DISABILITY SERVICES

ACCENT
Lot 2 Mountain Blue Court Mullumbimby NSW 2482
Ph: (02) 6684 3095 Email: adcnet@linknet.com.au
Web: www.adcnetwork.net.au
A list of accredited educational trainers, course developers and promoters is available for people with disabilities seeking vocational training. 9am to 5pm, Mon to Fri.

Access Committee
C/o Byron Shire Council
PO Box 219 Mullumbimby NSW 2482
Ph: (02) 66267080 Robyn Masters
Addresses needs of disabled in the Shire. Focus on issues such as disabled access, development applications, disability action and social plans.

ADC Network Disability Cybercentre
Ph: (02) 6684 3095 Fax: (02) 6684 3095
Email: adcnet@linknet.com.au
Web: www.adcnetwork.net.au
A website providing a portal to disability services in Australia.

Amputee Association of NSW
362 Skyline Road Goonellabah NSW 2480
Ph: (02) 6625 2254
A support group for amputees and their families. Social functions are conducted. Members, $10; families, $15.

ATLAS Post School Options
PO Box 623 Ballina NSW 2480
42 Cherry Street Ballina NSW2480
Ph: (02) 6686 7776 Coral Wheatley
Fax: (02) 6686 8693 Email: atlas@bdcsa.org
Web: www.bdcsa.org
Adult Training, Learning & Support (ATLAS) enables young people with disabilities who are leaving school to make the most of their abilities and supports them to develop as adults. Clients are assessed in their final year at school and may be granted two years funding through the NSW Ageing and Disability Home Care.

Ballina Strikers
PO Box 1279 Ballina NSW 2478
Ballina Bowling Alley Clark Street Ballina NSW2478
Ph: (02) 6686 5143 Coordinator, Sue Parker
Ballina Strikers meet at the bowling alley one evening a week to provide recreational and competitive bowling for ages 17 and up with disabilities. Transport can be arranged from Alstonville, Ballina, Ocean Shores, Brunswick, Byron & Lennox Head. Wheelchair access.

Biala Special School
78 Fox Street Ballina NSW 2478
Ph: 02) 6686 3395 Glen Kay Fax: 02) 6681 4785
Biala is an independent school for children and young people 4 to 18 years old with intellectual or physical disabilities and special needs. The school caters for individual needs and offers physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and referrals. 8am to 4pm, Mon to Fri.

Brunswick Valley LinC
PO Box 58 Brunswick Heads NSW 2483
Cnr Fingal & Byron Streets Brunswick Heads
Ph: (02) 6685 0111 Ph: (02) 6684 6328
LinC cooperates with existing government and non-government services to provide assistance to the elderly and those with disabilities in need of transport, material aid, friendship, household assistance, child care, budgeting and general assistance. Volunteers provide assistance after all funded agencies have been approached without success.

Brunswick Valley Meals-on-Wheels Service
PO Box 255 Brunswick Heads NSW 2483
Brunswick Community Centre South Beach Road
Ph: (02) 6685 1498 Fran Leske Coordinator
Ph: (02) 6684 1321 Fax: (02) 6685 1498
Email: bvmow@byronit.com
A hot or ready to heat midday meal is delivered at low cost to the elderly, those with disabilities and those unable to cook for themselves. Centre-based meals are available on every 3rd Thurs of the month.

Byron Bay Herb Nursery
PO Box 230 Byron Bay NSW 2481
Off Bayshore Drive Byron Bay NSW2481
Ph: (02) 6685 5109 Lesley Bayless
Fax: (02) 6685 5109
Supported employment and training for young people and adults with intellectual disabilities and learning disorders. Also a retail outlet for herbs. Hours: 9.00am to 4.30pm, Tue to Fri.

Byron Home Modification Service
Shop 9 14 Middleton Street Byron Bay NSW 2481
Ph: (02) 6685 7312 Ms Michele Lacroix
Fax: (02) 6685 7027 Email: bbhmms@norex.com.au
Home modification for safety, access and independence is available in order to maintain the elderly and those with disabilities in their own housing. Clients pay for cost of materials plus a small hourly rate. Wheelchair access. 8.30 am to 4pm, Tue, Wed & Thur.

