In the Media
Australian Associated Press (Digital Print) – National
Able Australia CEO, Lynette McKeown features in an article about the significant shortages of disability support workers, and how attracting overseas workers will help fix this issue to lessen the strain on staff and provide the essential support to people with disability. READ THE ARTICLE.
ABC News (Digital Print) – National
Able Australia CEO, Lynette McKeown chats to ABC News about the critical worker shortage in the disability sector including new incentives to attract and retain staff. READ THE ARTICLE.
Community Care Review – National
Able Australia announces the appointment of Lynette McKeown as new Chief Executive Officer. READ THE ARTICLE.
The Australian (Print) – National
Able Australia expresses concern that care for people with disabilities may be compromised as disability service providers struggle to meet a Victorian Government imposed third dose deadline for workers. READ THE ARTICLE.
ABC Radio – North TAS
Able Australia’s Jennifer Oak, Area Manager Tasmania Community, chats to Belinda King about the need for a national approach regarding vaccination recommendations for the disability sector and calls for consistency, direction and leadership at a state level. LISTEN HERE (Timestamp 2:00:49)
ABC Radio – North TAS
Chandi Piefke, National Director of Engagement at Able Australia, discusses the growing disconnect between each state government when it comes to booster shots for disability workers and the challenges this presents. LISTEN HERE (Timestamp 2:01:22)
ABC Radio – ACT
The ACT’s disability sector is facing massive staff shortages. Jessi Claudianos, ACT Area Manager for Able Australia talks to ABC Radio’s Lish Fejer about the situation and what is needed to boost support workers. LISTEN HERE (Timestamp 1:42:25 – 1:48:21)
The Guardian (Digital Print) – National
Covid-related staff shortages in the Australian disability sector leave some without vital services. Care providers have also been unable to source rapid tests with up to 20% of staff at some organisations in isolation. Chandi Piefke, National Director of Engagement at Able Australia highlights the challenges. READ HERE.
Channel 9 – Victorian News
Nationally, there are approximately 1000 people with disability stuck in hospital who otherwise don’t need to be there. Kate MacRae GAICD, CEO of Able Australia talks to Channel 9 about the challenges. WATCH HERE.
ABC Radio – National
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated a national shortage of workers in key sectors and a new survey shows up to 70 per cent of disability service providers are struggling to find enough support staff. Kate MacRae GAICD, CEO of Able Australia details the situation with ABC Radio National’s RN Breakfast. LISTEN HERE.
Ipswich News Today (Print) – QLD
Able Australia launched its second annual Senior Stories book at Brothers Leagues Club on 25 October. The book gives a voice to Seniors and their incredible stories. Stories include driving 100 miles per hour in a Morris Minor, being a Prisoner of War and growing up on a cane farm. READ THE ARTICLE.
Gold Coast Bulletin (Digital Print) – QLD
Gordon Jamieson whose story features in 2021 Able Stories is one of the country’s last surviving World War 2 Prisoner of War veterans. But the actions of anti-vaxxers have seen him locked up – or in – all over again. Now his family is pleading for the Gold Coast to get vaccinated. READ THE ARTICLE.
ABC News (TV) – ACT
The ACT Government has moved ahead of national cabinet to mandate vaccinations for disability workers. Able Australia’s ACT Manager, Jessi Claudianos welcomes the mandate but says it should have happened sooner. WATCH HERE.
ABC 7.30 Report (TV) – National
Despite vaccinations, many in the disability community will continue to live in isolation for fear of catching COVID-19. The ABC talks to Able Australia CEO, Kate MacRae GAICD. WATCH HERE.
The Guardian (Digital Print) – National
Disability royal commission calls rollout ‘seriously deficient’ and warns against opening up before everyone’s had a chance to be vaccinated. READ THE ARTICLE.
Canberra Times (Digital Print) – ACT
To show our appreciation to staff we reached out to our networks with the aim to pamper staff for the incredible work they do with care packs. This resulted in $30,000 in generous donations from organisations. READ THE ARTICLE.
Canberra Times (Digital Print) – ACT
ACT manager Jessi Claudianos discusses the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 outbreak and the need for additional support in the disability sector. Jessi explains that in addition to workforce shortages, workers are fearful of spreading the virus to vulnerable people. READ THE ARTICLE.
ABC (TV) – Queensland, Brisbane
ABC Journalist Rachel McGhee visits our Meals on Wheels service in south-west Brisbane where demand for services has nearly doubled in the last few months, WATCH HERE.
ABC (DIGITAL PRINT) – Queensland, Brisbane
Able Australia’s Queensland team talk to the ABC about the need for more volunteers with demand for food services almost doubling in the past three months and the number of volunteers significantly lower than pre-pandemic numbers, READ THE ARTICLE.
ABC (RADIO) – Queensland, Brisbane
The ABC talks to our Queensland Transport Manager, Edmund McMahon in Queensland about the increase in demand for our food services and the need for more volunteers to help support this much needed service.
The Mercury (DIGITAL PRINT) – Hobart, Tasmania
The Mercury in Hobart talks to our Area Manager, Jennifer Oaks about Able supporting people with comprised immune systems and the importance of being vaccinated to help protect our clients, READ THE FULL ARTICLE.
