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ChatAbility episode three

Community Leaders

Celebrating Community

Building Community

ChatAbility

Partner Stories

Our Team

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Story of CS

By Jane Morrell, Founder of Carer Solutions
As we celebrate Carers Week, I find myself reflecting on the journey that led me to create Carer Solutions. While some may be familiar with our story, I want to take this opportunity to delve deeper into the experiences and that have shaped who we are today.
Fifteen years ago, I was working for a disability provider, tasked with setting up information initiatives and community days for individuals living with disabilities and their families. During these events, I often engaged in informal conversations with Carers (primarily single parents and grandparents) who were often overwhelmed and burnt out.
Their stories revealed a distressing reality regarding Providers at the time. There was no choice, and many received Support Workers who didn’t meet their specific needs, who struggled to complete essential tasks, or who simply didn’t show up at all. Others, due to their geographic location, lacked access to the support they desperately required.
What struck me most was the profound sense of frustration and exhaustion these Carers expressed. They felt unheard, and some had lost trust in the disability system, choosing to forgo support entirely. I remember thinking, “How can we live in such a progressive country and allow this to happen?”. It ignited within me a strong sense of responsibility to respond.
I spent my evenings and weekends researching and developing a business plan with the objective of supporting these Carers. This initial concept, rooted in a simple payroll idea, aimed to give them the option to employ their own chosen workers.
However, when I presented my ideas to the board of my organisation, I was met with resistance and a flat “no”. I was told to “stay in my lane” and reminded of the stark reality that they were funded to “provide support and information” and had no appetite for expanding beyond that. What about really helping people that needed it though?  What about providing people with precisely what they needed? Surely, we cared that much?!
<figure id="attachment_449" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-449" style="width: 284px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-449" src="https://wp.carersolutions.com.au/app/uploads/2022/01/Jane-Jenna.jpeg" alt="Jan" width="284" height="340" srcset="https://wp.carersolutions.com.au/app/uploads/2022/01/Jane-Jenna.jpeg 857w, https://wp.carersolutions.com.au/app/uploads/2022/01/Jane-Jenna-501x600.jpeg 501w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 284px) 100vw, 284px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-449" class="wp-caption-text">On the road in my beloved Kia Rio</figcaption></figure>
The journey home that night was an emotional rollercoaster; I felt angry, disheartened, and utterly compelled by the voices of the Carers I had met. I knew I couldn’t ignore this, so the following week, I resigned.
To truly understand the challenges families faced, I spent the following two years meeting as many Carers as possible. Each conversation shaped my ideas, ensuring that the solution I aimed to create, aligned with their needs. I drove thousands of kilometres across Australia to listen, learn, and refine my approach.
The early years of building Carer Solutions were challenging. Every time I met with peers or stakeholders in the disability sector, I felt the weight of their scrutiny. Change is not always welcomed in our sector, and I often faced comments like, &#8216;You’re dreaming—this is too hard.&#8217; Perhaps I had youth on my side, as 31-year-old me remained undeterred, confident that I was on the right path.
<figure id="attachment_447" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-447" style="width: 270px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-447" src="https://wp.carersolutions.com.au/app/uploads/2022/01/Jane-2012-April-CAREX-Expo-2.jpeg" alt="Jane at CAREX Expo 2012" width="270" height="360" srcset="https://wp.carersolutions.com.au/app/uploads/2022/01/Jane-2012-April-CAREX-Expo-2.jpeg 1224w, https://wp.carersolutions.com.au/app/uploads/2022/01/Jane-2012-April-CAREX-Expo-2-450x600.jpeg 450w, https://wp.carersolutions.com.au/app/uploads/2022/01/Jane-2012-April-CAREX-Expo-2-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https://wp.carersolutions.com.au/app/uploads/2022/01/Jane-2012-April-CAREX-Expo-2-900x1200.jpeg 900w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 270px) 100vw, 270px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-447" class="wp-caption-text">At my first expo in 2012</figcaption></figure>
Through countless reviews of ever-changing legislation and thousands of hours spent working with legal experts, we pioneered a solution that redefined compliance in the sector. By collaborating with regulatory bodies, including the ATO, WorkSafe, insurance brokers, and the NDIA, we were finally able to create a framework that truly supported Carers and their families.
Fast forward 13 years, and our Direct Employ Service has evolved into a solution for thousands of Australians. The success stories we hear daily validate the blood, sweat, and tears invested in this journey.
<figure id="attachment_1305" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1305" style="width: 282px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1305 " src="https://wp.carersolutions.com.au/app/uploads/2023/03/IMG_7261.jpg" alt="The Page Family" width="282" height="188" srcset="https://wp.carersolutions.com.au/app/uploads/2023/03/IMG_7261.jpg 862w, https://wp.carersolutions.com.au/app/uploads/2023/03/IMG_7261-600x400.jpg 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 282px) 100vw, 282px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-1305" class="wp-caption-text">John, Anne, Jo and Wendy</figcaption></figure>
Take, for example, the beautiful Page family from Birchip &#8211; a small, remote community with a population of just 800. As a couple in their 70s, Anne and John became concerned about how their daughter would be supported. After noticing Jo’s strong connection with Wendy from the post office, they were able to ask the simple question: ‘Would you consider being Jo’s Support Worker?’
<figure id="attachment_2320" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2320" style="width: 272px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-2320 " src="https://wp.carersolutions.com.au/app/uploads/2024/07/Jane-Veronica-and-Janita.png" alt="Veronica is wearing a pink top and is seated on the right in a wheelchair. Janita is seated to her left and is wearing a blue tshirt. Jane is standing up between them both." width="272" height="181" srcset="https://wp.carersolutions.com.au/app/uploads/2024/07/Jane-Veronica-and-Janita.png 1080w, https://wp.carersolutions.com.au/app/uploads/2024/07/Jane-Veronica-and-Janita-600x400.png 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 272px) 100vw, 272px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-2320" class="wp-caption-text">My trip to Millingimbi to meet Janita and Veronica</figcaption></figure>
Then there’s Veronica from Millingimbi, a remote island community of around 1,400 people, where English isn’t even a second language. Veronica’s need for culturally appropriate support was critical, but she often received FIFO (Fly in fly out) workers from overseas who didn’t understand her customs or language. This led to burnout for her sister, Janita, who juggled a full-time job while also caring for their elderly mother. Through our Direct Employ model, Veronica has now employed someone local from her clan, allowing her to receive dignified support on her own terms.
As we look to the future, the conversations I had over 15 years ago remain at the core of everything we do. To all the Carers I’ve met over the years, thank you for being part of this incredible journey &#8211; I couldn’t have done it without you, and I salute you for the selfless work you perform, every single day. It’s a privilege to support you in the work you do for others – the most important work of all.

