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We list for your convenience information about several organisations that can assist families of children with disabilities. Inclusion of Organisations and Services on this list does not infer endorsement by Riverside ESC.
Please note, COVID-19 restrictions may have limited available services and the viability of some organisations to continue. Contact our school if you find the information below is no longer correct.
The City of Mandurah is committed to ensuring that the community is accessible for and inclusive of people with disability, their families and carers. An accessible and inclusive community is a more vibrant place for everyone.
The City of Mandurah values people with disability as an integral part of the local community and considers their Access and Inclusion Plan as an important tool to support continuous improvement to the access for and inclusion of people with disability across the city.
Contact details for City of Mandurah Community Development are:
The Autism Association of Western Australia (www.autism.org.au) is dedicated to serving the needs and interests of people with Autism and their families. We do so by providing services based on peer reviewed research in the field of Autism; and by providing support that makes a positive difference to the lives of people with Autism.
Austism Spectrum Australia (www.autismspectrum.org.au), an eastern states NDIS provider, has on its website information about autism – What is Autism.
See DDWA below for a link to the 2023 Autism Parents’ Handbook.
Cahoots is a Western Australia-based NDIS provider that organises and delivers exciting and rewarding programs and camps for kids and young people living with a disability. Programs and camps throughout the year, catering to children and young people of all abilities between the ages of 5 and 30.
A Changing Place is a secure and clean bathroom specifically designed for people who need space and assistance to manage their bathroom needs while in the community and for whom universal access toilets are not suitable. There are three Changing Places provided by the City of Mandurah and an Australian-wide network.
WA Department of Health provides a selection of information on Communicable Diseases for Western Australian Health Professionals – see https://www.health.wa.gov.au/Health-for/Health-professionals/Communicable-Diseases
Information on exclusion periods for communicable diseases is available from the Perth Children’s Hospital website – https://pch.health.wa.gov.au/For-health-professionals/Emergency-Department-Guidelines/Communicable-diseases-exclusion
Although prepared for teachers and health professionals, parents/carers will find useful information in a downloadable Communicable Disease Guidelines. (updated April 2023)
DDWA is a not-for-profit organisation and the peak advocacy organisation in WA for people with intellectual and other developmental disability and their families. DDWA welcomes membership from people who have an interest in advancing the rights and needs of people with disability and their families.
DDWA works to create lasting positive change by:
There is a wealth of information on the DDWA website including information booklets and more on their Resource page. Of particular interest to parents of our community will be:
Offers family and community programs which enables the support of people with Down syndrome and their families. For news and events in WA, fo to https://www.downsyndrome.org.au/news-events/#wa/
Equal Footingball is a community-minded initiative to ensure that children aged 9 and above with intellectual or physical (or both) disabilities have similar opportunities and access to football for fun, social participation and elite development compared to fully able-bodied players. Peel RFC runs an independent regional program:
The West Australian Immunisation Schedule is available on the WA Public Health website (Healthy WA) here.
A City of Mandurah FaceBook page that is currently working as a hub of relevant information regarding everything ‘access and inclusion’ during (and beyond) COVID-19. Parents may find some useful information at facebook.com/inclusivemandurah
INKA is a not for profit, family run holiday / respite stay in a farm style environment. It offers carer support and accommodation for children, teenagers and adults with special needs, predominantly autism, through a farm style respite stay. INKA has council approval for up to 12 visitors at a time, but prefers to keep its staff ratio high so generally has between 6-8 visitors in at a time.
Kiind, formerly Kalparrin, makes a positive difference to the lives and families and carers of children with special needs through the provision of practical and emotional support.
“Because every WA kid deserves a fair go”
Active kids learn better and are physically and mentally healthier. KidSport, a partnership between the Department of Sport and recreation and the City of Mandurah, makes it possible for eligible WA children aged 5-18 years to participate in community sport and recreation, no matter their financial circumstances. The process for accessing KidSport is simple and can be completed online or by using a hard copy form.
Applicants must have a valid Health Care or Pension Concession card issued by Centrelink.
Funding will cover the cost of fees to join the nominated sport or recreation club (this may include other related costs as identified by the club), up to a maximum $150 per child. The club must be an approved KidSport club.
