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<h2 style="text-align: center;">Services with a real difference</h2>
For over 10 years we‘ve been removing the frustration people experience by partnering with them to deliver one of a kind services:
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Woman in a wheelchair throwing an AFL gootball and a man also in a wheelchair reaching for the ball

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<h4>Making Aussie Rules Inclusive and Accessible For All</h4>
Whether you call it AFL, Australian Rules football, Aussie Rules, or simply footy, it is our native sport that has been played for over 150 years.
While there are over 1.38 million Australians who play the game, only 20,000 people with disability do &#8211; and we’d love to see many more get involved!
That’s why at Carer Solutions, we think the AFL’s Disability Inclusion programs are so great. This fantastic initiative has four programs that have been set up to ensure Australians with disability have the opportunity to participate in our beloved sport. The programs include AllPlay Footy, National Inclusion Carnival, Wheelchair Aussies Rules, and AFL Blind.
With the 2022 AFL Season now well-and-truly underway, we spoke to Tim Nield, AFL’s Disability Inclusion Manager about what he and his team have planned for the months and seasons ahead.
Tim works on creating opportunities and pathways to get people of all abilities involved in the game, “You can play to be the best, but we want people to play for fun!” he says.
It’s all about adapting the game to include more children with various skill levels and abilities and AllPlay Footy is a key to this.
AllPlay Footy was established to create and inclusive space for all kids to play sport, and to bring the community together through innovations in thinking about how to support them to reach their full potential.
The AFL utilise this initiative to develop and evolve AFL All Abilities including offering courses for coaches who may have someone with special needs in their team.
“A coach may have someone with autism in their team, and they may not know how to support and train that player; we offer courses to help staff learn how to accommodate these different needs.” Tim explains.
The National Inclusion Carnival is also something Tim is really excited about. The annual Carnival was established for athletes with an intellectual disability and is an awesome opportunity to showcase the abilities of footballers with an intellectual disability, while also giving players an opportunity to develop their independence and a sense of belonging in their community.
<blockquote>“Football is almost secondary in the Inclusion Carnival,” says Tim, “it’s all about supporting the team, building relationships and shared opportunities. For a lot of the boys, it is their first time away from home, staying in a hotel and managing by themselves and we’re there for them. It’s great to see their independence grow.”</blockquote>
Wheelchair Aussies Rules and AFL Blind both offer cool adaptations of the traditional game ensuring it’s fun and accessible for everyone. Wheelchair Aussies Rules is played on a basketball court with goal posts at each end and involves teams of five facing off against each other. AFL Blind empowers people with blindness or low vision, to play footy through clever modifications to the equipment and rules.
At its heart, the AFL’s Disability Inclusion programs are simply about making footy accessible and inclusive for everyone who wants to play – and we can’t wait to watch this awesome program develop with each footy season.
So, if you or a family member would like to get involved, or perhaps you would like to volunteer at your local club, go to the <a href="http://community.afl/all-abilities">Community AFL website</a> to find out more.

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Picture of two men in all-terrain wheelchairs on a beautiful beach.

