An idea born during COVID isolation to help people with disability feel more connected has been chosen to receive a lucrative innovation grant from NBN Co.
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Nathan Johnston of Brogo was announced this week as one of only seven winners of the inaugural Innovate With NBN grants, and the only winner from NSW.
Offering grants totalling up to $95,000 across seven categories - agriculture, arts, education, health, indigenous business, tourism and women in regional business - the program aimed to help regional tech businesses transform their ideas into game-changing achievements.
Mr Johnston's prize in the arts category, awarded in partnership with the Regional Australia Institute, is worth $10,000, which Mr Johnston will use to put the final touches on a social networking platform he has designed for people with disability.
Mr Johnston has previously developed and launched DME3, an inclusive music streaming service that incorporates functionality for people with disability.
However, with the music industry hitting hard times during 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic seeing many people struggle with isolation, the seed of a new idea began to take root.
"During COVID I started work on a new brand - Disability Club - which will also merge with DME3," Mr Johnston said.
"It's a social media network where people with disability can connect with each other - but just like DME3 it's inclusive and anyone can join if they wish.
"Last year was a really big challenge. I was isolated at home for most of the time and that's when I came up with the idea to help people connect and help people not feel so isolated anymore."
Mr Johnston said the NBN grant will help him finish off the platform, which he hoped to have up and running within the next month or so.
"It's a great honour to have this opportunity from NBN and their partners at the Regional Australia Institute. I want to give a big thank you to them.
"The changes and the expansion of DME3 and the development of the Disability Club would not have been possible without the NBN in our area and this grant program.
"We hope to connect everyone with a disability who lives locally - and eventually globally. The system is easy to use and I'd encourage everyone to join Disability Club."
Disability Club will soon be undergoing a beta test period to seek feedback before being released publicly. There will also be opportunities to advertise via the platform, Mr Johnston said, encouraging disability organisations and other local businesses to get in contact for information.
With the high calibre of entries, judges of the Innovate With NBN grants had their work cut out for them, said Gavin Williams, chief development officer, regional and remote at NBN Co.
"Knowing that people are using the NBN network to innovate and explore new ways to do great things for the community or their business, we were expecting impressive submissions - and we weren't disappointed.
"The applicants certainly made it difficult for our judging panel and should be commended for their innovation, creativity and commitment to regional, rural and remote Australia."
Ben Smyth
I have worked as a journalist since 2005 and am now Editor of Australian Community Media mastheads in Bega, Merimbula and Eden
I have worked as a journalist since 2005 and am now Editor of Australian Community Media mastheads in Bega, Merimbula and Eden
