People with disability

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.

Phone 1800 800 110

NDIS

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.

Phone 1800 422 737

Carer Gateway

Companion Card

The NSW Companion Card program is for people with significant and permanent disability who have a lifelong need for a high level of care to participate in community events and activities. The Companion Card allows a person’s carer free entry into participating venues and events.

Phone 1800 893 044

Companion Card

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.

Phone 1300 953 390

Lifestart

Early Ed

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.

Phone 9923 2727

Early Ed

My time Playgroups 

Forestville, servicing the North Shore Region

MyTime groups are a supportive space for parents and carers to feel understood and share ideas about managing a range of situations. A MyTime group is more than a playgroup, it’s a place where parents can meet others in similar situations. MyTime members also have access to information and recources through the group facilitator. Members get to plan the group sessions around their specific needs as carers.

MyTime

Cubby House Toy Library

EarlyEd’s Toy Library has a wide range of toys, games, books, and therapy/gross motor equipment.  We also have a parents’ reference library providing books on topics including speech, language and learning difficulties.

Phone: 9923 2727

Cubby House Toy Library - EarlyEd │ Northern Sydney

KYDS

KYDS 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.

Rear 265 Pacific Highway, Lindfield NSW 2070

Phone: 9416 0900

Email: counsellor@kyds.org.au

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).

Phone: 9264 8366

KU

Australian Federation of Disability Organisations

AFDO is a Disabled Peoples Organisations (DPO) working for long-term social change for people with disability.  We work to make sure the rights and interests of people with disability are served through legislation, policies and practices.

Phone: (02) 6198 3361

Australian Federation of Disability Organisations | Australian Federation of Disability Organisations

Disability Counselling and Advocacy Support

You might need support from a counsellor or an advocate if you:

• Have ever been hurt, treated badly or taken advantage of.
• Are thinking about taking part in the Disability Royal Commission.

Support is free, independent and confidential.

Phone:  1800 421 468

TTY: 133 677

Disability counselling and advocacy support | Department of Social Services, Australian Government

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.

Phone: 02 6947 3377

IDEAS

The National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline

The National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline (The Hotline), is a free, independent and confidential service for reporting abuse and neglect of people with disability.

Anyone can contact the Hotline, including family members, friends, service providers or a person with disability.

The Hotline works with callers to find appropriate ways of dealing with reports of abuse and neglect of people with disability.

The Hotline will encourage the notifier to seek advocacy support if needed.

Phone: 1800 880 052

Email: hotline@workfocus.com

JobAccess complaints hotline

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.

Phone: 9808 5500

Email: info@sidebysideadvocacy.org.au

Side by Side

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.

Phone: 1800 424 065

CID

Action for People with Disability

Action for People with Disability (ACTION) provides advocacy and support for people with disability and support for their families.

Phone: 9449 5355

Email: action-for-people@swiftdsl.com.au

ACTION

Youth

Kids Helpline

Since 1991, Australia’s kids and young people have been turning to kids helpline’s professional, specialised counsellors, no matter who they are, where they live or what they want to talk about.

Over this time Kids Helpline has responded to over 8 million contacts. For some young people, connecting with Kids Helpline has been a life-saving experience, while for others it’s about practical help and emotional support at the critical moment they need someone to listen.

Phone: 1800 55 1800

Email: counsellor@kidshelpline.com.au

Webchat

Kids Helpline

Headspace

Headspace provides mental health and wellbeing support, information and services to young people, both in person and virtually.

In Person: 30 Devonshire Street, Chatswood

Headspace

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.

Rear 265 Pacific Highway, Lindfield NSW 2070

Phone: 9416 0900

Email: counsellor@kyds.org.au

KYDS

Lifeline

Lifeline Harbour to Hawkesbury in Gordon provides telephone crisis support, suicide prevention, counselling services, support groups and community aid.

Phone: 13 11 14

LifelineH2H

Suicide Call Back Service

Suicide Call Back Service offers free professional 24/7 telephone counselling support to people at risk of suicide, concerned about someone at risk, bereaved by suicide and people experiencing emotional or mental health issues.

Phone: 1300 659 467

Suicide Call Back Service

Beyond Blue

Beyond Blue is a national initiative to raise awareness of anxiety and depression, providing resources for recovery, management and resilience.

Phone: 1300 224 636

Beyond Blue

Community Matters - Suicide Prevention Toolkit

Information on suicide prevention and how to support those who need help.

Life In Mind 

Relationships Australia

Relationships Australia NSW are an independent, not-for-profit organisation with no religious affiliations. Our goal is to promote relationships that are safe, healthy and strong. We're dedicated to enhancing relationships within families and their communities in order to foster personal and social wellbeing.

Backed by over 70 years of experience, we offer judgement-free support to people of all cultural backgrounds, family structures, gender and sexual orientation. Our range of relationship support services includes counselling, dispute resolution (mediation), domestic violence support, and relationship education programs.

Phone: 1300 364 277

Relationships NSW

The Black Dog Institute

The Black Dog Institute is a not-for-profit organisation and world leader in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder. 

1 in 5 of us will experience symptoms of mental illness in any given year. In Australia that’s around 5 million people. And roughly 60% of these people won’t seek help.

As the only medical research institute in Australia to investigate mental health across the lifespan, our aim is to create a mentally healthier world for everyone.

Black Dog Institute

Family Drug and Alcohol Support

Family Drug and Alcohol Support is a 24-hour information, help and referral service.

