Oral Health Familiarisation Clinics Win WA Disability Support Award

We are honoured to announce that our Oral Health Familiarisation Clinics, held in partnership with Curtin University, have received the Excellence in Innovation Award at the 2026 WA Disability Support Awards.

This award recognises new or innovative approaches to services and supports that improve inclusion, choice, and independence for people with disability.

Since 2020, the Oral Health Familiarisation Clinics have offered inclusive, person-centred dental care that shows what is possible when healthcare is shaped around the needs of individuals with Autism.

Co-designed with Autistic children, adolescents, adults, and their families, lived experience guided every step. The outcome is clinics that reimagine oral health care: removing barriers and making dental services more accessible for everyone.

Hundreds of people have attended the clinics, some returning to dental care after years away – a testament to the trust built between patients and practitioners.

“This program began with a simple question: what if healthcare adapted to Autistic people, rather than expecting Autistic people to adapt to healthcare? The Oral Health Familiarisation Clinic grew from that idea, shaped directly by Autistic children, adolescents, adults, and their families. It has been a privilege to learn from their insights and to see the difference that genuine collaboration can make.

This initiative also highlights what’s possible not only for dental care, but for healthcare more broadly. Curtin’s oral health students showed real commitment — they listened, learned, adapted, and went above and beyond to create safe, respectful experiences. Their openness and effort show how inclusive, person-centered care can become part of everyday practice, no matter the setting.

Advocacy sits at the heart of this work. Our health project is grounded in systemic advocacy — changing not just individual experiences, but the structures that shape them. This program is a powerful example of what becomes possible when we redesign care around people. We hope this model continues to grow and helps make inclusive oral healthcare the norm, not the exception.”

Grace

Director Policy Planning and Development and Project Lead, Autism Association of WA

At this year’s awards, the Postitive Behaviour Support Academy was nominated in the Excellence in Innovation category and Residential Support Worker, John Gahungu, was named Highly Commended in the Excellence in Disability Support Work category.

Our AIM Employment team also played a part in Brightwater Linen’s acknowledgement as a finalist in the Excellence in Supporting Employment Outcomes category.

The evening was an incredible celebration of people who provide the highest standard of support: demonstrating excellence, passion, vision, and commitment to increase the quality of life and inclusion of people with disability. Well done to all other award nominees, finalists and winners throughout WA!