Provider showcase: What Ability
At myAutonomy, we enjoy highlighting providers who are benefiting the community.
What Ability is one such provider that’s helping bring happiness and enrich the lives of those who experience disability.
We caught up with the team at What Ability to learn more about how they help.
Tell us in a few words, who are What Ability?
What Ability is an NDIS-registered disability service that specialises in one-on-one community access across the country.
What Ability focuses on providing fun experiences for their participants through day
programs, weekend support and overnight camps.
What Ability has support workers across NSW, VIC, QLD and WA, some of whom are semi-professional and professional athletes like Dyson Heppell (Essendon FC), Kelsey Browne (Collingwood Netball), Tom Trbojevic (Manly Sea Eagles), Sean Darcy (Fremantle Dockers) and Jordan Riki (Brisbane Broncos).
How did What Ability come to be?
Founder, Steve Dresler previously played for the Parramatta Eels, but worked on weekends supporting kids with disability; taking them surfing, swimming and bushwalking.
After medically retiring from the NRL in 2019, Steve wanted to continue creating a positive impact, so he started helping those kids full-time and recruiting other athletes to support.
That was the start of What Ability.
Steve’s background in football and support work with other athletes showed him first-hand the positive benefits of athletes as support workers for both the athletes and participants. This motivated Steve to build a community of peers, connect with children and adults living with disabilities and break down barriers of what is possible for them.
What Ability aspires to harness the power of sport and utilise athletes to change the sector and in turn, the country.
Which regions does What Ability service?
What Ability is currently operating in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Perth, and is
preparing for the upcoming What Ability Day at AAMI Park in Melbourne on February 12th.
Download the What Ability Day flyer here
Families can get involved by visiting the What Ability website and contacting the What Ability support team at [email protected] or 1300 358 714.
What is the What Ability difference?
What Ability’s difference is the unprecedented utilisation of athletes as support workers and shared vision of building an inclusive Australia. What Ability aspires to achieve this by using athletes to break down existing barriers and stigmas in society.
What Ability puts happiness and fun at the forefront of their goals, mission and vision.
Do you have capacity?
What Ability currently has capacity for more support workers and participants in all states.
For more information, visit the What Ability website, or contact the What Ability support team at [email protected] or 1300 358 714.
