An AI generated image of a blue and white cake. There are lit candles in the shape of a six and a zero standing on the top An AI generated image of a blue and white cake. There are lit candles in the shape of a six and a zero standing on the top
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Ability Works Newsletter

Ability Works Newsletter

Ability Works Newsletter – 5 December 2024

In this issue:

Inclusive Design Team – project highlights

A note from the CEO

Thanks and Seasons Greetings

As we approach the festive season, I’d like to extend my thanks to our employees, families, and carers for your support and contributions throughout the year.

This year, we celebrate the impressive progress made by our Inclusive Design Team headed by Natalie Collins, with incredible support from Bri Norton, Dom, Shen and more recently, Morgan. Their dedication to accessibility is transforming how we communicate; ensuring that our digital platforms, like our website and social media, meet the highest standards of inclusivity. They are working towards meeting Level AAA Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). From updating key pages to creating an Inclusive Insights Platform, their efforts demonstrate our commitment to accessibility and inclusion.

One of the year’s highlights is our collaboration with White Box Enterprises, which involved the Ability Works team helping to improve the accessibility of a financial wellbeing program. The program is now not only inclusive but also available for our own use, thanks to the wonderful insights from our employees, Ruby, Ebony, Billy, Kylan, Diane and Warrick, with the assistance of Nia, and the Inclusive Design team. Our employees will commence training in the program from December 2024.

Our impact extends beyond digital inclusion. Ability Works’ research codesigned with communities in the City of Greater Dandenong, for our potential additional facility, was featured by RMIT University at a global conference on Social Work and Sustainability, showcasing our commitment to community partnerships and co-creation on an international stage.

We also celebrate the success of the Payment by Outcomes trial, which confirms the incredible impact social enterprises like ours have in creating meaningful, sustainable employment.

As we prepare for the holidays, we will reflect on our achievements and look forward to a new year filled with opportunity, growth, and collaboration.

Wishing you all a safe, joyful, and restful holiday season.

Download the accessible pdf version of the 4 December 2024 newsletter

Celebrating 60 Years

After many challenges, our 60-year celebration book is finally going to the printer! The project turned out to be bigger than we thought, but thanks to our hardworking Inclusive Design Team and Support staff, we hope to have physical copies ready before Christmas. We’re also working on a digitally accessible version for those using assistive technology, and we aim to have it available by Christmas too.

The newsletter team wants to thank everyone who helped create this tribute to our 60-year milestone. We can’t wait to see it in print!

Around the building

Lift update

We are still awaiting confirmation from JobAccess and the Department of Social Services (DSS) regarding funding for our new lift. They’ve reached out with additional questions, and we’ve provided the necessary information. We’re hopeful for a positive outcome and will keep you updated on any progress.

New Work: Minesco Bolt Project

We’re now tackling a challenging project for Minesco, processing tamper-proof dome bolts. Our team is meticulously cleaning the threads of 13,000 bolts to ensure they meet Minesco’s high standards. This project is well underway—great work, team!

New Equipment: Cardboard Bundling Machine

To boost our recycling capabilities, we’ve recently acquired a cardboard bundling machine! This state-of-the-art equipment compacts and straps cardboard for a more efficient and eco-friendly recycling process. It’s an exciting step forward for our sustainability goals.

Important dates

End of Year Party – Thursday 19 December

We have an African drumming experience by Asanti Dance Theatre booked for the End of Year Party. It will include a 1-hour long performance featuring 40 drums, and there will be an opportunity for the audience to get involved and participate.
The theme for this year’s End of Year Party is “Culture Pride”. We encourage everyone to dress in a way that embraces their ancestry with pride and comfort.

Add these dates to your calendar:

  • End of Year Party – Thursday 19 December
  • There will be work on Friday 20 December and Monday 23 December
  • Tuesday 24 December will be an RDO
  • Public Holidays are on Wednesday 25 December and Thursday 26 December
  • Take your annual leave Friday 27 December to Friday 3 January 2025
  • AWA will be fully closed until Friday 3 January 2025
  • AWA will resume work with a skeleton crew on Monday 6 January 2025
  • Full operations resume on Monday 20 January 2025
  • Australia Day Holiday – Monday 27 January 2025

Other recent articles

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Visitors On Tour Oct 2018

Visitors from organisations looking to potentially partner with Ability Works pictured below on tour during September were…

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myDNA

Ability Works Australia has packed, assembled and distributed approximately, 90,000 testing kits since myDNA became a customer in 2017.

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Channel 7 Little Blue Towels & Ability Works

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Visitors On Tour July 2018

We actively encourage visitors to our facility in Kew to see our 130 employees’ active at a variety of tasks…

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Customer Profiles: North Western Program Alliance

We are delighted to partner with our first major infrastructure customer the North Western Program Alliance…

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Efficiency for Growth

This month’s theme in the Ability Works workplace has been ‘Efficiency for Growth’.

