Members of the Broken Hill Aboriginal Land Council Ability Links team, which services Cobar, were in town last week to further promote their service to the community.
Team leader Gabrielle O’Donnell said Ability Links are able to help people with disabilities between the ages of 9-64 years to access the community in a social, voluntary and work aspect.
“We service the whole far west of NSW and unincorporated far west. We travel to Cobar every 2-3 months and work closely with the services in town to help the community access those services,” Mrs O’Donnell said.
She said Ability Links can provide assistance when applying for a job and make sure people are being heard, are understood. Ability Links can advocate the needs and wants for their clients.
Mrs O’Donnell said the purpose of last week’s barbecue was to create awareness for people with a disability and also Ability Link’s services.
“It’s just to bring the community together and let them know we are here,” she said.
Team members handed out information about their services as well as information about the new NDIS insurance scheme which will be rolled out in 2017.
CareWest Ability Linker Wendy Beetson from Nyngan is part of the Ability Links program and is a regular visitor to Cobar. She also covers the Warren and Bogan Shire areas.
“Ability Links is for individuals, family members and carers who are living with any type of disability, medical problem or illness that effects their life.
“You do not have to be receiving a pension or have a diagnosis,” Mrs Beetson said.
“My job as a ‘linker’ is to help people connect more with their community, plan towards their future and assist people with information and support.
“I can help people to participate in more social activities, find employment, become a volunteer, join a club, play sport or learn or try something new.
“I am based in Nyngan but travel to Cobar regularly,” she said.
Mrs Beetson is keen to meet with anyone in Cobar who wants to find out more about Ability Links.
