Leading disability service provider, Able Australia has been globally recognised for its service
provision for the deafblind community.
Deafblind International (DbI) has appointed Able Australia as its new Secretariat, placing it at the
decision-making table of the world’s peak body for deafblindness issues. The Secretariat role is an
important part of DbI’s Management Committee and is appointed by the Board to undertake
executive action on deafblind issues internationally.
Deafblind International (DbI) supports professionals (educators, administrators, researchers, medical
specialists, etc.), families and people who are deafblind by sharing knowledge and developing
services that enable a good quality of life for children and adults with deafblindess around the world.
Able Australia CEO and current DbI Board Member, Kaye Collard said the appointment was an
honour and a great start to a milestone year for the not-for-profit organisation.
“We are celebrating our 50th birthday this year so this appointment is a terrific way to start 2017,”
she said.
“We have a long and proud history of supporting people with deafblindness, dating back to our
origins as the Victorian Deaf Blind and Rubella Children’s Association. Although we now offer a
broader range of disability services across the country, our commitment to supporting people with
deafblindess remains unchanged.”
Able Australia’s Special Projects Coordinator, Gary Daly has been nominated to represent Able
Australia in the Secretariat role and says it’s a timely appointment during the lead up to the 17th
Deafblind International World Conference on the Gold Coast in 2019.
“As hosts of this conference, it will be very important for Able Australia to get a full understanding of
the broader issues facing people with deafblindness around the world. I am confident this executive
appointment will assist us to put together a dynamic conference program that really addresses the
needs of the global deafblind community.”
About Able Australia: Able Australia is one of Australia’s leading not-for-profit organisations,
delivering high quality, person-centred services to people living with multiple disabilities, including
deafblindness and those in need of community support. From its beginnings in 1967 as the Victorian
Deaf Blind and Rubella Children’s Association, Able Australia has grown into a diverse and dynamic
organisation that supports more than 4000 people in Melbourne, Tasmania, south east Queensland,
Canberra, Sydney