The sun was shining and the smiles were many as our clients celebrated access and inclusion in sport at the 2025 Australian Open’s All Abilities Day.
Thanks to the support of the Australian Open, 175 people from across Scope – including more than 80 clients and their support staff – had the opportunity to attend the tournament’s showcase of the diverse ways people of all abilities can enjoy tennis.
Clients could spectate the wheelchair tennis championships, hear from Dylan Alcott in a Q&A, watch live performances, and try different forms of inclusive tennis, including wheelchair, blind, deaf, and intellectual and autism tennis.
Clients, support workers and staff enjoying the Australian Open’s All Abilities Day.
Robert and Peter enjoying the tennis.
Robert from Bass Coast Social Connections – who is an avid tennis fan – spent his day watching the matches in Margaret Court Arena with his support person Peter.
“He likes to watch the tennis on the TV. He asks his mum or one of his support workers to put Sharapova on, one of his favourite players,” said Peter.
Robert also participates in an all-abilities tennis program, an instructor-led skills-based program for Bass Coast Social Connections clients. His support workers provide hand-over-hand active support so Robert can hold the tennis racquet – but his throw is his specialty.
“He’s a crack shot when he throws the ball!”
At Scope, we have a proud history of supporting inclusion in sport, including offering an inclusive hockey program and our clients pioneering Balloon Football League – a modified version of AFL to suit the needs of people with disability.
Annette Davis, General Manager of Therapy, said accessible sport and events like All Abilities Day are important for our clients.
"You can’t be what you can’t see, and it’s great for our clients to come here and see other kids and adults with disability – whether it a be physical disability or an invisible disability – participate in sport and be part of the community of sport," said Annette.
“We know sport is so important for physical and mental health, building confidence, social connectedness, and feeling a sense of belonging, so we’re really excited to have our clients participate. I’d like to thank the Australian Open for giving us this opportunity and the tickets for our clients who had a ball.”
Robert and Andrew:
Annette Davis:
Jock:
In July, we identified four issues involving underpayments that have affected how we pay some of our employees. We regret that this has occurred and are sorry for the impact this has had on employees who have been affected. Our people give so much every day, and it’s disappointing that we didn’t get this right.
Everyone loves to bop away to their favourite tunes and clients attending one of Scope’s newest Social Connections programs are no exception. Held quarterly, Phillip Island’s ‘Surf the Sound’ inclusive silent disco is fast becoming a favourite of many.
People with communication disabilities can more easily access services offered by the Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner (VLSB+C), which is now accredited with the internationally-recognised Communication Access Symbol from disability services provider Scope.
