Unlocking Independence

A man using a motorised wheelchair is positioned on a golf course, holding a golf club and preparing to hit a ball. A woman stands in front of him, offering guidance. They’re surrounded by green grass and trees, and the image is framed in a circular border with a purple background decorated with small white butterfly and leaf icons.

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.

From Steel to Support

A person sits in an all‑terrain tracked wheelchair on rocky ground in the Australian bush, accompanied by a dog wearing an “EzyDog” harness. The wheelchair’s tank‑like treads rest among stones and dry earth. The person, dressed casually with tattoos, sunglasses, and a cap, appears relaxed and ready to explore. Behind them, native scrub, scattered trees, and an open sky create a rugged bushland backdrop. A blue gradient frame with white butterfly illustrations surrounds the image, adding a sense of lightness and freedom.

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.

The Telepathy Tapes Podcast

A collection of colorful vintage cassette tapes arranged on a purple background, framed by a circular gradient border from lime green to reddish-orange, with small butterfly and heart icons decorating the corners.

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.

A Deep Dive into Duty of Care and Dignity of Risk in NDIS Support

Stylised yellow and black balance scale inside a white circle on a pink-purple gradient background, surrounded by whimsical butterflies, hearts, and leaves.

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.

Navigating the Festive Season

A festive holiday arrangement featuring a gold-painted pinecone and a natural brown pinecone nestled among artificial greenery, red berries, and red flowers. Two spherical string lights with metallic perforations glow warmly in the foreground. The background is a dark, glossy surface that enhances the contrast. Three white butterfly illustrations float in the upper left corner, adding a whimsical touch.

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.

Cool Marie is the 2025 Fred Hollows Humanitarian of the Year!

A smiling person in a pink floral dress and pearl necklace holds a certificate in one hand and a vibrant, abstract trophy in the other. The certificate congratulates Marie Tesoriero for winning The Fred Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Reducing the Harms of Drugs, Alcohol and Gambling. The trophy base reads “2023 Fred Hollows Humanitarian.” Behind them, a backdrop of purple and red curved lines with white butterflies adds a celebratory and uplifting tone.

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.

Your Safety and Wellbeing This Spring and Summer

A four-quadrant collage illustrating dramatic natural events. Top left: a vivid orange sun rises or sets over rolling hills, casting a warm glow that evokes both beauty and intensity. Top right: a forest fire rages, with thick smoke and visible flames consuming trees, conveying urgency and destruction. Bottom left: a towering ocean wave crashes against a coastal structure, its forceful motion highlighting nature’s raw power. Bottom right: a flooded landscape shows water engulfing fields and trees, with distant buildings partially submerged—an image of disruption and vulnerability.

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.

Living with DID: A Personal Account of Survival, Stigma, and Slow Acceptance

A circular grid of 25 stylized avatar illustrations arranged in a 5x5 pattern, alternating black and white backgrounds to create a checkerboard effect. Each avatar features unique cartoon-like traits—different hairstyles, accessories, and facial expressions—suggesting diverse identities. The grid is set against a warm gradient background that fades from orange at the top to pink at the bottom. Three white butterflies float around the circle, adding a whimsical, gentle touch.

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.

Olivier’s Journey to Australian Citizenship

A four-photo collage featuring the same person in varied moments of joy, playfulness, and recognition. Top-left: outdoors with trees and a path behind them, the person smiles warmly at the camera, wearing headphones and glasses. Top-right: mid-color run, they’re covered in bright powder beneath a banner reading “Lismore Colour Explosion Fun Run,” radiating energy and fun. Bottom-left: indoors, they wear a whimsical pink unicorn hat and white sunglasses, holding a pink bucket with a playful grin. Bottom-right: in a formal setting, they shake hands with a man in ceremonial attire while receiving a plaque, standing proudly in front of a brick wall.

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.

Beyond the Diagnosis

A stylised illustration of a person with blonde hair shown in profile, their head open at the top to reveal swirling lines symbolising introspection or mental activity. They point toward a colourful, abstract circular frame filled with blue, red, and green shapes, evoking emotional complexity. The background fades from purple to pink, with white butterfly silhouettes in the corners suggesting transformation and freedom. Surrounding abstract shapes add a sense of creative energy and cognitive depth.

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.