Online disability resources

 

Maroondah City Council has developed a guide to services for people with disabilities. The guide includes a range of services that are available to people with disabilities, and their carers, who live in Maroondah. 

Maroondah City Council has also produced a range of publications to support people with disabilities and their carers.

In addition to the guide and publications published by Council, the following is a range of online resources, categorised by topic, in alphabetical order.

Resource categories

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander  Access Acquired Brain Injury / Neurological Conditions Advocacy Auslan Autism Carers Children / parenting COVID 19 (Coronavirus) Cultural and linguistic diversity (CALD) Dementia Education Employment Facebook Family Violence and Abuse General Information Health Hearing Housing

Intellectual Disability Legal LGBTI Mental Health National Disability Insurance Scheme Not For Profit Organisations Physical Polio Recreation Siblings Stroke survivors and carers Transportation Vision Welfare Youth

(AOL) = information Available in Other Languages

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

• Aboriginal and Torres strait Islander carers - Carers Australia
• Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet
• First Peoples Disability Network Australia
• Resources on Autism for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (Positive Partnerships)
• Services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander NDIS participants
• Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and children living with disability - Emerging Minds 

Access

• Access Advisor (Find an accessible place to go) 
• The Access Agency (Inclusive ideas to move people)
• Access Key Library - List of Access Keys in Victoria
• Accessible amenities - City of Melbourne
• Accessible Business - information for landlords, business owners, managers and shop staff
• Access & facilities for visitors with a disability (includes Assistive Technology Room) - State Library of Victoria
• Accessible Gippsland e-brochure
• Accessible Melbourne: top 10 highlights for travellers with special needs
• Accessible Toilets in Maroondah
• Accessible tourism: it's your business
• All Aboard: Accessible journeys everywhere” - Facebook campaign for accessible transport
• Changing Places Australia
• Cognitive Disability Digital Accessibility Guide: A practical resource for organisational support
• Design for Dignity Retail Guidelines - Australian Network on Disability
• Event Accessibility Checklist 
• Have Wheelchair Will Travel 
• Parks Victoria (All Abilities Access)
• Service Providers Accessibility Guide: A quick reference guide for accessible communications

Acquired Brain Injury / Neurological Conditions

• ABI Information Kit 
• Brain Foundation - A to Z of Brain Disorders
• Brainwaves - support to children with neurological conditions as well as their families and carers
• Find A Service Provider - Synapse
• Journey Beyond Road Trauma 
• MND Aware - Online training sessions are for front line staff, working with people living with motor neurone disease
• MS Australia
• MS Plus Peer Support Groups
• Road Trauma Support Services Victoria - Provide counselling and support to people affected by road trauma 
• Working With People with Traumatic Brain Injury – Staff Self Study Modules 

Advocacy 

Auslan

• Auslan video on National Relay Service user registration requirements
• National Auslan Interpreter Booking and Payment Service
• National Disability Insurance Scheme - Auslan videos
• Signbank - Interactive Dictionary of Auslan

Autism

• The A List is a platform to help young autistic people and their families find social and group activities all across Australia 
• Amaze Classroom - information and practical strategies for school staff supporting students with Autism Spectrum Disorder
• ASD Teen Group
• Asperger Victoria – Professional Directory 
• Assessment & Diagnosis
• Autism CRC Knowledge Centre - A single online gateway to autism resources, tools and publications
• Autism Friendly Museum
• Autism Help - aims to increase awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder through providing practical strategies, information and resources to parents, teachers, childcare workers and professionals in the field.
• COVID-19 Vaccination Social Scripts
• Dad, a film about Autism and fatherhood
• Disability Support Guide - Autism Support
• Facts Sheets on Autism (Autism Consultation & Training)
• Kids on the Spectrum - Directory and Events for Autism friendly products and services 
• Launchpad - resource for young people with autism or Asperger's, and their families 
• Learning App Guide
• Melbourne Airport Hidden Disability Program (includes social stories)
• Mullum Road Clinic Psychologists - Provide counselling and support for individuals, children and adolescents, families and groups. Psychologists specialise in a range of areas including Asperger's Syndrome"
• National Gallery of Victoria (Information for Visitors with Autism or Sensory Sensitivities) 
• Parks Victoria (Autism Friendly Visits)
• Pelican Talk - Speech Therapy Resources
• Planning Trips for Children with Autism (Tips from Simmons University)
• Raising Children (Australian Parenting website) - Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Resources about Autism - Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre (OTARC)
• Resources on Autism for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (Positive Partnerships)
• Secret Agent Society
• Sensory Friendly Films - Village Cinemas
• Specialists Bookshops

