In late 1993 a small group of families, each caring for someone with special needs came together to form the Defence Special Needs Support Group.  During 1994, this small group spread its wings across Australia and now as we enter our 17th year of operation, we continue to provide support, information and assistance to ADF Families with Special Needs both here in Australia and overseas.

2010 was a year of improvement and growth for our group.  We saw the enhancement of several of our existing programs and unprecedented improvements to and strategic investments in our organisational capacity and capability.  Throughout the year, we have continued to work in partnership with families who provide care to someone with special needs whether it be through advocacy, information provision, peer support, case management on postings or combined activities and events.  We undertook a restructure of the National Committee  and our Strategic Plan 2010 - 2012 was adopted with the Statement of Purpose including:

• To empower people with special needs and their carers to be as self-sufficient as possible in advocating on behalf of themselves;
• To promote and advance the rights of people with special needs and their carers;
• To advocate on behalf of Defence families with speical needs to ensure the best possible support and services are available;   and
• To work collaboratively with the Department of Defence and other organisations to improve the service system for Defence families with special needs

With our Guiding Principles being Responsiveness, Collaboration, Influence, Quality, Professionalism and Sustainability, the attainment of a significant number of our organisation's strategic milestones was a welcome result.  This represents the work that the Defence Special Needs Support Group does in building resilience in families, carers and those with special needs.  Our programs are built on a strong research and evidence base that consistently attests to the need for families with special needs to have the necessary support and resources available to them.  Each family and each special needs is different.  We have developed a variety of options for families to access support, information and assistance - programs that target families, parents, mothers, fathers, siblings, carers and spouses or children with special needs.

Our National Office received nearly 3000 calls or requests for assistance and support during 2010 with many other requests being received by local Coordinators.

2011 has already seen us assist with special needs families who have been affected in some way by the recent Queensland flooding, families requiring information and support who have just posted into location and an increase in the number of people seeking respite.  Needless to say that our volunteer Coordinators have been busy.

This year we have a large number of events, workshops and family days happening across Australia.  Keep in touch, stay informed, join us on Facebook and contact either the National Office or your local Coordinator to find out what is happening in your area. 

Margaret Fisk OAM
National Coordinator