Byron Bay Rainforest Retreat.
(39-75) Broken Head Road Byron Bay NSW 2481
Michael or Khilaas Nicholas
Ph: (02) 6685 6139 Fax: (02) 6685 8754
Email: holiday@rainforest.com.au
Web: www.rainforestresort.com.au
Nine cabins with wheelchair access for people with disabilities. The holiday resort is in a bush setting, providing nursing care, babysitting and personal care. Pets are welcome. Wheelchair access. 7am to 10pm, daily.

Car Stickers
See RTA in Transport section

Community Awareness Task Force (CATF)
PO Box 111, Mullumbimby, NSW 2482
Ph: (02) 6684 3095 Jacob Baldwin
Fax: (02) 6684 3095 Email: adcnet@linknet.com.au
Web: www.adcnetwork.net.au
Consumer lobby and education group for those with classified disabilities. Wheelchair access. 9am to 5pm, Mon to Fri.

Craig Watson Mullumbimby Health Care Pharmacy
PO Box 387 Mullumbimby NSW 2482
60 Burringbar Street Mullumbimby NSW2482
Ph: (02) 6684 2002 Fax: (02) 6684 2853
Email: pharmacy@mullum.com.au
Wheelchair, walker frames, crutches and glucometers hire. 8.30 am to 5.30 pm, Mon to Fri; 8.30 am to 12.30 pm, Sat

Disability Action Team
32 Dalley Street Mullumbimby NSW 2482
Ph: (02) 6684 4206 Email: fayedruett@bigpond.com
The Team is made up of parents, family members and advocates of people with intellectual disabilities or dual disabilities including an intellectual disability. Provides information and support to members, particularly regarding group homes and the tendering process.

Disability & Aged Information Service (DAISI)
PO Box 594 Lismore NSW 2480
Suite 5 109 Molesworth Street Lismore NSW2480
Ph: (02) 6622 8000 Ph: 1800 800 340
Fax: (02) 6622 8001 info@daisi.asn.au
Web: www.daisi.asn.au
Provides information relating to people with disabilities, the elderly, their carers, family, friends and service providers.
Wheelchair access. 9am to 4pm, Mon to Fri.

Disability Program Consultant (Dep Education)
PO Box 828 Murwillumbah NSW 2484
Ph: (02) 6670 2300 Ph: 131 536
Fax: (02) 6670 2318
Administrative and professional support to schools provided by district offices includes human resources. The Disability Program consultant assists in coordinating and facilitating support to teachers, children, parents and community members for the delivery of services to State schools in the areas of special education, integration programs, itinerant support services, hearing, vision, early intervention and integration transition. Disability Programs consultants provide assistance with enrolment of students with disabilities and delivery of programs to meet the needs of students with disabilities in regular and support classes. 8.30am to 4.30pm, Mon to Fri.

Free Wheeler Beach Chair
Clarks Beach Caravan Park
Lighthouse Road Byron Bay NSW 2481
Ph: (02) 6685 6496
Beach wheelchair which allows water and sand access. Bookings and use of the chair at Clarks Beach Caravan Park. Licence ID needed to secure chair and two people needed to assist. Free.

Horse Riding for the Disabled
105 River Street Ballina NSW 2478
North Teven Road Teven NSW 2478
Ph: (02) 6628 1006 Agnes
Ph: (02) 6629 3451 Nicole Coordinator
Web: www.rdansw.org.au
A voluntary group offering horse riding for therapy and enjoyment to children and young people with disabilities. Riders attend sessions that run for one hour. A covered riding arena is available for sessions during wet weather. Tue, Thur & Sat during school term. Committee meets at Mitchell Centre, North Teven at 3.30pm on the 2nd Wed of the month.
9am to 5pm, Mon to Fri.

