Paralympian Don Elgin joins ‘speed dating’ event for NDIS providers in Coffs
Event for region’s booming disabilities sector to be hosted by renowned Paralympian.
Coffs Harbour
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The tried and tested technique of speed dating is being used to link members of the NDIS community at a unique event coming to Coffs Harbour.
With the creation of the NDIS came a proliferation of service providers offering an ever expanding list of services. Now One Community Events is trying create the perfect match between those providers.
Paralympian Don Elgin, who works for disability services provider Wallara, says the event is all about making links between people and organisations looking to provide clients with ever more tailored services.
The event, at the Coffs Harbour Racing Club function centre, is free to support co-ordinators, case managers or teachers looking to make links with other organisations working in the NDIS space.
Each organisation spends a few minutes one-on-one with a participant to discuss the type of service they provide.
“Within two hours you might meet 50 different providers,” he said.
“That’s the power of speed dating, it’s a cracking formula.”
Mr Elgin, who was born with one leg, competed in three Paralympic Games where he picked up one silver and three bronze medals.
Since retiring from sport Mr Elgin has become a renowned motivational speaker and heads up Wallara Online, a program developed during the pandemic to offer online support services to individuals through the NDIS.
Mr Elgin said the programs were tailored to individuals in a variety of ways, something that he said was emblematic of the way the NDIS has rolled out across the country.
“It’s all about that choice and control and giving people that opportunity … to make a meaningful contribution to society,” he said.
“A few years ago (online classes) were something that wasn’t even thought of, people with a disability learning at home to achieve goals in programs tailored to them.
“For some people going on a holiday once upon a time would have been out of the question, now we have support providers doing exactly that.”
One Community’s Ready Set Connect event is held on Tuesday, May 22 at Coffs Harbour Racing Club and Function Centre, 62 Howard St Coffs Harbour at 10am to 12.30pm.
For more information visit the One Community website.
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