ABOUT ACCESS

ACCESS Australia is a consumer based, independent, non profit organisation committed to being a national voice in promoting the well-being and welfare of infertile people of all ages, through representation in the general community and in the medical, scientific and political arenas.  The Patrons of ACCESS are Mrs Glynis Nunn-Cearns OAM and Candice Reed, Australia's first born IVF baby.

The formation of a national consumer based infertility association in Australia was the result of reflection on nine years involvement in consumer groups at a local and national level, by founder and Chief Executive, Sandra Dill AM.  Her experience as a consumer includes investigation of local and overseas adoption, 12 years of infertility treatment including 8 IVF attempts, a late IVF miscarriag, facing a decision to cease treatment and finally, living childlesss.  This has provided some insight into the needs of others in similar situations.  In 1996, Sandra was appointed by the Governor General as a Member of the Order of Australia, for community service as a consumer advocate in the area of infertility.

ACCESS provides a cohesive approach to the management of issues and services for infertile people at a national level.   Major member services include:

• provision of a range of fact sheets covering many aspects of infertility,
• OPTIONS groups which provide contact for those sharing a particular infertility experience,
• a Contact Request Network to put people in touch by email, letter or phone
• a monthly eNews,
• a register of infertility self help groups, which have been established in regional areas around Australia and New Zealand, and
• a list of infertility clinics accredited by the Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee (RTAC).

There is also the ACCESS Infertility Counsellors Network, comprised of professional counsellors throughout Australasia who work in the field of infertility (this section is available only to ACCESS members). Support is also provided through the ACCESS OPTIONS support groups which focus on the diversity of experiences of those who suffer from infertility. Each group has a title that reflects the different needs of those who come to us for support and include Donor Options, Options for Approaching Life without Children, Options for Men Only and Options after IVF Miscarriage. National Infertility Awareness Week has been a major initiative of ACCESS.

ACCESS ensures that consumers in Australia are kept informed about issues of interest in the international arena.  This is achieved by maintaining links with sister associations in 36 other countries through the International Consumer Support for Infertility (iCSi) network, with an emphasis on building links in the Asia Pacific region. ACCESS is also a member of the International Alliance of Patient Organisation (IAPO). Our goal is to establish alliances with infertility patient associations around the world, to raise global awareness of our collective needs and to challenge the cultural taboos surrounding the experience of infertility.