Lismore Challenge
PO Box 42 Lismore NSW 2480
47 Caldwell Street Lismore NSW 2480
Ph: (02) 6622 6026
Ph: (02) 6622 0655 Independent Living Services
Fax: (02) 6621 6349 Email: lischall@lis.net.au
Provides Independent Living Training (ILT) and Community Access & Integration (CAI). Participants are assessed individually and programs are developed in accordance with individual needs. The services provide assistance for people with disabilities through activities such as living skills, community access, banking, shopping, sport, music, art, gardening, other recreational activities and excursions. Supported employment placement is provided for young people and adults with disabilities at Soap Biz, City Farm, Challenge Processing and Plant Protectors. Challenge Plus, a semi-vocational service offers a variety of work options as well as opportunities to participate in other activities. ATLAS provides a post-school options program. Provides supported accommodation within the Lismore district. Wheelchair access. 8.30am to 4pm, Mon to Fri.

Local Support Coordination Ballina/Byron
(Department Ageing, Disability & Home Care)
109 Stuart Street Mullumbimby NSW 2482
Ph: (02) 6684 1986 Heather Tannock Tweed
Ph: (02) 66841928 Lisa Johnson Ballina/Byron
Email: lisa.johnson@dadhc.nsw.gov.au Lisa
The Local Support Coordination is a personal, flexible service that aims to increase the connections between people with disabilities, their families and the community.

North Coast Fun Club
PO Box 1279 Ballina NSW 2478
Ph: (02) 6686 9717 Ross Mountford
People should apply to be on the mailing list to receive information about activities planned for the year. Transport can be arranged for activities from Alstonville, Ballina, Ocean Shores, Brunswick, Byron Bay & Lennox Head.

North Coast TAFE Disability Consultants
Educational counselling, planning and academic training support for young and adult students with disabilities interested in gaining employment related skills. May include individual tutors, team teaching, readers & writers, job coaches, adaptive technology and specially designed courses. May be limited by resources available. 9am to 5pm, Mon to Fri. Web: www.tafensw.edu.au/eddev/disabilities

Ballina
Ph: (02) 6620 4356 Mark Jewell
Email: mark.jewell@tafensw.edu.au
Intellectual disability consultant.

Kingscliff
Ph: (02) 6670 1122 Gail Martin
Vision disability consultant.

Lismore
Ph: (02) 6626 6406 Anne Hay Ph: (02) 6626 6518 (TTY)
Email: anne.hay@tafensw.edu.au
Hearing disability consultant.

Wollongbar
Same as Ballina
NSW Sports Council for the Disabled NR Branch
PO Box 716 Lismore NSW 2480
12 Leopardwood Cres Bangalow NSW2479
Ph: (02) 6620 3759 Fax: (02) 6620 3880
Ph: (02) 6687 2324 AH Email: jcarroll@scu.edu.au
Coordinates sporting activities for people with disabilities living in Northern Rivers area. 8.30am to 4.30pm, Mon to Fri.

NSW Department of Community and Disability Services (DoCS)
Ph: (02) 6621 8099 Lismore
Ph: (02) 6686 1999 Ballina
See Government Departments

Interchange Respite Care, Lismore
PO Box 7800 Lismore NSW 2479
1/296 Molesworth Street Lismore NSW 2479
Ph: (02) 6622 2267 Margo Sten.
Fax: (02) 66221767 Ph: (02) 6622 0544 (retreat)
Email: interchange-lismore@yahoo.com
Interchange care: Regular, planned respite accommodation to assist parents or carers of infants, children and youth 0 to 18 years old with sensory, intellectual or physical disabilities.
Retreat: A function centre established primarily as a getaway for people with disabilities, mental illness and frail aged and their carers.
Dragonites: Similar to Roadies but designed for children.
Roadies: (Recreational Opportunities for Adolescents who are Differently-abled In Exciting Situations) An activity based, weekend and holiday peer-group program to improve the quality of life for teen/young adults who are differentlyabled.

On-Q Human Resources
Shop 3/130 Jonson Street
Byron Bay NSW 2481
Managing Director, Peter Tanner
Ph: (02) 6685 5733
Fax: (02) 6685 8355
Email: byron@nsw.onqhr.com.au
Provides traineeships, apprenticeships and finds jobs for young people and adults with disabilities. The core business is the training and placement of people with disabilities into jobs that particularly suit them and meet the requirements of their employers.

