History
Originally called the Paraplegic Association of Victoria, the organisation was formed in 1957 by a group of paraplegic and quadriplegic clients at the Austin Hospital. The group was primarily concerned about the general welfare of people living with spinal cord injury and the support services they would need on discharge from hospital. At that time, although most paraplegic and quadriplegic people shared the dream to once again live independently, their future was destined to be short, and ultimately in hospitals and institutions.
The organisation began establishing services and rehabilitation programmers that enabled paraplegics and quadriplegics to have the opportunity to return to their homes and take up their lives in the community.
Over the years, the organisation has regularly reviewed and expanded its services, changed its name and direction, and extended its market to ensure that the needs of our clients are consistently front of mind and addressed.
In recent years our client range has broadened to include people with varying disabilities and levels of ability including multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury and stroke. As such it became obvious that our name has had to change to better reflect this broader focus, and so in 2008, we became Independence Australia.
Our name and focus is clear as we move into the future.
We are about supporting all people with physical needs and older people to achieve their best possible quality of life and their dream of independence.
Statement of Purpose
Independence Australia remains a leader in the provision of high quality community-based services that are responsive to the changing needs and aspirations of people with a disability.
