The Australian Foundation for Disability has refused to let the heartbreak of service cuts be the end of the story.
Just six months ago financial pressures forced the Australian Foundation for Disability (Afford) to make the heartbreaking decision to cut some of its services.
But that is far from the end of the story, with the determined disability support provider announcing today that it was opening new employment offices in NSW, Victoria and Queensland.
Afford is switching things up and it’s doing so at pace. That’s a deliberate move and one the organisation’s CEO Jo Toohey stands by.
“The disability sector needs to be prepared to pivot to meet changing social policy directions or community need,” said Ms Toohey.
“And when the time comes, and it always does, we need to be courageous enough to make a change and robust enough to survive it.”
Afford has successfully tendered to the Department of Social Services to deliver Inclusive Employment Australia, the specialist disability employment program that will replace the existing Disability Employment Services (DES).
“Inclusive Employment Australia is designed to improve job outcomes for people with disability, and being selected as one of just 84 providers to deliver this initiative shows that our strategic direction is the right one,” said Ms Toohey.
“It reflects the quality of our work, the strength of our people, and the clarity of our purpose.”
The disability sector is not known for its ability to move quickly. Organisations tend to be heart lead rather than business-minded, which at times can be their undoing.
It’s no secret than in recent years many organisations have been forced to drop services, merge with other providers or close their doors altogether.
In April this year, Afford announced it would close its community centres and Australian Disability Enterprise supported employment factory in Minchinbury, NSW, citing financial pressures.
At the time Ms Toohey described the move as heartbreaking but necessary. She added that the organisation, which has been a major player in the Australian disability service sector for close to 75 years, was not alone in having to make tough decisions.
She was open about the fact the sector was under pressure, but even then, she was adamant Afford was not going anywhere. Indeed, she went so far as to say that Afford had a bright future.
From November, Afford will deliver Inclusive Employment Australia in new areas throughout NSW, Queensland and Victoria.
That includes Inner Sydney, the Gold Coast, and several regions in Melbourne such as Preston, Whittlesea, Epping, Werribee, Footscray and St Albans. The organisation’s Canterbury Bankstown branch will also expand into Campsie.
This growth builds on the work Afford has done in the disability employment space since 2010, securing sustainable employment for thousands of participants who consistently provide positive feedback, said Ms Toohey.
The move marks a significant milestone in the organisation’s long-standing commitment to inclusion, empowerment and community connection, she added.
“Successfully tendering to deliver Inclusive Employment Australia reflects Afford’s focus on the future – one where every person with disability has access to meaningful opportunities,” said Ms Toohey.
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“Together, we’re strengthening our ability to connect people with the right supports, the right jobs, and the right pathways to independence.”
It’s also clearly a strategic move that will help to secure Afford’s future in what can only be described as tricky times when it comes to the disability sector.
The State of the Disability Sector Report 2024, the NDS’ annual survey of disability providers, revealed a sector in a precarious state.
Half the organisations surveyed made a loss in 2023–24, up from 34%. Larger organisations, many of them long-established names in disability services, were more likely to report a loss than medium-sized or smaller providers or those established after the arrival of the NDIS.
With reserves depleted from years of operating on thin margins, many providers see an uncertain future. Slightly more than 20% of respondents are considering getting out of disability services entirely, the report found.
While it revealed a tough economic environment for providers, with 88% saying that operating conditions had worsened over the past year, it also showed a sector working hard to raise productivity. For example, slightly more than 50% of providers said they wanted to expand their operations.
However, like Afford, those organisations are willing, and more importantly able, to adapt are surviving, and even thriving. Ms Toohey said Afford was showing all the signs of falling into the latter category.
The group has also used the opening of the organisation is opening of the new IEA offices, as an opportunity to launch a refreshed brand identity.
“Afford has evolved considerably in recent years, and it was important that our brand evolve with us,” said Ms Toohey.
“Our new identity represents who we are today – a modern, inclusive and purpose-driven organisation with a strong focus on people, communities and impact.”
The new look and feel, which includes the tagline Good Friends, Great Adventures, along with a modernised logo, updated visual identity, and clear, authentic messaging better reflects the organisation’s community and values, said Ms Toohey.
While the visual identity has changed, she emphasised the organisation’s name, people, and its values remained unchanged.
The organisation’s purpose – to empower people with disability to live meaningful and connected lives – continued to guide every aspect of its work.
“This is not just a new look; it’s an expression of our ongoing commitment to quality, inclusion, and respect,” said Ms Toohey.
“Our refreshed brand provides a stronger platform to engage with communities, attract talented staff and reach more Australians who can benefit from our services.”
She said it was also an example of how the heritage service provider was moving with the times so that it could do what it did best – provide services to support people with disability.
Established in 1951 by Dr Ross Williams, Afford was originally known as The Poliomyelitis Society of Australia. The charity started at the height of the polio epidemic in Australia. Today, it provides accommodation, community connection, disability supports and employment services.