Mullumbimby Resource Centre
PO Box 1068 Mullumbimby NSW 2482
Hospital Grounds Azalea Street Mullumbimby NSW 2482
Ph: (02) 6684 3762 Fax: (02) 6684 3762
Day program for adults with disabilities which provide pre-vocational, living and social skills.

NSW Department of Ageing, Disability & Home Care, Northern Region
See government section

Sailability NSW
93 Fenwick Drive Ballina NSW 2478
Ph: (02) 6686 5469 Chris Cook
Provides sailing opportunities for people with any type of disabilities. Equipment includes four boats designed not to tip over, a floating pontoon that provide accessibility for people in wheelchairs. Regular sailing days are held at Lennox Head 2nd and 4th Sun of month to teach and introduced sailing from beginners to competitive level. Work with groups. $20 membership $25 family.

Scooters Australia, NorthCare
107 Tamar Street Ballina NSW 2478
Ph: (02) 6681 1188 Store Manager, Nathan McDonald
Ph: 1800 622 633 Fax: (02) 6681 3366
Email: scooters-ballina@bigpond.com
Provides electric and manual wheelchair sales, repairs and modifications and rehabilitation equipment repairs. Wheelchairs hire and secondhand wheelchair parts are for sale. Repairs can be completed at client's residence or a pickup service is available. Wheel-chair racks are also installed on vehicles. 9am to 5pm, Mon to Fri.

Speech Pathology Specialists
Ph: (02) 6685 6254 See Community Health p55.

Southern Cross K-12 Special School
Chikaba Drive East Ballina NSW 2478
Bob Campbell or David Cox
Ph: (02) 6686 0503 Fax: (02) 6686 0508
Email: sthcross-c.school@det.nsw.edu.au
Provides special education units at kindergarten, primary school and secondary school levels. Distance education is available for children and young people with mild and moderate disabilities or if a child cannot attend regular school for medical or other reasons. Wheelchair access. 8.15am to 4pm, Mon to Fri.

Summerland House With No Steps
PO Box 9 Alstonville NSW 2477
Wardell Road Alstonville NSW 2477
Ph: (02) 6628 0610 Fax: (02) 6628 3718
Email: rbehrens@shwns.com.au
Sheltered employment in orchard, farm maintenance service, fruit picking, gardening, restaurant, nursery and gift shop.

Technical Aid to the Disabled
328 Koonorigan Road Lismore NSW 2480
Ph: (02) 6689 9285 Secretary, Vern Watkins
An organisation whose volunteer members have a broad range of design, engineering and technical skills to design, construct or modify equipment for peope with disabilities, providing no commercially available product or service is available to meet their needs. Reconditioned computers are made available to clients. Clients reimburse volunteers for cost of material and travelling expenses. 4pm on the 4th Tues of alternate months for meetings at the Carroll Centre, St Vincent's Hospital.

Telstra Disability Hotline
GPO Box 4997 Lismore NSW 2480
Phone 1800 068 424 (Voice) or 1800 808 981 (TTY)
Web: www.telstra.com.au/disability
This hotline provides specialist advice about Telstra's Disability Equipment Program and other telecommunication products and services that may suit the needs of older people and people with a disability.

HEARING DISABILITY

Australian Hearing Services
PO Box 1136 Lismore NSW 2480
Level 1, Conway Court Conway Street Lismore NSW 2480
Ph: (02) 6622 1095 Voice & TTY
Ph: 131 797 Fax: (02) 6621 2159
Email: prue.oliver@hearing.com.au
The Australian Hearing Service provides assessment of hearing. The service selects and fits an appropriate hearing aid or other listening device to improve hearing and communication. In addition the service provides support and rehabilitation programs for infants and children diagnosed with hearing loss. Service is free to eligible clients. $31.50 per year for a maintenance fee, charged for batteries, maintenance and repairs of free hearing aids. Wheelchair access. 8.30am to 4.30pm, Mon to Fri.

