Information for Councils
Community Resource: Supporting Participation for Adults on the Autism Spectrum (18+)
Structured online participation for adults on the autism spectrum (18+)
🔷 Community Resource for Councils
Supporting Participation & Inclusion for Adults on the Autism Spectrum (18+)
Aspire Clubhouse is a national online community resource supporting adults on the autism spectrum (18+) to engage in structured, accessible participation beyond formal education.
🔷 Supporting Council Priorities
Aspire Clubhouse supports local government objectives aligned with the Disability Inclusion Action Plan by:
- Increasing participation in community life
- Reducing social isolation
- Providing accessible, low-barrier engagement options
- Supporting pathways to employment, volunteering, and skill development
- Reaching residents who may not engage in in-person services
A scalable, low-cost solution that complements and extends existing local initiatives
🔷 Why This Matters
Nearly two-thirds (63.3%) of Australians with disability experience barriers to community participation (ABS, 2022).
For adults on the autism spectrum, these challenges are often compounded by:
- Sensory and environmental barriers
- Communication differences
- Limited access to autism-informed programs
🔷 What Aspire Clubhouse Provides
- 🧩 Structured, small-group online activities
- 📅 Predictable, low-pressure participation
- 🌱 Skill development and employment preparation
- 🤝 Supported social connection
- 🌏 Accessible for regional, remote, or home-based participants
🔷 How Councils Can Use This Resource
- Include in community directories
- Share through disability inclusion networks
- Feature in newsletters or community updates
- Provide as a referral option for residents
No cost to councils. No referral required.
🔷 NEW: Help Shape the Pilot Program (Co-Design Opportunity)
As Aspire Clubhouse prepares for its founding program series, councils are invited to contribute insights to help ensure activities reflect local needs and priorities.
This is a practical opportunity to:
- Inform the types of activities offered
- Highlight gaps in current community provision
- Ensure relevance for adults on the autism spectrum in your municipality
- Contribute to an inclusive, evidence-informed pilot model
👉 Share Your Input (2 - 5 minutes)
The form includes:
- Proposed activity areas (e.g. education & skill building, employment & community participation, health & wellbeing, recreational & social participation)
- The ability to select priority activities
- Space to suggest additional ideas or local considerations
Input is open to all stakeholders (no membership required)
🔷 Add to Your Community Directory
MORE INFORMATION:
🔷 About Aspire Clubhouse
Aspire Clubhouse is a fully online social enterprise supporting adults on the autism spectrum (18+) to build skills, independence, and social connection across all life stages.
Programs are designed using:
- Trauma-informed practice
- Co-design principles
- Small-group delivery
Participants can access structured, low-cost sessions aligned with their goals, with flexibility to engage at their own pace.
- $20 per one-hour online session (ongoing participation)
- Participants may choose to attend one online session (of one hour duration) per week, or more, depending on their interests, needs and budget
- Open to both NDIS and non-NDIS participants
- No referral required
Other Reference Links
- Program Overview – How Aspire Clubhouse Works
- Share your input(2 - 5 minutes) – Input Invited on Aspire Clubhouse's Pilot / Founding Series
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)