You’re invited to our What Ability Day Sydney!

Hey Sydney! Get pumped for a What Ability Day coming your way!

You’re invited to hang out with us and your favourite local athletes at VAILO Community Centre on Saturday, 2 December.

Starting at 10am and concluding at 12pm, our What Ability Day at VAILO Community Centre is a free and disability inclusive event.

We’re inviting people with a disability, and their family, to join us on the day! There will be an activity zone to play sports, a chill out zone to hang out with friends and a media zone to see our athletes.

There are only 200 spots available, so sign up here to secure your spot

By |2023-11-09T05:02:32+00:00November 9, 2023|News, NSW, state based|0 Comments

Join us at our November Morning Teas

You’re invited to join us at the office for our upcoming What Ability Morning Teas!

We believe in the power of inclusivity and support, and we’re excited to extend an invitation to our families, Plan Managers and community interested in finding out more, to our upcoming What Ability Morning Teas. These free events aim to foster a sense of community, provide information about our 1:1 support and overnight camps, and offer a platform for open dialogue and feedback sharing. It’s a unique opportunity to meet other families and share experiences and insights, creating a stronger, more supportive network.

RSVP and Event Details

We are hosting What Ability Morning Teas in three major cities before Christmas: Perth, Sydney, and Melbourne. To make sure we have everything in order, please RSVP using the provided links below:

Watch our recent Sydney morning tea video below!

By |2023-10-31T03:27:18+00:00October 31, 2023|News, NSW, state based, VIC, WA|0 Comments

What Ability join forces with Rugby Australia

Rugby Australia and What Ability, an NDIS provider, join forces with a shared mission of prioritising happiness for people living with disabilities.

Friday, 27th October 2023

Rugby Australia and What Ability, a leading National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provider, will unite to put happiness first for people living with disabilities across the country.

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 activities and overnight camps. 

Together they’re harnessing the power of sport to support all abilities and place inclusion at the forefront of Rugby, whilst simultaneously increasing visibility of disability on a national scale.

What Ability CEO Jared Chapman said: “This commitment from Rugby Australia is paving the way forward towards a more inclusive Australia. There are great synergies between our organisations and we believe this partnership will strengthen their already inclusive framework. We’re creating real change and are able to continue putting happiness first for people living with a disability.”

Rugby Australia General Manager of Community Rugby Michael Procajlo said: “We are committed to providing opportunities for everyone in the community to be involved and respected within rugby. Partnering with What Ability is a significant step forward as they will play a key role in promoting GingerCloud Foundation’s Modified Rugby Program (MRP), which is a world class program established for neurodiverse young people. Together we look forward to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those living with a disability.”

What Ability Support Worker and Wallabies prop Angus Bell is very excited about the partnership, commenting on the utmost importance of the collaboration, “Rugby is such a key and celebrated part of Australian culture. For inclusion and diversity to be at the centre of the game with the support of What Ability is truly amazing. I can’t wait to see how this partnership evolves.” 

What Ability provide extensive training to ensure support workers are capable, fit and confident in their role. Their training includes the following qualifications; Epilepsy Essentials, First Aid/CPR certificate, NDIS Orientation Module, NDIS Worker Check, Police Check, Water Rescue, Working with Children Check, two professional references, and where applicable, Safety Interventions, Medication administration training and Emergency Medication administration training.

What Ability provide extensive training to ensure support workers are capable, fit and confident in their role. Their training includes the following qualifications; Epilepsy Essentials, First Aid/CPR certificate, NDIS Orientation Module, NDIS Worker Check, Police Check, Water Rescue, Working with Children Check, two professional references, and where applicable, Safety Interventions, Medication administration training and Emergency Medication administration training.

By |2023-10-26T22:02:11+00:00October 26, 2023|News, NSW, state based|0 Comments

Harvey Norman and What Ability renew partnership for three years

Harvey Norman and What Ability renew partnership for three years as they pave the way for inclusive initiatives in the disability sector 

Friday, 22nd September 2023

Harvey Norman and What Ability, a leading National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provider, have announced the three year renewal of their partnership focused on putting happiness first for Aussies living with a disability. 

What Ability specialises in one-to-one community access for people living with disability by pairing them with support workers, which include a number of Australia’s elite and emerging sportspeople including Olivia Kernick, NRLW Sydney Rooster player and support worker and Shaun Bruce, Sydney Kings player and support worker. Activities are tailored to participants’ goals and needs which can see them meeting their sporting heroes while accessing community activities and overnight camps. 

