Disability

Able Australia

Provides services for people with a range of multiple disabilities, including deafblindness.

Postal Address:PO Box 1213 Camberwell Victoria 3124
Phone (B/H): 1300 225 369
Email:info@ableaustralia.org.au
Website: http://www.ableaustralia.org.au

Australian Association for Families of Children with a Disability

The Australian Association for Families of Children with a Disability is a non-profit community organisation run by families, for all families who have a child with a disability. They educate policy makers and the community about the needs of families of children with a disability. They advocate on behalf of children with a disability and their families to ensure the best possible support and services are available. They inform families about their rights and entitlements to services and support. They celebrate the success and achievement of children with a disability and their families.

Postal Address:Suite 2, 98 Morang Road, Hawthorn Vic 3122
Phone (B/H): 9818 1999
Email:mail@aafcd.org.au
Website: http://www.aafcd.org.au/

Association for Children with a Disability

The Association for Children with a Disability provides information, support and advocacy for families of children with a disability. The organisation is run by parents who have a child with a disability. They offer free telephone information and advice, free publications and a bi-monthly magazine featuring parent stories and the latest news on new services and programs.

The Association for Children with a Disability have recently produced some great tip sheets for parents whose child with a disability is approaching the kindergarten years. These free resources have a focus on early intervention services and are available online in English, Chinese, Arabic and Vietnamese.

Postal Address:Suite 2, 98 Morang Road, Hawthorn Victoria 3122
Phone (B/H): 9818 2000
Email:mail@acd.org.au
Website: http://www.acd.org.au/

Asperger Syndrome Support Network Victoria Inc (ASSN VIC)

Provides support and information for people living with Asperger Syndrome. Resources include fact sheets and information on support groups.

Phone (B/H): 9845 2799
Website: http://www.assnvic.org.au

Aussie Deaf Kids

Provides online support and resources for parents of children who are hearing impaired or deaf.

Phone (B/H): (02)8197 044
Email:info@aussiedeafkids.org.au
Website: http;//www.aussie deafkids.org.au

Autism Action

Autism Action is a private early and educational intervention service providing home and community therapy, and support and guidance for children with Autism aged 18 months to 13 years and their families.

Postal Address:PO Box 46, Surrey Hills, Victoria
Phone (B/H): 0417 335 092
Email:info@autismaction.com.au
Website: http://www.autismaction.com.au

Autism Victoria

Provides a forum, specialist information and advice for families, and services for people with an autism spectrum disorder, Asperger syndrome or PDD-NOS.

Phone (B/H): 9657 1600 or 1300 308 699
Email:info@autismvictoria.org.au
Website: http://www.autismvictoria.org.au

Book In Hand

Offers a wide selection of material on autism spectrum disorders and related topics for families and professionals.

Phone (B/H): 1800 505 332
Email:bookinhand@optusnet.com.au
Website: http://www.bookinhand.com.au

Bowel Group for Kids Inc

Offers advice and support for parents and families of children who have Hirschsprung's disease, imperforate anus and related conditions.

Phone (B/H): (02) 4659 6067
Email:enquiries@bgk.org.au
Website: http://www.bgk.org.au

Caitlin's Retreat

Caitlin's Retreat is a recreational facility for children with special needs and their families, located in Eltham. The first centre of its kind in Melbourne, Caitlin’s Retreat has been developed as a nature based sanctuary, providing short stay holiday accommodation, and innovative day access programs for eligible families. They also offer volunteer opportunities, environmental education and school programs.

Postal Address:Eltham
Phone (B/H): 8831 9085
Email:info@caitlinsretreat.org
Website: http://caitlinsretreat2.iformat.com.au/home/home

Carers Victoria

Offers support, education, training and advocacy to those caring for a person with a disability.

Phone (B/H): 9396 9500 or 1800 242 636 (Carer Advisory Line)
Email:reception@carersvictoria.org.au
Website: http://www.carersvic.org.au

Cerebral Palsy Education Centre

Offers a range of comprehensive, inclusive and innovative services to families who have a child with cerebral Palsy. The services include early intervention programs for children up to six and after school programs for school aged children.

Phone (B/H): 9560 0700
Email:info@cpec.com.au
Website: http://www.cpec.org.au

Cerebral Palsy Support Network

Provides support and resources to children and adults with cerebral palsy and their families.

Phone (B/H): 9445 7588 or 1300 277 600
Email:cpsn@cpsn.info
Website: http://www.cpsn.info

Crohn's and Colitis Australia

Supports people with Crohn's disease and colitis and their families by providing confidential support programs.

