Life Without Barriers began in the early 1990's and has grown from humble beginnings into one of the most significant not-for-profit organisations in Australia. Our Purpose is to partner with people and change lives for the better and Our vision is a fair and inclusive community for everyone.
We were established through the shared determination of local community members in Newcastle who wanted to improve the lives of people with a disability. Motivated by their own experiences and in response to demand for local disability support services, they decided to act. Generating interest in the community, proposing to create a new non-government organisation for supporting people living with disability, a Board was formed and Life Without Barriers was established.
We are national and diverse. Our major programs support people with disability, children in foster care, older Australians. We have 3500 staff, 2300 carers and 5500 clients.
Since the early days of supporting and delivering services, initially for people with disabilities, we have held to the fundamental ethos that people achieve better outcomes when their natural supports and relationships are strengthened within their community.
We are problem solvers who support complex clients with a 'can do' and innovative attitude. Our services are now delivered across more than 250 communities.
We believe in the rights of people and the importance of relationships. These foundations shape our unique approach to care and underpin the purpose, vision and values of our organisation.
Over the past few years we've entered a new era for Reconciliation and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander initiatives and every day we are strengthening our support, and listening to first Australians. Our early learning centres at Minjilang on Croker Island and Lajamanu on the edge of the Tanami Desert opened in 2013 and now each enroll up to 30 children aged birth to five years.
We are local and community based. We employ and support local people and offer a vital network of services across Australia.
We support nearly 2000 people with disability live a better life. Through endorsing the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in 2013, we will continue to ensure people with disability get more personalised, coordinated and responsive care than ever before.
We are trusted by government, clients and stakeholders and are known for our focused approach and quality service delivery.
Under the leadership of our Executive management team, working with our Board of Directors our services are making a difference to the people in rural, regional and remote areas of Australia and New Zealand.