 Carers

• AgedCarer - Information, Services and Support for Carers of Ageing People
• Association for Children with a Disability - Workshops and Peer Support
• Bipolar Caregivers
• Brainlink Support for Carers
• Carer Benefits (List provided by Carers Australia)
• Carers: Doing it Tough, Doing it Well - 2016 report from Anglicare  
• Carer Gateway - Need help finding the right advice, services and support? 
• Carers Recognition Program - UnitingCare Life Assist
• Carers Victoria - Information and Resources for Carers
• Companion Card
• Dementia information for carers - Dementia Australia
• Depression in Adults with an Intellectual Disability - Checklist for Carers
• Disability and Carers (Department of Social Services) 
• Electricity information for carers - Carers Victoria
• Financial Counselling Victoria Carers Resources page
• Headspace - Mental Health Information for Friends and Family
• linkAssist - online community noticeboard specifically designed for people with disability, their carers and the community.
• Little Dreamers (Supporting Young Carers 4-25)
• Men care too
• Mind Australia - for carers
• Pathway for Carers (Walking group for carers)
• Resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers - Carers Australia 
• Qantas (info for carers)
• TANDEM - The peak body for families and carers of people in Victoria experiencing mental ill health
• Trauma and Grief Network - supporting families
• Victorian Carer Card Program
• Young Carers

COVID 19 (Coronavirus)

• Carers Victoria COVID-19 Information page
• COVID-19 support for people with a disability
• Disability Information Helpline - Information and referrals for people with disability and their supporters about coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Information and updates on Coronavirus - Department of Health and Human Services
• NDIS and the Coronavirus

Children / parenting

• Association for Children with a Disability 
• Children and Young People With Disability Australia
• Healthy Start - An Australian Initiative to Support Parents with Learning Difficulties
• Limbs 4 Kids 
• Listen and Learn Centre - provides psychological, educational and speech pathology services to children from age three years, adolescents and adults.
• Merlin’s Magic Wand (Aus & NZ) is a worldwide charity for children and we arrange magical days out at Merlin Entertainments attractions, such as LEGOLAND Resorts®, SEA LIFE Centres and Madame Tussauds
• MyTime - supporting parents of children with disabilities
• Online Community for children and young people living with a serious illness or disability
• Raising Children Network - Children with a Disability
• Royal Children's Hospital - Kids Health Information 
• Royal Children's Hospital - Seminars on Children with a Disability for Parents / Carers 
• Royal Children's Hospital - Support Groups Directory
• Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children - Resources 

Cultural and linguistic diversity (CALD) 

• ADEC - Action on Disability within Ethnic Communities (AOL)
• Autism resources for culturally and linguistically diverse communities of school aged children on the spectrum 
• Chinese Community Social Services Centre Inc
• Disability services information and support - in your language (Human Services)
• Migrant Information Centre (Eastern Melbourne) – Elderly people, younger people with disabilities and their carers (AOL)
• Victorian Health Translations Online Directory (AOL) 
• Victorian Multicultural Commission Community Directory (includes Disability)