Phone (B/H): 1800 138 029
Email:info@crohnsandcolitis.com.au
Website: http://www.crohnsandcolitis.com.au

Deaf Children Australia

Provides information and support for families of children and young people who are deaf or hearing impaired.

Phone (B/H): 1800 645 916 or TTY 9510 7143
Email:helpline@deafchildren.org.au
Website: http://www.deafchildrenaustralia.org.au

Disability Attendant Support Service Inc (DASSI)

Provides one on one attendant support to people with a disability who need help to live, learn and work.

Phone (B/H): 9488 9100 or 1300 32 774
Email:contact@dassi.com.au
Website: http://www.dassi.com.au

Disability Connections (Victoria)

Promotes participation, leadership, equality and a voice in decision making for people with a disability, their families and their carers.

Phone (B/H): 9687 7066
Website: http://www.disabilityconnections.org.au

Disability Intake and Response Service (Department of Human Services)

Provides information about community support and services for people with a disability, their families and carers.

Phone (B/H): 1800 783 783 or TTY 1800 008 149

DiVine

Provides access to online information and support services for people with a disability, their families and carers.

Phone (B/H): 9208 3015 or TTY 9208 3631
Email:OFD@dpcd.vic.gov.au
Website: http://www.divine.vic.gov.au

Down Syndrome Association of Victoria

Provides support, information and resources to meet the needs of people with Down syndrome, their families and carers.

Phone (B/H): 1300 358 873
Email:info@dsav.asn.au
Website: http://www.dsav.asn.au

Down Syndrome Family Network Groups

These family network groups are supported by Down Syndrome Victoria and provide a great opportunity for families to get together, share ideas and experiences, meet new friends and give children time to play together.

Phone (B/H): 1300 658 873
Website: http://www.dsav.asn.au/families/Groups.html

Early Childhood Intervention Australia (Victorian Chapter)

Promotes services for families with children who have special needs. The website offers information, resources, and contacts for early childhood intervention services.

Phone (B/H): 9509 5584
Email:exec@eciavic.org.au
Website: http://www.eciavic.org.au

Epilepsy Action Australia

Provides a range of services to people with a personal or professional involvement with epilepsy.

Phone (B/H): 1300 374 537
Email:epilepsy@epilepsy.org.au
Website: http://www.epilepsy.org.au

Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria

Provides support, counselling, education and information resources for people living with epilepsy and their families.

Phone (B/H): 9805 9111 or 1300 852 853 (helpline)
Email:epilepsy@epilepsy.asn.au
Website: http://www.epinet.org.au

Family Relationship Services for Carers

This is a free service that provides information, mediation and counselling to assist families who are: concerned about the future of a family member with a disability; thinking about making arrangements for the future care of a family member with a disability; or experiencing disagreement around the future care needs of a family member with a disability. Services are tailored to family circumstances and can be delivered in individual, couple or family settings.

Phone (B/H): 1300 303 346

Genetic Health – Victorian Clinical Genetics Services

Provides diagnosis, risk assessment, management and counselling for people with genetic conditions.

Phone (B/H): 8341 6201
Email:mail@genetichealthvic.net.au
Website: http://www.genetichealthvic.net.au

Genetic Support Network Victoria

Provides information and support to people with genetic conditions and their families.

Phone (B/H): 8341 6315
Email:info@gsnv.org.au
Website: http://www.gsnv.org.au

Guide Dogs Victoria

Provides training and support services to people who are vision impaired or blind.

Phone (B/H): 1800 804 805 or 9854 4444
Email:referrals@guidedogsvictoria.com.au
Website: http://www.guidedogsvictoria.com.au

Interchange Victoria

Provides high quality respite and related services to families of people with a disability.

Phone (B/H): 9369 1118 or 1300 300 436
Website: http://www.vic.interchange.org.au

Life Without Barriers

Life Without Barriers is a not-for-profit organisation providing care and support services across Australia and New Zealand. They provide community based programs to assist children, young people, adults, families and communities across the care and protection, disability, mental health, homelessness, youth justice and immigration sectors and have a regional office located in Eltham.

Postal Address:12 Bridge Street, Eltham

Phone (B/H): 9430 2500
Fax: 9431 6988
Website: http://www.lwb.org.au

Limbs 4 Life

Helps amputees from hospitalisation and rehabilitation through to independent living.

Phone (B/H): 1300 782 231
Email:info@limbs4life.com
Website: http://www.limbs4life.com

Listen In

Listen in provides specialist group programs and individual therapy for children with a language delay or Autism spectrum disorder. Their services include speech pathology, educational psychology, occupational therapy as well as behavioural intervention and learning support. Listen in is a FaHCSIA approved service provider and no diagnosis or referral is necessary to access their services.

