Shannon Leslie Byrne
One of Australia's biggest NDIS providers and there history
Aruma: A Legacy of Nearly 60 Years
Aruma is the evolution of House with No Steps and The Tipping Foundation.
These organizations were established by two pioneering families – Lionel and Dorothy Watts, and E.W. ‘Bill’ Tipping.
Lionel Watts: A Visionary and Innovator
Individuals like Lionel Watts are rare. His resolve, belief, and bravery transformed the lives of people with disabilities across Australia.
At 28, happily married to Dorothy with two children, Lionel was struck by polio.
He became a quadriplegic, his weight dropped to 32 kilograms, and he spent two years recuperating in the hospital.
“When I first became disabled, I looked around and I tried to find my way back into the community. I hadn’t really looked at my reflection and in my own mind I still considered myself as being fairly able, rather than disabled.”– Lionel Watts.
Upon returning home, Lionel encountered one of society’s greatest challenges – prejudice.
As he struggled to rejoin the workforce, he faced repeated rejections.
Even worse, rehabilitation centers dismissed him, claiming he was too severely handicapped to be rehabilitated.
However, Lionel refused to accept defeat. Realizing that others faced similar challenges, he resolved to make a difference for people with disabilities. With the support of his peers and Dorothy, House with No Steps was founded in 1962.
Breaking Down Barriers, Literally
Leading House with No Steps, Lionel continued dismantling barriers faced daily by people with disabilities.
His initial action? Using basic parts from a surplus store, he crafted an electric wheelchair from a deck-chair.
This chair became one of Australia’s pioneering electric wheelchairs, igniting the electric wheelchair movement.
But he didn’t stop there. When a friend described Sydney’s Central Station as ‘a disabled person’s chamber of horrors,’ he found inspiration.
As chairman of the architectural barriers committee for ACROD, Lionel campaigned for improved wheelchair access across Australia.
He introduced parking permits for people with disabilities.
He mandated wheelchair accessibility in all public buildings.
He implemented ramps on all footpaths and crossings.
Lionel’s innovations permanently transformed the fields of disability, construction, planning, and architecture in tangible ways.
Creating a Lasting Legacy
In 1969, Lionel was honored for his significant contributions to the welfare of people with disabilities with an M.B.E. in the New Year’s Honours.
In 1982, Lionel was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for his rehabilitation work.
Although Lionel passed away in 2000, his legacy endures through the organization he and Dorothy founded – Aruma.
E.W. (Bill) Tipping: Advocate for Disability
Known as ‘Mr. Melbourne’ for his charisma and award-winning talents, E.W. “Bill” Tipping was a renowned journalist.
A devoted family man, Bill was married to Marjorie and had three sons. His youngest, Peter, had cerebral palsy and an intellectual disability.
Inspired by Peter, Bill began advocating for the rights of people with disabilities. His focus on this cause led him to the conditions at Kew Cottages, an institution for children with intellectual disabilities, which appalled him.
As a journalist, Bill had a platform few could access, so he didn’t just speak about the conditions at the cottages, he shouted. And people listened.
More than 13,000 people contributed to ‘The Tipping Appeal’ to improve the cottages, raising £47,798 – a substantial sum in 1953! The Victorian Government matched the funds, and after the improvements, Peter – Bill’s youngest – went to live at the cottages.
Tragically, Peter passed away just three years later, but his son’s death did not deter Bill’s pursuit of social justice.
The Birth of The Tipping Foundation
Bill was again thrust into the spotlight of disability advocacy in 1970 when a man named Ken called a Melbourne radio station.
Ken had a daughter, Belinda, with a disability. He posed a poignant question – ‘what will happen to Belinda when I’m gone?’
At that time, if parents couldn’t care for their child with a disability, institutionalization was often the only option.
Listeners remembered Bill’s 1950s stories about Kew Cottages, and public pressure mounted, leading to calls for a public meeting to address the issue.
On April 2, 1970, nearly 1,700 people gathered at the Melbourne Town Hall seeking a solution.
And they found one – they established a foundation enabling people with disabilities to live in community homes instead.
Named in honor of the man who inspired it all, The Tipping Foundation was born.
Our New Era as Aruma
In March 2018, House with No Steps and The Tipping Foundation united to shape the future with the same resolve as our founders.
With diverse backgrounds and experiences, we shared a common passion and commitment to supporting people with disabilities in living fulfilling lives.
In July 2019, this passion and commitment coalesced under a new name – Aruma.
Aruma represents a new era. A trailblazer, a champion of human rights. A leader. A driving force with energy and enthusiasm.
We’re thrilled to embark on Aruma’s new journey with you.