Intelife is thrilled to have seven nominations in this years WA NDS Disability Support Awards. Celebrating individuals, teams and organisations going above and beyond to support people with disability, through excellence in support work, employment outcomes, innovation and leadership. Read on to learn more about our nominees and just some of the work they do to support participants and employees at Intelife.
Building Confidence Through Change
Annabel Dyer’s thoughtful and persistent approach has had a transformative effect on Aaron, who had long adhered to a rigid routine that, while comforting, left little room for growth. Over the past two years, Annabel has supported Aaron to gradually step outside his comfort zone, helping him build confidence, develop independence, and improve his social interaction skills.
One of the most noticeable changes has been Aaron’s progress in everyday tasks. Where once he required repeated verbal and physical prompts to complete his dishwashing after Friday baking sessions – often taking over 45 minutes – he now responds quickly and independently. A recent example saw Aaron complete a dishwashing task in under 30 seconds, prompted only once by Annabel. This milestone is a direct result of Annabel’s patient, person-centred support.
For many years, Aaron’s weekly Friday routine remained unchanged. Recognising the importance of choice and autonomy, Annabel gradually introduced greater variety to his activities. Using a structured visual system of lists and check-offs, she empowered Aaron to manage changes in his schedule and begin selecting activities that matched his interests. As a result, Aaron now enjoys a wide range of experiences, from swimming and bowling to arts and crafts, movies, karaoke and cricket. This increased variety has not only improved his confidence but also supported his NDIS goals around choice and control.
Annabel has gone beyond simply offering new activities – she’s provided Aaron with the tools to embrace change and feel confident in new situations. Her focus on communication and social development has resulted in significant improvements. Where Aaron once needed prompting to engage with others, he now greets people by name, holds conversations and makes eye contact independently. Most notably, he has begun initiating interactions – a powerful sign of his growing self-assurance and independence.
Throughout her work with Aaron, Annabel has remained deeply respectful of his personal preferences, communication style and interests. She ensures that all activities are age-appropriate and tailored to Aaron’s personality and goals. This respectful, person-centred approach has fostered a strong and trusting relationship. Annabel’s work reflects a deep commitment to inclusion, helping Aaron feel valued and empowered to participate fully in his community.
Through consistent support and innovative thinking, Annabel has enabled Aaron to break away from restrictive routines, embrace new experiences, and grow in confidence, delivering lasting and life-changing impact.
From Lifeskills to the Workskills
When Massimo joined Intelife’s Lifeskills program shortly after finishing high school, his family wasn’t sure whether employment would be part of his future. The Lifeskills program helped him build confidence in key daily activities like cooking, cleaning, and social interaction – whilst Kerry Bain from our Commercial Services division saw something more.
Recognising Massimo’s focus and attention to detail, Kerry championed his transition into Intelife’s Supported Employment crew in Balcatta. Starting just one day a week under close supervision, Massimo began to show that he could complete tasks with increasing independence. Kerry not only supported this transition but worked closely with Skills Trainers and Massimo’s family to guide his progress.
One of Massimo’s key responsibilities became working on Intelife’s Plantrite contract -sorting and counting pots, stacking them on pallets, and taking pride in maintaining neat and organised work. Seeing his consistency, Kerry created a tailored plan that allowed Massimo to build on his strengths while gradually removing the need for one-on-one support. The impact was profound. Massimo recently passed a workplace assessment – matching the output of a skills trainer – and is now eligible for more work hours and a higher wage bracket.
For Massimo’s family, the transformation has been nothing short of remarkable. “We never thought work would be possible,” they shared. “But Kerry believed in our boy. She made sure he was safe, happy, and supported every step of the way. We’re overwhelmed with joy.”
Kerry has an innate ability to identify and develop potential in every supported employee she works with. Her commitment goes beyond day-to-day support as she advocates for participants, encourages them to try new tasks, and partners with staff to tailor learning pathways that build independence and pride.
Through Kerry’s encouragement, Massimo is now on a path toward even greater autonomy, with plans in place for him to eventually graduate to outdoor work with other Intelife crews. His success story reflects not just his own growth, but the strength of a system that recognises and nurtures ability and believes in the power of inclusion.
Massimo’s journey is a powerful example of what’s possible. Kerry’s dedication continues to create that possibility for many more.
Creating Possibilities in Busselton
Living in a regional area like Busselton can come with added barriers for people with disability, especially when it comes to social connection and meaningful employment. For Josh, these challenges could have easily become limitations – but thanks to the dedicated support of his team, they’ve instead become opportunities for growth, self-determination and community engagement.
Team Josh (Jennifer Guidera, Rebecca Mullins, Kate Goldsmith and Shae Vanderlist) have been especially creative in addressing limited opportunities for social events and dating in the region. Acknowledging the intersection of geography, access needs, and social inclusion, they’ve gone above and beyond to help Josh connect with like-minded people in accessible environments. By scouring platforms like Humanitix and Eventbrite, tapping into local community groups on Facebook, and using their professional and personal networks, they’ve helped Josh access events that align with his interests and goals. This has included events like PASH Social Night, speed dating experiences and other inclusive gatherings that aren’t frequently held in regional areas. The team support Josh with everything from finding and booking events to attending them – empowering him to take part in experiences that foster independence, confidence, and a sense of belonging.
But Team Josh’s support doesn’t stop at the social side of life. Their person-centred approach has enabled Josh to thrive professionally and personally, minimising the disability-related barriers that can often stand in the way. Josh is currently employed at a local primary school, where he supports students with reading and comprehension – a role he takes great pride in. On top of this, Josh is a paid member of Intelife’s Co-Design Team, where he draws on his lived experience to influence how services are designed, ensuring that people with disability are included in shaping the systems that impact their lives. His insights, dedication and diverse skillset make him a valuable contributor in this space.
Each day in Josh’s life is unique and chosen by him. His team provides just the right level of support to empower him to live life on his terms – from volunteering and working, to learning languages, meditating, cooking, attending allied health appointments, spending time with loved ones, and contributing to local disability access initiatives through the City of Busselton. Whether he’s advocating for better inclusion or sharing a meal with friends, Josh’s days are full of purpose and joy.
What makes Team Josh’s work stand out is not just what they’ve helped Josh achieve, but how they’ve done it. With respect, encouragement and a commitment to ensuring Josh has real choices, they’ve helped turn the limitations of a regional setting into a backdrop for possibility. In a community where social and professional opportunities can be scarce, especially for single people with disability, their creative and consistent support has enabled Josh to take the lead in a life that’s rich, varied and entirely his own.
