The Urbis reports show an estimated 43,500 people were engaging with the Ability Links NSW program each year, returning $127 million in community benefits during 2015 and 2016.

The program was piloted in the Hunter in 2013 when it was rolled out alongside the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). It takes a “whole-of-life” approach to help people overcome social isolation, lack of confidence and skills and other barriers, and had achieved “remarkable outcomes,’’ Urbis says.

Special works manager for St Vincent de Paul NSW in Newcastle, Belinda McDaid, said the program was part of a seismic shift in the way people were being supported to participate in the community.

“Society has moved on significantly over the past 10 years and there’s now an expectation of equal participation for everybody, and the Ability Links model itself enhances that concept, saying everyone should start on an equal playing field,” Ms McDaid said. “That’s a real shift in social thinking. It speaks to a need which has existed in the community for a very long time.”

Ms McDaid said that while the NDIS was focused on shifting outcomes for individuals, the Ability Links model was about shifting outcomes in the community to enhance the experience for a person with a disability.

The evaluation by Urbis describes Ability Links as “widely successful”, returning $3 in benefits for every dollar invested. Of those $127 million benefits, 36 per cent were economic benefits such as increased participation in education, employment and new business activity.

One in 20 people who engaged with the program had started volunteering, work experience, or were connected to a disability employment service or employer, or were receiving support to start their own business.

The report also says linked-in people reported feeling safer, happier and more socially connected.