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<h4>The best accessible trails Australia has to offer</h4>
The summer heat is now behind us, and stunning autumn days are ahead. So, what better way to make the most of this gorgeous season than get outdoors, breathe in clean, fresh air and admire some breathtaking scenery.
Our version of Australia’s top eight wheelchair-accessible trails is inspired by a <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/everyday/wheelchair-hiking-best-trails-perth/100793746?fbclid=IwAR2GicR3i9QOLM4s5SabrPFwfYtnTH9EwkOC7twb5G1pHJ273Du7AYHvwZQ">recent article</a> featuring West Australian hiking enthusiast, Robbi Flynn.
Here are our top picks for some of the best wheelchair-accessible trails our beautiful country has to offer.
Wilson’s Prom (VIC)
This picture-perfect Victorian jewel offers the trifecta – beautiful bushland, mountain ranges and gorgeous sea views. What’s not to love!?
There are many suitable trails for all-terrain wheelchairs, which are also available to hire if required. To make it easier for people with limited mobility to see the accessible experiences on offer, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6x3fJ6k_R4k">Parks Victoria released this video</a> &#8211; produced and narrated by park visitor and wheelchair user, Ryan Smith.
For more info, <a href="https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/wilsons-promontory-national-park">click here</a> 
Three Sisters Walk (NSW)
We know it’s an overused term, but this trail really is breathtaking. This trail is a sensory treat with the ever-changing views of the grand Three Sisters rising nearly a kilometre above sea level.
The trail is wheelchair friendly to the Oreades Lookout &#8211; although some sections have a 10 per cent slope and may require some assistance. Access beyond Oreades lookout is not recommended for wheelchairs as it involves several steps.
For more info, <a href="https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/blue-mountains/katoomba-area/katoomba/attractions/three-sisters-walk">click here</a>
Burleigh Heads National Park (QLD)
In the heart of the Gold Coast, this National Park offers the most idyllic trail flanked by the foreshore and rainforest.
The gorgeous Oceanview trail offers wheelchair assisted access and, if you’re lucky, you may get the chance to spot some whales and sea eagles, or even the most mesmerising birdwing butterflies.
It’s a 2.4km round trip and picnicking in the stunning scene post-hike is strongly suggested! Unfortunately, the other tracks within the park are not wheelchair accessible.
For more info, <a href="https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/burleigh-head">click here</a>
Lorikeet Loop Walk (SA)
This 3km, flat loop trail is located within the Belair National Park in the gorgeous Adelaide Hills and offers an ideal opportunity to fully immerse yourself in nature. You can also meet the park’s resident lorikeets and rosellas, who are equal parts noisy and attractive. The trail takes around 90 minutes and provides easy wheelchair access, and also allows dog walking.
For more info, <a href="https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/find-a-place-to-walk/lorikeet-loop-walk-belair-national-park/">click here</a>
Kuljak Island (WA)
As voted by Robbi Flynn, Kuljak Island is Western Australia’s best nature-viewing trail. Centrally located and easy to access, this beauty has an abundance of pelicans and swans.
The area is also surrounded by various paved paths with easy access from the carpark for wheelchairs and/or prams.
It’s worth noting that there are no toilet or BBQ facilities on the island and being a wildlife sanctuary, fishing is not permitted. While it is dog-friendly, your furry friend must be on a leash.
For more info, <a href="https://trailswa.com.au/trails/kuljak-island-walk-ascot">click here</a>
Russell Falls Track (TAS)
This picturesque short trail is through a lush rainforest in Mount Field, Tasmania, and is best suited to wheelchair users who have someone to assist them.
The 1.4km tranquil hike to the beautiful Russell Falls may even present a special opportunity to spot a platypus in the creek. It’s a relaxed walk with no bushwalking experience required. It has a flat, even surface with no steps or steep angles.
For more info, <a href="https://parks.tas.gov.au/explore-our-parks/mount-field-national-park/russell-falls">click here</a>
Territory Trails (ACT)
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve in the Australian Capital Territory is a must see, with a stunning tapestry of trails and wetlands which are populated by cute and friendly wildlife. Tidbinbilla offers mobility access to many popular locations including The Sanctuary, the Eucalypt Forest, Sheedy’s Picnic Area and the Visitor Centre. These locations have accessible toilets, designated parking areas and paved footpaths allowing independent wheelchair access.
There is an awesome playground that has a bird’s nest swing suitable for very young children and people with limited mobility. TrailRider all-terrain wheelchairs are available for free day hire from the Visitor Centre. A TrailRiders are a cool way for mobility-impaired visitors to explore and enjoy all that the bush capital has to offer.
For more info, <a href="https://www.tidbinbilla.act.gov.au/do/walking-trails">click here</a>
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park (NT)
As for the Northern Territory, nothing compares to exploring the base of Uluru, with its natural beauty and rich culture. Most of the tracks are wheelchair accessible and range from easy to moderate. Uluru and Kata Tjuta hold great spiritual significance as they are places where many creation stories converge.
At Uluru, there are two trails that are accessible for wheelchairs. The Mala Trail is 2 km return and the Kuniya Trail is a leisurely 1 km return.
For more info, <a href="https://parksaustralia.gov.au/uluru/do/walks/">click here</a>
If you know of any great Wheelchair Accessible Trails, please let us know at <a href="mailto:care@carersolutions.com.au">care@carersolutions.com.au</a> we&#8217;ll add them to the list!

Wheelchair Friendly Trails to Explore This Autumn

<h2>Melbourne Disability Expo 2022</h2>
Come visit us at the Melbourne Disability Expo in April.

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Making Aussie Rules Inclusive and Accessible For All

Wheelchair Friendly Trails to Explore This Autumn

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Making Aussie Rules Inclusive and Accessible For All

Wheelchair Friendly Trails to Explore This Autumn

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Melbourne Disability Expo 2022