Resources in Australia
Organizations
- ABA Materials
ABA produces and sells educational materials to help children (with or without disabilities) develop and expand their speech and language skills.
- AbilityShowcase.com
A guide for all disability stores on the Internet for wheelchairs, scooters and products for people with disabilities. The site is based in Australia and is maintained by a person with a disability.
- AGOSCI Inc. (formerly Australian Group On Severe Communication Impairment)
"AGOSCI is an Australian group representing people with complex communication needs, as well as those who live, know or work with people with complex communication needs. Established in 1981, AGOSCI aims to lobby for the rights of people with complex communication needs, increase public awareness of complex communication needs, and to provide relevant educational and professional development events across Australia. Its membership includes individuals experiencing complex communication needs, family and community members, teachers, speech pathologists and other professionals. Key areas of interest for AGOSCI are augmentative and alternative communication; sign and gesture systems; mealtime assistance / dysphagia; sliva control; voice output communication aids; consumer's stories; research; and problem-solving in severe communication impairment."
- ATMac - Assistive Technology for Mac OS X Users
ATMac is an online journal devoted to news, views, and reviews for OS X users with an interest in disability, assistive technology, and making accessible programs and content. The audience also includes educators and other AT supporters, content producers, and application developers.
- AudioDescription.com
AudioDescription.com is a web site of Media Access Australia providing information about what audio description is and how it works, as well as details about the history of audio description. This site is constantly updated with audio description developments happening both in Australia and internationally, and it contains information about other organisations that help with audio description services. This website benefits people looking for a technological solution to media accessibility, including people who are blind or visually impaired, and people with print disabilities such as dyslexia, colour blindness, learning difficulties and physical disabilities that affect interaction with print and visual media. Other information about DVDs, Cinema, TV and the Arts is also provided, including a complete listing of audio described DVD titles available in Australia.
- Australian DeafBlind Council
The Australian DeafBlind Council (ADBC) is a national council representing people who are deafblind, their support networks and organisations working in the field.
- Australian Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Association
ARATA serves as a forum for information sharing and liaison between people who are involved with assistive technology. Its focus is on providing opportunities for sharing ideas to ensure the advancement the of rehabilitation and assistive technology in Australia, through activities such as conferences, special interest groups, a web site, listserver, membership directory and a quarterly newsletter.
- Blind Citizens Australia
The national consumer organization of Australians who are blind or visually impaired. They sponsor an online discussion of blindness-low vision issues and have a great links section.
- DEAL Communication Centre
DEAL Communication Centre is an Australian non-governmental organization that provides services to people who are unable to talk, or to talk clearly, as a result of conditions such as cerebral palsy, strokes, acquired brain damage, autism, Down syndrome, or intellectual impairment - anyone whose speech is not clear enough, fluent enough or reliable enough to allow them to get across everything they want to say. DEAL assesses each clients' communication needs and abilities, and tries to find some means of communication. It provides training for clients, parents, therapists, caregivers, and teachers; loans communication aids so that people can practice their skills and make informed decisions about selecting equipment; and, when appropriate, it obtains equipment for clients through the Australian government-funded Electronic Communication Devices Scheme. DEAL also sponsors the Big Mouth Camp for school-age communication aid users.
- Disability Information and Communication Exchange
The official site of Australia's National Council on Intellectual Disability.
- Disability Information and Resource Centre, South Australia
The site provides general disability information in Australia.
- e-bility Pty Ltd
e-bility Pty Ltd is an incorporated company based in Sydney, Australia, providing a range of Internet and consultancy services to organisations and businesses, primarily in the disability sector. Its web site, e-bility.com, is a destination web site that aims to provide a central resource for disability related information, services, and products, including customised seating, therapy, rehabilitation equipment, assistive technology, outdoor adventure for people with disabilities, augmentative communication, special needs travel and tourism, accessible venues, disability sector funding, conference planning, and more.
