Short History

SPIRAL Inc began on 26 April 1981.  A group of fifty people on the Sunshine Coast met that day to discuss their shared dilemma as parents of adult and near-adult children with profound intellectual and physical disabilities. Respite services did not exist to support their children’s complex disabilities, outside of institutions, and trained assistance available for their children in their day-to-day lives or access the general community.

For these reasons, the parents decided to organise a Government disability needs survey for their region.  Next, they themselves created a program of recreational activities for their children at a local Baptist church hall.  From this, a day care centre and program of community access emerged - almost entirely run by volunteers. 

Eventually, the parents created an incorporated not-for-profit organisation. They called themselves SPIRAL Inc. (Severely and Profoundly Retarded Adults League, later changed to Supporting People In Respite And Lifestyles).  SPIRAL Inc. took on Government funding, hired professional staff and established houses where adults with severe disabilities could live independently full-time within the general community through skilled, rostered support.

As the years rolled by, SPIRAL Inc acquired specially fitted buses and a fleet of cars to enable it to provide day outings and transport to community activities for the scores of adults with severe disabilities scattered around the region. At the same time, SPIRAL Inc expanded to larger premises. 

SPIRAL Inc developed bases in other areas (Noosa and Caloundra regions) and fine-tuned its training programs to build up teams of professional, multi-skilled care workers.  Now SPIRAL Inc. focuses on day respite services, and is renowned for its unique role of providing highly specialised, individualised care, recreation and learning that meets the needs of adults with various multiple disabilities including autism, cerebral palsy and downs syndrome.

The Association’s objects are:

a.    To enhance the quality of life for people with multiple disabilities, including an intellectual disability, and their carers.

b.    Recognition of the right of people with disabilities to participate freely within the community, assisted by quality service delivery, skilled trained staff, adequate funding and facilities that meet their needs.

SPIRAL Inc is a non-profit community based organisation and is funded through HACC (Home And Community Care) and DS (Disability Services).

We as an organisation are committed to providing service users focused programs in accordance with State, National and International legislation.

What we do and want to achieve

Spiral Inc. strives to facilitate community participation and inclusion by developing and facilitating strategies for individual participation in carious community settings, functions and activities to enhance the psychological wellbeing and lifestyle of a person with a disability.

SPIRAL Inc. bases its services and supports ion a social and rights-based model, supporting Social Role Valorisation.

We do this by:

• Service user focused – striving to achieve personal goals
• Advocacy
• Service attributes:

- Empowerment

- Motivation

- Flexible and adaptable

- Care, tolerant and compassion

• Excelling in community access
• Variety of centre based and community activities and involvement
• Provision and unique service
• Family orientated
• Provision of transport
• Supportive and professional staff including: 

- Diversity

- Good staff to service user rations

- Fun and friendly work environment and culture

- Excellent team work

- Strong leadership

- Ongoing commitment to training and continuous improvement

- Problem solving