Our Story
Focal is a well established local provider of disability support services. At Focal we support people of all ages and needs in their homes and the community. Through a person- centred approach, we are building a brighter tomorrow for people with disability throughout South-East Queensland.
For those we support, it’s all about building their capacity to exercise freedom, choice and control. We work alongside each participant as advocates – to help them maximise and implement all the supports in their plan including informal, mainstream, community, formal and funded supports.
Our History
In 1968, Queensland changed its health service focus and the Ipswich Special Hospital became the Challinor Centre. Challinor provided training and care for the ‘intellectually handicapped’, to develop the capacity of people with intellectual disability.
In 1973, Challinor Centre staff went on strike. In response, volunteers and family members went in to help the residents, who realised that their standard of care could be improved. In a community meeting that followed, everyone recognised the need of a support organisation for Challinor Centre residents—who either had no family, or had family that could not see them.
In February 1974, the Friends of Challinor Aid League (F.O.C.A.L.) was born. Parents, the church community, parliamentarians, and the general public came to show their support at Focal’s inaugural meeting.
Our History
In 1968, Queensland changed its health service focus and the Ipswich Special Hospital became the Challinor Centre. Challinor provided training and care for the ‘intellectually handicapped’, to develop the capacity of people with intellectual disability.
In 1973, Challinor Centre staff went on strike. In response, volunteers and family members went in to help the residents, who realised that their standard of care could be improved. In a community meeting that followed, everyone recognised the need of a support organisation for Challinor Centre residents—who either had no family, or had family that could not see them.
In February 1974, the Friends of Challinor Aid League (F.O.C.A.L.) was born. Parents, the church community, parliamentarians, and the general public came to show their support at Focal’s inaugural meeting.
Our Focus
Focal’s legacy of doing what’s best for people with disability lives on. While we have expanded our services to include disability accommodation, support coordination, individual support and group support. The needs and wants of the individual are still at the centre of everything Focal does.
We actively promote the rights of our customers, and support them to be independent. We do this by providing a range of dynamic individual and group services, which are designed to accommodate the needs of individuals and their carers.
Our Focus
Focal’s legacy of doing what’s best for people with disability lives on. While we have expanded our services to include disability accommodation, support coordination, individual support and group support. The needs and wants of the individual are still at the centre of everything Focal does.
We actively promote the rights of our customers, and support them to be independent. We do this by providing a range of dynamic individual and group services, which are designed to accommodate the needs of individuals and their carers.
