Ability Centre expansion to bolster support

• Ability Centre officially opens South Hub in Canning Vale

• South Hub currently supports about 300 people with disability

• Location will reduce travel time for service users and their families 

People with disability living south of the river will have greater access to support and services with the official opening of Ability Centre's South Hub in Canning Vale.

Officially opening the new premises today, Disability Services Minister Donna Faragher said the purpose-designed therapy hub would offer specialist clinical services and access to local co-ordinators, schools and health providers to ensure the complex needs of people with disability were met.

"Ability Centre service users, parents and carers will enjoy reduced travel times, and more time to attend other appointments and activities," Mrs Faragher said.

"South Hub is also in a prime location to help more people with disability from October 1 this year, when the local government areas of Armadale, Murray and Serpentine-Jarrahdale join the Liberal National Government's WA NDIS trial."

The Minister said South Hub was the Ability Centre's second suburban centre, following the opening of a facility in Currambine in 2014.  This move into the community offered extra benefits to people with disability.

"Not only will South Hub have all the usual therapies and supports, it will offer extra services through community partnerships, such as hydrotherapy in collaboration with independent public school Atwell College," she said.

"This strong and positive relationship reflects the importance the Ability Centre places on working with the community to provide better outcomes for people with disability and is similar to the organisation's four-year volunteering partnership with the Gladys Newton School Bush Ranger Cadets in Balga."

The South Hub will also provide extra programs including Xcelerate Running, an Australian-first research project that teaches children with cerebral palsy to run.

Fact File

• The Ability Centre was previously known as The Centre for Cerebral Palsy, changing its name in 2015

• For more information, visit http://www.abilitycentre.com.au  

Minister's office - 6552 5300