The Boards of not-for-profit organisations EPIC Assist and Ability Tasmania Group (Ability) are pleased to announce a merger of their organisations, effective from May 2, 2016.

The merger of the two organisations is built on an alignment of our mission and vision; to enable people and communities to overcome disadvantage to participate in their community and achieve success.

EPIC and Ability have been operating since 1990 and 1994 (respectively). The merger will leverage from our joint histories, with a particular focus on assisting people with disability achieve sustainable employment and careers.

The merger will result in an organisation of almost 400 employees and 50 offices operating down the East Coast of Australia. This will include offices in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. Head Office will remain in Brisbane, Queensland.

Ability has been delivering a range of disability services across Tasmania and Victoria, and since July 2013 has been assisting participants in Tasmania as part of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) trial.

Both organisations offer personalised services which focus on the individual – and their strengths, skills and goals. Ability and EPIC stay on the journey with participants and employers until their assistance is no longer needed. The result is success for all – the participants, employers and the broader community.

The combined entity – to be called EPIC Assist – will continue to deliver the innovative and quality services currently being provided by Ability for people with disability in Tasmania and Victoria. This will incorporate assisting new participants under the rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Tasmania and Victoria from July 2016.