Scope - About Us - Name change

Name Change

Background | Name Launch

Background to Scope (Vic) Ltd

(Formerly Spastic Society of Victoria)

In its 53 year history, the Spastic Society of Victoria saw many changes, made many advances, served many community needs, and met many challenges. The issue of name change was raised several times throughout the organisation’s history, with many points of view to be considered, as much history and emotion was entrenched in the name.

However, with the passage of time has come changing public attitudes. The most common use of the word "spastic" has insidiously assumed misrepresentation that intends the word as an insult. Similarly, reservations about the name were frequently expressed by young parents, as well as supporters in the corporate and private sectors. The government, our major funding body, also clearly expressed a positive view towards the issue of name change for the organisation.

After two years of gathered research and the assessment of over 200 potential new names, the Board proposed that the new name of Scope (Vic.) Ltd. be adopted. The vote was conducted in an Extraordinary General Meeting on 18 September 2001.

On that historic day, members voted in a landslide return of 96% in favour of the new name of Scope (Vic.) Ltd. for the State’s most progressive disability services organisation. Scope, a name that designates unlimited potential and growth, also symbolises an identity that better reflects the hopes and aspirations of our clients.

The organisation has now embarked upon a customarily careful approach to implement the new name. Over the next 12 months, we will have unveiled a new logo with plenty of scope in its fresh new style. Planned a host of exciting new innovations with all the scope of a progressive, revitalised organisation. And shed the old, to embrace the unlimited scope of a new and exciting future.

Chief Executive Officer's Speech at launch of Scope, 23rd Nov. 2001

I have 3 very happy tasks to do today, to explain the reasons for our name and logo, to tell you about the exciting and challenging future that we foresee and to thank everyone.
Why do organisations change their names? Why do we bother about logos?

Well, I can't speak for all organisations, but I can speak for Scope. The reason we changed our name is because we passionately want people to know what we believe in.

A future full of possibilities for people with disabilities.

A community that can embrace, include and empower all its members, irrespective of their characteristics, and

An organisation that has the skills, drive, will and vision to make these things happen.

Our name tells people that we have a capacity to respond to people with a wide range of needs and aspirations. Our logo needed to be both descriptive and carry our emotional message, for Scopes' work engages the human spirit more strongly than most companies. Yet, we are also a large and sophisticated organisation, which includes high level professional services, excellent business and human services, research and development. How do we tell people about our diverse and energetic organisation and our commitment to and optimism about enabling people with disabilities to fulfil their potential. How do we celebrate our partnerships with other organisations and individuals that are a vital ingredient in achieving these outcomes?

In numerous conversations with staff, people with disabilities and others, all played with the concepts, possibilities, optimism, potential, partnership. Eventually the symbolism of a rainbow took hold. There are several reasons for this.

For instance a rainbows appearance after rain, signifies change and freshness. It is a source of inspiration and its very existence is the result of nature's elements combining to create something full of wonder and delight - remarkable and yet simple. It tells us that remarkable things are possible even when things may look gloomy and reminds us about the value of working together for by working together wonderful outcomes can be achieved.

The colours of sun and water then as the essential elements for life and growth were the obvious inspiration for our new colour scheme. As an organisation that is committed to the growth and development of both people with disabilities and the capacity of our community to offer a welcome to all.

But a name and logo are nothing without substance.

Scope has substance.

A proud record of innovation and high quality services for 53 years.

A willingness to change in order to do our job better - which is shown by the remarkable record of the last four years, during which Scope has re-organised its services, management and Governance and now with the 96% positive vote by members - its has changed its name.

We are also prepared to do the hard yards in innovation and service development as well as the important tasks that Government gives us money for. We live in times that are changing faster than ever. We must be at the forefront of developing better ways to bring opportunity and growth to people with disabilities for the sake of our community as well as for the people with disabilities and their families. Our community needs to have the knowledge and capacity to care for, embrace and include all its members or it risks its very essence.

We have seen that no positive change will occur for people with disabilities unless the broader community has understanding and capacity. We have developed independent capacity for service provision to extend and compliment government services. We concentrate on developing social capital by finding partners to work with so we can add value to the community as well as a service to our own clients. Our building and equipment advisory services are available to support local governments and private businesses as well as families and service providers to use the right equipment and provide safe, barrier free environments.

