As New Horizons celebrates its 50th anniversary as a community service provider, I have been reflecting on the changes in the NFP industry, and thinking about the advancements that are yet to come. The disability and mental-health sector has made some incredible advancements, but we should always strive to continually improve.

Fifty years ago the disability and mental-health sector was an entirely different landscape. It lacked funding and had little support from the government, which offered only a small “invalid” pension and limited housing options.

Healthcare was out of reach for many low-income families, while employment for people with disability was almost impossible to find. Overall, awareness of how people with disability could contribute positively to society was low.

This started to change in the late 1960s and early ’70s, but progress was slow and people with disability were just starting to gain a voice in society. Support started to grow through mission-based and faith-based organisations, demand mostly being driven by friends and families of people with disability.

New Horizons started a world-first social enterprise in a small garage in Sydney, providing meaningful employment to people with disability. Being a social enterprise meant we applied tried-and-tested business principles to solve social issues, something few people were doing.

Turning point

A turning point for awareness came with the launch in 1981 of the International Year of Disabled Persons, which ushered a once-taboo topic on to the international stage. This led to opportunities for people with disability starting to open, and New Horizons helped lead the way by opening an Australian Disability Enterprise (ADE) packaging centre in North Ryde. It is still active, and many employees have been with us for more than 20 years.

Further progress since has included care programs, the 1992 Disability Discrimination Act and, in 2008, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The latest shakeup is the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), a welcome change that not only offers choice and control, but also furthers the voice of people with disability.

With the NDIS, the sector has had to adapt and create sustainable business models to meet the needs of people with disability within the framework of the new funding structure. This has required a shift in NFP thinking and internal structures.

However, many NFPS are struggling to maintain a sustainable business. We have already seen some providers cut back their services or withdraw from the market because of the challenges brought by these changes. Like any organisation, New Horizons has had to navigate the changes and look at the best way forward. However, staying successful is possible if you are agile and adapt.

As a social enterprise, New Horizons has always kept abreast of business developments, which has stood the organisation in good stead for a competitive market. We have always said that while we are not for profit, we still believe in being profitable as this enables us to invest back into supporting those who need it most.

Specialist help

Moving into a competitive environment has meant that many organisations, like New Horizons, have had to bring in specialist expertise to help make their business sustainable. For NFPs this can be a challenge, but it is important to remember that despite the upfront investment required, having people with expertise in running and managing a business will ultimately drive sustainability and profit.

We have been lucky enough to have a board that understands the intricacies of business, and has a range of skills and expertise to help guide the organisation. We have also chosen to take on new staff members with specialised knowledge and experience in the areas of business we need to expand and progress. So while the NDIS has brought fresh challenges, we have chosen to embrace them and relish the opportunity to improve.

We are proud to have made a significant impact on so many lives over 50 years, and to have developed a sustainable business that will enable us to continue to support people. With increased competition, NFPs need to lay the groundwork now if they are to stay successful and innovative. There have been significant improvements to the quality of life for people with disability, but there is still much we can do to ensure we continue to deliver the right support.

Together, the NFP disability sector can continue to lead the way and ensure the next 50 years are equally innovative and progressive.

Judi Higgin, CEO of New Horizons.