Local startup helps Queenslanders with a disability kick health and fitness goals

The digital platform creates personalised fitness plans according to each participants’ strength and mobility and goals.

Fitness plans are continually adjusted after each workout depending on how easy or difficult participants found the movements.

Able Digital Wellness also supports healthy eating with hundreds of dietitian-prepared recipes and eating tips developed with expert help from Griffith University’s School of Health.

The Queensland-based company was established by Scott Chapman and Tim Black when Scott saw his nephew’s health deteriorate after moving into disability care.

“When my nephew moved into a disability care home he put on a significant amount of weight in a short amount of time. Although his support staff were great, Dan took his choices and freedom to a new level. I looked at him and went ‘you’re going to become one of these statistics where you’re dead by the time you’re 50 just because you’ve got a disability’,” says Scott.

“What we’ve found is your disability support worker is your gateway to endless opportunity and also your biggest barrier. If they aren’t exercise-inclined or someone who focusses on eating well, then they don’t suggest that kind of activity to the people they look after,” explains Scott.

After successfully receiving ActiveKIT grant funding, Able Digital Wellness used the money to improve the personalisation of plans to different disabilities and mobility needs.

“The idea with our exercises is that you have the ability to progress and regress based on your interaction with the content,” says Scott.

Able is already making a profound difference in the lives of Queenslanders with a disability by helping them be more active more often.

“We had a client in her 60s living in a Queensland Government disability service unit. She was overweight and used a mobility scooter to get around. Getting Able involved in her house meant she not only lost weight and improved her mobility, but she was also encouraged to be more confident in her ability to do more activities. When she started to lose weight there was less workload on the support staff to help her in and out of her chair. Which means there is less opportunity for injuries to staff and participants,” explains Scott.

Able Digital Wellness is also benefitting disability support workers and companies by equipping staff with tools to best help their clients.

“If you are relatively new to working in the industry it can be pretty confronting. If Able can help make residents happier, then you’ll lose less staff. If you lose less staff then Queenslanders will get better quality and consistency in their care. And this consistency will assist in both staff and client retention which is huge!” says Scott.

While Scott’s initial motivation to create Able was personal, his vision now extends beyond his family. His aim is to help as many Queenslanders with a disability as possible.

“Ultimately, Able can help lessen the drain on our public health system and the NDIS insurance scheme. But I think more importantly, it reduces statistics.”

Disability Action Week is from the 24^th of November to the 1^st of December. This year’s theme is accessible communication.