Asbestos Related Diseases

The Asbestos Disease Support Society (ADSS) aims to create a community where we all work together to:

• support sufferers of an asbestos related disease, their family or carers; and
• prevent asbestos exposure in the workplace and community.
• Lobby for improvements on asbestos related matters
• Work with the health community to aid in better understanding of asbestos related disease
• Where possible fund research into asbestos related diseases

Our ethos to assist sufferers to remain at home for as long as possible and as independent as possible even within the health care environment.

We are a national organisation but confine our activities to Queensland, Northern Territory and Northern New South Wales.

People and Organisations pay a fee to join ADSS to show their commitment to the community and assist us in lobbying activities for improvements for sufferers or for protections against asbestos exposure.

Members with an asbestos related disease are entitled to the following services:

• Occupational Therapy assessment and if needed a follow up appointment through our contracted Occupational therapists
• Dietetics and Nutrition consultation through the University of Qld Clinics
• Quarterly newsletter
• Invitation to our Biannual Symposium
• Invitation to our Ecumenical Service in November
• Free consultation with ADSS Lawyers
• Welfare assistance in certain circumstances

Other services that we provide are:

• access to our Social Worker to assist sufferers understand their entitlements and ensure that they are accessing appropriate medical and health services
• telephone support from our volunteers
• Morning teas for sufferers in their local community
• assistance with testing products in order to identify asbestos content
• register of asbestos exposures from the community
• provision of up to date information to the medical profession on asbestos related disease
• In-service education for nursing and other health staff

  On occasion ADSS provides funding for research on asbestos related diseases as well as funding for special beds for hospitals to assist our members remain comfortable and independent.

Our awareness activities include a series of information sheets, attendance at Home shows, Senior Expo’s, hospitals and other community events where we can have a stall and handout information or have conversations with people.

ADSS is a not-for-profit Charity registered with the ACNC. We also have deductible gift recipient status whereby donations of $2.00 or more are tax deductible.