The Intellectual Disability Foundation of St George is an Early Bird Exhibitor of the Sydney Disability Connection Expo 2023, and we are so excited to share their inspirational story.

In 1962 at a P&C meeting of the Loftus St Special School, Arncliffe, parents were advised that under policy then followed by the Department of Education, pupils at special schools were not permitted to remain at school after their 16th birthday.

This prompted a group of dedicated parents and friends to form the Loftus St Post School Centre which subsequently later became St George Special Industries.

In early 1964 a sheltered workshop was opened with eight trainees. By 1966 the need for expansion was obvious and after much fundraising, hard work and a small government grant, a new building was opened on the Arncliffe site, which The Intellectual Disability Foundation of St George still occupies today.

Since that time hundreds of people with intellectual disabilities have benefited from being able to work and socialise in an environment which provides them with the opportunity to develop their individual skills and achieve their full potential.

St George Special Industries transitioned to The Intellectual Disability of St George on the 28th of October 1988.

The Intellectual Disability Foundation of St George (IDFStGeorge) is a registered charity funded by the Commonwealth Department of Social Services to provide supported employment for 164 people with a disability.

IDF StGeorge offers

• Arncliffe Activity Hub
• Individual and Group Skills Training
• Centre Based Skill Development
• IDF Connect – Community Connection
• Support Coordination
• Providing supported employment to people in St George and the surrounding Community,

IDF StGeorge is

• An excellent place to grow
• An exceptional place to work
• A great place to learn

You can connect with IDFStGeorge at the Sydney Disability Connection Expo 2023, 16-17 June, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre.