In his younger years, there was nothing Bill liked more than going out on the ocean with friends on a rented boat to fish. “Just the pleasure and serenity … looking at the water,” Bill told us, thinking back to those days.

There has been a lot of discussion over the last few months about reforms to the NDIS, particularly in the last budget release and the legislation changes currently going through parliament. The main message is that many people in our community, participants, families, and providers, feel anxious, confused, or unsure about what these reforms mean.

At Inclusion Tree, we’re driven by a core belief: lasting change begins with safe, stable housing. Insecure, unsafe, or non-existent housing undermines both physical and mental well-being. Ensuring people have a secure roof over their heads is the foundation for a flourishing life.

At Inclusion Tree, we know that progress doesn’t always come in giant leaps. Sometimes it arrives as a quiet phone call, a signed form, or a participant seeing their fruit trees for the first time in years.

For many of us, the morning routine is automatic: roll out of bed, make a coffee, check our phones, and head out the door. But for over 2.5 billion people globally, these simple tasks present daily barriers. That’s where Assistive Technology (AT) steps in, not just as a tool, but as a bridge back to life.

In any job, there are days that feel routine, days when you tick boxes, follow plans, and go home tired. But in disability support, especially at Inclusion Tree, the work is never just a job, it’s a privilege.

Assistive technology (AT) is so much more than just equipment; it’s a gateway to independence, inclusion, and opportunity. The World Health Organisation defines assistive technology as an umbrella term for assistive products, systems, and services that help maintain or improve an individual’s functioning in cognition, communication, hearing, mobility, self-care, and vision.

At Inclusion Tree, our strength is our people, their unique stories, resilience, and dedication. As we celebrate Support Coordinator Rick Scammell completing his first year with us, we sat down to reflect on his incredible journey from casual worker to a full-time, indispensable member of our team.

In a world that is slowly learning to see beyond labels, The Telepathy Tapes Podcast stands as a vibrant reminder that people with disabilities aren’t defined by their challenges; they’re elevated by their gifts. Each episode offers a refreshing, deeply human look into the creativity, intelligence, humour, and innovation within disability communities.

At Inclusion Tree, we believe every individual has the right to author their own story. As an NDIS provider, we are dedicated to fostering genuine inclusion and empowerment by balancing two essential principles: Duty of Care and Dignity of Risk. While these concepts form the bedrock of ethical support, misunderstandings often lead to practices that unintentionally limit autonomy and growth.

The Christmas lights are twinkling, carols fill the air, and there’s a pervasive message that this should be the “most wonderful time of the year.” Yet, for many NDIS participants and people with disability, the holiday season can feel less like a festive celebration and more like an overwhelming marathon of expectations, sensory overload, and emotional complexity.

At Inclusion Tree, we have the profound privilege of working alongside incredible individuals every day. We witness their journeys, celebrate their victories, and are constantly inspired by their capacity to shape a more inclusive and compassionate world.

As the days grow longer and the weather warms up, many of us look forward to the vibrant energy of an Australian spring and summer. However, this time of year also brings unique challenges and potential dangers. At Inclusion Tree, your safety, well-being, and peace of mind are our highest priorities.

For much of her life, Anne had no name for what she experienced. There was no diagnosis, or rather, there were many diagnoses, none of which fully explained her reality. Even now, with a clinical understanding of dissociative identity disorder (DID), she struggles to accept it. We wanted to offer a space to share her story and here is what she wanted to say.

Here at Inclusion Tree, we’re more than just a business … we’re a team. Recently, one of our team members had a very special reason to celebrate. Our incredible Support Coordinator, Olivier, officially became an Australian Citizen.

We want to introduce you to Michelle, one of our participants, who is living with Bipolar II Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder. She wanted a space to share her story and demystify her condition, to let people who might be in a similar head space know that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.

