Yes. Maple Community Services provides personalised NDIS support for people living with albinism. Our experienced Support Workers can assist with personal care, household tasks, community participation, travel, Supported Independent Living (SIL), and other supports that help participants live more independently and confidently. 

 Albinism affects one in 17,000 Australians and, with the help of NDIS funding, we are working to make sure you can live a full life. If you or your loved one are living with Albinism that causes disability, our Albinism Support Specialists are highly skilled and trained to provide the expert assistance you need.

Absolutely. Every person living with albinism has different goals and levels of vision impairment. We tailor our support to each participant’s individual needs, routines, and lifestyle, providing practical assistance that promotes confidence, accessibility, and independence.

Yes. We regularly collaborate with Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Occupational Therapists, Allied Health Professionals, Support Coordinators, and other members of your care team to ensure your NDIS supports remain coordinated and aligned with your individual goals.

If you’re eligible for Supported Independent Living (SIL) through the NDIS, we can provide accommodation and personalised daily support that promotes independence, accessibility, and choice while helping you achieve your personal goals.

Families choose Maple because we understand that the impact of albinism is different for every person. Our Team is comprised of highly experienced Support Workers and Management Staff; all from varying walks of life. We work hard to match you up with the best Support Workers around; those that can speak your language, have the same interests, and have experience working with like-minded people.

Our Support Workers for Albinism have studied and trained diligently to understand and respond to the needs of people living with Albinism. You can feel confident and at ease with our Support Workers’ exceptional skills and qualifications. We pride ourselves on our years of experience providing Albinism Support.

At Maple Community Services, we focus on building strong relationships with each and every client that approaches us, providing you with the tools, supports, and access to services that will enable you to live independently and work towards achieving your goals.

Our priority is matching you with a like-minded Support Worker, someone who speaks your language, understands your goals, and is committed to ensuring you have all the necessary support you need to live your life to the fullest.

The Maple Family will work with you to create a personalised approach to your support schedule and roll out. We will continually review and recommend support updates, playing a pivotal role in ensuring the support you receive are optimal for you to achieve your personal, social, and emotional wellbeing goals.

Albinism is a rare genetic condition that affects the body’s production of melanin, the pigment responsible for colouring the skin, hair, and eyes. 

Albinism can also result in vision impairment which may include strabismus (cross eyes), photophobia (sensitivity to light), nystagmus (involuntary rapid eye movement), impaired vision or blindness, and astigmatism. These consequences can have a drastic effect on those living with this condition.

Children are at risk of being born with Albinism if their parents are also affected by the condition or carry the gene.

There are many methods that can help those who live with Albinism. Treatment is aimed at preventing the damaging effects of the UV radiation, but some people require additional support to fully participate in their lives and their community. Thankfully, there are ample support services available to ensure that people who live with Albinism don’t have to sacrifice their quality of life.

If you suffer from a long term disability resulting from living with Albinism, it is likely covered by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), and you may be eligible for funding to use for our support services. The eligibility and level of funding will depend on the severity of your functional disability and needs. Most types of Albinism are categorised under List B for NDIS funding, though you may need further functional assessment prior to being approved for NDIS funding.

To become an NDIS participant, you need to provide evidence of your health condition but a specific diagnosis is not required. NDIS support is contingent on how the condition impacts you and your daily activities, rather than the diagnosis itself, and that’s where our Albinism specialists can help you.

The NDIS aims to provide improved access to high quality, personalised, and innovative supports and services to enhance the independence, and social and economic participation of people living with disabilities, as well as their carers.

The NDIS funds several critical services for people living with Albinism. These services include personal care support, community access support, nutritional support, skills development, transport, household tasks, and behavioural support. Plan Management and Support Coordination Funding are almost always offered to NDIS Participants when they receive their plan. The types and amounts of funding available are determined according to the level of functional capacity.

By partnering with Maple Community Services, together, we can help you identify your priorities and outline a support plan that provides the specific services you need, enabling you to lead a fulfilling life.

A lot of people with Albinism live a normal and healthy life, however, sometimes symptoms from this condition can be life altering and occasionally even life threatening. But with the right combination of low vision supports, assistive technology, accessible environments, and practical assistance where needed, many people living with albinism live independently. The level of support varies depending on each person’s vision, lifestyle, and individual goals.

Yes. Depending on your individual goals and assessed needs, NDIS funding (under Capital Supports) can cover assistive technology such as handheld or digital magnifiers, screen-reading software, adaptive devices, and specialized contrast or anti-glare technology to help with reading, working, and daily living.

Children and adults with Albinism often use specialised glasses and optical aides to enhance their vision. These therapies may make a child with Albinism feel isolated, not only by their physical appearance, but also in their activities in everyday life. This perception of being different can lead to hardships in social situations and many youths with Albinism simply want to seem “normal” and fit in with their peers.

Beyond the effects on youth, one of the most disabling aspects of Albinism is the need to avoid the sun’s UV radiation. Depending on the severity of their illness, some patients may not have any tolerance for spending time outdoors during the daylight.

Because Albinism is a genetic disorder, it can’t be cured. Treatment focuses on monitoring the skin for abnormalities or signs of damage, as well as receiving regular eye exams and treatment to improve visual function when necessary. You may have a team of people around you such as a primary care doctor, doctors specializing in eye care (ophthalmologist), skin care (dermatologist), occupational therapists, and even geneticists.