Dementia

• A Better Visit App
• Community Café Toolkit - Your manual and tools for establishing a Café for people living with dementia
• Dementia - A Resource Guide for Carers 
• Dementia, Driving and Mobility (RACV)
• Dementia-Friendly Home App
• The Dementia Guide - For people living with dementia, their families and carers 
• Dementia In My Family
• ReThink Respite Online - Explore the most effective way of providing education and support for carers of people living with dementia to use respite.
• Support For Carers A Practical Guide To Services For Families and Friends of People With Dementia (PDF, 1.15MB)
• Worried About Your Memory - Here's what you can do (booklet from Alzheimer's Australia (PDF 1,107KB)
• You're Not Alone, Discussing Dementia (Videos) Alzheimer's Australia

Education

• Access to media and technology is key to improving learning outcomes for students who are blind or have low vision
• ASD Support Materials - Dept Education and Training
• Association for Children with a Disability - School (resources and videos)
• Australian Disability and Indigenous Peoples' Education Fund
• Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training (ADCET)
• Dedicated television channel for primary school children with captions
• Every Moment Has Potential is an online learning resource developed specifically for disability support workers.
• inclusion ED is an online professional learning community, co-designed with educators, for educators 
• Inclusive Teaching - (ADCET)
• Information and Resources - Education and Training (Disability)
• Opening All Options: Learning Disability Resource
• Support students with additional learning needs - Department of Education and Training 
• Understanding Learning Difficulties – A Guide for Parents (AUSPELD)
• Victorian Adult Community Education (ACE) DisAbility Network

Employment

• Assistive Technology in the Workplace (PDF 3.79MB)
• Autism-specific workplace tool to support employers - Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre
• Disability and the Workplace - Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission
• Employers Guide to Partnering with Disability Employment Services
• Get ready for Study and Work- Student Workbooks and parents guide
• Fair Work Ombudsman
• Fairwork You Tube - Online videos to assist deaf and hearing-impaired employees to understand their workplace rights 
• IncludeAbility - Australia Human Rights Commission
• Job Access - National hub for all things disability employment 
• Ready and Able - provides employers with resources including education surrounding workplace laws, protections and information to guide employers on the best practice when employing a person with a disability 
• Transition Resource Guide for students with disabilities
• Superannuation and Insurance - Chronic Illness Alliance
• Work With Me is a three-part short documentary series about the employment challenges facing five Victorians including a person living with a disability 

Facebook sites

• Access for All Abilities Play
• Amaze
• Aspergers Victoria
• Association for Children with a Disability
• Brainlink
• Carers Victoria
• Cerebral Palsy Support Network
• Changing Places Australia
• Chrisalis Foundation
• Deaf Sports Recreation Victoria
• Different Journeys
• EACH
• Get Skilled Access
• Interchange Outer East
• Irabina Childhood Autism Services
• lifeAssist
• Link Disability Magazine
• Marveloo
• The MISFIT Project
• Monkami
• MS Australia
• NDIS Carers Online
• Parents Support Network Eastern Region Inc
• Pathways for Carers
• Ringwood Spiders Football Netball Club
• Scope
• The Shopfront
• Stroke A Chord
• Vicdeaf
• Victorian Electric Wheelchair Sports Association 
• Vision Australia
• Yooralla.
• Your DNA

Family Violence and Abuse

• Disability and Family Violence Crisis Response (Department of Human Services)
• Domestic and family violence and disability - Australian Domestic & Family Violence Clearinghouse
• Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria - Help / Advice for Women with Disabilities
• Family Violence Response for Women with Disability Guides - Women with Disabilities Victoria
• The Lookout - Your Place For Family Violence Information 
• National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline
• Preventing and Responding to Violence Against Women with Disabilities: Family Violence and Disability Films
• Safeguards Project - Women with Disabilities Victoria
• Sunny is 1800RESPECT's app for women with disability

