FAMILY RESOURCE AND NETWORK SERVICES (“FRANS”)

FRANS, located in Sydney, provides a diverse array of support services to people with disabilities and their families/carers in the local government areas of Ashfield, Burwood, Canada Bay, Canterbury, Leichhardt, Marrickville and Strathfield.

FRANS delivers community-based programs replacing the more traditional model of care that was delivered in large institutions. On behalf of families, FRANS actively solicits alternate and recurrent funding to prevent the need for families to resort to the external residential care option. Intellectual disability and/or developmental delay are the targets of services but programs for a broad range of other disabilities are provided for as well.

FRANS host a series of four discos a year for young people with disabilities in the Inner West. Each disco attracts approximately one hundred participants and their families/carers. FRANS has been hosting these discos for more than ten years providing the opportunity for young people with disabilities to be involved in new music and fashion. Participants relish these discos as a means of sharing that interest with their friends. The discos provide a unique opportunity for young people with disabilities to share similar experiences to other young people in a safe environment – an experience that would otherwise not be provided to them.

FRANS disco address a critical shortfall in social and recreational events for young people with disabilities. The discos provide an opportunity for participants to:

• Socialize together in safe environment
• Access social events in line with mainstream counterparts
• Enjoy contemporary music with friends

The Mary Potter Trust Foundation has provided the funding for three discos to be held throughout 2007.

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