Connect to services through the Disability Gateway
The Disability Gateway assists all people with disability, their families and carers to find and access services across Australia.
Launched in January 2021, the Australian Government developed the Disability Gateway in response to difficulties faced by people with disability accessing accurate information. The Disability Gateway is operated by Australia’s oldest charity, the Benevolent Society.
The website provides a single-entry point to find programs and services, including income and finance, employment, aids and equipment, housing, transport, health and wellbeing, everyday living, education, and leisure. The Disability Gateway can also help with your rights, legal services, advocacy, and discrimination.
Case studies from the Disability Gateway provide examples of areas where access to services is required. For example, Maya, has a physical disability and uses a wheelchair. Maya lives with her parents but finds and chooses disability support services for herself. Maya wants to move out of her family home, so she uses the website to access information on housing, rights and equipment. Maya will soon graduate with a Bachelor of Social Work and is looking for future job opportunities. The website provides the steps to employment and employee rights.
The sections are labelled and easy to navigate. For example, in Employment, there are subsections such as ‘Finding and keeping a job’. You can search by state – for NSW, there are 23 different organisations to assist with employment including organisations such as Workforce Australia, Disability Employment Services, and RecruitAbility for a career in the Australian Public Service.
I found the Disability Gateway website clear and easy to use. I think having the 10 areas of life gives people a clear starting point for their search, even if they’re not sure what service they’re looking for – Stuart, Bendigo
The gateway also provides links to the relevant contacts for guardianship in each state – including the NSW Trustee and Guardian.
For more information on the Disability Gateway visit their website: https://www.disabilitygateway.gov.au/ or phone: 1800 643 787 - available weekdays from 8.00am − 8.00pm
Contact the Guardian Support Unit
Contact the Guardian Support Unit on 1300 361 389 or pg.engagement@opg.nsw.gov.au.
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