Amazing Services We Discovered at the Gold Coast Disability Expo
Recently, Amanda from Aruga Awhina attended the Gold Coast Disability Expo and wanted to share some of the incredible services, supports and community initiatives available for people living with disabilities and their families.
One of the best parts of attending events like this is discovering just how many passionate people and organisations are working hard to create more inclusive, supportive and empowering opportunities within our community.
Here are just a few of the amazing services that stood out to us.
An expo with green flooring, lots of different people are standing or sitting.
Skate Advantage
One of the most exciting services we came across was Skate Advantage.
These guys have developed specialised adaptive skate frames that allow people with balance difficulties, muscular conditions, or wheelchair users to experience skateboarding in a safe and inclusive way. Seeing accessibility and fun combined like this was genuinely inspiring.
They also have an upcoming community event called “Just Roll With It” happening on Saturday 4th July from 3pm–6pm at Pizzey Park Skatepark in Miami.
The event welcomes all ages, all abilities and the entire community. Activities include:
Extreme wheelchair clinics
Adaptive skate sessions
Beginner all-abilities clinics
Pro skater demonstrations
Music and food
We’re really looking forward to attending and supporting this fantastic event — and we’ll definitely report back afterwards.
You can find them on Instagram at @skateadvantage.
Brothers Support Network
Another service that really stood out was Brothers Support Network.
This organisation focuses on providing male support workers for male participants — something that can honestly be difficult to find within the disability sector.
While female support workers play an incredibly valuable role, there is something uniquely important about genuine male connection, mentorship and camaraderie that many male participants benefit from.
Brothers Support Network offers:
Community access supports
Assistance with daily living
Supported Independent Living (SIL)
Adventure days
Camps and weekend activities
They also specialise in supporting people living with:
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Acquired Brain Injuries (ABI)
Psychosocial disabilities
It was fantastic to see a service recognising the importance of connection, identity and shared experiences in support work.
Rize Support
Rize Support impressed us with their structured and engaging approach to day programs.
They operate from a dedicated support hub in Upper Coomera and had a full monthly activity plan available for participants to view — something that can make a huge difference for routine, planning and confidence.
Some of their June activities included:
Adaptive skateboarding
Community lunches
Cooking and grocery shopping skills
Dancing
Music therapy
They also provide transport to and from participants’ homes, making access much easier for families and individuals.
It was great to see such a proactive and organised approach to community participation.
MACS – Mobile Attendant Care Service
MACS provides an incredibly practical and flexible service that fills a real need in the community.
They offer short-term drop-in supports ranging from 15 minutes to 60 minutes, either scheduled or on-call.
This type of support can be invaluable for:
Medication assistance
Quick personal care supports
Carer relief
Last-minute help
Participants living in Individualised Living Options (ILO)
Sometimes people don’t need several hours of support — they just need someone reliable for a short period of time, and it’s wonderful to see a service catering specifically to that need.
Next Steps Creative Studio
Next Steps Creative Studio was another beautiful find from the expo.
Their studio offers creative workshops and craft sessions where participants can either attend casually for a one-off class or work on larger projects over several months.
What we loved most was the flexibility of the environment. Participants can choose quieter sessions for focused creative work or more social groups where they can connect and chat while creating.
Even more exciting — participants involved in longer-term projects may have the opportunity to sell their creations at community markets.
Creative expression, confidence building and social connection all in one place is something truly special.
Astris PME
Astris PME was a newer service to the Gold Coast that caught our attention immediately.
Originally based in Sydney, they’ve recently expanded locally and showcased a range of innovative mobility equipment that felt very different from the standard products many people are used to seeing.
Their equipment focuses on:
Customisation
Ease of use
Simple maintenance
Practical everyday function
One thing we particularly loved was that they offer free equipment trials, allowing individuals and families to explore what works best before making decisions.
Zip Mae Swimwear
Zip Mae Swimwear was another standout from the expo.
They create beautiful, sun-safe adaptive swimwear designed with both dignity and practicality in mind.
Their swimwear features discreet zip access for easier toileting support, while also maintaining a stylish and comfortable appearance. Some designs also include skirt overlays for additional coverage and confidence.
It was wonderful seeing adaptive clothing designed not only for function, but also for comfort, confidence and inclusivity.
A community working on plant arrangements at a table.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Gold Coast Disability Expo was an incredibly positive experience.
It was inspiring to meet so many passionate providers, businesses and advocates working hard to improve accessibility, inclusion and quality of life for people living with disabilities.
Events like this remind us how important community connection is — not only for participants and families, but also for providers who genuinely care about creating meaningful supports and opportunities.
We’re already looking forward to the next expo and discovering even more amazing services within our community.
