July 28th, 2025

This month is #DisabilityPrideMonth!

To honour this, we’d like to share a thoughtful post from actress and disability rights campaigner, Samantha Renke, on the right to seek help.

Renke encourages us to look past the typical goal of simple “independence”. She wants us to acknowledge that we all depend on one another and need varying degrees of support.

It’s true: whether asking advice, seeing a healthcare specialist, or turning to friends and family for assistance, we all need help sometimes. 

In Renke’s words, “We all rely on others every day — so why are Disabled people made to feel ashamed or like a burden for doing the same?”

Renke proposes a new model to reframe our thinking around disabilities: the “care/dependency” framework. 

This is based on the fundamental truth that we are all interdependent. Renke argues that is not a deficiency to be connected, respected and cared for. It’s a great point, and one aligns with Rira Care’s social justice thinking. 

Under the “care/dependency” framework, we stop valuing people based on how “independent” they are. Instead, we “acknowledge the ways in which we all give and receive care, and dismantle the shame attached to needing support”. 

The Rira Care team works to ensure the people we support never feel “weak” for asking for help. We reject the individualist, productivity mindset that pushes people to value independence over all else. 

It is human to live in a community. Quality of life should be measured by how “connected, respected and cared for” we are – not how little support we learn to ask for. 

July 1st, 2025

Last month, Rira Care was absolutely delighted to organise an exceptional, supported-trip to Queensland for our client Kevin!

He enjoyed a rewarding holiday to the Gold Coast with the dedicated assistance of two members of the Rira Care team.

Our goal was to increase Kevin’s ability to navigate and enjoy more complex recreational settings, enhancing adaptability, resilience and self-confidence.

The trip was planned to align with Kevin’s NDIS goals around community participation and social inclusion. It was also an opportunity for Kevin’s family to enjoy a low-stress holiday together, thanks to the care of his support workers.

As part of his holiday, Kevin visited Dreamworld, not once but twice! He particularly enjoyed the mini train ride and small planes that travelled along tracks. He also had a great time playing games within the park, smiling and laughing throughout.  

One of Kevin’s favourite activities was catching the train from the Gold Coast to Brisbane—something he was thrilled to do twice. He remained calm and happy throughout both journeys, watching the scenery go by with interest.

These travel experiences helped build Kevin’s confidence using public transport and adapting to new environments.

The team also supported Kevin to access local shops. At Kmart, he enjoyed browsing and took a confident step toward independence by attempting to pay for his own drink using his card. 

Kevin was especially fascinated by a glass elevator at one of the centres. He asked to ride it multiple times, smiling and displaying full engagement and sensory enjoyment.

Flying on an airplane was another highlight for Kevin. He remained relaxed and comfortable during the entire flight, from takeoff to landing.

In addition to the outings, Kevin and his support workers were delighted to spend meaningful time with Kevin’s family. Together, they visited local parks, joined family gatherings, and enjoyed delicious Persian kebabs during home-cooked meals.

Staff were proud to see Kevin so calm, engaged, and joyful during each activity. His independence, confidence, and happiness made the trip incredibly special.

The Rira Care team know that trips like these enhance life quality and skills, but can be difficult to organise without support.

We’re so glad to offer personalised and flexible services to our clients, supporting them however we can to live full and meaningful lives.

May 26th, 2025

With the support of her Behaviour Support Practitioner and dedicated support staff, Adriana has been learning to use utensils independently at mealtimes.

This skill is a key goal in her individualised support plan. It aims to enhance her independence, sensory integration, and daily living skills.

At first Adriana required full physical assistance during meals. She often preferred using her hands due to familiarity and ease.

With consistent guidance and positive reinforcement, her team introduced forks and spoons at mealtimes, and structured practice during daily routines.

Her Behaviour Support Practitioner implemented strategies such as task analysis and prompting, breaking the activity into manageable steps.

Adriana’s support staff reinforced these steps with praise and encouragement, creating a supportive and patient learning environment.

