ABILITY FOCUSED
Creating opportunities for people of all abilities
ABOUT US
Ability Focused started as a collaboration between John De Giusti and the parents of the participants with which he has had the opportunity to get to know over their many years of support in numerous organisational roles. Over time, John consistently proved to parents and participants that their needs and concerns took precedence over any organisational politics and outmoded procedures. Parents directly consulted with John as their primary and trusted source of information regarding their child's wellbeing. The parents began to see positive changes in their child's learning, self identity, development and personal growth, which they perceived to be directly linked to John's support.
Over time our community began to grow; consisting of participants, parents and ourselves. During many social and informal meetings with parents, a new type of boutique support model was being created. John De Giusti registered his company, Ability Focused PTY LTD in 2016 and was registered for supports within the NDIS in 2019. During this time he also began specialising in providing supported travel to Fiji for participants and respite services in Fiji for families travelling with a children who required support under the NDIS. During his time in Fiji he also assisted the Sigatoka School for Special education in collaboration with Various Universities in Australia to develop a micro business project for students in this school. Patricia Bidart began assisting participants since 2019 and quickly developed a great reputation amongst families and participants. She has assisted John with Community Participation and Support programs in Sydney as well as interstate supported tours. Families and especially participants love her positivity, professionalism, honesty and kindness.
We strive to maintain a high standard of support and liaise with parents and participants directly and tailor our programs to suit the individual needs of each person we assist. Plus we make sure that we match our group with other participants based on similar support needs, cognitive functioning, intellect and demeanour. This ensures that no member of our groups feels "different" or isolated. Most of our participants have low to moderate support requirements.
Our goal is to remain small, that way you can communicate directly with us. We do not put on any uniforms or show off our logos during our group tours or community support programs. We want to make our participants feel that they are just hanging out with mates and not a disability organisation.
Our day programs, post school options, weekend activities and supported holidays aim to promote positive personal development, learning, self confidence, individual goal fulfilment, healthy lifestyle, fitness and positive group interaction.
And they are heaps of fun!
Most importantly, this is more than a job to us. This is a fulfilment of our life's purpose. We truly love our job. Hopefully, you will see it by the way we engage and interact with each participant as well as take the time to create tailor made Innovative Community Participation programs and holidays that are based on individual needs and goals.
2023 has seen a new chapter for Patricia and John as they have embarked on a new adventure. They have finally fulfilled a long held goal of moving to Port Douglas, Queensland. Over the past year they have become a member of the Douglas Shire community and made themselves known within the Disability support community as well as having opened a small business, the iconic Sugar Shack Cafe. The hope that the Sugar Shack Cafe will allow them to meet and make new friends with people of the Douglas Shire as well as give potential participants and their families an idea of their customer service skills and quality of product. We are also looking on embarking on an exciting and much needed post school, micro-business project for young adults within the area. For more info please click this link
Please write to us at info@abilityfocused.com should you require references or advice or to arrange a meeting with John and Patricia.
Meet the Team
We are a team of two and that is just the way we like it. We have over 25 years combined experience in the disability sector as well as the respect and trust of families, service providers and participants. Families have peace of mind knowing that if they have any concerns or questions they will be dealing directly with their child's support worker. We offer transparency and direct communication. This is what makes Ability Focused a boutique and much needed NDIS service.
