Marie Sabbagh

Tell us how Assist Ability approaches disability service differently.

As COO, I have a very personal connection to Assist Ability Australia. I’m one of three children and I have two brothers –Mike and Danny. Danny has Down Syndrome, so we grew up with disability in our household and watched our parents struggle with accessing quality service providers, so it’s wonderful to be a part of a service that provides the best possible care to its participants. Now, 5 years on, Assist Ability is an innovative disability service provider dedicated to empowering people with disabilities to live fulfilling lives.

We are very different in our approach. We hold cooking classes, regular social outings and recently partnered with Upparel, Australia’s largest textile recycler, to launch our Beyond Labels employment program!

People with disabilities deserve the opportunity to learn and have experiences like everyone else does, and that is what we help them do. It has always been our belief that people with disabilities should feel empowered to achieve their full potential and live life on their own terms. Having strong morals, ethics, and purpose, as well as passionate leaders is so important when choosing the right service provider.

Another thing that sets us apart is our commitment to a holistic service offering for our participants and their family. It’s not just about the activities we offer, but also the ability to take care of all transport and logistics involved to make life easier for the participants and their families or caregivers. Even just being able to pick up a participant straight from their house can save the participants and their family members 15-20 minutes of commuting a day. It’s the little things that make all the difference.

Chief Operations Officer Assist Ability

How have the Recruitment Events transformed growth in your workforce?

We worked with Talentpath on seven different Recruitment Events over a three-month period and ended up hiring close to 60 support workers through the Jobs Victoria and RMIT traineeship program. We were experiencing a shortage of staff, but now we have staff covering all our departments. The project was specifically to recruit support workers to be carers in participants’ homes, respite facilities, and day programs. We ensure new support workers have the chance to experience all the different working environments, so they are well-trained and confident to work across all areas of the business. Being participant-led, it’s all based on the activities and schedule of the participant, so every day is different, but that is what makes it such a rewarding role.

What would you say the future holds for Assist Ability?

The future of Assist Ability Australia is focusing on its Australiawide expansion with having successfully acquired participants in Queensland this year, our dream is in full motion. We have just launched our first-holiday program in Queensland and look forward to it being a huge success! Eventually, we want to be servicing Australia-wide, and we are on track to do that.

"The Assist Ability Australia Traineeship Project, facilitated by Talentpath, has undeniably contributed to the growth and success of our organisation. The trainees' acquisition of essential skills, knowledge, and experience has greatly enriched our workforce, enabling us to provide even higher-quality support services to those who rely on us. The enthusiasm and dedication demonstrated by the trainees have been nothing short of inspiring, creating a positive ripple effect throughout our entire team. In an era where sourcing capable and passionate individuals for such positions has become increasingly challenging, Talentpath's expertise and commitment have been instrumental in overcoming these obstacles. The injection of fresh talent into our team has invigorated our organisation, allowing us to meet the demands of our community with greater efficiency and effectiveness."

Lola Nicolouleas, Executive Director, Assist Ability