Agencies

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

http://ndis.nsw.gov.au/ The NDIS funds long-term high-quality care and support for people with significant disabilities, better links to the community and people with disabilities, provide information to people, help break down stereotypes, and ensure quality assurance and best practice among service providers.

The NDIS gives people with disability choice and control over the supports they receive. It will help people with disability support live life their way, achieve their goals and participate in the community.

Mental Health

There are many agencies that can help with Mental Health. The link provided gives individual opportunities to access agencies when required.

http://www.wslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/Mental-Health-Services/About-us

Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC)

http://www.adhc.nsw.gov.au/ ADHC can assist in case managing the needs of students with disabilities. These services include occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech pathology and behaviour support. They can also link your student to respite services. It may take some time to be allocated a case manager or services, so it is advised that contact be made with ADHC as soon as the need arises.
Referrals ADHC has different intake contact details depending on the area, which can be accessed at http://www.adhc.nsw.gov.au/contact_us.

Respite services require the student has a case manager in order to receive assistance when accessing these services. Information on respite services can be found at http://www.adhc.nsw.gov.au/individuals/support/getting_respite.. 
The Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre also provides assistance with care and respite http://www9.health.gov.au/ccsd/download/brochscreen/carelink.pdf

ADHC produces a guide for parents and carers where they can gain additional support. The Advocacy and Information Services Directory is located at http://www.adhc.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0016/234250/Advocacy_Information_Print_Disability.pdf. 
Other information on advocacy and services can be found at http://www.adhc.nsw.gov.au/individuals/support/directing_my_own_life/advocacy_and_information_services

Accessible Arts

http://www.aarts.net.au/  Accessible Arts promotes and provides opportunities for people with disability to participate in arts and cultural activities either as audience members; through attending galleries, theatres, museums and festivals; or as participants in art, drama, music, dance and multimedia activities; and by developing as professional artists. It is a wonderfully inclusive organisation.

Shopfront

http://shopfront.org.au/ Shopfront is an inclusive artistic environment and is committed to providing accessibility for our local and wider communities. Shopfront is creating more and more pathways for young people with support needs in the creative arts!

Special Olympics

http://www.specialolympics.com.au/ Special Olympics Australia is the not-for-profit organisation that transforms the lives of people with an intellectual disability through sport. There are over 250 sports clubs across metropolitan and rural Australia. Training is provided in a range of sports and all skill levels are catered for. It is an excellent opportunity for students with special needs to be engaged in the community and feel valued.

International Day for People with Disability

http://www.idpwd.com.au/about/ is a great event to get involved with. The United Nations has declared December 3 annually for this day. You can sign up for the newsletter to keep up to date with events.

Northcott

http://www.northcott.com.au/index.php A broad range of programs is provided, from support in the initial diagnosis period and early intervention, through to early childhood development and assisting adults gain employment and independent living skills.

HealthShare Enable NSW

http://www.enable.health.nsw.gov.au  EnableNSW is part of Health Share and is responsible for the administration of the NSW Health disability support programs including the:

• Aids and Equipment Program
• Continence Assistance
• Home Respiratory Program (HRP)    
• Prosthetic Limb Service (formerly known as ALS)
• Specialised Equipment Essential for Discharge (SEED)   
• Speech Generating Device

Computer Assistive Technology Services (CATS)

http://www.northcottcats.com.au/ is a Northcott service that provides information, advice and support regarding assistive technology options for people with disabilities. Assistive technology offers people with disabilities increased independence in the areas of computer access, communication and access to everyday appliances at school, home and work.

Cerebral Palsy Alliance (The Spastic Centre)

http://www.cerebralpalsy.org.au/home CPA services for children and teenagers includes therapy, technology and equipment, family and individual support, respite, recreation, mentoring, leadership development and aquatic activities in selected areas of Sydney. http://www.cerebralpalsy.org.au/our-services/children-and-teenagers

Autism Spectrum Australia (ASPECT)

http://www.autismspectrum.org.au/a2i1l433l83/about-us.htm Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) is a not for profit provider of services and assistance to people with autism and their families.

Services include behaviour support http://www.autismspectrum.org.au/a2i2i5i1l203l198/behaviour-intervention-service.htm. Other services are also available at http://www.autismspectrum.org.au/a2i2l436l84/services.htm, including diagnostic, family support and post-school options services.

Variety Australia

http://www.variety.org.au/ Variety, the Children's Charity, is a national not-for-profit organisation committed to empowering Australian children who are sick, disadvantaged or have special needs to live, laugh and learn. They provide grants for students with special needs.

Down Syndrome Association

http://www.downsyndromensw.org.au/ 
This website has links for people with Down Syndrome, for their families and for professionals. Resources for professional include online, classroom, international and journal resources. http://www.downsyndromensw.org.au/pages/key-resources-for-education-professionals-and-schools.html

Vision Australia

http://www.visionaustralia.org/ 
Assists with diagnosis of vision issues, technology, large print and braille library, assistance with living independently and vast range of resources that promote independence.

Vision Australia Radio is also available as a podcast in Sydney and includes the reading of newspapers, magazine, books and interviews, as well as other speciality programs. http://radio.visionaustralia.org/about-us

Australian Hearing, part of the Department of Human Services

http://www.hearing.com.au/about-us, or call 131 797 
Children and young adults up to the age of 26 who are Australian citizens or permanent residents are eligible for government-funded hearing services from Australian Hearing.

Location guide http://www.ahcentres.com.au/

Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC)

http://www.ridbc.org.au/  May be able to assist your student by providing functional vision assessments and hearing assessments. They also have a range of other services and resources that may be of use, including support groups for parents and carers.

Guide Dogs Association

http://www.guidedogs.com.au/  exists to enhance the independence and safe mobility of people who are blind or vision impaired.

This website connects you to teacher resources.