Click a category below to go straight to a list of useful agencies and services in South Australia:
General Agencies
Connecting Up
Tel: 8212 8555
Web: www.connectingup.org
Publishes: Directory of Community Services South Australia: Online Directory www.sacommunity.org
Councils
Community information services and community centres are run by local councils — contact your council to find out if there is one in your area. Councils offer a range of community services, including respite. To find out if your council has a website visit www.sacentral.sa.gov.au and select Government>Local Government or check the White Pages for a telephone number.
Disability Advocacy and Complaints Service
Tel: 8297 6500 www.dacssa.org
A confidential service that receives and acts on complaints from people with disabilities and their carers.
Disability Information Resource Centre (DIRC)
Tel: 8236 0555 or 1300 305 558 www.dircsa.org.au
Provides an information and referral service. Publishes: Disability Information Directory.
Disability SA
Tel: 1300 786 117 www.disability.sa.gov.au
Provides information about services, assessment of needs, individual and family support. Disability SA provides services for people with a physical, intellectual or neurological disability.
Exceptional Needs Unit
Tel: 8448 4610 A statewide program that provides support and advice for people with complex needs, including people with disabilities, mental health conditions and chronic health problems or a combination of these.
Independent Advocacy
Tel: 8232 6200 or 1800 999 884
Provides advocacy for people with an intellectual disability
Inclusive Directions
Tel: 8165 2900 (North) or 8358 2299 (South) www.directions.org.au
Facilitates the access and inclusion of children with disabilities and special needs into child care services including Family Day Care, OHSC and vacation care. Offers training and allocates the Inclusion Support Subsidy.
MALSSA Inc
Tel: 8351 9500 (South Australia) Website: malssa.org.au
MALSSA advocates listen when you tell them what is happening to you, help you decide what you want to change and how to change it, then help you make the change.
Advocates can help you by showing you how to speak up more effectively and helping you find the people you need to talk to.
Family Services
Carer Support & Respite Centre
Tel: 8379 5777 or 1800 059 059 www.carersupport.org.au
Emergency or short term in home care
Carers Association / Carer Resource Centre
Tel: 8291 5600 or 1800 242 636 www.carers-sa.asn.au
Provides a point of contact for information and advice on services available for carers
Commonwealth Carelink SA
Tel: 1800 052 222 www.carelinksa.asn.au this program assists older people, younger people with a disability and their carers to remain living independently in their own homes by providing information about home care and support services available in the community. They also support family carers to access respite services allowing them to have a break from their caring role.
Talking It Over
Tel: 1800 242 636 National carer counseling program. Practical help and support for carers.
Centrelink
Tel: For more information on Centrelink customer service numbers and offices consult the White Pages www.centrelink.gov.au
Centrelink delivers a wide range of payments and services. Payments include Disability Support Payment, Carer Allowance, Carer Payment, Sickness Allowance, Newstart Allowance, Austudy, Youth Allowance, Family Allowance, Parenting Payment, Health Care Card. Contact Centrelink to find out your eligibility for payments and services.
Child and Youth Health
Tel: 8303 1500 www.cyh.sa.gov.au
Parent Helpline: 1300 364 100
Offers parenting information and guidance
Crisis Care
Tel: 13 1611
Emergency after-hours assistance Mon-Fri 4pm-9am and 24 hours on weekends and public holidays
Family Day Care
Tel: 8366 8720 or 1300 551 890
Home-based care and respite for people up to 18 years of age in the homes of approved care providers.
Family Advocacy
Tel: 8340 4450 or 1800 856464 www.familyadvocacy.org.au
Trains and supports parents in gaining access to services
Siblings Australia
Tel: 8161 6737 www.siblingsaustralia.org.au
Services for brothers and sisters of children and adults with special needs
Daphne Street Child Care and Specialist Early Learning Centre
Tel: 8269 8688 provides families with children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder increased access to an early learning program in a long day care setting.
Education
Playgroup Association
Tel: 8346 2722 www.playgroupaustralia.com.au
The Playgroup Association has a register of South Australian playgroups and can direct you to your nearest group. Coordinates PlayConnect Playgroups for families who have a child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Department of Education and Children’s Services (DECS)
Tel: 8226 1000 or 1800 088 158 www.decs.sa.gov.au
DECS manages the state school and pre-school system and is also involved in the provision of Child Care services including OSHC.
Special Education Resource Unit
SERU supporting families of children with disabilities and learning difficulties
72A Marlborough Street, Henley Beach SA 5022
For details on the opening day, click here.
Tel: 8235 2871
Special Needs Education Helpline (DECS)
Tel: 1800 222 696 This service is available to families who are concerned about the education of their child with a disability and/or learning difficulty.
Briars Early Learning Centre (DECS)
Tel: 8365 9808 http://www.thebriarsselc.sa.edu.au
Offers a preschool experience for children with disabilities and significant developmental delay.
Early Learning Program (DECS)
Tel: 8207 2497 An Early Learning program is a developmental home-based program which assists parents of children aged 2-4 years to support their child’s development.
Special Education Resource Unit (DECS)
Tel: 8235 2871 http://web.seru.sa.edu.au
Provides specialised equipment on loan and library and information services.
Specific Learning Difficulties Association (SPELD)
Tel: 8431 1655 www.speld-sa.org.au
Offers support and advice to people with learning difficulties
Association of Independent Schools of SA (AISSA)
Tel: 8179 1400 www.ais.sa.edu.au
Provides information about Independent schools in South Australia.
Catholic Education Office
Tel: 8301 6600 www.ceo.adl.catholic.edu.au
Supports schools and families in the Catholic Education system.
NDCO (National Disability Co-ordination Officer Program)
Ph: 8207 8652 Web: http://www.adcet.edu.au/Ndco/Sa/
The role of the NDCOs is to enhance post-secondary education, training and employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Specifically, the position aims to improve transitions for people with a disability from their school or community into post-school education, training, and subsequent employment.
Health
Community Health Centres
Many areas have community health centres that offer a range of health and allied services including speech pathology and occupational therapy. To find out if there is one in your area consult either your council or the Community SA Directory.
Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
See the White Pages under SA Health for the nearest location.
CAMHS deals with a range of emotional and behavioural problems. Services include counselling, inpatient and outpatient care and mental health education.
Assessment & Crisis Intervention Service
Mental Health services for adults - See the White Pages under SA Health for the nearest location
Tel: 13 1465 Emergency Service (All hours)
Public Hospitals
Some hospitals offer therapy services.
See the White Pages under Hospitals — Public
Recreation
Companion Card
Ph: 1800 667 110 Web: http://www.sa.companioncard.asn.au/index.html
Companion Card is a card issued to people with a permanent disability who require attendant care support which allows a companion to enter free of charge to participating venues and activities. You can apply for a Companion Card if you live in South Australia, you have a significant and permanent disability, due to the impact of your disability you are unable to participate at most community venues and activities without attendant care support, and your need for this level of support will be lifelong.
South Australian Sport & Recreation Association for People with Integration Difficulties (SASRAPID)
Tel: 8410 6999 www.sasrapid.com.au
Promotes and supports the inclusion of people with integration difficulties in sporting and recreation activities.
Offers Rapid Swim and Aquatic Therapy for Children with Autism.
Recreation Link Up
Tel: 8200 2500 www.sa.ymca.org.au
Provides a recreation information service and personal recreation plans for people with disabilities.