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Competitive advantage via “The Person Centred approach”

In Oct 2017, I joined a relatively unknown Australian Disability Enterprise, Ability Works in Melbourne, as CEO…

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Corporate Partner Volunteering Program – Launch

Staff volunteering is an important part of many Corporate Social Responsibility strategies. Our new program…

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Customer Profiles: RSL Victoria – annual ANZAC appeal

With over 180,000 ANZAC badges and wrist bands to assemble then pack, our team has been busy…

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Transurban & Ability Works

“Since 2011, Transurban has worked with Ability Works, a not-for-profit organisation…

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“Wings through Work”: Ben & Laura’s Story

Ben and Laura love working at Ability Works Australia. It’s also where they found love for each other.

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“Wings through Work”: James’ Story

James says he had great difficulty retaining jobs, sometimes being dismissed within a very short period. At Ability Works Australia James feels very much at home – accepted, encouraged, and challenged.

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“Wings through Work”: Rory’s Story

Rory is singer-songwriter with the popular Australian group, Rudely Interrupted.

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“Wings through Work”: Ruby’s Story

Ruby says she spent around four years trying to find a job, without success. Ability Works Australia changed all that. Here, she enjoys a variety of tasks, has grown in confidence while building on her skills, and says she has made many friends.

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“Wings through Work”: Dridan’s Story

Dridan’s mother Jenny says that he would probably be just ‘on the couch at home’,…

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Launch of new service – Records Management

In July we launched a new Business unit – Records Management involving: scanning, testing, digitising, coding…

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NEW Temporary Fencing Repair Business

With opportunities to support the State’s major infrastructure projects leveraging our Wire & Metal Fabrication operation…

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Victorian Government’s Social Procurement Framework in action

We have supplied the Mc Connell Dowell Decimil Joint Venture (MCDDJV) on the Mordialloc Freeway upgrade project.

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Stanley Black and Decker

With lots of brands and growth in Building and Construction, multinational Stanley Black and Decker (SBD) selected Ability Works as a preferred packing and assembly supplier in Aug 2018.

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2019 Thank You’s

As we round out 2019, we wish to say thank you to all our customers and some specific partner organisations that have provided pro bono and other assistance this year.

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“Wings through Work”: Video Series

With our mission of Purpose, pride and belonging through inclusive employment…

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Message from Sue Boyce CEO – COVID-19 Response

The World Health Organisation has declared Coronavirus (COVID-19) a global Pandemic.

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Message from Sue Boyce CEO – COVID-19 Response – 7 May 2020

The Coronavirus ( COVID – 19) pandemic continues to cause upheaval around the globe.

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Message from Sue Boyce CEO – COVID-19 Response – 1 June 2020

The Victorian Government is starting to ease restrictions in response to COVID – 19 in the community.

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Message from Sue Boyce CEO – COVID-19 Response – 26 June 2020

Over the past two weeks we have seen a lifting of some of the COVID-19 restrictions…

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Message from Sue Boyce CEO – COVID-19 Response – 08 July 2020

Metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire have returned to Stage 3 Lockdown but Ability Works continues to trade.

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Message from Sue Boyce CEO – COVID-19 Response – 07 August 2020

Metropolitan Melbourne has moved to Stage 4 restrictions for 6 weeks until Sunday 13 September…

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Ability Works on ABC Radio

Team member Mark Galotta explains how Ability Works has given him welding opportunities…

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The Victorian Prospect – Ability Works featured!

Ability Works features in the Oct 2020 ICN Prospect magazine with article ‘Ability Works – bringing purpose and belonging to the community.’

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People with disabilities preserving the memory of those who served

People with disabilities are preserving the memories of Australian Defence Force members as part of a massive project to digitise the files of ADF members currently stored at Victoria Barracks, Melbourne.

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Delivering Better Outcomes for Social Procurement

CEO Sue Boyce on the panel for ‘Delivering Better Outcomes for Social Procurement’ giving…

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Team member Michael and customer Sharon Harnett from Department of Defence, live with Ali Moore ABC radio

Team member Michael and customer Sharon Harnett from Department of Defence…

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ABC News: Social enterprises want to be included in Australia’s post-COVID-19 recovery

Victorian approach ‘making a huge difference.’

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Message from Sue Boyce CEO – COVID-19 Response – 23 March 2020

The World Health Organisation has declared Coronavirus (COVID-19) a global Pandemic…

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Dozie has an MBA but worked as a car salesman – until he met Alex

“When COVID-19 hit and his commission-based pay dropped to “$200 or $300 a week”…

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2020 Social Traders Partnership of the Year award

Ability Works,  Transurban, Aurecon, RMIT Marketing and Apricot Consulting’s…

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Story on AWA’s Record Scanning business unit supervisor Kani Vincent Paul on ABC TV 7 pm news

Story on AWA’s Record Scanning business unit supervisor Kani Vincent Paul…

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Major Road Projects Victoria Feature

“Social enterprise Ability Works Australia has provided crucial welding and metal fabrication…

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Inside Healthy Teams Podcast

“In this episode we talk to CEO of Ability Works Sue Boyce on the topic of inclusion…

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Ablequest on 2RPH

Sue Boyce (Ability Works CEO) was interviewed by Marni Roper…

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Award Winners!