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Jane is standing in between two First nations men. Everyon is looking and smiling at the laptop which is sitting on a wooden outdoor table.

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Jane computer

With over 50 per cent of First Nations people living in regional and remote areas, access to the right disability Support Workers is becoming increasingly challenging.
Due to the growing Support Worker shortage in these communities, the Carer Solutions team have been working hard to advocate on behalf of First Nations participants, to ensure they can access culturally appropriate support, regardless of where they live.
Last year our team travelled to Milingimbi (also known as Yurrwi) which is approximately 500km off the coast of Central Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. We made the long journey to onboard NDIS participant Veronica, to our Direct Employ service.
Our unique service has enabled Veronica who is living with cerebral palsy, to directly employ Janita, a member of her Yolngu clan, as her Support Worker.
With Milingimbi having a population of around 1,400 people, where English isn’t even a first or second language, it was extremely important for Veronica to receive culturally appropriate support from someone she trusted and who understood her cultural needs.
She had previously been sent support workers from overseas who didn’t speak her language or respect her cultural values. A family member had to provide unpaid support which resulted in carer burnout. When Veronica’s family carer was unavailable, it meant that Veronica went without support altogether.
After hearing about Veronica’s situation, our Founder and CEO, Jane Morrell knew that Carer Solutions’ Direct Employ service was the solution Veronica so desperately needed.
“We were approached by The Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation when they heard about our Direct Employ model. Finally, they had an option which enabled Veronica to directly employ someone from within her own clan and receive dignified support from someone she was comfortable with,” Jane explains.
This meant that Veronica could finally receive culturally appropriate support from someone she already had a connection with. It also provided much needed relief to Veronica’s family member who had taken on the role of her unpaid carer for far too long.
<blockquote>“We are delighted that our unique service model and our extensive relationships with government and on-the-ground health providers made this happen, but it needs to happen more.”</blockquote>
Jane says giving individuals like Veronica and their families choice and control over who works with them, needs to become the “norm, not the exception”.
“I am excited to see what impact our Direct Employ service can continue to make across Australia – especially in regional and remote communities, where they urgently need access to innovative services like ours.”
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Veronica is wearing a pink top and is seated on the right in a wheelchair. Janita is seated to her left and is wearing a blue tshirt. Jane is standing up between them both.

