There is a pink and blue circle with graphics of people inside them and then the QDN logo, Queenslanders with Disability Network, Nothing About us Without us. COVID-19 Update. There are four circles with graphics inside of hand sanitiser, a mask, two people social distancing and a vaccine.

QDN Member - COVID-19 Update

Workforce – Critically Essential Workers

The Commonwealth and State Governments are working around critical essential workers for industries where shortages have significant impact on people.

At National Cabinet today 14 January 2022, a range of different industries were listed including disability.

Guidelines and information about this will be developed. The Queensland Government has a range of requirements in place and QDN will update members as the information is released

QDN acknowledges it is important that there are safeguards around this and if a critical situation occurs there needs to be clear and understandable guidelines.

Worker shortage

If you are short of workers and you have a service provider, they will try to locate other workers for you. If you are in an emergency situation contact the Community Recovery hotline on 1800 173 349.

Mandatory vaccination for disability workers

QDN has worked with Queensland Health to develop easy read vaccination resources about mandatory vaccinations for disability workers – they are available at the bottom of the page here and at www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/protect-yourself-others/covid-19-vaccine/information-for/disability-and-carers

Booking COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters

If you are unvaccinated, give serious thought to getting your shots, and if you’ve had your first two shots book in for your booster.

You can search for local bookings here and at https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/booking/

There is a user guide to this booking site available on Queensland Health’s website here and at www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/protect-yourself-others/covid-19-vaccine/book along with other information and resources.

If you need support over the phone about bookings you can call the COVID-19 hotline on 134 268 – be prepared to sit on hold for a while as it’s such a busy time. Let them know you have a disability and if you have any particular accessibility requirements for your booking.

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) supports

Information for NDIS participants about COVID-19 measures is available here or at www.ndis.gov.au/coronavirus/participants-coronavirus-covid-19

Further information about temporary additional supports such as claiming Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) costs, accessing Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) if you live in a Supported Independent Living (SIL) arrangement, and meal preparation and delivery is available here or at www.ndis.gov.au/coronavirus/participants-coronavirus-covid-19/your-health-and-safety

COVID-19 preparedness

It’s comforting to know you are prepared if you have to quarantine or if you get COVID-19 symptoms.

QDN’s COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness is available here or at www.qdn.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Person-Centred-Emergency-Preparedness-Planning-for-COVID-19.pdf

Going to hospital

If you need to go to hospital or would like to be prepared just in case, QDN has a Know Your Rights guide available at www.qdn.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/KnowYourRights_Guide_full_FINAL.pdf

There’s also a checklist at www.qdn.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/KnowYourRights_A5_FINAL.pdf

Rapid Antigen Test (RAT)

These are in short supply at the moment, but there is stock coming in the next few weeks to local pharmacies. If you have a service provider check with them to see whether they can access some for you – the NDIS are making allowances for people living in SIL arrangements and you can read about this at www.ndis.gov.au/coronavirus/participants-coronavirus-covid-19/your-health-and-safety

Contact your local pharmacy and let them know your circumstances if you need a test urgently.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Again, service providers may be able to access PPE stocks if you can’t locate masks etc locally. This Queensland Government site provides mainly commercial quantities but you can check for smaller quantities available in your local area at https://covid19procurement.hpw.qld.gov.au/ - enter what you’re looking for here https://covid19procurement.hpw.qld.gov.au/whatsonoffer/

There are guides about fitting masks, including a video at www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/protect-yourself-others/face-masks