Ability Works and Transurban win ‘Partnership of the Year” Social Traders 2020 award for Collaboration, Creativity and Advocacy.

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Calling for improved accessibility in cities

Ability Works employees Terry Drier and Laura Robinson featured in the Herald Sun…

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Ability Works calling for vaccinations to be given in workplaces

“Social enterprise Ability Works, in the Melbourne suburb of Kew…

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Ability Works employee generating QR codes for Yarra Trams

Last year, YT trialled using QR codes at stops, letting passengers…

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Thinking Beyond: Future of Work

An insight into a future that will propel people with disability onto an equal footing in workplaces.

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“How to design more inclusive cities” Podcast

“How to design more inclusive cities” by Byte Size to promote our Inclusive Design business unit…

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Ability Works responding to Kyle Sandilands inappropriate comments on Paralympians

Read the full article from The Guardian here…

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Tips for job seekers with a disability

“While many people living with disability are able to work unhindered, some face unique barriers…

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Helen’s Story on SBS News

Ability Works’ manufacturing supervisor, Helen and our CEO Sue Boyce appeared on…

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Ability Works Inclusive Design Consulting Service

Aurecon’s inclusive design approach harnessed the unique insights of our employees with a disability.

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Magic That Matters – May 2022

Our May edition of Magic that Matters is now available. This is…

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Ability Works Australia – An Award Winning Social Enterprise

For a two minute Virtual Tour of Ability Works services, watch this video. Contact us for an on site Facility Tour.

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Magic That Matters – June 2022

Our June edition of Magic that Matters is now available.

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Inclusive Design guidance from people with disabilities

The importance of consulting people with disabilities when looking at Victoria’s public transport network.

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Magic That Matters – July 2022

Our July edition of Magic that Matters is now available as Callum is proudly showing off!

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Magic That Matters – August 2022

Our August edition of Magic that Matters is now available as employee Dridan is happily illustrating in this pic. Enjoy!!

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Ability Works & Yarra Trams Community Partnership

Did anyone see our tram over the weekend? Keep an eye for it around town over the next 16 weeks!

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Social Traders Social Procurement Game Changer Award 2022 Winners – Vic & Tas

We are winners of the Social Traders Vic & Tas 2022 Gamechanger award.

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Magic That Matters – September 2022

Our August edition of Magic that Matters is now available as employee Dridan is happily illustrating in this pic. Enjoy!!

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“Getting It Right” with Mark Golotta and Craig Foster

The latest podcast, “Getting It Right”, hosted by Craig Foster features our very own Mark Golotta.

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Magic That Matters – October 2022

Our October edition of Magic that Matters is now available. Enjoy!!

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Magic That Matters – November 2022

Please enjoy the second last newsletter for the year! As always it captures the amazing work of the Ability Works team.

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Ability Works recipient of Toyota’s expertise

Toyota’s Continuous Improvement team has contributed pro bono services to Ability Works for our customer Transurban.

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Ebony and Sue appear on SBS World News

SBS World News reporting that the current job market is not delivering for people with barriers to employment.

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Social Traders Award 2024 Win

Ability Works awarded a Social Traders’ Award

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Collaboration with Transurban

Behind the scenes of our latest video project in collaboration with Transurban. 

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Grants and Funding News

Ability Works partnerships and grant funding projects.

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Swinburne students inclusive design project

Swinburne University students are designing an accessible tap.

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Big Plans 3D Walk-Through

Ability Works Inclusive Design in the News with Big Plans Melbourne

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Ability Works News – Employee spotlight and shout-outs

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Co-design with White Box Enterprises

Co-designing with White Box on a Financial Wellbeing Program.

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Funding for ‘Building Digital Skills Program’ training

Ability Works holds ‘Building Digital Skills Program’ training

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Ability Works ‘Get Online Week’ events

Activities to improve employees’ digital skills and feel more confident using the internet.

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Digital Accessibility Community News

Inclusive Design Team join OZeWAI and present at the Perth Web Accessibility Meetup

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Accessibility input into zero-emission buses

Creating a guide for John Holland Group to make their offices more accessible and inclusive.

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Swinburne students inclusive design final project

Swinburne University students’ final prototype of an accessible tap.

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John Holland Group workplace accessibility and inclusion

Creating a guide for John Holland Group to make their offices more accessible and inclusive.

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Customised Employment – meet the team

Introducing the Customised Employment team and explaining their role.

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