The National Assistance Card team attended the 9th Annual Brain Injury Conference in Adelaide, engaging with individuals, families, and professionals to raise awareness about the Card’s benefits.
The National Assistance Card team was proud to participate in the 9th Annual Brain Injury Conference, held from Tuesday 24th to Thursday 26th September 2024 at Adelaide Oval, South Australia.
The conference, organised by Brain Injury Australia in partnership with Business Events Adelaide and the Government of South Australia, is one of the premier events in the disability sector, focusing on improving services and supports for people living with brain injury.
The National Assistance Card team hosted a stall that attracted a wide range of interest from attendees, including people with brain injury, their families, allied health professionals, and service providers.
“It was pleasing to see the interest at the stall, with people from all across Australia coming to find out more about the National Assistance Card,” said Rosie, National Assistance Card Program Manager.
“The Conference was a great opportunity to spread awareness," she continues, "particularly of the Card’s national availability for people with brain injury.”
The National Assistance Card team shared exciting news about the Card’s upcoming national rollout for autistic people, set to launch towards the end of 2024 following a successful trial in Tasmania. This expansion will make the National Assistance Card accessible to a new community, further extending its support.
Meeting Cardholders and Gathering Feedback
In addition to connecting with new audiences, the conference allowed the National Assistance Card team to meet existing cardholders.
One cardholder, Hailey, a young stroke survivor who presented at the conference, spoke with the team about her experience with the Card. Hailey's story is featured on the Stroke Foundation’s website, and her testimonial underscores the positive impact the card has had on her life.
Stroke Foundation have generously dedicated a whole page of their website to the National Assistance Card and detailed more about Hailey's story and experience with the National Assistance Card.
“The National Assistance Card has been a game changer for me. It has given me the confidence and reassurance to go out and access the community to the best of my abilities, independently.” (Hailey, cardholder)
“It was wonderful to meet cardholders in person and hear firsthand how the card has been useful to them,” said Rosie.
This kind of feedback is crucial in helping the National Assistance Card team refine its services and continue to meet the needs of its users. Speaking with both cardholders and potential cardholders also provided valuable insights into areas where the team can improve its outreach, particularly in rural and remote communities.
Connecting with Service Providers
Engaging with service providers was another key focus at the conference.
By connecting with professionals who work directly with people living with brain injury, the team was able to demonstrate how the National Assistance Card can be an essential communication tool.
“It was important to raise awareness among service providers and allied health professionals about how the Card can support their clients,” Rosie explained. “We see this as a vital step in making sure the Card reaches as many people as possible.”
Continuing to Raise Awareness
The conference was also an opportunity to showcase the Card’s resources, including promotional materials and examples of how the Card works.
Attendees were able to explore the functionality of the Card by scanning example QR codes and watching videos that demonstrated the Card's use in various real-life scenarios, such as during travel or while visiting public spaces, like a cafe.
The team also distributed over 600 brochures, sharing essential information about the Card’s benefits and how to apply.
Looking ahead, the National Assistance Card team is eager to build on the interest generated at the conference and continue raising awareness across Australia. “We received a lot of expressions of interest, and we are now following up with service providers, allied health professionals, brain injury organisations and peer support programs, individuals, and families,” Rosie added.
For more information on the Brain Injury Conference, please visit https://braininjuryconference.com.au/
