Latest News
2023 World Epilepsy Day / Purple Day: Embrace Sharing Embrace Awareness
Since 2019, AYS and the Epilepsy Foundation have worked together to plan an annual workshop on epilepsy education and training for our participants, their families, and our staff members in an effort to raise awareness…
2023 International Down Syndrome Day: Going to work without mum
We cannot deny the desire to live our own lives and make our own decisions; this includes people with Down syndrome. Based on information from Down Syndrome International, people with Down syndrome often have poor…
Lisa and Daniel celebrate 5 years at AYS
This week, we highlight two staff members recently reaching 5 year milestone at Access Yours Supports. Their range of skills ensures our participants have choice and control and can achieve their goals. We caught up…
Important Covid-19 Update for AYS Participants and Families
The Access Your Supports team is continuing to ensure your health is paramount in how we support you. We hope you had a restful and enjoyable break and have welcomed the new year safely with…
Sophie and Mike hit major 5 year milestone at AYS
Access Your Supports values the contribution of every staff member and the individual strengths they bring to the team each day. Their range of skills ensures our participants have choice and control and can achieve…
Laura Gardiner is kicking goals with AYS
AFLW star Laura Gardiner has been announced as the VFLW team of the year. With the support for AYS, Laura gets the privilege to put on the hoops each week for the Geelong Cats and…
Vaccination Update for AYS Participants
Access Your Supports (AYS) continues to provide ease-of-mind when you’re receiving services from our team throughout Geelong, Colac and Mildura. AYS respects and upholds the right of every participant to have choice and control over…
Hope’s Story: ECEI
Hope is five years old. She lives with her parents, Anne, and Lloyd and her older brother Noah. Hope now attends kindergarten 3 days a week. Anne and Lloyd have been concerned about Hope’s development…
Patrick (An Award-Winning Career)
Meet Patrick! Patrick has become a valued team member at Access Your Supports. His professional journey begins when he was studying for a Diploma in Digital and Interactive Games at the Swinburne University of Technology using his…
R U OK Day at Access Your Supports
On 9th September, the Access Your Supports team in Geelong, Colac and Mildura virtually connected to highlight the importance of positive mental health practices and celebrate R U OK day. Everyone has a story when…
Expanded vaccine access for NDIS participants
A Message From the Minister’s Office. Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC today announced an expansion of financial payments available to providers supporting NDIS participants to attend…
What could you accomplish with a Support Coordinator in your corner?
Support Coordination is all about enhancing your ability to manage and direct your own services. It’s designed to help you navigate, learn, and understand more about the NDIS. A fantastic example of how a Support…
Regional Restrictions Update
From 1 pm AEST 21 August, The Victorian Government announced new restrictions affecting the way Victorians access our community. Access Your Supports is committed to supporting our participants, families and their carers through these challenging…
Why work for AYS?
It all began with a big idea, a lot of passion and a simple dream to empower and support the community. Access Your Supports’ has experienced rapid success over the last 5 years as a…
Support for housing independence a success!
Access Your Supports are incredibly proud of our participant Rebecca and her success living independently. Rebecca discussed with her NDIS Support Coordinator Jodie from Access Your Supports in October 2020, sharing that she would like…
Why choose an NDIS registered provider?
If you are one of the 4.3 million Australians living with a disability, there is a whole host of support and services available to you to help you get the most out of life – including the National Disability…
Spotlight on: Lainah – an AYS Social Worker
With a culturally diverse background, Lainah is a treasured emerging disability Social Worker focused on providing society’s more vulnerable members with social justice. Through practicing self-empowerment, Lainah helps people mitigate and/or resolve life’s many obstacles.…
Geelong leads the way for Disability Services and Autism Family Support
For more than 10 years, local organisation The Treehouse Geelong has been providing essential guidance and encouragement to families living with autism, often working in association with disability support agency Access Your Supports (AYS) to…
Improving your diet, can improve your life!
At AYS our life’s purpose is to empower yours! Part of that is providing valuable information on nutrition and access to our Dietitians. Afterall, if we eat a well-balanced diet, we generally feel better. It…
A Generous Offer by our Speech Pathologist, Georgia – Speech & Language Assessments
The wait times for speech pathologists in Geelong continue to get longer while families and participants continue to grapple with either their own speech, language and communication difficulties or those they care for. Because of…
From Student to a Trusted Therapy Assistant – Meet Jade!
Meet our Certified Therapy Assistant Jade! She was doing her student placement with us last year, before transitioning into her role as a Therapy Assistant. Jade has completed her Cert IV in Allied Health Assistance…
A Gift to Our Community, as We Turn 5
This week, Geelong based disability support start-up Access Your Supports (AYS) celebrates its 5th birthday. The supports agency, enabling the lives of those living with a disability, was founded by local Ralph Menchise in 2016 and…
SLES Participant at work!
Meet Morgan! As one of the AYS SLES (School Leavers Employment Support) and Finding & Keeping A Job Coordinators, Renee is sharing with us about how she met her participant Morgan and the transformation she…
Nutrition and Autism
Why are dietitians recommended for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder? Many individuals with autism have food sensitivities. Many also have behavioural issues that make mealtime particularly challenging. Parents and carers often worry about providing their…
Supporting you in the midst of COVID-19
We are incredibly proud of our team who worked purposefully throughout COVID-19. It is their quick response and ongoing dedication and passion that has allowed us to support people with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.…
Low-cost Assistive Technology
Eligible NDIS participants will now be able to use existing NDIS plan funding to purchase low-cost Assistive Technology – including smart devices! Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Stuart Robert, today announced further initiatives…
Telehealth silver linings during COVID-19
Before the COVID-19 crisis, AYS like most disability providers focused on in person, face-to-face encounters for the greatest level of connection with our participants. Yet many of us have been pleasantly surprised to discover the…
A poem from a friend
On Thursday, we received an email from a lovely anonymous person who wrote a poem for disability and aged care workers. It is small gestures like that which keep us dedicated to our passion. Thank…
The best way to wash your hands
This video tutorial uses black liquid to show how this method covers all areas of your hands. This hand washing method is recommended by the World Health Organisation.
COVID-19 Response at AYS
The spread of the Corona virus (COVID-19) in the Australian community is serious and we’d like to update you on how we are delivering our services to look after you and your loved ones.