Support 

Interchange

Interchange Incorporated is a member body for agencies that offer support, respite and recreational opportunities to children with disabilities and their family members through a variety of programs, which can be individual or group based.

Options include holiday camps, day outings, recreation programs, buddy programs, sibling and parent programs and our Host Programs to name but a few.

All programs and services are designed to provide social opportunities, life skills development, friendship and support in a fun, supportive and safe environment.

The exact nature and range of services and programs varies across each Interchange member agency. Two of the key services provided are the Host and the Recreation programs.

http://www.interchange.org.au/programs-services/

Parks Victoria 

Explore the Grampians With the Help of Volunteer Sherpas  - Visitors with mobility limitations wishing to use the Parks Victoria TrailRider all-terrain wheelchair can now book wheelchair operators, or volunteer Sherpas, to assist them. The Sherpa Volunteer Program provides trained chair operators to assist in pushing/pulling the visitor in the TrailRider chair on many of the Grampians spectacular park trails. The additional physical assistance provided by volunteers makes it possible for park visitors to access park trails that would not be possible without several chair operators.

The service is free for park visitors and a minimum of one week's notice is required for booking Sherpa volunteers.

For further information about the Sherpa Volunteer Program contact the Brambuk the National Park and Culture Centre at Grampians National Park on (03) 5361 4000.

Sport & Recreation

Disability Sport and Recreation

Disability Sport and Recreation is the health-promoting peak organisation for the disability sport and recreation sector in Victoria.

Their mission is to provide and promote positive health outcomes for Victorians with disability through participation in sport and recreation.

Disability Sport and Recreation is a registered disability service provider, state sporting association, TAC community group program provider and a registered charity.

They exist to ensure Victorians with disability have equal opportunities to take part in the They work in partnership and consult with Victorians with disability, carers, volunteers, sport and recreation sector representatives, disability service organisations, schools, researchers, health professionals, government, philanthropic organisations and community groups.

Disability Sports Australia

Disability Sports Australia's mission is to help people with a physical disability to develop and engage with the community through sports participation and recreational opportunities: "Sport and recreation for all abilities"

Their primary purpose is to perform the role of National Coordinating Body, providing a single point of contact between partner organisations (eg. ASC, APC and NSOs) and State and Territory members (eg. Wheelchair Sports NSW, Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Association etc).

To provide opportunities for development of athletes at a national level and supporting pathways from grassroots to national level.

They administer the Wheelchair Rugby and Wheelchair Basketball National Leagues, and the Lawn Bowls Multi-Disability National Championships.

Horseriding

RDA Victoria

RDA Victoria is a not for profit organization that enables individuals with a variety of disabilities, ages and backgrounds to develop independence, a sense of freedom and to reach their equestrian goals, through adaptive coaching techniques and equipment.

They provide suitable horses, trained volunteer helpers, accredited RDA coaches, riding and safety equipment to conduct a range of equestrian activities including:

• structured riding classes
• recreational horse riding
• hippotherapy
• games/competitive riding
• vaulting
• carriage driving
• dressage
• equestrian camps

There are centres all over Victoria and in our central region there are centres at Ballarat, Daylesford, Maryborough and Melton. More details can be found at the website here: http://www.rdav.asn.au/