Move beyond the buzzwords. Learn what person-centred disability support truly means, with real-life examples and practical strategies for support workers.

Explore how support workers can respect identity and self-expression through clothing, hair, and personal style in everyday disability support.

Discover why social support and companionship are vital parts of disability care—and how “just having company” can improve wellbeing and connection.

Explore why calling someone “high-functioning” can be harmful—and how support workers can use more respectful, accurate ways to talk about support needs.

When we talk about sensory accessibility, most people think of noise, light, and touch. Quiet rooms, dimmed lighting, and soft furnishings are now becoming more common in inclusive design. But what often gets left out of the conversation are the less visible senses—taste, smell, and temperature.

For many people with disability, neurodivergence, or sensory processing differences, these “forgotten senses” can have a major impact on comfort, participation, and wellbeing. Whether it’s the strong smell of cleaning products, the texture of certain foods, or a room that’s too hot or cold, sensory overload can happen in ways that are easily overlooked.

Grief doesn’t just happen after a death. It can arise in response to any significant change or loss—such as a support worker leaving, a pet passing away, a move to a new home, or even a change in daily routine. For people with disability, these transitions may carry extra weight, especially when communication, routine, or trust are core parts of their wellbeing.

Despite this, grief in people with disability is often overlooked, misunderstood, or minimised. Some may not be given space to grieve at all. Others may not have the language to express their pain—or may be mislabelled as “acting out” when their behaviour is actually a sign of loss.

Coffin–Lowry syndrome (CLS) is a rare genetic condition that affects physical development, intellectual functioning, and sometimes behaviour. It is caused by a change (mutation) in a gene on the X chromosome, which means it can affect males more severely, although females can also experience some features.

While every person with Coffin–Lowry syndrome is different, early recognition, the right supports, and a compassionate, person-centred approach can help people with CLS live safe, connected, and meaningful lives.

In disability support work, the term “challenging behaviour” is often used to describe actions that are aggressive, disruptive, or difficult to manage—such as yelling, hitting, withdrawing, bolting, or refusing to follow instructions. But what if we stopped viewing these behaviours as problems to fix, and started seeing them for what they often are: a form of communication?

When we turn on the TV, scroll through social media, walk past a billboard, or open a magazine, we’re met with countless images and stories that reflect back to us what’s considered “normal,” valuable, or beautiful in society. But for people with disability, those reflections are often missing—or worse, misrepresented.

Representation isn’t just about visibility. It’s about being seen accurately, respectfully, and without stereotypes. When people with disability are portrayed with authenticity in media, advertising, and everyday life, it helps break down barriers, challenge stigma, and promote a more inclusive world.

Adults with disability are first and foremost adults. Yet all too often, they’re spoken to in patronising tones, offered limited choices, or treated as though they lack the maturity or rights that other adults take for granted. Whether intentional or not, this behaviour is infantilising—and it undermines autonomy, self-esteem, and human dignity.

In disability support work, upholding adult status, agency, and decision-making rights is fundamental. Respecting someone’s autonomy doesn’t mean leaving them without help—it means offering support in a way that empowers, includes, and never diminishes.

In disability support, communication is about more than just talking—it’s about listening, waiting, and creating space for people to express themselves in their own time and their own way. For many individuals with disability, especially those with autism, intellectual disability, acquired brain injury, or speech and language delays, processing time is essential.

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare and complex genetic condition that affects multiple aspects of development and daily functioning. It’s caused by the absence or malfunction of specific genes on chromosome 15 and is usually diagnosed in early childhood.

The condition is most widely recognised for causing persistent hunger and difficulty regulating appetite, but it also involves challenges with muscle tone, cognitive development, behaviour, and hormone production. With early intervention, structured supports, and a focus on autonomy, people with Prader-Willi syndrome can lead fulfilling and connected lives.

Not all disabilities are visible. Some people live with chronic pain, neurological conditions, cognitive impairments, sensory processing differences, or mental health conditions that may not be immediately noticeable to others. And yet, when they ask for support, accommodations, or understanding, they’re often met with a phrase that can feel invalidating and dismissive: “But you don’t look disabled.”

For many people, public spaces like shopping centres, medical clinics, or even train stations can feel overwhelming. Bright lights, background music, crowded walkways, or constant announcements can trigger stress, discomfort, or even physical pain—particularly for neurodivergent individuals, people with sensory processing differences, or those living with disability.

In the world of disability support, strong relationships between clients and support workers are built on more than just good communication—they’re built on mutual respect. While much emphasis is placed on person-centred care and client choice (rightfully so), there’s often less public conversation about what support workers need to feel safe, respected, and empowered in their role.

In disability support settings, one of the most misunderstood behaviours is stimming—short for self-stimulatory behaviour. It might look like hand-flapping, rocking, pacing, finger-flicking, tapping, repeating words, or even making certain noises. To the untrained eye, stimming can seem disruptive, inappropriate, or even rude. But for many neurodivergent people—including those with autism, ADHD, sensory processing differences, or intellectual disability—stimming is a vital form of self-regulation.

Fragile X syndrome is a genetic condition that affects intellectual development, behaviour, and physical features. It is the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability, and it impacts both males and females, although males are often more severely affected. The condition is caused by a mutation in the FMR1 gene on the X chromosome, which disrupts the production of a protein needed for brain development.

For families and support workers, understanding Fragile X syndrome means recognising its wide-ranging effects on learning, communication, and daily functioning. With the right supports in place, people with Fragile X can be empowered to build skills, connect with others, and participate fully in their communities.

Hearing aids are small but powerful devices that can significantly improve a person’s quality of life by amplifying sound and supporting clearer communication. While they don’t restore hearing, they can make everyday conversations, environments, and experiences far more accessible for many people with hearing loss.