General information

• ABC Ramp Up (Disability, Discussion and Debate)
• Australian Policy Online
• Changing Places Australia
• Collective of Self Help Groups
• Continence Aids Payment Scheme
• Consumer Medicine Information - National Prescribing Service
• Disability Gateway (information and services to help people with disability) 
• Disability Induction Program
• Disability Inclusion Planning – A Guide for Local Government (Australian Local Government Association)
• Disability Services - DHS (AOL)
• DiVine - A Community For and By People With a Disability
• Family Planning Victoria’s Cognitive Disability Courses
• First Peoples Disability Network (Australia) - national peak disability organisation representing Aboriginal people with disabilities and their families
• Get Skilled Access
• linkAssist - online community noticeboard specifically designed for people with disability, their carers and the community
• Melbourne Disability Institute (research)
• Picture My Future
• Reporting It Right - guidelines for portraying people with a disability
• State Trustees - What is a Special Disability Trust? (PDF, 96KB)
• This is our space: Ageing with Disability - provides information, strategies and tools to support the inclusion of older people with disability in mainstream, community-based activities
• Travel Insurance Disabilities Guide

Health

• ABC Health & Wellbeing - A to Z of Health
• Better Health Channel
• My Allied Health Space 
• National Pain Services Directory
• Your dental health - A guide for people with a disability, their family carers, friends and advocates (PDF 4.23MB)  

Hearing

• Access Hub - Advances in technology have improved the range of accessible services for people who are deaf, hard of hearing and/or have a speech impairment 
• Aussie Deaf Kids - Online Support and Resources for Parents of Hard of Hearing and Deaf Children Living in Australia 
• Conexu  - a not for profit organisation ensuring advances in communication technology to improve the connectedness of Deaf, hard of hearing and speech impaired Australians.
• Deaf Australia
• Deafness Forum of Australia 
• Deaf Sports Australia 
• Fairwork You Tube - Online videos to assist deaf and hearing-impaired employees to understand their workplace rights
• Hear Space
• Know Your Noise - Australian Hearing website for Young Adults 
• Media Access Australia - Australia’s only independent not-for-profit organisation devoted to increasing access to media for people with a disability

Housing

• The Housing Hub
• The Housing Toolkit (A resource for planning housing and support) - Summer Foundation 

Intellectual Disability

• Intellectual Disability Mental Health First Aid Guidelines
• Intellectual disability mental health - provides free eLearning about intellectual disability to professionals, carers, and consumers 
• Sexuality-Disability (PDF 86KB)

LGBTI

• National LGBTI Health Alliance - Disability and Support Services 
• PrideVic

Legal

• AED Legal Centre - legal advocacy to people with a disability in the areas of employment, education and training
• Australian Human Rights Commission - Disability Rights (AOL) 
• Beyond doubt: the experiences of people with disabilities reporting crime - Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission
• Law Handbook Online
• Office of Public Advocate - Safeguarding the rights and interests of people with disability 
• Victims of Crime - Information From The Department of Justice
• WorkWelfareWills is a plain English web guide to legal issues around health and life changes

Mental Health

 See Mental Health Resources

Mental Health – Disability

  See Mental Health Resources

National Disability Insurance Scheme 

• 10 Steps to excellent NDIS therapy reports: VALID's guide to NDIS therapist reports for allied health professionals
• The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) resources to empower people with disability to use their consumer rights when buying goods and services under the new National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
• Carers Australia - NDIS and Carers 
• Disability Loop
• Disability Support Guide
• Discover - a guide to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (Endeavour Foundation)
• Epilepsy and the NDIS
• Every Australian Counts
• Fact sheets and publications
• Fact Sheets in other languages (AMPARO Advocacy)
• Getting The Language Right - A Health Practitioners' Guide to Writing Reports, Letters, Forms and Assessments for the NDIS (Summer Foundation) 
• Helping Parents Become NDIS Ready - Raising Children Network in partnership with National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA)
• Inclusion Melbourne - It’s My Choice! Toolkit
• Mental Heath Australia - NDIS
• Mental Health Carers NDIS Guide and Checklist 
• MS Plus - Helping you navigate the NDIS
• MyCareSpace - is a free community service that connects people living with a disability, their families and carers, with easy to read information about the NDIS 
• My NDIS Mobile App
• National Disability Insurance Scheme
• National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) - Information for Families and Carers
• NDIS Fact Sheets and Publications
• NDIS Pre-planning Toolkit for people with disability entering Higher Education or Vocational Education and Training
• NDIS Price Guide
• NDIS Provider Toolkit (National Disability Services)
• NDIS Webinars
• Supports the NDIS will Fund in Relation to Housing and Independent Living