Postal Address:PO Box 280, Diamond Creek
Email:info@listenin.com.au
Website: http://www.listenin.com.au

Livewire

Livewire is a free and safe online peer support program connecting socially isolated individuals affected by a serious illness, chronic condition or disability. The three online communities are: Livewire Members (for young people); Livewire Siblings (for young siblings); Livewire Parents (for parents and carers).

Phone (B/H): (02) 8425 5971
Email:member.services@livewire.org.au
Website: http://www.livewire.org.au

MS Australia

Offers specialist services and support to people with multiple sclerosis, their families, friends and carers.

Phone (B/H): 1800 042 138
Email:misconnect@msaustralia.org.au
Website: http://www.msaustralia.org.au

Muscular Dystrophy Australia

Provides services to people with muscular dystrophy and neuromuscular diseases, and increases community awareness.

Phone (B/H): 9320 9555
Email:info@mda.org.au
Website: http://www.mda.org.au

MyTime

MyTime is a local peer support group for parents and carers of young children with a disability or chronic medical condition. It is a space for parents of children up to 14 years of age to socialise and share ideas with others who can understand the rewards and intensity of the caring role. Carers are encouraged to attend with or without children and a play helper will be present at each session to give the carers a chance to relax and have a coffee!

Postal Address:Banyule Community Health Centre, 21 Alamein Road, West Heidelberg
Phone (B/H): 9450 2000
Website: http://www.bchs.org.au

National Asthma Council Australia

A not for profit organisation working to improve quality of life for people with asthma.

Phone (B/H): 9929 4333 or 1800 032 495
Email:nac@nationalasthma.org.au
Website: http://www.nationalasthma.org.au

Ramp Up

Ramp Up is a website for people with a disability, families and friends of people with a disability, those who work in the disability sector or just want to get a better understanding of disability issues to connect and have their say. The website includes material developed by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) who initiated the website, blogs, opinion articles and features that explore issues that affect people living with a disability. There is also a space for community discussion.

Website: http://www.abc.net.au/rampup

Riding for the Disabled Association of Australia

Provides horse riding instruction and other specialised activities for people with disabilities.

Phone (B/H): 9486 5755
Email:admin@rdav.net.au
Website: http://www.rdo.org.au/rdavic.aspx

Righteous Pups Australia

Raises and trains assistance dogs for children and adults with disabilities, including those with autism spectrum disorders.

Phone (B/H): 5445 6036
Email:bakerj@righteouspups.org.au
Website: http://www.righteouspups.org.au

Scope

Scope is a not-for-profit organisation providing disability services throughout Victoria to thousands of children and adults with physical and multiple disabilities. They are committed to overcoming the barriers that prevent those with disability from participating in community life and works to make our community more inclusive, more accessible and more welcoming.

Postal Address:Box Hill Office, 830 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill Victoria 3128
Phone (B/H): 9843 3000
Website: http://www.scopevic.org.au/

Siblings Australia

A national organisation focused on the wellbeing of the siblings of children with disabilities and chronic illness.

Phone (B/H): 0408 720 558
Email:kate@siblingsaustralia.org.au
Website: http://www.siblingsaustralia.org.au

Signposts Statewide

Signposts Statewide is a program helping families to manage difficult behaviour in children aged from three to 15 who have a developmental delay or an intellectual disability before serious problems develop. This program is available to parents and carers at no cost and delivered throughout Victoria.

Postal Address:24 Drummond Street, Carlton
Phone (B/H): 8660 3562
Email:signposts@parentingrc.org.au
Website: http://www.signposts.net.au

Spina Bifida Foundation Victoria

Provides members and the community with a range of resources for living with, managing and preventing spina bifida.

Phone (B/H): 9663 0075
Email:info@sbfv.org.au
Website: http://www.sbfc.org.au

Tourette Syndrome Association (Vic)

Provides support to individuals with Tourette syndrome and their families through counselling, education and advocacy.

Phone (B/H): 9845 2700
Email:tourette.syndrome@msaustralia.org.au
Website: http://www.tsavic.org.au

Vision Australia

Provides services, information and resources to people who are blind or vision impaired. Services include Braille teaching, computer education, rehabilitation and retraining.

Phone (B/H): 1300 847 466 or TTY (02) 9334 3260
Email:info@visionaustralia.org.au
Website: http://www.visionaustralia.org.au

Yooralla

Provides a wide range of services to people with disabilities, including therapy, specialised accommodation, respite, adaptive aids and equipment, training and employment.

Phone (B/H): 9666 4500
Email:yooralla@yooralla.com.au
Website: http://www.yooralla.com.au