Discover the national and local services that support people with a disability, their families and carers.
NDIS
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) supports people who are under the age of 65 and have a permanent and significant disability to get the care and support they need. Under this scheme, NDIS participants have choice and control over the services they receive.
Ability Links
Ability Links supports people with a disability, their families and carers to connect to mainstream services in their local community. The Ability Links program in the Northern Sydney area is run through Uniting.
Enquiries
Email Ability Links or phone 1800 864 846 or email ADHC.
ADHC
From June 2018, ADHC no longer provided disability services. As the NDIS has been rolling out, ADHC have progressively transferred their services to non-government service providers. Now, when a person with a disability becomes an NDIS participant, their NDIS plan provides funding that allows them to access the support they require from a provider of their choice.
Visit Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC).
Carers
Carer Gateway is a national online and phone service that provides practical information and resources to support carers. The interactive service finder helps carers connect to local support services.
Enquiries
Phone 1800 422 737.
Age services
Ku-ring-gai Council has plenty of activities, events and services to keep seniors in our community well looked after, active and fulfilled. Find information on aged services.
The My Aged Care website by the Australian Government is a one-stop shop to access the aged care system.
Enquiries
Phone 1800 200 422 between 8am and 8pm on weekdays and between 10am and 2pm on Saturdays.
Dementia services
There are many types of dementia. The most common are Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia and Lewy body disease. Click here for more information on dementia services.
Enquiries
Phone National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500.
Children’s services
Lifestart
Lifestart supports children and young people living with disability or delay aged 0-24 years, their families and carers through:
- Early intervention
- School age years support
- Specialised therapy
- Inclusion in the community
- Family information and support
- Helping communities and services to build capacity
Enquiries
The nearest centre to Ku-ring-gai is the Pennant Hills Centre, 4 Ramsay Road, Pennant Hills.
Phone 9484 4895 or email Lifestart.
KYDS
KYDS Youth Development Service provides free, easily accessed, one-to-one group support and information programs for 12 to 18 year olds across Northern Sydney. They help young people deal with depression, anxiety, drug and alcohol issues, addictions, school problems, HSC/exam stress, family problems, relationship problems, communication break downs, anger management, body image concerns, self-esteem issues, bullying, grief, loss, loneliness, anti-social and risky behaviour, self-harm and suicide.
Enquiries
Rear 265 Pacific Highway Lindfield NSW 2070
Phone 9416 0900 or email KYDS.
KU
KU Children's Services is Australia's oldest not-for-profit provider of early childhood education and care. It offers an inclusive environment for all children, including those with additional needs. It is a provider of the Australian Government's Inclusion and Professional Support Program (IPSP).
EarlyEd
EarlyEd is a family-centred early childhood intervention service for young children with disabilities or delays in their development. It has been offering support and services to families across Northern and Western Sydney since 1979. EarlyEd teams have experience and training in early intervention practices to support children from birth to primary school age.
Enquiries
Phone 9923 2727. For more infomration, visit EarlyEd.
IDEAS
IDEAS provides information for people with disability, people with age-related disability, their families, carers and other supporters to access and search for information that promotes independence.
Advocacy Services
If you would like to have someone with you when discussing the issue, select your own support person, or contact the following services for an advocate:
Complaints Resolution & Referral Service (CRRS)
The CRRS is an independent service that helps you sort out complaints about your service funded under the Commonwealth Disability Services Act.
Enquiries
1800 880 052
National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline
The National Disability Abuse & Neglect Hotline is an Australia-wide telephone hotline for reporting abuse and neglect of people with disability. The Hotline works with callers to find appropriate ways of dealing with these reports.
Enquiries
1800 880 052
Side by Side Advocacy
Side By Side Advocacy promotes and upholds the rights, needs and interests of people with intellectual disability to enable full and meaningful participation in the community.
Enquiries
Phone 9808 5500 or email Side By Side team.
Action for People with Disability
Action for People with Disability (ACTION) provides advocacy and support for people with disability and support for their families.
Enquiries
Phone 9449 5355 or email Action for People team.
NSW CID Council for Intellectual Disability, Sydney, Australia
The NSW CID works with and for people with intellectual disability to speak up about the big issues and to change things for the better.
For more advocacy services, see NSW Government Communities and Justice website and search 'Advocacy'.