Australian Enterprise Awards 2026 | 59 Belonging to a genuine community is essential for connection, confidence, and a sense of identity. This is especially true for those living with disabilities, not only providing essential support but also growth and independence through opportunities for social interaction, learning, and skill development. Based in Redcliffe, Queensland, Freedom Disability Support is a company helping individuals achieve their life goals and build lifelong relationships through the creation of a community where everyone is embraced, valued, and empowered. Maria Tsalamandris, Founder of Freedom Disability Support, told us more below. When Maria Tsalamandris first dreamt up Freedom Disability Support, it did not begin as a business idea. Maria noticed a gap in the disability support industry that nobody else was filling; supports were being delivered everywhere, but no professionals were going above and beyond the brief. Whilst individuals’ support needs were technically being met on paper, the lack of connection and interest meant that they still felt truly alone on a regular basis. “I kept seeing participants ticking boxes, attending appointments, and receiving services, but missing connection, confidence, and community,” Maria told us. “I wanted to create something that went further than the plan on the page; a place where people were shown possibilities they hadn’t even thought to ask for. A place where support meant more than tasks, and where people felt genuinely seen, included, and valued.” Today, Freedom is a vital pillar of its community, providing essential services to clients of all ages and abilities. These clients are individuals seeking more than mere support and have typically approached the company after feeling overlooked or misunderstood elsewhere. Regardless of their personal background, each client is united in their desire to be seen as a human first and have come to Freedom with hopes to find connection, confidence, purpose, and create a life that feels full. “Freedom is not just a service; it is a community. It is a place where people feel proud of who they are and excited about their life again.” Freedom offers access to a growing community and a dedicated team of support staff. This team provides mentoring, daily living support, creative programmes, supported employment through Freedom HQ, and the opportunity to embark on unique STA experiences through Freedom Adventures. Alongside this, the company also offers outreach experiences through its farm, allowing clients to connect with nature, animals, and open spaces in a way that feels grounding and real. “What we want for our clients is simple,” Maria stated. “We want them to feel alive and seen. We want them to have confidence, friendships, adventure, and purpose. We want them to wake up excited instead of anxious. We want them to feel proud of who they are and know that they matter. When someone looks at us and says, sometimes through tears, ‘I finally feel like I belong’, we know we have done our job.” Of course, this would not be possible without the company’s standout team, who have worked tirelessly to build and maintain a supportive community. Every day, each member of the Freedom team goes above and beyond in their role, serving as mentors, cheerleaders, and trusted people in the client’s life. The trust that has naturally grown between the team and their clients cannot be emulated and serves as the very foundation of all Freedom has achieved. Naturally, Freedom nurtures its employees in the same ways they nurture its clients: treating them with care, honesty, encouragement, and space to grow. The company maintains an internal culture that is warm, honest, and loud, intentionally building its team with ssssssssspeople who bring empathy, patience, and the ability to make others feel safe by simply being present. It listens to and supports its employees, understanding that staff perform at their best when they feel valued, and that energy ripples through the entire community. This year will see Freedom making efforts to further strengthen its community. The company is seeking to expand the creative and skill building opportunities offered by Freedom HQ while also growing supported employment pathways and continuing to evolve Freedom Adventures so that more clients can experience confidence and independence through real life experiences. Alongside this, the team will be actively working to create new experiences at the farm for participants to connect with the land, animals, and themselves. “The future of Freedom is about growing deeper, not just bigger,” Maria concluded. “We are focusing on strengthening connection, creativity, and community. If there is just one thing to mention for 2026, is it this: Freedom is continuing to build a community where people feel alive, connected, and proud of who they are.” Contact: Maria Tsalamandris Company: Freedom Disability Support Pty Ltd Web Address: www.freedomdisabilitysupport.com.au Most Empowering Disability Support Community 2026
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