Albinism NDIS Support Services
Disability Support & Care Services
Albinism Information
A lot of people with Albinism live a normal and healthy life, however, sometimes symptoms from this condition can be life altering and occasionally even life threatening. There is no cure and treatment is aimed at easing the symptoms.
Albinism is caused by a reduced amount of melanin (or no melanin at all). Melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes and is the pigment that produces the colour found in your skin, hair, and eyes. Albinism is a lifelong condition with varying degrees depending on the severity of the genetic alteration. People who lack melanin in their body’s tissues have a characteristic appearance without pigmenting in some or all of their tissues. Symptoms can range from an absence of colour in the hair, skin, or eyes, lighter than normal colourings in these tissues, or even isolated patches of skin, eyes, or hair that have an absence of colour.
Albinism can also result in vision impairment which may include strabismus (cross eyes), photophobia (sensitivity to light), nystagmus (involuntary rapid eye movement), impaired vision or blindness, and astigmatism. These consequences can have a drastic effect on those living with this condition.
People with Albinism may have to limit their outdoor activities due to an increased sensitivity to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Excess sun exposure can significantly increase the risk of skin cancer and vision loss in some people living with this condition. Treatment is aimed at preventing the damaging effects of the UV radiation. Treatment options may include specialised eyeglasses and protective clothing, as well as general avoidance of the sun. In some cases, surgery on the eye’s muscles may be necessary to correct abnormal eye movement or remove skin lesions.
Why Choose Maple for Albinism Care?
At Maple Community Services, we focus on building strong relationships with each and every client that approaches us, providing you with the tools, supports, and access to services that will enable you to live independently and work towards achieving your goals.
Our priority is matching you with a like-minded Support Worker, someone who speaks your language, understands your goals, and is committed to ensuring you have all the necessary support you need to live your life to the fullest.
People choose Maple because we care. We are a group of professionals from all walks of life who want to make a difference in yours. Sometimes literally as 60% of clients and 80% of Support Workers come from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
The Maple Family will work with you to create a personalised approach to your support schedule and roll out. We will continually review and recommend support updates, playing a pivotal role in ensuring the support you receive are optimal for you to achieve your personal, social, and emotional wellbeing goals. We are renowned for our extremely fast turnaround and approval times for Referrals. Please reach out to us for help with your SIL, Core Support, Plan Management, and Support Coordination Referral.
What Does Our Albinism Care Involve?
We have four major categories of Albinism Support Services. Each support area contributes to your overall well-being and expands personal options to live a life that is most fulfilling.
By providing each of these elements, we help you set a course for greater independence with reliable support.Types of Albinism Support Services
Our team works one on one with you to help you with day-to-day activities, transport you wherever you may want to go, connect you with professional treatment services such as ophthalmologists and dermatologists, and connect you with likeminded people in the community.
Our support includes a full range of different services for you to choose which will best suit you. Options include any or all of the following:
If you suffer from a long term disability resulting from living with Albinism, it is likely covered by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), and you may be eligible for funding to use for our support services. The eligibility and level of funding will depend on the severity of your functional disability and needs. Most types of Albinism are categorised under List B for NDIS funding, though you may need further functional assessment prior to being approved for NDIS funding.
To become an NDIS participant, you need to provide evidence of your health condition but a specific diagnosis is not required. NDIS support is contingent on how the condition impacts you and your daily activities, rather than the diagnosis itself, and that’s where our Albinism specialists can help you.
The NDIS aims to provide improved access to high quality, personalised, and innovative supports and services to enhance the independence, and social and economic participation of people living with disabilities, as well as their carers.
The NDIS funds several critical services for people living with Albinism. These services include personal care support, community access support, nutritional support, skills development, transport, household tasks, and behavioural support. Plan Management and Support Coordination Funding are almost always offered to NDIS Participants when they receive their plan. The types and amounts of funding available are determined according to the level of functional capacity.
By partnering with Maple Community Services, together, we can help you identify your priorities and outline a support plan that provides the specific services you need, enabling you to lead a fulfilling life.
How Does Albinism Affect Daily Life?
Children and adults with Albinism often use specialised glasses and optical aides to enhance their vision. These therapies may make a child with Albinism feel isolated, not only by their physical appearance, but also in their activities in everyday life. This perception of being different can lead to hardships in social situations and many youths with Albinism simply want to seem “normal” and fit in with their peers.
Beyond the effects on youth, one of the most disabling aspects of Albinism is the need to avoid the sun’s UV radiation. Depending on the severity of their illness, some patients may not have any tolerance for spending time outdoors during the daylight.
Skills & Qualifications of our Albinism Support Workers
Our Support Workers for Albinism have studied and trained diligently to understand and respond to the needs of people living with Albinism. You can feel confident and at ease with our Support Workers’ exceptional skills and qualifications. We pride ourselves on our years of experience providing Albinism Support.
What Kind of Albinism Medical Assistance is Needed?
Because Albinism is a genetic disorder, it can't be cured. Treatment focuses on monitoring the skin for abnormalities or signs of damage, as well as receiving regular eye exams and treatment to improve visual function when necessary. You may have a team of people around you such as a primary care doctor, doctors specializing in eye care (ophthalmologist), skin care (dermatologist), occupational therapists, and even geneticists.
We build relationships​
To us, you are not just a number, or an account, or even just an individual; you are an integral part of our community. Our priority is getting to know you as a person, building a supportive team around your needs, and helping you achieve what you set out to.
We are experts
Our Team is comprised of highly experienced Support Workers and Management Staff; all from varying walks of life. We work hard to match you up with the best Support Workers around; those that can speak your language, have the same interests, and have experience working with like-minded people.
We are committed
Whether it’s 9pm on a Wednesday or 11am on a Sunday; our team is always active, committed to ensuring you have the supports you need in place when you need them. We are committed to providing the best Customer Service in the industry, and that’s why people choose us!
The Maple Commitment
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