Solving Challenges Reaching Goals
1. Project Summary
This project achieved its goal to empowerindividuals with disabilities including older people with mobility issuesacross Australia, by providing tailored assistive equipment to help themovercome unique challenges. Each piece of equipment enhanced recipients'quality of life, promoting independence, mobility, and social inclusion. Withyour support, we addressed a major funding gap in assistive technology thatlimits access for many Australians, especially in the current NDIS environment.
Thanks to The Co-Group grant:
· A total of 26 people wereassisted with partial or full subsidies for custom
· equipment
· Beneficiaries were people agedfrom 5 to 77 years old who lacked NDIS or
· other funding.
· 6 were older people over 53years old (23%), 5 were adults aged 24 to 43 (19%),
· and 15 were children withdisabilities (58%).
· Equipment provided included 6unique solutions and 20 custom-built bikes/
· trikes fitted with personalisedsupports like outriggers, foot cups and pelvic belts.
For detailed feedback from those assistedby The Co-Group, please see the Thank You Letters and Video links at theend of this report. The following are reactions from recipients and theirfamilies to The Co-Group’s support and delivery of the new equipment:
“We are very excited”
“His grin just kept getting bigger”
“He was super proud that he could ride”
“Aidyn is so happy saying ‘I am a big boynow’ ”
“I am so delighted”
“Thank-you from the bottom of my heart formaking my dream-bike possible”
2. Process and Collaboration
The equipment design process at FreedomSolutions Australia is both client-centric and collaborative. Clients connectedwith us through direct contact, referrals from their occupational therapist(OT), or by attending a trial for a customised bike. For Unique Solutions, ourCoordinator worked closely with clients to understand their requirements andassess market availability before customising equipment. Our experiencedvolunteers designed and built the items, including accessible bikes, liaisingwith clients, families, and therapists as needed. This iterative,feedback-driven approach ensuredeach solution would be functional and directlymeet the user’s needs.
4. Final Outcomes
Our 2023/2024 Client Survey resultsrevealed the following impacts of our custom
equipment:
· 98% of clients reported theirnew equipment met the challenge it was designed
· to solve.
· 95% reported an improvement intheir social inclusion.
· 100% reported an improvement intheir health and wellbeing.
· 96% reported an improvement intheir level of independence.
· 96% reported an improvement intheir quality of life.
The Thank You Letters and Video Links atthe end of this report also share perspectives of people assisted by TheCo-Group. These testimonials show the transformative power of personalisedtechnology, which goes well beyond the practical difference made by newfoundautonomy, physical health and mobility. Emotions people expressed included joy,pride, relief, confidence, hope, and a greater sense of belonging and identity.
The range of benefits described alsodemonstrates the life-affirming nature of our custom solutions - not only forindividuals, but their families. Being granted equipment provides a way forpeople of all ages to undertake new activities with minimal assistance,increasing their dignity, opportunities, and connections with family andfriends.
Bridging the Gap
The equipment solutions we offer are notavailable for purchase commercially. Since they are customised to each person’sspecific needs and abilities, the cost of each item can still be substantial, even with skilledvolunteers involved in building and design. Yet despite the proven benefits ofthis assistive technology, a growing number of recipients are struggling togain NDIS funding approvals.
A Fairer Future
With 303 people currently on our waitlistwho require equipment but have not been able to secure it, there is an urgent need for expanded support. Or peoplewill miss out on vital tools they need to realise their full potential.
For this reason, we have submitted a 2025Expression of Interest seeking a second year of funding for this project,aiming to ensure more people (28) with disabilities or age related physicallimitations can access customised solutions that change their lives.
We are grateful for The Co-Group’ssupport and its incredible impact. We hope you will consider joining us againto continue delivering innovative solutions improving lives of people withdisability and older Australians. The following Thank You letters, and attachedstory of a Paralympian’s Custom Solution, will give you an idea of theimportance of your generosity and how much it was welcomed.
Prepared by: Liz Henderson, GrantsCoordinator
