About

The Defence Special Needs Support Group Inc is a non-profit benevolent volunteer organisation established to assist Navy, Army and Air Force families with a family member with special needs. The group was formed in late 1993 but went Tri-Service in 1994, the International Year of the Family, as a small group of Defence families were brought together by a common bond – they all had a family member with “special needs” and they found it frustrating finding appropriate services due to being mobile. The families decided that it was easier helping each other out with information and support, rather than going it alone. The Defence Special Needs Support Group Inc. has now grown into a well respected national organisation with many local support groups and currently have approx 1190 Serving Members and combined Dependants of 3450, these dependents include spouses, Special Needs Children, Dependants 18 plus, and Dependants without Special needs. Families are located both around Australia and overseas. The group provides support, information, assistance and advocacy for all ADF families who have a dependent(child, spouse or another dependent) with special needs. The DSNSG Co-Patrons are the Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel The Hon Darren Chester MP and General Angus Campbell AC, DSC, Chief of Defence Force. National Ambassador is Air Commodore Henrik Ehlers, AM,

Find out more about the DSNSG

  • What are special needs?
  • What we do
  • Services we provide
  • Who we are
  • Achievements and future directions

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need to be recognised with a dependant with special needs to be apart of DSNSG? No, you can become of a member of DSNSG at any time, DSNSG could be of some guidance for those going through diagnoses stage.

How do you join the Facebook page? To be a member on the Facebook page, you must become a member of DSNSG. On the membership form, there is a section for option of joining the page. You can become a member by visiting our website on www.dsnsg.org.au If you go the section called "Get Assistance" you will find the PDF Membership Form.

Who Do I contact to change my details?: For changes of details, please email Memberships on memberships@dsnsg.org.au with your previous address and name and new details.

How does DSNSG protect the confidentiality of our personal information:
It is our responsibility to ensure that reasonable steps are taken to ensure that the information we collect is accurate, complete, up-to-date, and relevant to the support and services we provided. DSNSG can only release personal information about a person with that person’s expressed permission in writing. For personal information to be released, the person concerned must sign a "release of consent form".

Sensitive information must not be collected unless the individual has consented or in some special circumstances as required by law, such as public health and safety.

When collecting information from families please ensure that the person from whom the personal information is collected is aware:
• Of Defence Special Needs Support Group
• Why the information is being collected
• To whom the information will be disclosed to eg. National Committee, General Manager

We also have an obligation to protect our members when releasing photos, no photos can be shared unless "Photo Consent" form has been signed by those in the photos. Photo Consent Form

For Defence Special Needs Support Group Inc. (DSNSG), the health and wellbeing of our Coordinators, members, the Defence community, veterans and the wider community is of great importance to the National Executive Committee (NEC) and General Manager, Kim Collins. COVID-19 continues to affect the society around the world and at the present moment is evolving quickly.

In light of the Australian Government’s advice, the NEC has made the difficult decision to cancel all DSNSG Family Events for the foreseeable future to ensure the health and safety of members, coordinators and the greater community.

Some DSNSG programs such as FYI and Drive safe may also be impacted. More information will be provided if this changes.

People who have been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 should monitor their health and seek medical advice. Everyone please practice good hygiene and keep your distance from others who may be ill or vulnerable. Please follow official health advice in relation to self-isolation, which currently includes if returning from overseas. During this time, monitor your health closely. If you develop symptoms such as fever and cough, you should seek medical attention, Please ring 1800 020 080 or visit https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert
For more information.

On behalf of the NEC, I would like to thank you for your understanding and patience in these challenging times. If you have any further questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact 1800 037 674 or the NEC, nationalcommittee@dsnsg.org.au