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Jane Veronica and Janita

Angela is writing something on a piece of paper and Tiffany is sitting beside her. She is wearing glasses and knit jumper and she is looking at what Angela has written.

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Angela and Tiffany

Angela, Tiffany and Sophia are al standing in a skating rink, smiling and looking at the camera.

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Sophia Tiffany and Angela

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It’s fair to say that most of us love music festivals. Equally fair to say is that not all music festivals are accessible to those living with disability.
So, if we all love going to live gigs, then why is it still so difficult for everyone to fully experience them?
Dina Bassile is the founder of <a href="https://www.tibiaccess.com/">Tibi Access</a>, the team behind Taylor Swift’s recent Australian tour and the producer of Groove Tunes, a fully accessible and all-inclusive night of live music.
Dina uses a wheelchair and has lived experience of the gaps that exist in the Australian music industry, and that is what drove her to create Groove Tunes. Now in its third year taking, Groove Tunes is place again at the iconic Corner Hotel on May 18.
<blockquote>“Groove Tunes was created over three years ago with the intention of filling a gap in the live music scene by providing an inclusive environment where people of all abilities can come together and enjoy music without barriers.“</blockquote>
Dina explains her team recognised the lack of accessibility in many festivals and were motivated to create a space where everyone, regardless of their abilities could fully participate and enjoy the experience.
Artists with disability also feature prominently on the line-up, including soul artist and disability advocate Miss Emilia, who uses her music to tell her story of being a chronically ill and disabled woman.
When asked how she would describe her style of music, she says; “It’s like you and I are sharing a warm cuppa on a sunny Sunday afternoon, talking about life, being in the moment. My new music is an outpour from the heart, and I&#8217;m finally ready to share my story.”
Miss Emelia acknowledges that the music industry, as well as also society, has quite a long while to go before life here is truly accessible.
“Most of the time unless asked, venues and bookers will assume if you&#8217;re a musician &#8211; you&#8217;re able bodied. This is in part due to the lifestyle of performing with late nights, very sensory overloading spaces, the social interpersonal nature of the industry and with a lot of venues, due to council restrictions and the likes, not being able to be accessible.”
Miss Emelia says Tibi Access and gigs like Groove Tunes are the changemakers who are driving the industry forward into a more safe and accessible industry.
<blockquote>“Groove Tunes is very special for me since it&#8217;s a fully accessible festival, and since it&#8217;s run and featuring disabled people, I am so grateful to be a part of it and feel supported by the whole team! Not to mention the amazing line-up, and playing at the Corner which is a dream. “</blockquote>
Looking into the future, Dina says the team hope to continue expanding and evolving the festival, reaching an even wider audience and setting new standards for accessibility in the entertainment industry.
“We aim to foster a sense of community and empowerment among attendees, while also advocating for greater accessibility in all aspects of society. Ultimately, we aspire for Groove Tunes to serve as a model for inclusivity and inspire other events to prioritise accessibility.”
Tickets to Groove Tunes are on sale now, with free entry for companion cardholders. Grab them <a href="https://tickets.cornerhotel.com/outlet/event/68d0f921-1642-4d18-bbd8-f404f9e8b7be">here</a>.
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Three men are seated on chairs in an office, in front of computers, They are all looking at the camera and smiling

