This Autism Awareness Month we sat down with Jessica Otter, mum of 2 and creator of @aussieautismfamily, an account with over 17k Instagram followers, 16k TikTok followers and over 26k Youtube subscribers.
On her social channels, Jess details her experience raising her son Jacob who is autistic and has ADHD. She does this in an informative and, sometimes, humorous ways by using current trends to raise awareness and support.
Manly Sea Eagles announce their partnership with What Ability
– April 2023 –
The Manly Sea Eagles has announced an exciting new partnership with disability support service What Ability.
What Ability is an NDIS provider that utilises professional and semi-professional athletes as support workers to provide community based experiences for people living with a disability, including swimming, bush walks, beach days, indoor activity facilities and holiday camps.
What Ability Media and Community Manager Todd Liubinskas said said the partnership will allow What Ability to bring more happiness to people living with a disability.
“”Manly will play an essential role in helping What Ability build and showcase an inclusive Australia,” Liubinskas said.
“With shared core values and a joint focus on inclusion, we are so excited to team up and harness the power of sport to break down barriers and existing perceptions of the disability sector.”
Manly players Sean Keppie, Tom Trbojevic, Jake Trbojevic, Ben Trbojevic and Karl Lawton are all What Ability Ambassadors. The athletes go out on regular bookings and help to bring happiness to people with disabilities.
To follow this partnership, check out What Ability (@whatability) and Manly Sea Eagles (@manlyseaeagles) on socials or if you’re looking for disability support, head to https://whatability.com.au/services/need-support/ to find out more.
NSW Rugby League announce their partnership with What Ability
– April 2023 –
The NSWRL has announced an exciting new partnership with disability support service What Ability, which will include an inaugural award for ‘Inclusive Athlete of the Year’ to be presented at the 2023 Brad Fittler Medal.
What Ability is an NDIS provider that utilises professional and semi-professional athletes as support workers to provide community based experiences for people living with a disability, including swimming, bush walks, beach days, indoor activity facilities and holiday camps.
NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden said it was a privilege to form a community partnership with What Ability as inclusion and diversity were among the core pillars of the game.
“What Ability is an industry leader in the disability sector, and we look forward to the opportunities this partnership will provide into the future,” Trodden said.
“I would like to thank What Ability for giving the NSWRL this opportunity to be part of the wonderful and rewarding work that they do.”
What Ability Media and Community Manager Todd Liubinskas said: “We are so excited to partner with NSWRL because we can bring both organisations together to really highlight diversity and inclusion in the Rugby League community.”
The Brad Fittler Medal is held at the end of the regular season for the NSWRL and includes awards for the men’s and women’s State of Origin teams, NSWRL Major Competitions and Junior Representatives Competitions, Referees, Rugby League Officials and Volunteers.
Trodden said it would be a welcome addition to have an award for ‘Inclusive Athlete of the Year.’
“The Brad Fittler Medal provides an opportunity for elite players to grassroots volunteers to be recognised for the outstanding contribution they have made to Rugby League that season,” Trodden said.
“It is only fitting that we have an award that acknowledges inclusion as it illustrates what the NSWRL stands for.”
What Ability was part of the recent ‘Inclusion Gala Day’ at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence which brought together 120 participants of all abilities and cultural backgrounds to enjoy a range of fun Rugby League activities and activations.
True Blues Jake and Tom Trbojevic, and Harvey Norman NSW Sky Blues back-rower Shaylee Bent, headline a list of Rugby League ambassadors and other athletes who donate their time to provide positive experiences for people with disabilities.
What Ability CEO Belinda Woolford is also very excited about the partnership, commenting on the ‘synergies’ between the organisations. “Partnering with an organisation who shares our passion for inclusivity and embracing the power of sport to break down barriers and existing stigmas, is really special. We can’t wait to see what opportunities arise this year as both organisations work towards showcasing disability and inclusion at the forefront of Rugby League.”
To follow this partnership, check out What Ability (@whatability) and NSWRL (@nswrl) on socials or if you’re looking for disability support, head to https://whatability.com.au/services/need-support/ to find out more.
Hey Sydney! Ever wanted to kick a ball with intensity like Western Sydney Wanderer’s Tomi Juric? Or with style like Keanu Baccus?
Thanks to our friends at Westfield Burwood, we’ve got an exclusive hour during Easter holidays.
This April school holidays Western Sydney Wanderers will host a skills and drills clinic at Westfield Burwood exclusive for What Ability participants. Come down and get involved to learn all of the world game tips and tricks – with a specially tailored session for What Ability.
Carlton FC have praised their athletes Brooke Walker and Caleb Marchbank for their support work with What Ability over the Christmas period. In a recent article, the renowned football club wrote about the athletes taking a participant out to IKON park, laser tag and Timezone.
Walker and Marchbank, who both play defense in their respective teams, banded together and used their off-season Christmas breaks to make a difference in the life of a person living with a disability. Brooke Walker has been a long-time athlete of What Ability, happily taking part in our recent support worker campaign and always being up for a fun day out when she’s not on the field.
Carlton FC wrapped up the article by highlighting What Ability’s belief that athletes are perfect for support work, due to the high level of responsibility needed for both roles. At What Ability, we believe athletes have the power to change the world and are looking forward to how these two athletes will spread more Christmas joy next year!
What Ability is in the news again with an ABC feature written by our very own content producer Rebecca Hegedus. This time our jam-packed camps, run by our national camp manager Ashleigh Dresler, are in the spotlight.
The article follows the story of our 19-year-old participant Nina O’Toole as she experiences all the fun our camps have to offer, like riding a jetski and bushwalking. Nina’s mum also talks about how her daughter loves spending time with friends on camp, highlighting how our camps are a chance for our participants to make long-lasting friendships.
One of our star support workers, professional motorsport driver Joey Mawson, also makes an appearance in the article. He expresses how his work with What Ability is being noticed and viewed positively by the people around him.
What Ability is now on the small screen, with an exciting news feature by Sky News and Paul Murray On Air. Two of our star athletes, Sydney Swifts’ captain Maddy Proud and GWS Giants midfielder Ally Dallaway gave insight into how rewarding their work with What Ability feels, and how crucial it is that everyone has the chance to have fun.
Our founder Steve and CEO Belinda also spoke about how using athletes as support workers helps to dissolve the stigma surrounding people with disability. Then, Participants Matty and Kimberley shared how What Ability has supported them in unleashing their potential. Ken Yazici, one of our participant’s parents also made it known that he never imagined that a service like What Ability could exist.
We are so thankful to Sky News and Paul Murray On Air for shining a light on breaking down barriers in the disability sector!
Our very own founder Steve Dresler has been nominated for Young Australian of the Year award! This nomination recognises the work Steve, What Ability and the What Ability Foundation have been doing in the disability support space.
The NSW nominees are among 131 people being recognised across all states and territories. The four award recipients from NSW will be announced on the evening of Wednesday 2 November in a ceremony at Luna Park.
Congratulations Steve and thank you to every participant, family member, support worker and office worker at What Ability for putting happiness first. This is only the beginning!
