Beyond Disability has grown out of the Rural & Peninsula Disability Support program started in 1997. Although many people said it was a good idea, most said it was too complicated to ever work. Richard Stubbs has worked tirelessly despite his own disabilities with the support of a dedicated group of volunteers and Rotarians, together with the Councils of Casey, Frankston and Mornington, Community Support Fund, Microsoft Community Initiatives and local philanthropists.

BDI has already put over 100,000 volunteer hours back into the community and helped many housebound disabled to reconnect with family and friends and access the www online biggest information base. The program helps most physically disabled people and Wheelie Kids helps low income wheelchair physically disabled school children. Donations are tax-deductible.

Dame Elisabeth Murdoch with Beyond Disability members on a visit to Cruden Farm

Dame Elisabeth Murdoch believed in the program from day one and has been a supporter from the outset. Her enthusiasm is a major motivation for the volunteers.

In launching the re-badged Beyond Disability program, Dame Elisabeth asked for other community groups, Service groups and individuals who want to be part of helping other less-abled members of our community to join in helping to geographically grow this wonderful program. It is a great way for semi-retired people to get a lot of personal satisfaction from helping others.

Volunteering has many rewards

Tricia McGill (Casey Family & Community Support Volunteer Award winner 2008)

With fellow Beyond Disability Volunteers Bob and Colin

We need your help - volunteer now

We provide a complete training package to our new volunteers-buddy up with an experienced volunteer plus you receive a volunteer induction manual and CD.

All you need is a car, patience and some very basic computer skills. We will teach you all computer skills you need.

You will also have the personal benefit of learning how to maintain a computer and learn job skills - building interpersonal relationships and teaching people.

You might even be able to help us develop our training courses for our new volunteers.

You can help housebound disabled to communicate from home.

You can help to grow the Beyond Disability community program and develop your own skills along the way.

Have a look at the Beyond Disability website to find out more.

Volunteering the great feeling you get from helping others.

            e-mail:  lewiebdi@bigpond.com

Mail : c/- "Girrahween House" PO Box 1451 Pearcedale Vic 3912

Wheelie Kids

Beyond Disability Wheelie Kids mission is to provide an in-home interactive communication  self help program for physically disabled wheelchair school children with local partnerships, volunteers and recycled equipment.

Beyond Disability has a clear evaluation process, aims and objectives.

Our local award-winning self-help program directly addresses a need for physically disabled and disadvantaged wheelchair school children in the local community.

Subject to approval, which includes assessments as needed, we provide a laptop, multifunction printer and subsidised internet access. Our program does not permit downloading music, playing games on line except as approved, or downloading/uploading large files of any type.

We partner TADVIC, ComTEC, Anglicare, Brotherhood of St Lawrence, Rotary and others as needed.

S.E.Water has donated P4 laptops which are an invaluable donation for supporting Wheelie Kids.

Richard Stubbs presenting Laptops to a trio of our "Wheelie Kids".