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Hibi App Team

Behind each child with complex needs, is a family working hard to manage, coordinate and navigate their care. A never-ending paper trail of medical documents, prescriptions, therapies and endless nights Google-ing for information.
If only there was a centralised place where all this information could be stored, ready to share with the appropriate people when needed.
Well, the good news there is!
We recently had the pleasure of meeting the co-founder of Hibi, Sam Milliken-Smith, who told us all about their awesome app that is revolutionising the way parents manage their child’s care information.
“We built Hibi having ourselves seen how fragmented and complex care systems can be for families. We know just how overwhelming it is to manage, coordinate and navigate care,” Sam explains.
Hibi is a free app that helps parents and carers offload some of the admin that comes with caring for a child with disability. That means you can have all of your child&#8217;s key information, all in one place – at your fingertips.
Sam says he had personally experienced the immense complexity parents encounter while supporting children with additional needs. Determined to make a difference, Sam built Hibi together with his co-founder Uzay Macar.
<blockquote>“We wanted to build something that could provide the tools and resources that families need to coordinate their child’s care.”</blockquote>
Hibi means that you can forget having to remember your child’s medications and dosing during an emergency, and you no longer need to recite their diagnosis story every time you see a new specialist.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-2121" src="https://wp.carersolutions.com.au/app/uploads/2024/04/Hibi-app-212.jpg" alt="" width="555" height="555" srcset="https://wp.carersolutions.com.au/app/uploads/2024/04/Hibi-app-212.jpg 1080w, https://wp.carersolutions.com.au/app/uploads/2024/04/Hibi-app-212-600x600.jpg 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 555px) 100vw, 555px" />
With features including a shareable care passport, journal and information trackers, Hibi allows multiple carers to stay across your child’s supports, medications, appointments, symptoms and more. It also provides access to expert advice, guidance, and a supportive community of fellow parents.
Sam recently was bestowed the honour of being invited by the UK Prime Minister to 10 Downing Street in London, to share the incredible work of the Hibi team in supporting caregiving through technology.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-2119" src="https://wp.carersolutions.com.au/app/uploads/2024/04/Hibi-Number-10-Downing.jpg" alt="Sam is standing in front of number 10 Downing Street in London." width="612" height="408" srcset="https://wp.carersolutions.com.au/app/uploads/2024/04/Hibi-Number-10-Downing.jpg 1080w, https://wp.carersolutions.com.au/app/uploads/2024/04/Hibi-Number-10-Downing-600x400.jpg 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 612px) 100vw, 612px" />
We think Hibi is so much more than an app and we encourage you to check it out for yourselves. For more info, go to <a href="https://hibi.health/">hibi.health</a>

