Welcoming a More Accessible Australia

Welcoming a More Accessible Australia

Empower Assistive Technology Mentoring is incredibly proud to announce our official role as a foundational badge partner for Access Maps as they continue their launch into the Australian market.

Access Maps is shifting the landscape of inclusion by capturing the real, granular details of physical, sensory, and neurodivergent accessibility. Together, we are here to help communities thrive; ensuring that everyone can navigate their world with absolute confidence, independence, and dignity.

A Powerhouse Partnership Built on Lived Experience

Empower Assistive Technology Mentoring is built on a unique combination of deep professional expertise, technical capability, and rich lived experience. While Brooke leads the way as the face and primary mentor of the organisation, her husband, Martin, works in the background providing vital technical, operational, and strategic support.

Brooke Doherty | Founder & Primary Mentor

As a power wheelchair user, Brooke understands physical access barriers intimately. Her trusted expertise is backed by robust professional qualifications and governance roles:

• Qualifications: Certificate IV in Assistive Technology Mentoring; proud member of the Australian Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Association (ARATA).
• Sector Leadership: Board Director for Enable WA; independent advisor for Joondalup Health Campus across the Quality Action Group, Diversity and Inclusion Group, and the Mental Health sub-committee.
• Safety & Advocacy Compliance: Completed the National Disability Services (NDS) board governance programme, the NDIS worker screening programme, and the human rights programme.

Martin Doherty | Technical & Operational Support

Working behind the scenes, Martin brings a diverse and invaluable perspective to the Empower team. His late-age ADHD diagnosis provides the team with a personal, profound understanding of neurodiversity, which directly fuels the organisation's focus on sensory and cognitive accessibility.

Martin’s extensive background includes:

• Ground-Level Experience: Years of practical, hands-on work within both the disability and aged care sectors, understanding the day-to-day realities of participants and support workers.
• Local Government Expertise: Inside knowledge of local government frameworks, accessibility requirements, and community systems.
• Technical Perspective: Broad expertise in managing complex systems, technical documentation, and process design to ensure Empower Assistive Technology Mentoring operates seamlessly.

How We Support the Access Maps Community

Our partnership with Access Maps allows us to serve both the individuals navigating their communities and the businesses striving to welcome them.

1. For Everyday Platform Users

Finding the right venue should be stress-free. Empower Assistive Technology Mentoring will regularly publish practical, community-focused guides directly on the Access Maps platform to help you navigate community spaces, manage sensory environments, and explore new locations safely.

If a guide sparks a question, or if you need personalised advice on equipment and funding, the platform provides a direct line for you to connect with Brooke for individual support.

2. For Listed Businesses & Venues

Accurate information builds community trust. Empower Assistive Technology Mentoring helps local businesses showcase their venue strengths accurately on Access Maps while building long-term accessibility. We offer a suite of supportive services:

• Independent Impact Assessments: In the Perth metropolitan area we offer can premium, on-site assessment to thoroughly review your physical and sensory layout, ensuring your Access Maps data is completely precise. Outside of the Perth metropolitan area we can assist with virtual assessments help you find a suitability qualified Impact Assessor.
• Listing Management: We can completely manage or assist you with updating your Access Maps profile for you as your venue evolves.
• Ongoing Training & Support: Providing disability awareness training for your staff, reducing operational risk and building genuine hospitality confidence.

Our Specialised Services Beyond the Map

True inclusion is a journey that continues in the home and everyday life. Outside of the Access Maps platform, Empower Assistive Technology Mentoring provides highly specialised, independent consulting to help individuals achieve their personal goals:

• NDIS Assistive Technology Mentoring: Many NDIS participants have a dedicated Assistive Technology Mentoring budget in their plans without even realising it. Brooke can help you unlock this funding, and guide you through selecting the most suitable technology, and work with you to build the skills and confidence needed to master your equipment.
• Support at Home Support: Navigating the new Support at Home programme can be daunting. Brooke advises older Australians on how to access low-cost and low-risk equipment through the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (ATHM) programme, coordinating essential wraparound services to ensure you can stay safe and independent in your own home.

Whether you are a participant looking to master your independence, a senior exploring home modifications, or a local business wanting to open your doors wider, Empower Assistive Technology Mentoring is here to help you along the way.