As part of the partnership, Harvey Norman will continue to support What Ability in building an inclusive world. To benefit What Ability, Harvey Norman has implemented inclusive initiatives such as activations at camp, in-store cooking experiences, and collaborations with other key brands and partners. Their in-store teams are also supporting extended families through personalised in store shopping experiences and VIP cards. 

“Harvey Norman CEO Katie Page said the decision to renew the partnership between What Ability and Harvey Norman was easy. We have seen first-hand the joy the What Ability activities bring for all the participants. The joy of cooking, attending camp, art or bowling these are the dimensions of life that bring fulfilment. Sharing these moments with elite and emerging sportspeople – role models for us all – creates an added inspiration that endures long after the activity has concluded. 

“We know that it also benefits the families of the participants living with a disability as it provides them with an opportunity to take some time out knowing that their family member is having the time of their life.”

What Ability Founder, Steve Dresler said the renewal of the collaboration would ultimately strengthen the existing partnership and enrich the lives of all participants around the country:

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to renew our partnership with Harvey Norman for another three years. Their team shares our vision of building an inclusive world and have embraced our mission to put happiness first for people living with a disability. They have helped us gain visibility and provided unforgettable memories for our participants” he said.

“Through our shared resources, knowledge, and passion, we’ve been able to empower individuals with disabilities to lead fulfilling lives and participate fully in society. The success of this partnership is a testament to what can be achieved when organisations with shared values come together to make a difference.”

What Ability is currently active in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and Western Australia, with plans to expand in South Australia soon. To follow this collaboration, check out Harvey Norman (@harveynormanau) and What Ability (@whatability) on social media or if you’re looking for disability support, head to https://whatability.com.au/services/need-support/ to find out more.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Katie Philipson, Marketing Coordinator, [email protected]

HR imagery available upon request. 

About Harvey Norman:

Harvey Norman is a large Australian-based, multinational retailer of furniture, bedding, computers, communications and consumer electrical products. Choose from appliances, computers, TVs, furniture and more at their website, https://www.harveynorman.com.au/ 

About What Ability:

What Ability is an NDIS registered disability support service that specialises in 1:1 community access and camps. They connect you with capable, fit and friendly support workers across the country, some of which are professional athletes. If you’re looking for disability support, head to https://whatability.com.au/services/need-support/ to find out more.

By |2023-09-22T00:46:31+00:00September 21, 2023|News, NSW, state based|0 Comments

You’re invited to our What Ability Day at Cbus Super Stadium!

Hey Queensland! Get pumped for a What Ability Day coming your way!

You’re invited to hang out with us and your favourite local athletes at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday, 4 November.

Starting at 10am and concluding at 12pm, our What Ability Day at Cbus Super Stadium is a free and disability inclusive event.

We’re inviting people with a disability, and their family, to join us on the day! There will be an activity zone to play sports, a chill out zone to hang out with friends and a media zone to see our athletes.

There are only 200 spots available, so sign up here to secure your spot

By |2023-10-16T21:44:38+00:00September 18, 2023|News, QLD, state based|0 Comments

What Ability teams up with Hoops Capital

September 2023

Hoops Capital and What Ability, a leading National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provider, will unite to put happiness and inclusion at the forefront of both the men’s and women’s National Basketball Leagues. 

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, going to sporting games and overnight camps. 

Together they are strengthening communities both on and off the court, championing inclusivity for all abilities, and advocating for increased awareness in the disability sector.

What Ability CEO, Jared Chapman said: “It is very exciting to partner with Hoops Capital who share our vision of building an inclusive world. Together we will harness the power of sport and its national impact, to unite and break down existing barriers in the sector. This is a big step forward in achieving our vision as we expand our reach across the country and different sporting codes.”

Hoops Capital co-owner and chairman Paul Smith echoed Chapman’s sentiments, saying his organisation were extremely excited about the new partnership.“Our partnership with What Ability is an exciting milestone for Hoops Capital, the Sydney Kings and Flames, as we endeavour to hero inclusivity,  diversity and raise awareness for the disability sector,” Smith said. 

“As a governing body, we hope to lead the charge for positive change in the space and champion inclusion as a key pillar of our sport.”

