WHY THE PEOPLE WE SUPPORT CHOOSE US
At United Disability Care we are a dedicated and passionate team of experienced individuals who care about the lives and outcomes
of the people we support. We enjoy working with our clients to help them achieve a lifestyle that is unique to them, providing supportive pathways to greater opportunities and experiences.
We want our clients to experience the world around them, realise their dreams and live a life of independence, health and happiness. United Disability Care specialise in providing support and care to people living with a disability.
The history of United Disability Care
Starting from humble beginnings in Northern NSW our organisation was founded in 1991. Originally called Accommodation Network then later ACCnet21, our mission was to provide housing solutions, perfect for people living with disability and seeking independence. Since this time we have undergone a number of changes which has seen significant growth; from a small family run business, to a national non-for profit enterprise. In more recent times we changed our name to better reflect our current business model and in November 2018 United Disability Care Pty Ltd was born. Today we offer a wide range of supports and deliver a service that unites our extended families to live lives they could only dream of.
Following on from the national campaign don’t “Dis My Ability” – the company wanted to further empower individuals with mixed abilities (disabilities) to be able to carry out day to day activities, or any activity that inspired them regardless of their (dis)ability. Over the years we have supported our clients to:
- Take charge of their lives
- Go on holidays
- Get paid employment
- Enrol in TAFE and university
- Attend Community activities and groups that are inclusive
From our first supported accommodation home in Byron Shire, NSW, where we assisted six clients who wanted to live independently but needed a little help to do so. We now also have houses in Moree, the Hunter Valley, Lismore, Ballina, Ocean Shores, Tweed Heads, Gold Coast, Brisbane and Adelaide.
We continue to grow and have two brand new high physical support disability accommodation homes in Northern Gold Coast that will be ready for residents in late 2019. Through this expansion it has been important for us to never forget our beginnings and we are proud to share that one or our first ever clients still lives in our very first home in the Byron Shire.
Our organisation has a strong reputation, spanning over two decades, of delivering personalised services to individuals living with disability. Our style of support has evolved due to our willingness to continually review, grow and adapt to meet the changing needs of individuals with disability, their families and the industry itself.
United Disability Care is and always will be a local disability service provider, delivering a wide range of support services.
We currently provide supports to over 500 people with a diverse range of disabilities. Including but not limited to intellectual, chromosomal abnormalities, acquired brain injury, spinal injury, physical disability, mental health conditions, chronic illness. We know that no two people are the same and we tailor our support to meet the needs of our clients.
With the support and dedication of our 580 staff we will continue to develop, change and grow but always with our clients and their personalised support needs at the forefront of all our decisions.
UDC CONNECT NEWSLETTER
The Legacy of Kristyn and Greg O'Donnell
Greg joined UDC in February 2018 to assist families trying to establish NDIS supports who were in need of his first-hand knowledge. Greg understood the complexities of accessing the right levels of support for people with disabilities and their families. Greg helped so many families, he completed over 200 NDIS plans and over 50 plan reviews for which each person was very grateful – for both his kindness and knowledge.
Greg’s passion for wanting to make the world a better place for those living with disabilities – by helping one family at a time, stems from his own families experience. In 2008 both Greg’s wife Lynn and his daughter Kristyn were diagnosed with an incurable genetic disorder called Spino Cerebellar Ataxia Type 7. Greg’s desire to support the two most important ladies in his life propelled him into becoming a specialist on the available supports for people living with disability. The strength he has taken from his personal situation gave him the drive and determination to make a difference for as many people as possible.
Kristyn passed away in February 2019, which broke Greg’s heart. He wanted to share his daughters passion for life and how she lived her life to the fullest by not letting her genetic disorder define her life, nor what she was capable of achieving. “Love your life and Live your dreams” was Kristyn’s motto and that is what Greg wanted to share – her story, her passion and to inspire all of UDC, the staff and the people we support to live their best life.
Click here to see more about Kristyn’s story with this short video. Focus on Ability film entry
Greg took the time to tell new staff his story, what he is trying to accomplish with the Love your life and Live your dreams campaign and how UDC can help turn dreams into reality for the people we support. Greg was so excited when some staff agreed to donate money out of their weekly pay to get the Dream fund started, he said that he felt like the legacy that he was trying to create was finally coming into fruition. Greg then donated a substantial amount to the dream fund and a friend of his matched that donation. Greg was so proud to be able to help ensure lots of dreams come true.
With the heaviest of hearts, we share the devastating news of Greg O’Donnell’s unexpected passing in June 2020.
Greg was a dedicated husband, a wonderful father and the most enthusiastic work colleague you could ever ask for. He was a man of the people always helping everyone, going 100 miles an hour and keeping everyone on their toes. Greg lived and breathed UDC and would often share that it was his life’s purpose to pass on his daughters legacy and make sure that every person with a disability could ‘love their lives and live their dreams’.
From the seed of an idea, to our company tag line, the Love your life and Live your dreams campaign is all Greg, so we are renaming the campaign “The O’Donnell Love your life and Live your dreams” campaign in memory of the two generous souls that made it happen.
Greg was the heart and soul of UDC, he will be forever missed and his legacy will now be carried on through all of us.