Making a Splash for Inclusion How a chilly dip is creating warm

In this reflective piece, Michaela Kennedy shares her profound experience representing Inclusion Tree at the Integral European Conference (IEC) 2025 in Hungary. She takes us through a week of transformative dialogue, highlighting keynotes that challenged and expanded perspectives on living and leading with wholeness. From presenting on building a company in an integral “we-space” to immersive workshops and community events, Michaela returns inspired to further weave compassion, collaboration, and global connection into the very fabric of Inclusion Tree’s work.

Winter is almost over, and fingers crossed that it starts to warm up soon. In the meantime, we have a packed newsletter for you this month.

Recently, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has put out a notice to inform participants and their families of signs of misleading or false advertisements of NDIS services. At Inclusion Tree, we are all too aware that the NDIS is a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of Australians living with disabilities.

As the weather gets colder, it can feel like things are slowing down, but not for us. We are still working hard to bring you quality service.

Dunoon is a nature-rich town in Northern NSW, where our participant, Ella Risebrow, lives. There, she spends her time creating marvellous portraits and mystical sculptures that capture the uniqueness of her subjects, or an otherworldly magic inspired by nature.

At Inclusion Tree, we believe that true support begins with understanding; our participants’ needs, the systems designed to protect them, and how we can continuously improve our services to foster independence and dignity.

This month holds a special moment for us as a company. May 1st is the anniversary of Inclusion Tree’s founding. Thank you to everyone who wished us well as we celebrate another year of doing our best for the community.

At Inclusion Tree, we believe everyone deserves a good life filled with friendships, security, purpose, and belonging.

Living in the Hunter Valley with his mum, dad, and brother, a 21-year-old Connor thrives in an environment tailored to his needs.

At Inclusion Tree, we are incredibly proud of our dedicated staff, who go above and beyond to support participants and their families every day.

What is Disability Justice Lens (DJL)? DJL bills itself as ‘the ultimate

We hope everyone has had a great month. With Easter just passing, hopefully, everyone had a good break with their friends and family.

At Inclusion Tree, we know that expanding your caseload can feel daunting, but it’s also an opportunity for growth, learning, and making an even more significant impact on participants’ lives.

You don’t have to do amazing things to accomplish goals; often, the simple things can be the most impactful. We want to introduce you to Dallas, who has been trying to move back to Moree since 2018. Now, in 2025, he’s made that goal a reality

At 26 years old, Matthew is a passionate athlete who has made a name for himself in the world of Boccie. Despite living with cerebral palsy, he has risen through the ranks, earning medals, forging friendships, and gaining confidence with every game.

This month has been a big one for us as a company and our Participants. We, as an organisation, weathered Cyclone Alfred, which affected many of our Participants and Staff.

Earlier this month, South-east Queensland and North-east New South Wales experienced a category 2 cyclone, the first to make landfall since 1974. Most might not know this, but a large amount of Inclusion Tree’s participants and staff live in this area, so this event deeply impacted us.

This Wednesday is Purple Day, a grassroots effort to increase worldwide awareness of epilepsy. We wanted to do our part to spread awareness about the disorder by writing a bit about the ailment, what it is, how common it is, some myths and facts about it, and how you can learn more about it.

Art has the power to overcome many barriers; it can communicate emotions, inspire change and create connections between people.

While February is the shortest month of the year, that doesn’t mean less happens. This month, we have a story about our coolest participant and an introduction to our Behaviour Support Practitioners.

Hello and welcome to Inclusion Tree’s first newsletter. We have some great stories about what our participants have been up to, what our employees have been cooking up, and updates on what’s new with the NDIS.

In today’s complex world where social expectations to perform, combined with financial pressure, can lead us down the path of deteriorating mental health.

Marie is one of our fantastic participants who has an exceptional talent for making all things craft. From handmade bags to plush lions, she even has hand-painted artwork.

Our organisation is proud to have a team of dedicated Behaviour Support Practitioners who bring a wealth of experience, passion, and innovation to their roles.

We’re thrilled to spotlight Rebecca’s latest achievement. She has recently completed her Diploma of Counselling in July 2024.

We had the pleasure of speaking with Mervyn, who shared his journey and the inspiration behind his remarkable book, “Thoughts: The Creation of Life.”