HANDS ON SA

Ms CICCARELLO (Norwood) (15:31): There are many organisations that go about their business quietly. Today, I am delighted to talk about one such fantastic organisation in my electorate, one that is making a real difference to the lives of people with disabilities. Hands On SA was founded in 1963, when a group of concerned parents of patients and health professionals from Glenside Hospital formed an occupational therapy group in the old meeting hall at Glenside Hospital.

The group began with one goal: to build better lives and futures for people with significant disabilities who were patients of Adelaide's two psychiatric hospitals, Glenside and Hillcrest. Over time, what originally began as occupational therapy has evolved into a highly successful vocational preparation program, where clients now receive instruction and assistance to participate in a range of activities to build their employment skills. More than 40 years later, I am delighted to see that Hands On SA continues to go from strength to strength.

Its philosophy is simple: to focus on the person's abilities, rather than their disabilities. It may sound straightforward, but so often in the area of disabilities and, in particular, the public's perception of people with disabilities, this concept is either forgotten or overlooked. By focusing on what people can do, rather than what they cannot do, Hands On SA has remained true to its philosophy and, in doing so, it has enabled its participants to increase personal ability, gain confidence and self-esteem, advance their work skills, and move from a dependent to an increasingly independent lifestyle.

Hands On SA operates two supported employment facilities (one at Kent Town and the other at Oakden) and, after many years of hard work, it now owns both buildings. Hands On SA currently employs 160 South Australians with a disability and high support needs. It receives some funds from the commonwealth government for support costs for 135 individuals, and Hands On SA funds the rest. Supported employees undertake work in packaging, assembly, mailing, machine operation and woodwork. Each supported employee chooses their days and hours of work, and employment programs are flexible and tailored to the abilities and needs of the individual.

The employment programs provide many opportunities for employees with a disability. Besides learning invaluable practical and communication skills, they also raise self-esteem and confidence and enable the employee to feel that they are contributing to their team and their community and, not least of all, they earn an independent wage for the work they do. All this adds up to the ultimate goal of encouraging people with disabilities to become and, indeed, feel more integrated within our community.

The proof is in the pudding. Hands On SA supported employees have successfully gained jobs in hospitality, disability services, the aged care sector and administration; some have also worked part time while studying at TAFE to gain a qualification to further their employment opportunities. In 2007, Hands On SA also operated a work experience program, where 51 secondary schools students with a disability participated in work experience placements at Hands On SA, giving them an invaluable opportunity to gain some knowledge of the work environment.

I am sure that we all appreciate that the service Hands On SA provides to its supported employees is extremely worth while and positive. None of it would be possible without the unrelenting enthusiasm and dedication of its staff and board.

I have had the pleasure of visiting Hands On SA many times. Last year, I presented them with a grant from the Premier's Community Initiatives Fund, and I also attended the opening of its redeveloped facility at Oakden. As always, I was impressed with the atmosphere of teamwork and cooperation and the commitment shown by everyone to work towards a common objective. It must be stressed that they provide goods and services that are valued for their reliability, their price efficiency and their quality. I wish I had enough time to list the corporate sponsors and customers of Hands On SA who have so generously given donations and outsourced work so as to enrich the lives of Hands On SA's supported employees. To all of you, thank you.

I also pay tribute to the Chairman of the board, Mr Ian Buttfield and all his board members, the CEO, Ms Bernadette McAlary, and the Manager of Marketing Sales and Business Services, Ms Claire McAlary, for their tireless work in promoting and developing Hands On SA. This is a really good example of one of our great organisations in South Australia which provides a great service to the community and which also helps people to develop their skills and to integrate better in our society.