If you are living with a disability, you may feel that there is little advice to be found about movement. Although an abundance of information regarding exercise and mental health assumes an able body — for many NDIS participants this is not the case, and the challenge is actually knowing where to start. Whether you have a disability, suffer from chronic pain or fatigue, or you have mobility limitations — it’s vital to find the right advice on how to make movement safe, accessible and doable day-to-day.
There is no single type of movement that works for everyone. Our broader guide to exercise for people with disabilities explores different ways physical activity can be adapted around individual abilities, interests and goals.This piece will cover how our disability-trained support workers at Mind & Body Support help participants with the why and how of starting their movement journey. We aim to encourage confidence through trusting relationships and support clients with building safe, individualised movement programs according to their goals, bodies and NDIS plans.
How Movement Helps the Brain
We know movement is one of the most important ways we can support our mental health. Years of research has proven many benefits, including:
- Releasing endorphins from movement help improve mood and create a sense of calm.
- Reducing cortisol levels means lowering stress levels and supporting emotional regulation.
- Improving your sleep quality helps with focus, energy and daily tasks.
- Better circulation improves breath control, reducing physical restlessness and supporting grounding.
You can achieve these benefits just by moving your body. You don’t need intense workouts — just accessible movement that suits your body and capacity.
What Movement Can Look Like
When we think of movement, it is not just limited to workouts in the gym or running marathons. Movement can be gentle, adaptive, seated or supported and comes in many different styles and forms. Some of these include:
- Chair-based movement or seated exercises — ideal for mobility limitations, if you suffer from pain flares or balance concerns.
- Hydrotherapy — Water-based movement is a popular choice due to its buoyancy. It reduces joint load and supports freedom of movement.
- Adaptive strength training — modifying positions, using assistive equipment, light weights or resistance bands.
- Wheelchair accessible sports or cardio — upper-body movement, pushing intervals and arm ergometers.
- Dancing — Stimming or rhythmic movement can be a great movement choice for neurodivergent regulation and sensory grounding.
- Gentle breathwork or assisted movement — a supportive way for participants with chronic fatigue conditions or low-capacity days.
Our support workers at Mind & Body Support are inclusive of all movement options and will tailor an integration of exercise programs. We focus on the participant’s current capacity, sensory needs, mobility, and individual goals.
Barriers and How Support Workers Can Help
Mainstream fitness spaces are not always inclusive of the challenges that many NDIS participants may face when it comes to movement. Barriers that are rarely acknowledged can include:
- Fatigue and chronic pain
- Accessibility of facilities
- Financial burdens
- Transport limitations
- Ableism or lack of understanding in gyms
- Fear of injury or performing exercises incorrectly
- Conditions requiring exertion caution, such as ME/CFS, long COVID or post-exertional malaise (PEM)
Mind & Body Support workers support clients in reducing these barriers by providing:
- Transport to sessions
- Adjusting strategies around energy-limiting conditions
- Exercise modifications based on pain, fatigue or sensory load in each session
- A judgment-free environment where movement is led by the participant
- Maintaining safety and monitoring to avoid overexertion or flare-ups
Movement becomes possible when someone trained in disability-inclusive fitness walks alongside you.
How Mind & Body Support Can Help
Mind & Body Support creates individualised fitness programs, including physical goals and a strong focus on emotional wellbeing. We do not create generic exercise plans; each one is specific to our NDIS participants.
What the Program Involves
- A movement plan that is built around your body, your goals and your daily capacity
- Sessions delivered by trained disability support workers that focus on a safe and supportive environment
- A mix of movement like strength, mobility, sensory regulation, breathwork and functional exercise.
- Options for home-based, community-based, or gym-based sessions
Individualised Programs
Every program is tailored to each client’s independent needs. They are shaped around a range of different things including:
- Your level of mobility
- Your fatigue patterns
- Your sensory needs
- Your ideal environments
- Your movement goals
- NDIS plan categories
The Role of the Support Worker
Our disability-trained support workers provide:
- Encouragement without pressure
- Safe movement and appropriate setup
- Adaptation of exercise and plans dependent on pain, fatigue or mobility changes
- Maintaining consistency — the biggest factor in mental health benefits
NDIS Funding
Movement and wellness programs may be funded under your NDIS plan. Options include:
- Core supports — assistance with daily living
- Capacity building — improved daily living or improved health and wellbeing.
Getting in touch with our Mind & Body Support workers may assist in helping you understand which categories may apply to your plan.
Where To Begin
Your movement journey should start from your current capacity and where you feel comfortable — not from a standardised baseline. Some tips to get you started include:
- Following your energy levels, not strict time or intensity targets.
- Modify or rest without any guilt — this is how you keep movement sustainable.
- Start small: a few minutes of gentle movement still counts.
- Build gradually, only when your body is feeling ready.
It can feel scary starting something new, so if you’re unsure where to begin — Mind & Body Support are here to help! We can explore options and collaboratively design a plan that feels safe, achievable and cater to your individualised needs.
Red Flags
Movement can be a great tool to support your mental health, but it is important to note it is not a cure — and it should never feel like an obligation.
For persistent or severe symptoms you may be experiencing, it’s very important to connect with your GP, OT, physio, psychologist or psychiatrist — alongside your movement support.
For people who prefer more individualised support, adaptive personal training is another approach that can adjust the exercises, pace, communication and environment around the individual.Let’s Get Moving!
Ready to move but need some help to kick start your journey? You don’t have to figure anything out on your own. Our support workers are here to help explore a movement plan that works for you — and with the right support — movement can become enjoyable, confidence-building and genuinely supportive of your mental wellbeing.
