In the 1980’s The Trust played a significant role in facilitating input by people with disabilities and their families into political decisions affecting their lives and their services. Candidates from all political parties were invited to meet with people with disabilities and their families in regular pre-election public forums. The Trust also created opportunities for people with disabilities and their families to have a say in the critical issues of the time.

The mid 1980's

The Trust moved from a pure advocacy and information model into service provision. The Trust was keen to utilise the knowledge gained from extensive involvement with people with disabilities and their families in order to create new models of service that came from a different values perspective to old restrictive and institutional models of service delivery.

The Trust commenced direct service provision through the operation of a Community Living Program, designed to support people with mild intellectual disabilities who were living independently in the community and Sport and recreational services. Both of these services represented significantly new service types at the time and were a prelude to programs that are ongoing at The Trust today.