First & Great Support Services

22/06/2026

Deafblind Awareness Week 22 - 28th of June.

This week, we recognise and support people living with deafblindness, a unique disability that combines varying levels of both vision and hearing loss.

Deafblindness affects communication, access to information, mobility, and everyday independence, yet many people with deafblindness continue to face barriers to inclusion, accessibility, and understanding in their communities.

Deafblind Awareness Week is an opportunity to:

Raise awareness and understanding
Promote accessible communication and environments
Celebrate the achievements and resilience of people with deafblindness
Advocate for greater inclusion, support, and equal access

Accessibility can make a profound difference, from clear communication and inclusive design to patience, respect, and meaningful support.

Let’s work together to build communities where everyone can participate fully, connect confidently, and be heard.

18/06/2026

Autistic Pride Day recognises autism as a natural part of human diversity, rather than something to be “fixed” or overcome. It is a day led by autistic voices, centred on dignity, acceptance, autonomy, and respect for different ways of communicating, thinking, processing, and engaging with the world.

For support workers, the day is an important reminder that good support is not about encouraging autistic people to appear “less autistic.” It is about understanding individual needs, reducing unnecessary barriers, and creating environments where people feel safe, respected, and able to participate as themselves.

Autistic people have diverse experiences, strengths, support needs, communication styles, and sensory profiles. There is no single “autistic experience,” and assumptions can often lead to misunderstanding or harm. Approaches that prioritise listening, consent, predictability, sensory awareness, and person led support are essential.

Autistic Pride Day also highlights the impact of masking, where autistic people suppress natural behaviours in order to meet social expectations. While masking may help someone navigate certain environments, it can also contribute to exhaustion, stress, burnout, and loss of identity over time. Supportive practice includes recognising when environments or expectations may be placing pressure on someone to mask unnecessarily.

A respectful and inclusive approach means valuing autistic communication and behaviour without framing differences as deficits. Small adjustments, such as allowing processing time, respecting sensory needs, using clear communication, and supporting autonomy in decision making, can have a significant impact on wellbeing and quality of life.

Today is an opportunity to reflect on how support can move beyond awareness and toward genuine inclusion, respect, and partnership with autistic people in their own lives.

10/06/2026

07/06/2026

🌟 Getting Ready for Your NDIS Planning Meeting? 🌟

Your NDIS planning or reassessment meeting is your chance to explain how your disability impacts your daily life and what supports you need to achieve your goals. Preparation can make a big difference!

✅ Before the Meeting
Gather recent reports and evidence, such as:
• OT, psychology, speech pathology, physiotherapy, or specialist reports
• Functional assessments
• School, employment, or support provider reports

💡 Remember: NDIS funding is based on your functional impact, not just your diagnosis.

Think about your "good days" and "bad days":
• Personal care
• Mobility
• Communication
• Fatigue
• Mental health
• Safety concerns
• Support needed from family or carers

🎯 Be clear about your goals, such as:
• Greater independence
• Employment or study
• Community participation
• Building social connections
• Improving daily living skills

✅ During the Meeting
Be honest and specific.

Instead of saying:
❌ "I manage okay."

Try:
✅ "I can do this task, but I need reminders, support, supervision, or experience significant fatigue."

Discuss:
• What you can do independently
• What you need help with
• What you cannot do safely

Don't forget to mention support from family and friends, including how often they help and whether it's sustainable.

Talk about all areas of impact:
• Mobility
• Communication
• Social interaction
• Learning
• Self-care
• Self-management

❓ Ask questions:
• Is additional evidence needed?
• How will my goals be reflected in my plan?
• Are there supports that could help me achieve my goals?

✅ Bring Support If Needed
A support coordinator, advocate, family member, or trusted friend can help you remember key points, provide examples, take notes, and offer support during the meeting.

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Downplaying your challenges
❌ Focusing only on diagnosis
❌ Forgetting to mention informal supports
❌ Using outdated reports
❌ Not explaining why current funding isn't meeting your needs

04/06/2026

✅ How to Access NDIS Early Intervention

Check eligibility – Visit the NDIS website or contact the NDIS to see if you meet the Early Intervention requirements.
Gather supporting information – This may include reports from your GP, paediatrician, allied health professionals, or other specialists outlining your child's needs and recommended supports.
Submit an Access Request – You can apply by calling the NDIS on 1800 800 110 or completing an Access Request Form.
Attend planning discussions – If approved, you'll work with the NDIS to identify goals and determine the supports needed to help achieve them.
Start receiving supports – Once your plan is in place, you can access therapies, capacity-building supports, assistive technology, and other services that align with your goals.

💡 Early support can make a significant difference in building skills, confidence, and independence. If you're unsure where to start, reach out to a local Early Childhood Partner, support coordinator, or allied health professional for guidance.

30/05/2026

May 30 is World MS Day

What is MS?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common diseases of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). Today, an estimated 2.9 million people around the world have MS.

MS is an inflammatory demyelinating condition. It is caused by damage to myelin – a fatty material that insulates nerves. In MS, the loss of myelin affects the way nerves conduct electrical impulses to and from the brain. Symptoms can include blurred vision, weak limbs, tingling sensations, unsteadiness, memory problems, and fatigue.

Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40. MS is two to three times more common in women than in men. There is no drug that can cure MS, but treatments are available which can modify the course of the disease.

To find out more about MS, get in touch with an MS organisation near you or visit the MSIF website.

The theme for World MS Day 2024-2026 is diagnosis. The name of the campaign is My MS Diagnosis and the tagline: navigating MS together.

The My MS Diagnosis campaign advocates for early and accurate diagnosis for everyone living with MS. It highlights the global barriers to diagnosing MS, raising awareness by sharing real stories and data. We are calling for better MS training for healthcare professionals, new research, and clinical advancements in MS diagnosis. Together we are building informed, caring communities and systems that support people diagnosed with MS.

My MS Diagnosis is a flexible, wide-ranging theme. Whether you’re individual or an organisation, you can choose to focus on a variety of angles when celebrating World MS Day, including:

- Lobbying decision makers to improve early and accurate diagnosis for everyone living with MS
- Highlighting global and national barriers to accessing an MS diagnosis
- Building informed, caring communities and systems that support people diagnosed with MS
- Raising awareness and building solidarity by sharing experiences of an MS diagnosis
- Advocating for better MS training and awareness amongst healthcare professionals
- Supporting new research and clinical advancements in MS diagnosis

27/05/2026

First & Great Support Services
📞 Call us today: 0451 665 792
📧 Email: [email protected]
💛 Committed to Excellent Care 💚

16/05/2026

First & Great Support Services
📞 Call us today: 0451 665 792
📧 Email: [email protected]
💛 Committed to Excellent Care 💚