Phone: 1300 368 186 (24/7 service)

Family Drug and Alcohol Support

1800 Respect

1800 Respect are open 24 hours to support people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence and abuse.

Phone: 1800 737 732

1800RESPECT

Ku -ring-gai Art Centre

Ku-ring-gai Art Centre provides inclusive arts classes. It also offers its Exploration Art Exhibition where local artist who have a disability can showcase their art, skills and experiences.

Ku-ring-gai Art Centre

Boonah Creative Arts Centre

Boonah is an art studio run specifically to meet the needs of artists living with disability. Established in 1995, the space also operates as a gallery, which is open to the public.

Classes run Monday to Thursday and we offer a morning session from 9am - 12pm or an afternoon class from 12.30pm - 3.30pm in West Pymble.

Phone: 9488 2500

Catholic Care Boonah Creative Arts Studio

Blue Apple Art Studios

Blue Apple is a collaborative art space located in Terrey Hills, among a tranquil bush setting. This light-filled, modern art space is a place for people of all abilities, ages, and experience to use the space to explore their inner creativity.

Phone: 1300 266 222

Blue Apple Art Studios

Merry Makers

Merry Makers are a diverse dance troupe of people most of whom have a physical or intellectual disability ranging in age from 6 to 66.

Phone: 1300 668 276

Merry Makers

Marian Street Theatre for Young People

An accessible drama class for up to 12 young people aged 18+ with an intellectual disability. Participating with others in a fun, inclusive and creative environment with drama exercises and improvisation games that give young people an outlet for their creative expression, build confidence and develop communication skills.

Phone: 9880 2356

Email: info@mstyp.org.au

Marian Street Theatre for Young People

Accessible Arts

Accessible Arts is the peak arts and disability organisation across New South Wales.

Phone: 9251 6499

Accessible Arts

Discobility

Discobility is an annual event held for young people with special needs to enjoy a fun and exciting social event. Entry is $5 which includes food and drink.

To find out when the next Discobility event will take place, phone 9424 0837 or visit their Facebook page.

Northern Sydney Disability Newsletter

The monthly disability newsletter provides information on events, social clubs, carers groups, resources and training for people with a disability, their carers and families in the Sydney North and Northern Beaches regions.

Northern Beaches disability newsletter

Ku-ring-gai Fitness and Aquatic Centre

Ku-ring-gai Fitness and Aquatic Centre provides accessible sports facilities in West Pymble. Accessible parking, changing rooms, lift access and a ramp and lift into pool are provided.

Phone: 9499 2005

Ku-ring-gai Fitness and Aquatic Centre

Special Olympics Sydney Upper North Shore

Special Olympics provide year-round training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities across the Northern Sydney region. Sports include swimming, dance, football, tennis, golf and basketball.

Phone: 0481 582 576

Special Olympics Sydney Upper North Shore

Disability Sports Australia

Disability Sports Australia (DSA) is Australia’s peak national body representing athletes with a physical disability. DSA aims to get more Australians with a disability, more active, more often!

Phone: 8736 1221

Disability Sports Australia

National Public Toilet Map

This interactive map shows the locations of public toilets, with filters available for both accessible and hoist facilities.

National Public Toilet Map 

MLAK keys

The Master Locksmiths Access Key (MLAK) system allows people with a disabled parking permit access to dedicated public facilities by purchasing an MLAK key. This key will open all toilets, playground equipment and other facilities fitted with a lock that uses the special MLAK cylinder. Keys cost $20.00.

You can order an MLAK key from Master Locksmiths.

Parking spaces for people with a disability

For a list of council managed parking spaces, including the location of disabled parking spaces.

Car parks Ku-ring-gai

Transport

Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Community Transport

Provides transport to people over 65 (or over 50 for Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders) and people with disability of all ages.

Visiting doctors, specialists, medical tests or treatments (individual transport), social events and shopping trips.

Phone: 9983 1611

Community Transport

Stryder

NDIS registered transport provider servicing the Ryde, Hunters Hill, Hornsby and Ku-ring-gai areas.

Visit their website for further information and eligibility guidelines.

Phone: 9816 5000

Stryder

Our policies aim to achieve greater equity, better access and wider participation for senior members and people with a disability in our community.

Missed business

Are you missing out on potential customers?

Quality service is one of the most important things your business can offer and with over 18% frail or living with a disability, it's important for you to provide good access.

The Missed Business Guide helps local business attract more customers by providing better access.

Australian Human Rights Commission missed business guide

Improving accessibility

For information regarding improving  accessibility to your business please see Australian Human Rights Commission - Improving accessibility for consumers with disability. 

Employing a person with disability

Job Access is funded by the Australian Government and delivered by industry professionals, they provide free and expert support to help remove barriers to employing people with disability. This includes an advice service, employer engagement team, workplace modifications, support and training… and much more.

Job Access - Access for Employers

Ku-ring-gai Council's Access and Disability Inclusion Plan 2020-2024

Access and Disability Inclusion Plan 2020-2024(PDF, 5MB)

NSW Disability Inclusion Plan

NSW Disability Inclusion Plan

Disability Discrimination Act (1992)

Disability Discrimination Act (1992)

The Disability Inclusion Act (2014)

The Disability Inclusion Act (2014) 

Community profile

Profile ID provides statistics for the Ku-ring-gai Council area that relate to the need for assistance due to a severe or profound disability.