The Association for Children with Disability (Tasmania) Inc. (ACD Tas) was established by a peer support group of parents of children with disability. A past organisation, Tascare Society for Children, recognised there was a need for a state-wide organisation to support the families of Tasmanian children with disability and assisted the parent support group to establish ACD Tas.
In late 2000, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) provided the first funding grant to ACD Tas for the provision of individual advocacy.
ACD Tas services grew over time in direct response to family need to address the social inclusion challenges faced by children and young people with disability.
ACD Tas values family difference and uniqueness and believes that a child and young person functions best within a supportive family and a supportive community.
ACD Tas recognises the family as a whole and respects the family as the owners of expert knowledge and skill in relation to their child or young person with disability.
The ACD Tas approach is to prioritise family empowerment. Families use assistance to identify and achieve self-defined goals. Where possible, the ACD Tas team seek to prevent issues from arising by increasing family confidence and capacity, finding solutions and promoting community awareness and understanding.
Together, with the family community of practice, the team strive for a more inclusive society through the reduction and elimination of barriers to the inclusion of children and young people with disability.
The ACD Tas Charter
The ACD Tas Primary Objectives
- Issue prevention and resolution
- Services that inform, empower and engage
- Innovation that leads and supports community development and positive social change
The ACD Tas Values
- Tasmanian families have access to a choice of; inclusive, quality, timely, accountable and innovative services and supports.
- Families are listened to, collaborated with, and treated equitably and with empathy.
- Families have access to quality information and independent family support options.
- Families are represented.
- Families participate in and provide consent for all decisions that affect their lives.
- Families are empowered by the support they receive.
- Organisations work in the best interests of the person with disability.
- Tasmanian families are connected with the community.
To find out more about ACD Tas operational and strategic objectives have a look at the ACD Tas Strategic Map.
To Join us on our mission to achieve the vision that people with disability, their families and carers have equal opportunity to reach their potential and lead fulfilling lives join ACD Tas as a Member today!