be removed. 
As Australian of the Year, Dylan Alcott stated, the problem lies not with those living with a disability but with the attitudes and acceptance of able-bodied Australians. 

What we’re doing

Forward Ability Support will work to realise an inclusive Australian society where government proactively seeks to meet its international human rights commitments. 
We support a greater awareness and understanding of co-design, facilitating the development of society to provide conditions in which people living with a disability can grow and thrive.

Ongoing applied research and support that improves the care provided to those living with SCI

What does that mean?

We support vibrant and active clinical research activities that improve the everyday life of people living with SCI. This includes ongoing and regular access to medical and clinical expertise, provided through face-to-face, virtual and phone contact.
While we consider academic research crucial, Forward Ability Support wants to see more research focused on addressing common, everyday issues like pain, skin integrity, management of autonomic dysreflexia and so on.

What we’re doing

We support and will continue to work with organisations undertaking this important work, sharing it with a broader audience and bringing it to bear wherever possible.

Accommodation specifically designed for and suited to people living with SCI

What does that mean?

Forward Ability Support believes the housing available for people with a disability should be modified appropriately for people living with a spinal cord injury. 

What we’re doing

We will continue to lobby and advocate for sufficient and well-directed funding. We will develop an advisory service to support modifications that meet the specific needs of individuals living with spinal cord injury. 

Got a question?

Talk to us for more information about our services and how we can help you.