What Ability Founder Steve Dresler, is thrilled about the partnership, commenting on the synergies between the organisations, “To have Sydney Kings and Sydney Flames players on board with What Ability makes this partnership so special. Players like Shaun Bruce, Kiera Rowe and Emma Clarke have embraced our mission, vision and are very passionate about putting happiness first for our participants. We can’t wait to see what opportunities and awareness this partnership brings this year.”

What Ability provides extensive training to ensure support workers are capable, fit and confident in their role. Their training includes the following qualifications; Epilepsy Essentials, First Aid/CPR certificate, NDIS Orientation Module, NDIS Worker Check, Police Check, Water Rescue, Working with Children Check, two professional references, and where applicable, Safety Interventions, Medication administration training and Emergency Medication administration training.

To follow this partnership, check out What Ability (@whatability) and Hoops Capital (@hoopscapitaleast) on socials or if you’re looking for disability support, head to https://whatability.com.au/services/need-support/ to find out more.

By |2023-09-14T22:40:36+00:00September 14, 2023|News, NSW, state based|0 Comments

What Ability teams up with Disability Sports Australia

September 2023

Disability Sports Australia (DSA) and What Ability, a leading National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provider, are teaming up to support Australians with disabilities be active through a new community partnership.

What Ability specialises in one-to-one community access for people living with disability by pairing them with support workers, which include a number of Australia’s elite and emerging athletes. DSA is a National Sporting Organisation for people with disabilities (NSOD) that strives to enable more Australians with disabilities be more active more often. Both organisations are coming together to amplify their impact, share stories, and advocate for an inclusive active environment for individuals with disabilities.

As part of the partnership, What Ability and DSA will harness the power of sport to help put happiness first for people living with a disability around the country. Both organisations share the belief that sport has the ability to bring people together, facilitate social connections and improve the wellbeing of people living with disabilities. 

“Our partnership with What Ability is a thrilling step forward in our collective journey,” exclaimed Ayden Shaw, General Manager of Disability Sports Australia. “By combining our strengths, we can expand the reach of our programs and initiatives, ultimately providing more opportunities for people with disabilities to be active and socially connected.”

Jared Chapman, CEO of What Ability, echoed the sentiment, saying, “We are proud to partner with Disability Sports Australia. Their shared vision of an inclusive world and like-minded activities provide an exciting glimpse into what’s to come. We look forward to this helping happiness come first for Australians with disabilities.”

An announcement of this exciting partnership took place at the Activate Inclusion Sports Day event in Newcastle on Thursday, September 7. This event served as the perfect backdrop for the collaboration, as it created buzz around DSA’s new program, “Abilities Unleashed – Adults.” This program encourages and empowers adults with disabilities to explore local adaptive sports and active recreation opportunities.

The partnership is a testament to both organisations’ dedication to improving the lives of people with disabilities and promoting a more inclusive world. By leveraging each other’s strengths, DSA and What Ability aim to positively impact communities nationwide.

To follow this partnership, check out What Ability (@whatability) and Disability Sports Australia (@disabilitysportsaustralia) on socials or if you’re looking for disability support, head to https://whatability.com.au/services/need-support/ to find out more.

By |2023-09-07T06:18:32+00:00September 5, 2023|News, state based|0 Comments

What Ability joins forces with the NRL

– August 2023 –

What Ability and the National Rugby League (NRL) will unite to put happiness first for people living with disabilities across the country.

Together they’re empowering communities on and off the field to support all abilities and athletes while also raising awareness for the disability sector. The partnership will focus on Athlete Pathway programs, disability education and celebrating the stories of support workers who also play rugby league.

What Ability Founder Steve Dresler said: “We are so excited to partner with the NRL to showcase the power of sport in breaking down barriers regarding disability in our community. It truly is a game for everyone, and we couldn’t be prouder to have our participants watching their support workers play this great game!”

“Across the board from NRL and NRLW professional athletes to under 20s, we have employed over 300 players as What Ability support workers in Australia. This is another reason we couldn’t be prouder to partner with the NRL and work together on building an inclusive community.”

Andrew Every, Executive General Manager Strategy, Transformation and Technology at NRL said “Our partnership with What Ability signifies an exciting milestone for us as we grow the number of people living with a disability to play, support and access the game across all formats.”

