RDAV launches urgent appeal: 1000 Victorians with disability still waiting to belong
Riding for the Disabled Association Victoria
Youth volunteers with rider Piper and Pony Jackson
Key Facts:
Over 1,000 Victorians with disabilities are waiting to access Riding for the Disabled Association of Victoria (RDAV) programmes, prompting a fundraising campaign to raise $300,000 by 30 June.
RDAV currently serves 600+ participants across 33 centres with support from 1,200+ volunteers and 200+ horses, but receives no ongoing government operational funding.
The organisation provides equine-assisted activities that improve participants' confidence, emotional wellbeing, balance, coordination and social connection.
$120,000 has already been raised towards the target, with funds to be used for expanding participant access, horse welfare, volunteer training, improved accessibility and adaptive equipment.
RDAV is seeking tax-deductible donations, corporate sponsorships and community support to help clear waiting lists and enable more Victorians to access their services.
More than 1,000 Victorians living with disability are currently waiting for the chance to participate in Riding for the Disabled Association of Victoria (RDAV) programs—prompting a statewide appeal for donations and corporate support before June 30.
Following a recent Channel 9 News feature highlighting the impact of its work, RDAV has renewed its “Waiting to Belong” campaign.
The organisation is aiming to raise $300,000 before June 30 to help more than 1,000 Victorians currently waiting for access to its programs.
RDAV has already raised more than $120,000 toward its end-of-financial-year target, but says strong community and corporate support is still needed to help clear growing waiting lists across Victoria.
For more than 50 years, RDAV has supported children and adults living with physical, intellectual,sensory and psychosocial disabilities through a network of 33 volunteer-run centres across Victoria.
Across the state, more than600 participants aged from three to 65 currently take part in RDAV programs, supported by more than 1,200 volunteers and over200horses.
But growing demand means more than 1,000 people are now waiting for a place.
RDAV President Tanya Twaits said the organisation is determined to help more people experience the confidence, connection and sense of belonging the programs create.
“For many participants and families, what happens at RDAV each week is genuinely life-changing,” Ms Twaits said.
“These programs build confidence, emotional wellbeing, physical movement and social connection —while reducing isolation for participants and families.
“But right now, too many Victorians are still waiting for that opportunity.” Unlike many disability service providers, RDAV receives no ongoing operational government funding and relies heavily on volunteers, donations and sponsorship support to deliver its programs safely.
Funds raised through the campaign will help expand participant access, horse welfare, trainvolunteers, improve accessibility and provide adaptive equipment across RDAV centres.
One RDAV parent described the impact of the program on her daughter as transformative.
“Tied to that joy is she’s working her core; she’s improving her balance, her posture, she’s having to concentrate, she’s working on her sensory issues because she’s out in the elements on a horse— and it’s something that brings her great, great joy. Shelooks forward to it every week.”
Research into equine-assisted activities continues to demonstrate significant benefits for people with disability, including improvements in confidence, emotional wellbeing, balance, coordination and social connection.
Ms Twaits said the recent media attention had reinforced how strongly the Victorian community connects with the mission behind the campaign. “The response to the Channel 9 story reminded us just how many people believe in what RDAV does,” she said.
“Now we’re asking the broader community and corporate sector to help us clear the waiting list and ensure more Victorians can move from waiting to belonging.”
RDAV is encouraging: • Individuals to make tax-deductible donations before June 30 • Businesses to explore sponsorship and partnership opportunities • Community members to support the campaign by sharing RDAV stories online
“Every donation, every sponsorship and every story shared helps move someone from waiting to belonging,” Ms Twaits said.
FAST FACTS • 33 RDAV centres across Victoria •600+ current participants • 1,000+ people currently on waiting lists • 1,200+ volunteers statewide •200+ horses supporting programs • Programs support people aged 3–65 • Campaign target: $300,000 before June 30 • More than $120,000 raised to date