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JAM the Label was born from an idea of two Occupational Therapists and Disability Support Workers Emma Clegg and Molly Rogers, to “shake up the mainstream fashion industry”.
It was through working with two of their favourite clients, Jack and Maddie, that they realised just how difficult and uncomfortable getting dressed was for them both.
“We looked around for more suitable clothing options and quickly found that whatever was comfortable and easy &#8211; for them and us &#8211; was not cool or suited towards young people wanting to express themselves through their fashion choices,” co-founder Emma explains.
Emma and Molly recognised that people with disability, who make up 15-20 per cent of the population, had been excluded from mainstream fashion. So, it became their mission to build an adaptive clothing brand that would enable young people to express themselves through their fashion.
Now celebrating their fifth birthday, Emma and Molly reflect on just how far JAM has come in such a relatively short period of time.
<blockquote>“There have been some really cool moments for us that at the time just felt surreal, but being able to reflect on them now makes us very proud.”</blockquote>
You may have seen the adaptive fashion label make headlines at last year’s Australian Fashion Week, when disability advocate Chloé Hayden, wore the iconic “Fix The System, Not Me” trench in Australia’s first ever adaptive fashion runway.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-2081 alignright" src="https://wp.carersolutions.com.au/app/uploads/2024/03/News-Events-1080-x-720-11-3.jpg" alt="Australian Fashion Week Adaptive Fashion Runway" width="366" height="244" srcset="https://wp.carersolutions.com.au/app/uploads/2024/03/News-Events-1080-x-720-11-3.jpg 1080w, https://wp.carersolutions.com.au/app/uploads/2024/03/News-Events-1080-x-720-11-3-600x400.jpg 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 366px) 100vw, 366px" />
Emma also says launching on Australian online fashion retailer The ICONIC as part of their &#8216;Adaptive Edit&#8217;, has been a memorable and significant achievement for the duo and their label.
“We often reflect on our greatest achievements being the impact we&#8217;ve been able to have on our customers. Receiving feedback or product reviews on how JAM has helped an individual&#8217;s day to day life or given them the dignity and confidence they deserve from their clothing is what we are most proud of. “
As Emma looks to the future, she says she hopes that JAM can lead by example and show how to include people with disability in an authentic and meaningful way.
“In the next 5 years we would love to see &#8216;Adaptive Clothing&#8217; become a fashion category that enters the mainstream retail industry and become a widely known term just like &#8216;Maternity Wear&#8217;.
We&#8217;d love to see it too, and have no doubt that Emma, Molly and the JAM team can make that vison a reality!
<a href="https://jamthelabel.com/">You can check out their awesome range of products here.</a>

On the left, a woman is wearing a white tshirt with the word JAM written on the front. She has long blonde hair. To her right, is a woman wearing a khaki shirt, and has short dark brown hair. Both women are smiling at the camera.

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We love celebrating our community &#8211; especially our Partners like Rosie Treasure, who is achieving great things and pursing her passion.
Rosie, 20, lives on a small farm in Tasmania with her mum and brother, where she has nurtured her artistic talent, finding inspiration from her everyday life.
“My animals are everywhere &#8211; a goat on the car, a chicken in house, a pony out the window and so many dogs sleeping under the table. The land is always changing from the different seasons and different light, and I&#8217;ve spent a lot of time out in the paddocks with sheep and cattle,“ she explains.
Rosie’s paintings are a bold but fun reflection of her beautiful environment, and she says she has been painting since she was in nappies.
<blockquote>“Mum would put me under a willow tree on the farm with paint and paper and let me go for it.”</blockquote>
Rosie is hosting her third art exhibition on 14 February 2024, called <a href="https://rosietreasureart.com/news/tasmanian-produced-collective-and-sprout-tasmania-exhibit/">‘Characters of the Farm’</a> in recognition of National Regenerative Agriculture Day.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-2031 alignleft" src="https://wp.carersolutions.com.au/app/uploads/2024/02/News-Events-1080-x-720-11-2.jpg" alt="Rosie painting" width="326" height="217" srcset="https://wp.carersolutions.com.au/app/uploads/2024/02/News-Events-1080-x-720-11-2.jpg 1080w, https://wp.carersolutions.com.au/app/uploads/2024/02/News-Events-1080-x-720-11-2-600x400.jpg 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 326px) 100vw, 326px" />
At this ‘paddock-to-paint’ event, she will be launching six new paintings, all celebrating the love of her rural life.
Rosie acknowledges that she wouldn’t be able to put on these exhibitions and promote her artwork, if it wasn’t for the support of her community.
“Artists need support &#8211; whether you have &#8216;normal&#8217; ability or disability &#8211; but I&#8217;m lucky because I have my creative mum, my former high school teacher mentoring me, and support from lots of people around me,” she says.
The event will also raise money for <a href="https://www.rdatas.org.au/">Riding for the Disabled</a> and raise awareness about being kind to animals and kind to the soil.
Rosie encourages other people with disability to pursue their passions.
“Look away from what everybody else says or does and look out into the world and just do it. Do what makes you happy. “
You can check out Rosie’s artwork and events on her <a href="https://rosietreasureart.com/">website</a>.

Rosiet is standing to an art easel which holds a painting on a canvas. She is wearing a bright pink short and a black apron and is smiling at the camera.

ChatAbility Episode 3: Invisible Disabilities