Not For Profit Organisations

• Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC)
• Better Boards Australasia – Knowledge & Networks for Leaders of Non-Profit Organisations
• Board / Committee Members Volunteer Match
• BoardMatch
• Connecting Up Australia is a nonprofit organisation that works to strengthen the nonprofit and community sector in Australia by providing a variety of information, products, resources and programs.
• Free online legal chat service - Not - for - profit Law
• Good Governance Principles and Guidance for NFP Organisations - Australian Institute of Company Directors
• Governance for Community Organisations - Department of Human Services
• Governance for good - the ACNC's guide for charity board members
• Guide for Community Board Members 
• Not for Profit Law Information Hub
• Not For Profit Organisations - Resources and information from State Government
• Pro Bono Australia

Physical 

• ‘Back on Track’ an app that provides a comprehensive guide to life after a spinal cord injury developed by Spinal Cord Injuries Australia (SCIA).
• Living with Attendant Care
• Powerchair Sports Victoria
• Road Trauma Support Services Victoria - Provide counselling and support to people affected by road trauma 
• SpinalHub is a community website for people with spinal cord injury
• SPINALpedia - A social mentoring network and video archive that allows the spinal cord injury community to motivate each other with the knowledge and triumphs gained from our individual experiences

Polio

• Financial Assistance - Post Polio Victoria 
• Living with Polio - Independence Australia
• Post Polio Exercise Options (PDF 631KB)
• Resources for Polio Survivors

Recreation

• Access for all Abilities - Find an Activity
• Access for all Abilities - Find a Leisure Centre
• Choose Art (Australian Accessible Arts Directory)  
• Disability Sport & Recreation
• Disabled Surfers Association of Australia - Surfers helping surfers
• Powerchair Sports Victoria
• Reclink Australia - Participate
• Vicsport - Leadership People With Disability
• Wheelies with wings - Learn how to fly with a scholarship

Siblings

• Siblings Australia
• Siblings of Children with Disability - how they feel

Stroke survivors

• Enable me - Carer resources and services
• Enable me - Stroke recovery and support
• Help after stroke
• Stroke A Chord - A Choir For People With Aphasia
• Stroke Association of Victoria
• Stroke Foundation

Transportation

• Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria 
• Eastern Transport Register
• Eastern Volunteers - Transport
• Get Me About
• Help Cut Scooter Accidents – Safety Tips from ACCC
• Licensing and driving for people with a disability - Vic Roads
• Motorised Mobility Devices - Vic Roads
• Multi Purpose Taxi Program
• Public Transport Victoria - Accessible Transport
• Travellers Aid Australia

Vision

• Access to media and technology is key to improving learning outcomes for students who are blind or have low vision
• Australia Post - Special Delivery for the Vision Impaired
• Brousealoud - reads web pages aloud
• Caring for patients who are blind or have low vision 
• Statewide Vision Resource Centre
• Vision Australia Online Library
• Vision Impaired Travel Pass - Public Transport Victoria

Welfare

• DSP Help - A resource to help you understand the Disability Support Pension and guide you through the application process 
• Financial Assistance and Material Aid Resources
• Social Security Rights Victoria
• Victoria State Concessions
• Welfare Rights Centre - Fact Sheets 

Youth

• Young Carers 
• Youth Central - Support For People with a Disability
• Youth Disability Advocacy Service