Our new website, is a fine example to the community of how to make computer technology accessible to people of all abilities. It ensures that people can access information and connect with Scope, whenever they wish as well as alerting people to the issues of accessible technology.

Communication is the key to all human interaction. When people can't speak, it does not mean that they have nothing to say. The Severe Communication Impairment Outreach Project (SCIOP) is acknowledged as a world leader in its field. SCIOP staff work with people with a severe communication impairment, as well as the people who work and live with them, to create environments in which they are valued, respected and powerful. SCIOP has contributed enormously to unlocking the voice of people who cannot speak, one of SCIOP's "best practice" products is the Triple C checklist - a tool for use in assessing the communication skills of adolescents and adults who have severe or profound disabilities. There are many more innovations and always these are made widely available, in this case world wide to make sure that all communities benefit.

The lifestyles project which will commence next year is a ground-breaking approach to enabling people with disabilities to achieve their goals within the general community. It will also have a rigorous academic evaluation undertaken around the project, so that our findings can be shared with people interested in improving opportunities for people with disabilities to participate fully in our communities.

The Go Kids program offers fantastic equipment, like the Hart Walker, to children who need assistance to move around. Thanks to the Lions Clubs of Australia partnership with Scope, mobility aids that are not funded through government programs, but are the right solutions for these children, can be provided.

Our community does not automatically know how to include all its members. Though citizenship is a right, we are not born with the skills to communicate with people who speak different languages to the language we learn at home, or understand different cultures. Generally our communities have had a narrow conception of what citizens are. Scope is determined to change that. By supporting people with physical and multiple disabilities to become public speakers - "the community educators program" - the community can now gain profound insights into the lived experience of people with disabilities. There is nothing like a personal account to move and educate.

The young ambassador program, www.youngambassador.org is a partnership with the Victorian Youth Development program, and provides young Victorians the opportunity to develop important life skills and gain an understanding of people with disabilities while encouraging community service. In the past 18 months, over 1300 high school and primary school students have participated in this exciting program.

The Advanced Attendant Care Agency is an innovative approach to enhancing service quality. It ensures that well trained and knowledgable casual staff are available to Scope Services as required. So our high standard of service is assured at all times. This agency is expanding and is currently offering a brand new employment and career opportunity to 20 Victorians who would like to work with people with disabilities.

Leisure Action supports many community organisations to learn to become accessible to people with disabilities. We call this community capacity building. The most topical example is through the development of the wheelchair Soccer program. Years of partnership with the Victorian Soccer Federation have seen clubs in the North and West of Melbourne and now in the South and East develop wheelchair soccer teams as an integral part of their structure. In Sport loving Australia this has opened up the world of competitive team spirit to hundreds of people who have a fantastic time playing, are accepted and included as club members and who wear the same sponsored stripes that all the other teams wear.

Finally but most importantly I would like to thank the Chief Patron of Scope, His Excellency the Governor John Landy, the Minister, Hon. Christine Campbell, DHS, the Community and Local Governments and all our Community Partners, without you, we are nothing.

I could go on. Scope is about our community being a place where people of all abilities to thrive. We do not do this job alone. Fantastic companies like Leo Burnett's, have developed a deep understanding of what we are about, and give us incredible support. Indeed the advertisements that they have developed with us "pro bono" have gone on to win awards. The ongoing support and advice the team at Leo Burnetts provide is outstanding.

Freehills, a renowned legal firm, has a wonderful pro bono service, supporting many Victorian non profits. We are privileged to be among those. Their assistance is unstinting, wise, timely and of enormous value. I would especially like to thank Freehills for all the help provided with our name change.

Many other companies help us on a reduced fee basis, or by sponsorship. I would like to thank DPA and in particular, Peter Joseph and Denzil for the wonderful design solution to our name and logo challenge. Today we are delighted to thank our event sponsor Bendigo Bank whose community building approach to banking has been complimented today by their commitment to supporting the non profit sector. I would also like to thank Pete Smith for being a wonderful MC.

Our volunteers, are wonderful and add huge capacity to our organisation - working with clients and assisting staff and families to open up our community, to make dreams possible.

And so I get back to the beginning - Scope is about enabling people to reach their potential in welcoming and inclusive communities. Each of you here today are part of making our community a richer, better place.

Thank you for celebrating that with us today.