ABCARE Disability Support

31/10/2026

🎾🏀 FREE Inclusive Sports Day in Newcastle! ⚽️♿

Looking for a fun, inclusive day out with opportunities to try something new? 💙

CPSARA and Newcastle City Council are bringing the CPSARA Connect Day to Newcastle, celebrating sport, inclusion and participation for people of all ages and abilities!

📅 Saturday 5 December 2026
⏰ From 10:30am
📍 Newcastle Basketball Stadium, Broadmeadow

This FREE event will give participants the opportunity to try a range of adaptive sports, meet others in the community and discover new sporting and recreational opportunities.

🏆 What’s happening on the day?
⚽️ Football (soccer)
♿ Wheelchair sports
🎾 Tennis
🌟 More activities to be confirmed!
🎤 A Q&A with a CPSARA Paralympian
🤝 Opportunities to connect with the adaptive sports community

Siblings are welcome to join in, too! A complimentary light afternoon tea and refreshments will be provided.

ABCARE Disability Support would love to see our participants getting involved in inclusive community activities like this!

If you would like to attend but need support to get there and participate, please contact ABCARE Disability Support. We can discuss your support needs and how we may be able to assist you to enjoy the day.

Let's celebrate inclusion, build connections and enjoy a day of sport, fun and new experiences!

31/10/2026

GET OUT & ABOUT THIS NOVEMBER!

November is shaping up to be another great month for getting out and about across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland and the Hunter Valley.

There are markets, festivals, exhibitions, community events and plenty of opportunities to enjoy some time out in the community.

Here are some events to put on your November calendar:

📅 Sunday 1 November
Maitland Community Markets
Maitland Showground, South Maitland
9am–1pm
Free
Local stalls, food and community atmosphere.

📅 Saturday 7 November
The Olive Tree Market
Civic Park, Newcastle
9am–2pm
Free
Makers, artists, food, live music and a great community atmosphere. The market caters for people who use wheelchairs and people with high support needs who travel with a support person.

📅 Saturday 7 November
Darby Street Festival
Darby Street, Cooks Hill
Throughout the day
Free
Live music, market stalls, food, cafes and local businesses as Darby Street becomes a big community street party.

📅 Saturday 7 & Sunday 8 November
Lake Mac Open Studios
Various studios across Lake Macquarie
10am–4pm
Free
Explore local artists, studios, galleries and creative spaces. The event welcomes people with access needs.

📅 Friday 6–Sunday 8 November
Lake Macquarie Outdoor Living & Caravan Expo
Morisset Showground
Check event times
$13–$16
Caravans, camping, outdoor living and plenty to explore. The event welcomes people with access needs.

📅 Saturday 14 November
Warners Bay Markets
The Esplanade, Warners Bay
Check event times
Free
Local stalls, food, plants, fashion and more, with beautiful views across Lake Macquarie. Pet and child friendly and welcoming to people with access needs.

📅 Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 November
Newcastle Gem & Jewellery Fair
Newcastle PCYC, Broadmeadow
9am–4pm
Free
More than 40 stalls featuring jewellery, gemstones, opals, crafts and demonstrations. The event welcomes people with access needs.

📅 Sunday 15 November
Maitland Community Markets
Maitland Showground, South Maitland
9am–1pm
Free
An extra Maitland Community Markets date for November.

📅 Thursday 19 November
Earth Market Maitland
The Levee, 396 High Street, Maitland
Check event times
Free
Local produce, food, farmers and community stalls. The market welcomes people with access needs.
📅 Saturday 21 November
The Olive Tree Market
Civic Park, Newcastle
9am–2pm
Free
Another opportunity to enjoy this popular Newcastle market, with local makers, artists, food and live music.

📅 Sunday 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 November
Pokolbin Market
691 Hermitage Road, Pokolbin
8am–2pm
Free
Local produce, gourmet food, handmade crafts and artisan goods in the beautiful Hunter Valley.

💙 AND DON'T FORGET...
Getting out into the community doesn't have to mean attending a big event.

It might be:
☕ Going out for coffee
🛍️ Visiting a local shop or market
🌳 Exploring a park or foreshore
🎨 Visiting a gallery or exhibition
🎶 Going to see live music
🍽️ Trying somewhere new for lunch
🤝 Meeting people and being part of the local community

At ABCARE Disability Support, we provide community access and participation support to help people get out, do the things they enjoy and participate in their local community.
If there’s somewhere you’d like to go this November but you need some support to make it happen, get in touch with our friendly team. 💙
We can support you to get out and about, attend events, explore new places and enjoy being part of your community.
📍 Supporting people across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Cessnock and surrounding areas.
Event dates and times can change, so please check with the event organiser before attending.

29/10/2026

26/10/2026

🎉🎂 Happy Birthday Rosie! 🎂🎉

Wishing our wonderful support worker Rosie a very happy birthday!

Thank you for all the care, kindness and support you bring to the people you work with. We hope you have a beautiful day celebrating

From all of us at ABCARE Disability Support — Happy Birthday, Rosie! 🎈🎉

26/10/2026

Did you know?

25/10/2026

AAC Awareness Month

A little reminder that communication is more than spoken words.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) gives people different ways to express themselves when speech isn't their most effective or preferred way to communicate.

AAC can include:
📱 Communication apps and devices
🖼️ Picture boards and communication books
✋ Signs and gestures
👀 Eye gaze systems
🔤 Letter and word boards

AAC can support someone to communicate their wants, needs, feelings, choices and opinions — helping them have greater choice, independence and connection with others.

Everyone deserves a way to communicate.

19/10/2026

October is ADHD Awareness Month

A little reminder that ADHD is about much more than attention.

ADHD can affect focus, organisation, memory, impulse control, emotional regulation and the way someone manages everyday tasks — and it can look very different from one person to another.

Most importantly, ADHD does not define a person's abilities, potential or worth.

This October, let’s focus on understanding, inclusion and seeing the person beyond the diagnosis.

Different brains. Different strengths. Different ways of doing things.

18/10/2026

🌻 Invisible Disabilities Awareness Week | 19–25 October 2026

Not all disabilities are visible.

In fact, around 80% of disabilities are estimated to be invisible — meaning they may not be immediately apparent to other people.

Invisible disabilities can include neurological, cognitive, sensory, learning, psychosocial and chronic health conditions.

Someone may look perfectly fine on the outside while managing challenges that affect their communication, energy, mobility, concentration, sensory processing, pain or ability to navigate everyday situations.

This is why it’s important not to make assumptions.

Someone who doesn't look like they need support may still need extra time, understanding, adjustments or assistance.

🌻 Not all disabilities are visible.
Not all support needs are obvious.
A little understanding can make a big difference.

See the person. Listen. Understand. Support.