TAD Australia explained

TAD Australia (also known as Technical Aid to the Disabled) is an Australian federation of state not-for-profit organisations which provide personalized equipment, technology, and services to disabled persons, including children.

TAD was first established in New South Wales in 1975 by George Winston, who was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia for this work.

Organization

TAD work is done by volunteers, many of whom have special skills and backgrounds in fields including engineering, architecture, and trades. Most of them are retired, and looking for constructive ways to continue using their skills. The client is asked to pay the cost of the materials used, but there is no charge for the labour.^[1]

When new designs are created, they are shared across the state organizations.^[1]

Freedom Wheels Program

Freedom Wheels is a national program where skilled staff and volunteers work closely with children, families, and therapists to create customized bicycles.

The cost of a Freedom Wheels bicycle can be covered by Australia's National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS): it will be itemised by the NDIS as "Assistive Equipment for Recreation" as part of the core supports budget.^{[2] [3]}

Awards

Awards presented to the organization and to its members in recognition of their service to TAD include:

• 1985 - George Winston was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia for his work establishing TAD.^{[4] [5]}
• 2010 - NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards - Bill Phippen was the NSW Senior Volunteer of the Year.^[6]
• 2011 - TAD ACT won the social inclusion category of the National Disability Awards.^[1]
• 2011 - Winner Volunteering NSW's Volunteer Team of the Year Award.
• 2012 - Winner NSW Disability Industry Innovation Award in Independent Living.
• 2012 - NSW Disability Industry Innovation Award in Independent Living - Winner.^[7]
• 2013 - Bill Phippen was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for role in establishing and running TAD, and his ongoing contributions.^{[8] [9]}
• 2013 - The NRMA Helping People Awards - Bill Jenkins received the Senior Volunteer Award.^[10]
• 2014 - NSW Disability Industry Innovation Awards - TAD Disability Services' "Freedom Wheels" program was a Finalist.^[11]
• 2015 - the Governor of NSW hosted a formal reception marking the 40th Anniversary of TAD Disability Services.^[12]
• 2015 - National Disability Service's Membership Recognition Awards - recognizing 30 years' continuous service for TADACT and 20 years for TAD (NSW).^[13]
• 2016 - Mid North Coast 2016 Volunteer of the Year Awards - John Brumby received both the overall Volunteer of the Year Award and the Senior Volunteer of the Year Award.^{[14] [15]}
• 2016 - Sydney Hornsby / North West NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards - Geoffrey Milton received both the overall Volunteer of the Year Award and the Senior Volunteer of the Year Award.^[16]
• 2018 - Sydney Hornsby / North West NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards - George Tillett received both the overall NSW Volunteer of the Year for region and the Senior Volunteer of the Year awards.^[17]
• 2018 - Leading Age Services Australia (LASA) Excellence in Age Service Awards Western Australia - TADWA won the Organisation Award.^[18]

External links

• (Australia)
• (NSW - also known as "Freedom Solutions")
• Annual Reports of TAD Disability (NSW)
• Freedom Wheels

Notes and References

1. News: Downie . Graham . Designing devices to aid the disabled . 10 February 2019 . Canberra Times . 3 June 2012 . en.
2. Web site: Plan budget and rules . www.ndis.gov.au . NDIS . 28 May 2019.
3. Web site: NDIS . Freedom Wheels . 28 May 2019 . en-AU.
4. News: Madigan . Damien . Refugee advocate named Blue Mountains citizen of the year . 2 February 2019 . Blue Mountains Gazette . 26 January 2019 . en.
5. Web site: It's an Honour - Australian Honours Search Facility . honours.pmc.gov.au . Australian Government Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . AM QB 85. FOR SERVICE TO WELFARE OF THOSE WITH DISABILITIES, PARTICULARLY AS THE FOUNDER OF TECHNICAL AID TO THE DISABLED . 2 February 2019.
6. Web site: 2010 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award Recipients . The Centre for Volunteering . 3 February 2019 . en-AU . Bill has volunteered with Technical Aid to the Disabled (TAD) for the past thirty five years..
7. Web site: Community Directories - TAD Disability Services . www.ourcommunity.com.au . 3 February 2019.
8. News: Caring for others earns an award . 3 February 2019 . Wollondilly Advertiser . 29 January 2013 . en.
9. Web site: It's an Honour - Australian honours . honours.pmc.gov.au . Australian Government Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . 3 February 2019 . For service to people with disability, and to the community..
10. News: Partridge . Amanda . Bill Jenkins celebrated for disability services work with NRMA community award . 3 February 2019 . Daily Telegraph . 19 February 2014 . en.
11. Web site: Showcasing Innovation: 2014 NSW Disability Industry Innovation Awards: Winners & Finalists . NSW Government Department of Family & Community Services . 3 February 2019 .
12. Web site: Reception marking the 40th Anniversary of TAD Disability Services . Governor of New South Wales. His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret'd) . 3 February 2019 . en-AU . 11 May 2015.
13. Web site: 2015 Awards . National Disability Services . 3 February 2019 . en.
14. News: Tisdell . Lisa . Volunteers recognised . 3 February 2019 . Port Macquarie News . 14 September 2016 . en.
15. Web site: Recognising Mid North Coast volunteers in VNSWA16 . The Centre for Volunteering . 3 February 2019 . en-AU . 12 September 2016 . ...for his dedication over more than 10 years to finding innovative solutions to help people living with a disability experience more independent and fulfilling lives..
16. Web site: Sydney Hornsby North West Volunteers recognised at VNSWA16 . The Centre for Volunteering . 3 February 2019 . en-AU . 9 September 2016 . ...for his work with TAD Disability Services. ...used his skills as a design engineer to pioneer innovative practical solutions to help people living with a disability to enjoy more comfortable and enjoyable lives..
17. Web site: Cheering on our volunteers from Hornsby and the Hills . The Centre for Volunteering . 3 February 2019 . en-AU . 28 September 2018 . ...for his never ending volunteer support helping children with a disability at TAD Disability Services.
18. Web site: Byers . Sara . Western Australia's age services excellence recognised at inaugural awards . LASA National . 12 February 2019 . en-AU . 28 August 2018.