Ballina/Lismore Hearing Care Centre
1 Sapphire Court Lennox Head NSW 2478
Ph/Fax: (02) 6687 6380 Steven Dawson
A private hearing testing and prescribing service providing audiometric testing, fitting of hearing aids & new ear moulds and repair of hearing aids. Information is also available on hearing loss, tinnitus and assistant listening devices for TV. Home consultations are provided for the aged and those with disabilities. Wheelchair access.

Northern Rivers Deaf Community Association
PO Box 815 Lismore NSW 2480
296 Molesworth Street Lismore NSW 2480
Ph: (02) 6621 4211 Karen Lloyd
Ph: (02) 6622 3777 TTY Email: dcanr@nor.com.au
Support for deaf people includes information, meetings, classes, a social club, community education and referral to other services and associations. The Centre produces a quarterly newsletter and maintains a video and lending library. $15 membership fee. People do not need to be members to use the service. Wheelchair access. Interpreter available. Hours: 9am to 4pm, Mon to Fri.

Sign & Gesture Support & Information
“Hanwood' Nolans Road Stokers Siding NSW 2484
Ph: (02) 6677 9425 Christine Challinor
Email: challinor@better.net.au
A support group for families who have a member with disabilities using Augmentative Communication Sign & Gesture (Makaton and Signed English).

MENTAL HEALTH

Accommodation Network
PO Box 24 Ocean Shores NSW 2483
Shop 5, Tavern Arcade, Rajah Road Ocean Shores NSW 2483
Ph: (02) 6680 3577 Ph: 1800 671 630
Fax: (02) 6680 3579 Email: kirstyc@accnet.com.au
Web: www.accnet.com.au
Provides information, advice, support, accommodation, training, counselling, rehabilitation and post-school options for young people and adults with disabilities and other disadvantaged or minority groups. The Network works within a variety of settings and service models based on individual need. Models include group home, in-home support, family support, '325' Accommodation, purchase of service arrangements and brokerage. 8.30am to 4pm, Mon to Fri.

ARAFMI (Association of Relatives & Friends of the Mentally Ill)
Ph: 1800 655 198
Provides support and information for family, friends and careers of people with mental illness. 9am to 5pm, Mon to Fri.

Bay AMI Accommodation
Ph: (02) 6684 1765
Supported accommodation is provided for people with mental health problems. See accommodation section p5.

Northern Rivers Fellowship
Ph: (02) 6622 0399 Refuge
Ph: (02) 6622 0309 Housing
See Accommodation p5.

Youth and Family Mental Health Services
Community Health Centre
PO Box 240 Mullumbimby NSW 2482
Azalea Street Mullumbimby NSW 2482
Ken Lee or Robbie Curtain
Ph: (02) 6685 6254 Appointments
Ph: (02) 6685 7623 Emergency team 24 Hours
Fax: (02) 6685 5729 Byron Bay
Fax: (02) 6684 1880 Mullumbimby
Assistance for young people with mental health problems. Assessment, counselling, advocacy, case management, referral and other support. For young people with undiagnosed problems eg symptoms that suggest something is not quite right and undiagnosed illnesses such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, psychotic disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder. There is also Acute Care Service which assists those acutely distressed, eg threat of suicide. A team will provide immediate response. 8.30pm to 5pm.

PSYCHIATRISTS

Dr Derek Johns
6 Lawson Street Byron Bay NSW 2481
Ph: (02) 6685 7722
Provides specialist medical services in psychiatry. Wheelchair access. 8am to 6pm, Mon to Fri.

VISION DISABILITY

Lismore Blind & Vision Impaired Support Group
2/16 Suncrest Avenue Alstonville NSW 2477
Coordinator, Ann Holdsworth
Ph: (02) 6628 1306 Ph: (02) 6628 5596
A group for mutual sharing & support and the provision of information for people with disabilities. Disabled Access: Wheelchair access. Meets 1.30pm, first Tuesday of each month at Lismore Workers Club.

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