- Hire Mobility
Based in Perth, Western Australia, Hire Mobility is a family-owned and operated company that rents wheelchair-accessible vans. Vehicles seat up to ten people, including a person in a wheelchair. Overseas and interstate enquiries are welcome and flexible pick-up and delivery arrangements are offered. Hire Mobility also offer a breakdown service.
- Independent Living Centres Australia
The Independent Living Centres Australia (ILCA) is a collective organisation with members in each Australian state and the Australian Capital Territory. The ILCA's member organizations provide information and advice on an extensive range of assistive technology that can help individuals improve their quality of life and remain independent. The ILCA site offers a searchable database of assistive technology to help Australians locate the products that they need.
- Jason Livertons Leisure and Disability Consultancy
Jason is an Australia Ph.D. student with muscular dystrophy who has written extensively on leisure and recreational activities for people with disabilities.
- LifeTec Queensland
LifeTec Queensland is a leading provider of information, consultation, and education on assistive technology that can help Queensland residents with disabilities improve their quality of life and remain independent.
- Media Access Australia
Media Access Australia (MAA) is a not-for-profit, public institution and Australia’s primary media access organization. It provides information about media access and develops and applies technological solutions to media access issues. This includes, but is not limited to, captioning and audio description and social media. MAA was formerly known as the Australian Caption Centre. The captioning and other operations of the former Australian Caption Centre were sold to Red Bee Media in 2006. MAA works in collaboration with consumer organizations, the Australian government and industry.
- Medical Auction and Classifieds
Medical Auction and Classifieds-Buy and sell new and second hand medical equipment. (locateed in Australia, although available internationally through www.medicalauction.com.au)
- MobilityVan Sales USA
MobilityVan Sales USA offers a free classifieds service for vans modified for people with disabilities. Although based in Australia, this site serves the United States and enables drivers with disabilities to place vehicles for sale with highlighted accessible features and modifications. The free ads include six photos.
- Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Association of Victoria
ParaQuad Victoria is an Austrailian not-for-profit organization providing community-based services to enable Australians with a disability to "achieve their desired quality of life."
- SeeMore Scenic Tours
SeeMore Scenic Tours offers wheelchair accessible tours and travel packages for people with disabilities and mobility problems to South East Queensland in Australia.
- Spinal Cord Injuries Australia
Spinal Cord Injuries Australia was formed as the Australian Quadriplegic Association in September 1967 to provide suitable accommodation for young people with severe spinal cord injuries. The organization's services have expanded as the need and opportunity arose. They now extend our services to all people with physical disabilities.
- Technical Aid to the Disabled (TAD)
TADNSW is a charity organisation that has the authority to fundraise. TAD uses volunteers dedicated to the design, construction and provision of aids for people with disabilities. Members of TAD provide a resource pool comprising a range of design, engineering, rehabilitation, computer, therapy and other professional and technical skills. Aids custom-designed by TAD volunteers are described in the TAD Journal.
- Technological Solutions Australia
Located in a suburb of Melbourne, Austrailia, TSA is a commercial firm that develops assistive devices. They specialize in both made-to-order and mass market products.
- Vision Australia
Vision Australia is a national agency for Australians who are blind or have low vision. It was formed in 2004 following the merger of the Royal Blind Society (RBS), the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind (RVIB), Vision Australia Foundation (VAF), and the National Information Library Services (NILS). Other agencies that have merged include the Royal Blind Foundation Queensland; Hear a Book, a Tasmanian producer of audio books; and Seeing Eye Dogs Australia (SEDA). Services include assistive technology evaluation, employment advice and training, independent living services, library and information services, recreation and sports programs, and Vision Australia Radio. Vision Australia produces an Adaptive Technology Guide, an Equipment Solutions Catalogue, audio books, and other books and publications. Vision Australia's Accessible Information Solutions (AIS) team has developed freeware products such as the Web Accessibility Toolbar.