THE JIMBOOMBA TIMES (DIGITAL PRINT) – Queensland
The Jimboomba times visits our team in Jimboomba as increase for food services increase by 125%, READ THE ARTICLE.
Channel 7 (TV) – Tasmania
Kate MacRae GAICD, Able Australia CEO calls on the Federal Government to make Disability Support Workers vaccinations mandatory to help keep people with disability safe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sy-uTU06Unc
The Mercury (print) – Tasmania
Able client Paul and his family share their experience and disappointment in relation to accessing the COVID-19 vaccination while CEO, Kate MacRae GAICD discusses the concern of the slow roll out of the COVID-19 vaccination in Tasmanian disability care settings – click here to the read the full article
ABC The Drum (TV) – National
ABC’s The Drum interviews our CEO, Kate MacRae GAICD as she highlights the challenges regarding accessibility of the COVID-19 vaccination through service providers to people with disability – click here to watch
ABC News (TV) – National
Able Australia staff member Phoebe Wells interviewed to discuss her experience of getting the COVID-19 Vaccination and protecting society’s most vulnerable.
“It was really important to get vaccinated not only to protect myself and my family, but most importantly, to protect the people that we support and work closely with” says Phoebe – click here to watch
myPolice Ipswich (online) – Queensland
The 10th annual Australian Road Safety Awards were held at Parliament House, Canberra on June 24. Jessy Byrnes, from Able Australia Ipswich, in partnership with Queensland Police won the State Government Initiatives Award for “Seniors Road Trip to Road Safety” – read more
Probono Australia (online) – National
Able Australia has partnered with Uber, along with 11 other disability providers to offer 2,500 people with disability and their support workers, transport to attend their COVID vaccination appointments. Read the full story here.
Sky News (TV) – National
Our National Director, Marketing and Engagement Chandi Piefke talks to Sky news regarding Able’s partnership with Uber to provide 10,000 free ride to and from vaccination appointments for 2,500 people with disability, click here to watch
ABC (Radio) – National
Able CEO, Kate MacRae GAICD talks to ABC radio regarding our partnership with Uber to provide 10,000 free rides to and from vaccination appointments for people living with disability, and their carers, click here to listen to the interview
The Age (print/online) – Victoria
Able CEO, Kate MacRae GAICD discusses the concerning issue regarding the lack of communication regarding the implementation plan for the COVID-19 vaccination roll out in disability residential homes, read the full article here
Sky News (TV) – National
Able CEO, Kate MacRae GAICD talks to Sky News regarding the slow COVID-19 vaccination rollout by the Federal Government and the impact on the disability sector, click here to watch the full interview.
Channel 7 (online) – National
Able’s Chandi Piefke expressed concern over the low vaccination rates amongst people with disability living in residential settings. Read more
Inside Aging (online) – National
Treasurers of Able Australia and Lifeview Director, Peter Reilly was awarded an Order of Australia Medal as part of the 2021 Australia Day Honours. Read more
Sydney Morning Herald (online) – National
The disability sector is pushing for more employees in industries hit by COVID-19 to consider a new career in disability services to help tackle a desperate shortage of workers. Able Australia acting CEO Lynette McKeown said the disability service provider was also experiencing a shortage of workers, particularly in less densely populated areas or where qualified staff were required. Read more
Swinburne News (online) – Victoria
To help protect COVID-19 transmission among workers in the disability sector, Swinburne engineers worked with Able Australia to produce 3D-printed headbands. Read more
SBS News (TV) – National
Disability support providers move online to help clients feel connected during coronavirus isolation. Read more
In the News
Uber and Able Australia partner to deliver 10,000 free rides
In an Australian first, Uber will deliver 10,000 free rides to and from vaccination appointments for people living with disability, and their carers, through a partnership with Able Australia. READ MORE
Day services for people with disability under mounting financial pressure
Not-for-profit providers of group activities for people with disabilities in Victoria are seriously concerned about the viability of their services due to the mounting financial pressure of government funding cuts and disruption created by COVID-19. READ MORE
Telehealth providing Tasmanian’s with disability Allied Health Services amid COVID limitations
In a year of uncertainty and disruption, COVID has transformed the way Tasmanians living with disability access allied health services they would have otherwise struggled to get. READ MORE
PPE Lottery: Disability sector left to source own PPE from China, Bunnings
As masks became mandatory across Victoria, concern has abounded in the disability sector about how Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) could be accessed. READ MORE
Boroondara to host ‘Inclusion Throughout Art’ event to empower residents/people with disability
Disability providers Able Australia and Endeavour Foundation, along with the City of Boroondara will celebrate ‘Inclusion through Art’ on International Day of People with Disability, 3 December 2019. The public art exhibition features works created by people with a disability in Boroondara and gives the community an opportunity to appreciate the creative talents of artists with a disability. READ MORE
Carla Anderson – inducted into lifetime achievement honour roll
Congratulations to Carla Anderson – Director – Centre of Excellence Deafblind, Able Australia for being inducted to the 2019 Victorian Disability Award, Lifetime Achievement Honour Roll. READ MORE