KidsMatter is an Australian mental health and wellbeing initiative set in primary schools and in early childhood education and care services. It’s not a program, but a framework that helps these places take care of all their mental health needs by focusing on:
KidsMatter is funded by the Australian Government and beyondblue, and is a partnership between education and health sectors.
The Manta Rays Swim Team is a Special Swimming Club for children with Special Needs. We train at the Mandurah Aquatic Recreation Centre (MARC) in Mandurah on Wednesdays at 3.30 – 4.30 pm.
Our members’ ages range from 7 to 18. Our Coaches hold an assessment for new members but final membership is subject to Coaches discretion (decision based upon assesment of Duty of Care).
The program is run by adult volunteers. New volunteers are always welcomed.
Offices and contacts in your area: Click her to find a local contact.
(This link will provide you with general advice about the closest NDIS and Partner office based on your suburb and postcode. Please note your nearest office may not be your allocated ECEI or LAC partner. Call 1800 800 110 if you would like information about your allocated Partner office.)
Play 2 Talk supports and encourages families that include children with additional needs and their neurotypical siblings to get out the door and come together to play. Monthly get-togethers and events are available for families seeking to overcome those often invisible social barriers that limit opportunities for meaningful and playful engagement. Find out about Play 2 Talk by contacting founders Amber and Nicole at:
• Facebook – Play 2 Talk (a closed group)
• Email – Play2TalkSocial@gmail.com
On the Raising Children website, parents will find reliable and evidence-based information and resources to support them in the day-to-day work of raising children and looking after their own needs. The website is growing all the time and covers a broad range of up-to-date parenting topics.
Amongst the many useful topics are:
Riding for the Disabled Western Australia (RDAWA) is a not-for-profit organisation which is dedicated to providing therapeutic and recreational benefits through equestrian activities to people with disabilities. The local agency is RDA WA Murray Mandurah Group.
The SATS program, delivered in the Peel region by Rocky Bay Inc., is funded by the Disability Services Commission to provide comprehensive therapy services to school age children. We will meet with you to talk about your goals for your child and what you would like them to be able to do and what support you would like. We will then plan together how to achieve your goals.
The team works in partnership with families and children, six to 18 years old, with a range of disabilities to support their development. Services may include speech pathology, occupational therapy, and physiotherapy.
Therapists partner with families to provide support to children to maximise their independence and participation in the community.
The Starkick program is run as an integral part of the Auskick program within the North Mandurah Football Club and is designed to promote full involvement and inclusion for all children of any ability into the mainstream club activities and events. The program is for children aged between 5 and 12 where children who, by circumstance or choice, are unable to join into our club’s existing football programs.
The North Mandurah Junior Football Club fully support the Starkick program throughout all age levels within the club and continue to support the inclusion of all children within the community through AFL footy Starkick activities.
Cost: $150 (Same as a Kidsport Voucher)
Contact North Mandurah Football Club for more information http://northmandurahfc.com.au/ or head over to the FaceBook page to keep up to date at https://www.facebook.com/starkicknmjfc/
The government-sponsord Student Wellbeing Hub website provides information and resources for students, teachers and parents to assist in the creation and maintenance of a safe and welcoming school environment.
VacSwim gives all Western Australians the opportunity to participate in a safe, quality swimming and water safety program. 2018 enrolments are now open.
With swimming pools and beaches a part of our Western Australian lifestyle, ensuring your child can swim competently and safely is a must for all families. VacSwim is for children from beginner through to advanced survival, rescue and resuscitation.
Your child can join in the fun of learning to swim with lessons priced for affordability.
WADSA is a charitable, non-profit making, sport and recreation umbrella organisation for disabled individuals and groups. It aims to allow for greater opportunities in the area of sport and recreation for individuals.
WADSA is a registered Service Provider of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
XYY Australia has grown out of an Australian family’s search to understand more about their son and to share what they have learned with others. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, XYY syndrome occurs in 1 out of every 1,000 boys. The website engages the inquirer with real life stories, articles about XYY Syndrome, access to hard-to-find resources and much more.
Website: www.xyyaustralia.org
