Jones dedicated nearly twenty years to the telecommunications and IT industries in New Zealand, where he was instrumental in managing business operations, fostering strategic growth, and enhancing team performance and daily processes. Upon relocating to Australia to lead Ability to Achieve from an operational standpoint, he anticipated a corporate turnaround endeavor. However, he was unprepared for the profoundly impactful work that awaited him-or for the realization that his lack of familiarity with the disability sector would turn into a significant advantage.
The Advantage of Being an Outsider
Jones entered the disability sector without any prior experience-lacking knowledge of intricate clinical terminology, therapy protocols, occupational therapy frameworks, or behavior support plans. At first, this seemed like a considerable hurdle. Yet, he quickly recognized that this was precisely what many families required.
"Numerous families are also unfamiliar with the system-the therapy jargon, behavior support plans, OT terms," Jones explains. "Coming from outside the field, I can relate to them from that same viewpoint. I can simplify complex processes into terms that everyday families can grasp. Our emphasis is always on what truly matters: tangible outcomes for real individuals, not merely paperwork."
This external perspective has influenced how Ability to Achieve functions. While clinical expertise is crucial behind the scenes, the organization prioritizes making support accessible, comprehensible, and-most importantly-effective in the daily lives of participants.
What Support Work Actually Looks Like
While public discussions surrounding the National Disability Insurance Scheme often focus on financial aspects and controversies, Jones observes a different reality unfolding each day: lives being profoundly changed through consistent, patient, and skilled support work.
A typical shift for Ability to Achieve's community support workers encompasses much more than mere supervision. Workers assist in achieving participant goals through what Jones refers to as "building blocks"-helping individuals apply for university, obtain identification documents, practice using public transport independently, or gain confidence in social situations. They ensure safety for participants, staff, and the broader community while having a thorough understanding of behavior support plans and anticipating potential challenges, often thinking four to five steps ahead.
"Support workers are always thinking four to five steps ahead during each shift," Jones states. "They're not simply managing the present moment-they're laying the groundwork for long-term independence. This type of work demands constant vigilance, deep commitment, and genuine compassion. These are the unsung heroes performing profoundly transformative work."
Lives Changed: The Stories Behind the Statistics
Jones has witnessed transformations that challenge negative stereotypes associated with the NDIS. While safeguarding participant privacy, he shares the extent of change that Ability to Achieve has facilitated:
A participant who spent every day in the hospital for a year is now living independently
An individual struggling with severe addiction has been drug-free for three months and counting
A person who had not left their home for months now confidently engages with others, explores Bondi cafes, and actively participates in the community
Several participants have transitioned from requiring one-on-one care to shared supported living
One individual has successfully transitioned off the NDIS entirely after three years of consistent progress
"We have assisted individuals in moving from 24/7 care to independence, from daily hospital stays to stable community living, and from severe addiction to ongoing recovery," Jones remarks. "These are not isolated instances-this is what occurs when support is consistent, compassionate, and focused on meaningful outcomes. Every Australian knows someone with a disability-whether they realize it or not. It's time that the success stories receive equal attention alongside the controversies."
Reframing the NDIS Narrative
Jones believes that public perception of the NDIS remains divided. Those without personal experience often see it as a financial burden or mismanaged taxpayer system, while families who depend on it witness firsthand how life-altering it can be.
"The NDIS is functioning. Lives are being transformed every day across this nation," he emphasizes. "Yes, the system requires ongoing refinement-that's true for any large-scale initiative. But the results speak for themselves when providers are dedicated to genuine transformation rather than merely checking off boxes."
He points out that Australia's structured disability support system helps mitigate issues seen in other countries, such as the homelessness crises and tent cities observed in parts of the United States. While New Zealand has a stronger cultural perception of disability support, Australia's NDIS framework-though relatively new-is well-structured as an insurance scheme and is improving progressively.
A Culture Where Vision Is Lived, Not Just Written
What perhaps most sets Jones's approach apart is his commitment to remaining actively engaged, despite holding the title of CEO. He maintains a close connection with participants and the operational realities, ensuring that Ability to Achieve's culture embodies its values in practice, not just in policy documents.
"Our objective is to continue growing while avoiding becoming overly corporatized or losing sight of what truly matters," Jones states. "We will remain focused on participants, grounded, and driven by our hearts. Everyone who becomes part of Ability to Achieve must embody this vision-not just echo it-because that's the only way real transformation can occur. We all need to sing from the same songbook."
This dedication to preserving a personal, non-corporate culture while serving over 200 participants reflects Jones's belief that scale and genuine care can coexist.
Looking Ahead
As Australia continues to discuss and refine the NDIS, perspectives like Jones's provide essential insight: the system, when executed with dedication and empathy, yields outcomes that fundamentally alter lives. His transition from corporate IT executive to passionate advocate for disability care illustrates that fresh viewpoints-those free from the constraints of "how things have always been done"-can foster meaningful innovation in the delivery of support.
For Jones, the work has taken on a deeply personal significance. The "business leadership challenge" that initially drew him to Ability to Achieve transformed into a mission to ensure that participants have access to the same choices, dignity, and opportunities that most Australians often take for granted.
"Every individual deserves the opportunity to create the life they desire," Jones reflects. "Support workers facilitate that-one shift, one conversation, one small victory at a time. That is the narrative that deserves to be shared."
About Ability to Achieve
Ability to Achieve is a disability support provider catering to over 200 participants across Sydney, Canberra, and Wollongong. Under the guidance of CEO Michael Jones, the organization is committed to real-world outcomes, compassionate care, and fostering long-term participant independence. Through dedicated community support workers who provide consistent, patient assistance, Ability to Achieve helps participants navigate challenges ranging from addiction and social isolation to complex behavioral needs, with many achieving full independence. The organization upholds a participant-centered, non-corporate culture that prioritizes lived values over administrative processes.
For more information, visit https://abilitytoachieve.com.au/