What Ability Athlete Manager and ex-NRL player, Keegan Hipgave is thrilled about the partnership, commenting on the alignment and crossover between the organisations, “To have so many NRL and NRLW players on board who share our vision, makes this partnership so special.”

“Players such as Tom, Jake and Ben Trbojevic, Junior Tatola, Jaime Chapman and Olivia Kernick, to name a few, have embraced What Ability and are helping us break down those barriers. We can’t wait to see what opportunities and awareness this partnership brings this year.”

To follow this partnership, check out What Ability (@whatability) and NRL (@nrl) on socials or if you’re looking for disability support, head to https://whatability.com.au/services/need-support/ to find out more.

By |2023-09-01T01:27:41+00:00August 31, 2023|News, NSW, state based|0 Comments

You’re invited to our What Ability Day at WA Athletics Stadium!

Hey Perth! It’s official…our next What Ability Day is coming to you!

You’re invited to hang out with us and your favourite local athletes at WA Athletics Stadium on Thursday, 5 October.

What Ability Days help us raise awareness for the sector, provide an opportunity for our athletes to get involved and create lifelong memories!

There are so many fun ways to spend your time at our What Ability Day. You can kick a ball around with our What Ability athletes or kick back and hang out with friends at our chill out zone.

Starting at 11am and concluding at 1pm, our What Ability Day at WA  Athletics Stadium is a free and disability inclusive event!

There are only 200 spots available, so sign up here to secure your spot

By |2023-08-31T00:24:18+00:00August 28, 2023|News, state based, WA|0 Comments

What Ability introduces dynamic new CEO and COO team

What Ability is excited to announce the appointment of Jared Chapman as the Chief Executive Officer and Nick Carroll as the Chief Operations Officer. 

Jared comes to us from within our own ranks, bringing over 10 years’ experience in the digital space, including his role as our COO, and as The Fork’s Director of Sales and Operations and Managing Director. 

During his time as our COO, he was instrumental in advancing processes and implementing policies to promote organisational culture, and he is known throughout the organisation for having a deep understanding of What Ability’s culture, values and goals. 

Jared has described his time as COO over the last 18 months as incredible, he said “the passion and dedication of the team have led to some amazing achievements. Expanding our Sydney service to 3 new states and the incredible support and feedback we have received from families is definitely a highlight.”

As What Ability continues to grow and become increasingly recognisable within the disability sector, Jared’s new role as CEO will have a great focus on working together with our corporate and community partners to create an inclusive world. 

Jared has stated he is “genuinely honoured to be offered the role as CEO of an organisation that takes supporting people with disability so seriously.”

“The passion of the team and the potential within the space are both opportunities as What Ability continues to mature.” 

Prior to joining What Ability, Jared and Nick co-founded Fit Finder Australia, a website and app that helps people get motivated and feel great by connecting them to personal trainers in their area. 

The two have a strong working dynamic and a shared vision, and have expressed their excitement about taking What Ability to the next level. 

Nick has stated “I think [Jared and I] have a complimentary skill set and a similar way of thinking. I’ve worked best as a safety net, allowing Jared to think as big as he likes, safe in the knowledge I won’t allow things to go off track or get distracted from our core mission.”  

Nick, who also has over 10 years’ experience, has worked as a Director of Analytics for Viator, a TripAdvisor company, and head of Ecommerce and Analytics for SumoSalad. Throughout his impressive background, he has led strategic teams of 15 across 7 countries with a market cap of $2bn. 

The new What Ability COO has stated he is impressed with the organisational culture and is looking forward to bringing his knowledge and skills to elevate What Ability. 

“What Ability is a great company that is truly mission driven which is incredibly rare to find. The team is really enthusiastic and their passion for the work and mission flows through in everything they do. This culture is really uplifting and drives everyone to bring their best,” Nick said. 

Both Nick and Jared foresee that What Ability will grow majorly within the next three to five years. 

Jared has said he is hopeful that over the next three years What Ability will transform from a service provider to an authority in the space, helping reshape the way we approach disability as a society. 

“The NDIS is still only young, and our acceptance and understanding of disability as a society is still in its infancy, so being an influence on how this develops is an exciting opportunity and moreso, a responsibility,” Jared said. 

What Ability is very proud to introduce this dynamic duo to the public. Together we will work to create an inclusive world and make happiness come first for people living with a disability across the country! 

By |2023-08-20T22:56:38+00:00August 20, 2023|News, NSW, state based|0 Comments
 
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