About Us

During June 2008 the then Minister of Disability the Honourable Jay Weatherill met with DIRC’s Chairman and Director and requested that we develop a business plan on how DIRC can support people with a disability who may receive individual funding support packages.

DIRC’s Board and staff undertook research into the services that national and international organisations were providing and the services that DIRC could offer.

It was noted that there was a deficit in South Australia for an independent, ethical service to link people with a disability to services that matched their individual needs.

We identified that DIRC:

• has long standing relationships with more than 930 state and national disability service providers & government agencies
• has committed, professional and experienced staff who seek to empower people with a disability
• has a committed board who seek new opportunities to further develop the services to people with a disability
• has no conflict of interest to ensuring that the interests of each client remains paramount

With these things in mind DIRC’s Board and Management began to develop The Path Service and documented the structure and function of the service.

The Path Service Broker will:

• Relate on a personal level with individuals, families and friends
• Know how to seek out and access information
• Have up to date information on service providers in the government and non government sectors
• Help individuals to prepare their own Person Centred Plan
• Prepare contracts which specify rights, obligations and responsibilities
• Estimate costs of services and prepare financial plans and budgets
• Negotiate with services providers
• Liaise between service providers, individuals and their social network
• Negotiate on behalf of individuals
• Ensure that services offered meet the needs of the individual