I have been in and around the disability support sector for the last 14 or 15 years, most of which has been as a parent to three kids on the autism spectrum and a few other diagnosis acronyms thrown in for good measure. We’ve been using support services for about that long, and I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard the same frustration—from families, support coordinators, and even people within the system itself: ‘The support is there, but it’s not really helping.’ The NDIS did streamline support services for people but we all know that it has also had some struggles over the years.
Traditional disability support programs are good without being great. There are people in them who genuinely want to make a difference, but they’re often held back by rigid structures, programs designed to produce results that look great in a report. But people with disabilities don’t live inside reports. They live in the real world, where challenges start long before they even leave the house. So when we look at programs that are one size fits all, real world outcomes are rarely achieved.
A common theme that I have seen and lived is that someone is approved for funding, they get placed into a program, and within weeks, they realise it’s not actually what they need. Maybe it’s too basic and not challenging enough, or the exact opposite, maybe it’s just not relevant to their actual goals, and sometimes the companies that deliver the services are more focussed on profit than service delivery. But because the person has been placed in the program they often won’t speak up until its too late, they’re stuck with it. Now that raises another point around mindset and advocacy and how we help people find their voice.
And that’s the thing, finding your voice in a system that wasn’t built with flexibility in mind is hard. I’ve met so many people who have been stuck in services that don’t suit them, who’ve been too afraid to speak up in case they lose what little support they have. It’s an exhausting, frustrating cycle.
We tell people with disabilities to advocate for themselves, to ask for what they need, but how do you do that when every system around you is built to make things difficult? When you have to jump through hoops, wait months for answers, and then get handed a solution that only half works? Self-advocacy shouldn’t feel like a full-time job.
And this isn’t just about participants, families and support coordinators are burning out too. The constant battles, the endless phone calls, the stress of knowing that even if you fight for the right support, the system might not be able to provide it? It wears people down.
But here’s the good news.
The system isn’t perfect, but people are pushing for better.More families are demanding real outcomes, not just empty services. More providers are moving away from rigid, pre-set programs and actually listening to the people they support. More conversations are happening around what good support should actually look like.
It starts with choice and control, not just as a tagline, but as an actual practice. The best outcomes I’ve seen have come from programs that put the person at the centre. Programs that say, “What do you actually want to achieve?” and then build something around that. Programs that understand that support isn’t just about getting through the day, it’s about building confidence, independence, and a future.
We need more of that. More creativity in service design, more flexibility in delivery, and more courage to break away from the old models that don’t work.
Because at the end of the day, disability support shouldn’t be about making the system happy. It should be about making life better for the people in it. In designing Power Unleashed, I’ve held these principles close to my heart every single day. Support should be built around the person, not the system. It should empower, challenge, and create real opportunities, not just tick boxes. If that’s the kind of support you’ve been looking for, let’s talk. Whether you’re a support coordinator, allied health professional, or family member, Power Unleashed is here to help people take control of their future. If you know someone who needs this kind of support, let’s make it happen. Reach out, refer, or register today.
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