EverAbility Group is an ever-evolving group of services committed to providing the services, support and spaces our community needs to live a rewarding and independent life.
We began as the Ladies’ Braille Society in 1913 transcribing Braille literature, home teaching, social work and advocacy. In 1923 we established the Rest Home for the Aged Blind at Victoria Park.
In 1951 Australia’s first Guide Dog training school was established in Perth. Visit Guide Dogs WA to read more about the early history of Guide Dogs in Western Australia. Formally merging in 1977, the Braille Society and Guide Dogs for the Blind became the Association for the Blind of WA. We then extended our vision services to include recreation, orientation and mobility, early intervention, technology and library services.
In 2007 The Perron Centre was opened in honour of the late Mr L.S. (Stan) Perron, who was a generous supporter of the blind and vision community for over 50 years. The Centre was funded through the ‘Building our Vision Campaign’ which raised an amazing $14.5 million.
After much deliberation and research it soon became clear that the reference to ‘blind’ in our name was a significant barrier for people accessing our services. Therefore in 2013, our name was changed to VisAbility. With only five per cent of people with vision impairment experiencing total blindness, many Western Australians living with low vision were missing out on vital services.
In 2016 VisAbility launched services in Tasmania, after Guide Dogs Tasmania voted to merge with VisAbility at a special general meeting of its members. This was an exciting opportunity to work with the Tasmanian team to introduce new services such as Occupational Therapy for adults and children, Assistive Technology and Orthoptics.
In 2020 our group launched a new children’s therapy service – Kites Children’s Therapy in Western Australia and Tasmania. As part of the EverAbility Group family, Kites provides personalised early intervention support, advice and solutions that transform the lives of children living with disability or developmental challenges.
Also in 2020, a new vision for the Perron Centre emerged as Perron Place – an inclusive community hub. The vision for Perron Place is to provide a diverse and vibrant community for people of all abilities, through fun and inclusive activities and services.
In light of all these changes we took time to look at the organisational philosophy across all brands. We examined our vision, our values, and the way we interact with our community.
It was time for a new name, a name that better represents what all of our brands are about: EverAbility Group – a family of brands committed to inclusion and independence for all.
Our growing group provides the choices and support people of all ages and abilities need to live a rewarding, independent life.