Western Australia's Individualised Services Inc.

Western Australia's Individualised Services Inc. (WAiS) was a member-based nonprofit organisation founded in 2010 and based in Western Australia. It was dedicated to promoting and advancing individualised, self-directed supports and services for people living with disability, including those with psychosocial disability. WAiS operated in close partnership with people with disability, their families, service providers, and government agencies to foster a disability service system responsive to the unique needs of individuals, enabling them to live their lives with choice, control, and dignity.

Mission and Vision

WAiS was established with the vision of "People living their lives their way". The organisation aimed to support individuals with disability, families, service providers, and government by facilitating access to supports and services that are truly individualised and self-directed. It sought to empower members through information, advice, mentoring, and coaching, enhancing their capacity to navigate the disability sector and achieve their personal goals.

Membership and Community

Membership of WAiS was inclusive and diverse, encompassing people with disability, those with psycho-social disabilities related to mental health, families, supporters (both paid and unpaid), and service providers. The organisation fostered a strong community of practice among its members to share knowledge, build capacity, and advocate for best practices in individualised support.

Activities and Impact

WAiS played a pivotal role as a thought leader and innovator within the disability sector. It leveraged extensive local, state, and international networks to influence policy and practice, ensuring alignment with human rights and the principles underpinning the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). WAiS was unique in its specific focus on individualised, self-directed supports, providing vital links across stakeholders to facilitate improved service access and navigation.

The organisation was committed to supporting all sector stakeholders, including Local Coordinators and government representatives, in understanding and implementing person-centred approaches to disability support. This comprehensive and collaborative approach helped build capacity and fostered meaningful, lasting change within the community.

Legacy and Closure

Despite its valuable contributions, WAiS has since closed as an organisation. However, its work and resources continue through partnerships with Inclusion Solutions and the Self Manager Hub, ensuring the ongoing availability of its valuable tools and guidance to the community it served.

WAiS acknowledged the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation as the custodians of the land on which it was located and paid respect to all Elders past, present, and future.

This article reflects information accessible as of the closure of WAiS and its transition to new custodianship, with a focus on promoting individualised, self-directed support for people living with disability in Western Australia.

[1] https://waindividualisedservices.org.au [2] https://waindividualisedservices.org.au/about/ [3] https://citizen-network.org/map/western-australias-individualised-services [4] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/a8060f53-39af-e811-a961-000d3ad24182/documents/241ca4ba-0c5f-ec11-8f8f-000d3ad211e6 [5] https://www.ndis.gov.au/media/3187/download