Read what is happening in our world, your world, and the wonderful disability community in general.
Creating a more inclusive society: Play your part
March 17, 2026
Everybody has a role to play in increasing inclusion. These simple steps show how to get started on creating more inclusive communities.
Standing together: Strengthening our advocacy voice
February 24, 2026
If you are interested in being involved in advocacy with Melba – whether by sharing your story, contributing to case studies, or simply learning more about the work we are doing – we encourage you to reach out. Your experience, perspective and voice matter.
Safe and enjoyable meals research needs your input
February 24, 2026
We’re teaming up with Onemda, the University of Technology Sydney, Speech Pathology Australia and Professor Jeff Chan on an important and exciting research project focused on making mealtimes safer and more enjoyable for people with disability and dysphagia living in supported accommodation.
Access to intimacy is for everyone
February 24, 2026
The Having a Say conference is always a great way to start the year. This year, we gave two presentations showcasing the great workshops we now offer for parents, carers and other support networks offering practical tips for talking about intimacy.
Melba joins fight against cervical cancer
January 23, 2026
Melba Support Services has been awarded a $50,000 grant from Cancer Council Victoria to increase awareness and knowledge of cervical screening among people with disability. The funding will be used to improve access to cervical screening for people aged 24 to 74, along with their families and key supports.
New Barbie breaking down barriers
January 16, 2026
Mattel this week unveiled its first Barbie doll with autism, offering a welcome level of representation for children with autism and their families. Melba CEO Hayley Dean said the doll would help children with autism “feel truly seen” and would also challenge perceptions that autism was more represented in males.
Able Meet
| Join us at the Melton Able Meet on 18 September 2025. Melba can also support you to attend using your individual support arrangement (ISA). Get in touch with us today to discuss your support needs to attend this expo. |
Arthur Creative Art Exhibitions
Join us for some upcoming Arthur Creative art exhibitions and end of year performances. Melba can also support you to attend using your individual support arrangement (ISA). Get in touch with us today to discuss your support needs to attend these events.
Community forum
We are holding a community forum to talk about a possible new location for a Community Connections day program in Bacchus Marsh. This forum will be an opportunity to share ideas, hear wider community perspectives, and discuss the potential benefits and considerations of establishing Community Connections in the area. If you know someone who might like to find out more, please encourage them to attend.
Everything Disability Expo
| Join us at the Everything Disability Expo from 18-19 July 2025. Melba can also support you to attend using your individual support arrangement (ISA). Get in touch with us today to discuss your support needs to attend this expo. |
Games for All – Online
Join our next online social event. Hosted online by Melba Support Services, this is a great chance to meet other people with disability, make new connections, build community, and have fun while enjoying a few games.
Local Disability Expo
Come along to the 2025 Local Disability Expo at Langwarrin Park Primary School, Northgateway, Langwarrin on 11 October 2025, 11am to 3pm.
Mates and Dates Focus Groups
We want to hear from you! Are you living with a disability in Victoria? Join our online focus groups to tell us what you want from our next Mates & Dates events. Our Mates & Dates events cover a range of in person events that we run across Victoria to help people with disability make new connections, whether that be meeting new friends, socialising or dating. Ahead of launching our 2025 event season we’d love to hear from you about what you want these events to look like.
Melbourne Disability Connection Expo
Join us at the Melbourne Disability Connection Expo on Friday 3 to Saturday 4 October, 10am to 4pm. Melba can also support you to attend using your individual support arrangement (ISA). Get in touch with us today to discuss your support needs to attend this conference.
Midsumma Carnival
Join us at the Midsumma Carnival to explore our stall with your chance to win some prizes. Melba can also support you to attend using your individual support arrangement (ISA). Get in touch with us today to discuss your support needs to attend these events.
Midsumma Pride March
Join us at Pride March 2026! We will be loudly and proudly attending the Midsumma Pride March in St Kilda to show our support for the LGBTQIA+ community. Melba can also support you to attend using your individual support arrangement (ISA). Get in touch with us today to discuss your support needs to attend these events.
Open House
Join us at an upcoming open house event showcasing Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) that Melba offers Supported Independent Living (SIL) in.
Parents, Friends and Families Workshop
Talking with your loved ones about friendships, relationships and intimacy can be tricky. As parents, family and friends, we often worry that talking about it can be risky.
This workshop will help you feel more confident to have these conversations. It will give you ideas about the best topics to cover, tips for talking and opportunities to practice so you can support your loved one to develop knowledge and skills that give them power and control to keep themselves safe, while also having a fulfilling life. The four modules we’ll cover are:- Introduction and Setting The Stage
- Human Sexual Development
- Tips For Talking and Teachable Moments
- Responding to Behaviours
Parents, Friends and Families Workshop – Melba family and friends
This event is open to Melba parents, friends and family only. Talking with your loved ones about friendships, relationships and intimacy can be tricky. As parents, family and friends, we often worry that talking about it can be risky. This workshop will help you feel more confident to have these conversations. It will give you ideas about the best topics to cover, tips for talking and opportunities to practice so you can support your loved one to develop knowledge and skills that give them power and control to keep themselves safe, while also having a fulfilling life. The four modules we’ll cover are:
- Introduction and Setting The Stage
- Human Sexual Development
- Tips For Talking and Teachable Moments
- Responding to Behaviours
Source Kids Disability Expo
Join us at the Source Kids Disability Expo from 11-12 April 2025. Melba can also support you to attend using your individual support arrangement (ISA). Get in touch with us today to discuss your support needs to attend this conference.
The Disability Events Community
Come meet us at the upcoming Community Disability Expos. Melba can also support you to attend using your individual support arrangement (ISA). Get in touch with us today to discuss your support needs to attend this expo.
The Misfit Project
VALID Having a Say Conference
We’re very excited to be the returning sponsor for VALID’s annual Having a Say Conference. Join us for this exciting event from Tuesday 27 – Thursday 29 January 2026. Melba can also support you to attend using your individual support arrangement (ISA). Get in touch with us today to discuss your support needs to attend this conference.
July 2025
July 17, 2025
June 2025
June 11, 2025
May 2025
May 8, 2025
April 2025
April 8, 2025
March 2025
March 21, 2025
Summer 2024
November 28, 2024
Can you believe it’s December? As we near the end of 2024, I hope you all take a moment tomorrow to recognise International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD). IDPwD has come a long way since it began as International Day of Disabled Persons in 1992. It has grown into a globally recognised and…
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Melba Support Services acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises First Peoples’ continuing connection to lands, waters, and community. We pay our respects to Elders past and present who carry the memories, traditions, cultures, and aspirations of First Peoples, and who forge the path ahead for future leaders.