Over time, Adriana has began to grasp and use her spoon with increasing control and confidence. Her success has led to greater engagement during mealtimes and reduced frustration.

This progress has not only improved Adriana’s fine motor skills but also contributed to her self-esteem, neuroplasticity and autonomy.

The science shows that learning to use cutlery is a neurological, psychological, and functional milestone.

It supports independence, encourages brain adaptation, improves motor and sensory skills, and contributes meaningfully to quality of life and self-worth.

Adriana’s team continue to build on this foundation. They have begun experimenting with more complex tasks, such as independently putting on clothes and hanging laundry. 

We are so happy to see Adriana’s progress and proud of how far she has come! It’s a joy to support her on this journey.

Dec 1st, 2024 

Rira Care was thrilled to participate in the Kyd-X Disability Expo on November 30th. This event focused on resources for children and youth with disabilities.

Kyd-X provided a unique opportunity to meet with individuals, families, and a diverse range of service providers. We are all working towards a common goal: enhancing the lives of young people living with disabilities.

We loved learning about the services, products, and resources available to support children and families. These ranged from innovative therapies, to inclusive education and adaptive technologies.

We were excited to connect with others who share our passion for improving accessibility, inclusion, and opportunity for all!

At Rira Care, we are deeply committed to supporting individuals in a way that respects their uniqueness and empowers them to thrive. The Kyd-X Expo was a reminder of the incredible work happening across the sector and the lasting impact of these services on young lives.

So, as the year comes to a close, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who made the expo such a success.

Wishing all our families, partners, and the wider community a joyful and restful holiday season. We look forward to continuing this important work in 2025!

October 27th, 2024 

At Rira, we aim to make community and connection the heart of everything we do.

That’s why we recently hosted a special “meet and greet” event on the 18th of October, bringing together new and existing clients and our dedicated staff for an evening of celebration, fun, and connection.

A Day to Remember
We gathered in Prospect to enjoy good food and engage in some friendly competition. The crew enjoyed a variety of games, including soccer table, snooker, and arcade games, which quickly became the highlights of the event.

Building Connections
For new and prospective clients, the meet and greet served as a welcoming introduction to the Rira Care family. It was heartwarming to see new faces engaging with our staff and other clients, sharing stories and experiences. We believe that building these connections is crucial in creating a supportive environment where everyone feels valued and included.

Celebrating our community
We were overjoyed to have participants and their family join us. There was a real warmth in the room as we all enjoyed the unusual opportunity to spend time together as a group. It was wonderful to see participants relaxed and happy, surrounded by their support family, in a context that might otherwise have been daunting.

Thank you to everyone who attended and made the day so memorable! We’re proud of our Rira Care family and can’t wait to continue building these meaningful relationships. Here’s to many more celebrations together!

October 20th, 2024 

On October 11th and 12th, Rira Care proudly participated in the Disability, Lifestyle and Ageing Expo, a vibrant event dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities and older adults.

Engaging with the Community
Our booth drew a diverse crowd, including caregivers and healthcare professionals eager to learn about our services designed to promote independence and dignity. It was inspiring to engage in meaningful conversations that highlighted our shared commitment to inclusivity.

Building Connections
The expo provided a fantastic opportunity to network with other organizations and advocates, forging connections that will help us collaborate on future projects aimed at improving accessibility.

Our Clients and Staff
We were delighted to have clients and staff joined us at the expo, eager to learn more about disability and inclusion services. Their presence enriched our discussions and helped us gain valuable insights into the needs and experiences of the community we serve.

Join Us for a BBQ!
As a way to continue these important conversations, we invite all participants to join us for a ‘meet and greet’ BBQ the week after the expo. The BBQ is an opportunity to connect in a relaxed setting, meet clients, crew + families, share ideas, and strengthen our community ties.

Thank you to everyone who visited us at the expo. Stay tuned for more updates from Rira Care as we continue our journey to empower those we serve!