QDN e-News 2 March 2023
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Welcome back to another edition of the QDN e-News.
Taxi roundtable forum
Over the last few years, we’ve heard from many of our members about issues they’ve experienced with taxis. This issue has been identified by QDN members and our leadership team who have been working together to make change. A group of QDN members recently attended a taxi roundtable forum organised by Minister Mark Bailey. The forum was attended by taxi operators, drivers, advocacy organisations and people with disability. Members provided their experiences of catching taxis and shared their ideas about what can be improved. The forum was very productive and the Minister confirmed his commitment to ongoing engagement with the taxi industry and disability sector to resolve these issues. QDN has had ongoing dialogue with the Department of Transport and Main Roads. We will keep you updated on this issue and we thank everyone who has contacted us to provide their personal experiences of catching taxis.
Voice of Queenslanders with Disability survey
Have your say in the Voice of Queenslanders with Disability survey. Your responses will help to determine what is happening across the areas of improvement in Queensland’s Disability Plan 2022-2027. This survey and the report it will inform will bring information together from multiple areas for the first time, enabling governments, businesses, non-profit organisations and communities to know what is working well and what needs to be improved.
Take the survey here: https://inclusivefutures.griffith.edu.au/hub-page/vqd
If you need assistance completing the survey contact us at qdn@qdn.org.au. The survey closes Friday 10 March.
National COVID-19 update: ATAGI 2023 COVID-19 booster vaccination
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATGI) is advising that as winter approaches, a 2023 COVID-19 booster is recommended to increase COVID-19 protection and have mentioned that vaccination will reduce risk of severe illness and protect the healthcare system during a time of high demand.
The advice from National Disability Services has been that providers should be encouraging their disability workers to get a COVID-19 booster both to reduce risk of infection and transmission for people with disability and other immune-compromised people at risk, which will work to prevent workplace shortages and transmission within the community.
There are new recommendations on the timing of the booster, which have been to defer a booster shot until 6 or more months has passed since your most recent COVID-19 vaccination or confirmed COVID-19 infection, whichever is the earliest. It is also advised that those who have suspected they’ve had a case of COVID-19 without a test confirmation have the booster.
The 2023 COVID-19 booster is recommended for:
- All adults aged 65 years and over.
- Adults aged 18 to 64 years who have medical comorbidities that increase risk of severe COVID-19 or disability with significant or complex needs.
ATAGI has advised that the booster is encouraged for:
- Adults between 18 to 64 years without risk factors for severe COVID-19.
- children and adolescents aged five to 17 years who have medical comorbidities that increase their risk of severe COVID-19, or disability with significant or complex health needs.
ATAGI has advised the booster is not recommended for children and adolescents who are under the age of 18 and do not have any risk factors for severe COVID-19.
Read more here
NDIS review
QDN CEO Michelle Moss has been part of recent meetings with the NDIS Review Panel. The Panel is connecting with people with disability, peak bodies, advocacy, services and the sector around the country at the moment. QDN will let members know how they can engage directly in this review and process in the coming months.
More information can be found here
Brisbane 2032 Legacy Plan Hopes and Dreams survey
We encourage you to have your say in the Brisbane 2032 Legacy Plan Hopes and Dreams survey. Your responses will inform and help to develop the Brisbane 2032 Legacy Plan, which will define how the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games can ensure lasting benefits for all Australians.
QDN Chairperson Sharon Boyce and QDN CEO Michelle Moss will be attending the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Legacy Forum representing issues that QDN members have raised.
Australia’s legacy hopes and dreams – which could include everything from healthier more active communities to better recycling programs or greater accessibility at sporting venues - will then be road-tested at the Brisbane 2032 Legacy Forum to be held on 22 March 2023. The forum will bring together 500 of Australia’s best and brightest community and business leaders, athletes and Games delivery partners to start mapping out the Brisbane 2032 Legacy Plan. The Legacy Forum will deliver a draft vision, draft themes and list of priorities for further feedback. The survey closes on 3 March 2023.
Take the survey here: https://haveyoursay.dsdilgp.qld.gov.au/brisbane2032-legacy-plan-qld-gov-au
QDN is exhibiting at the 2023 Brisbane Disability Connection Expo
Come along to the Brisbane Disability Connection Expo this Friday 3 and Saturday 4 March at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
We would like to thank Developing Australian Communities for the opportunity to exhibit.
Learn more information about the expo here
Research participants needed - Exploring patient-led recording for adults with Down syndrome and their social supports
The University of Queensland (UQ) is running a project to improve the hospital experience for people with Down syndrome. The project will try and understand if using a phone to record meetings with a health professional could be helpful. UQ is inviting people with Down syndrome and their family, friends, carers and paid service workers to an interview.
Important information:
- You must be over 18 years old.
- UQ can support you in the interview.
- UQ can meet you at a time and place which is easy for you.
- UQ will give you a gift card to say thank you (paid support workers will not be given a gift card).
For more information please contact Laura Ryan from UQ via email at laura.ryan@uqconnect.edu.au or via phone at 0422 788 934.
Accessible tourism toolkit
To support Queensland’s tourism industry to become more accessible and inclusive to all visitors, the following resources have been developed by Get Skilled Access (GSA) and TravAbility on behalf of the Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport.
Download the resources here: https://www.dtis.qld.gov.au/tourism/accessible-tourism/accessible-tourism-toolkit
Have you seen the new Sign Language Feature in Teams?
To enable Sign Language View across all your meetings by default, in Microsoft Teams, select (Settings and more) > Settings > Accessibility, and then turn on Sign Language.
If you work with the same sign language interpreters on a regular basis, you can list them in the Accessibility tab, so they always show up in the list of signers in Sign Language View. In the Accessibility tab, you can also turn on captions across all your meetings.
Setting these preferences before a meeting makes it easier to join calls more quickly, so you can catch those first few minutes of chitchat or dive right into a deeper conversation.
Accessible resources for people with intellectual disabilities on reproductive well-being and safety
During 2021-2022, Children by Choice worked alongside WWILD to develop and co-create four Easy English resources and videos.
They were co-designed with a group of women with intellectual and learning disabilities and assisted by consultation with key stakeholders from violence, disability and health-related services.
People with intellectual disabilities don’t always get adequate relationships and sex education. Communication and comprehension may also be a barrier for some people, which may affect a person’s capacity to make an informed decision about safe relationships, consent, contraception and pregnancy and parenting choices. Accessible or easy English information factsheets or resources and videos help people build their knowledge around their own reproductive rights.
The aim of these resources is to assist professionals or supporters in helping people with varying intellectual or learning disabilities improve understanding of consent, contraception, pregnancy options and reproductive coercion and abuse (RCA).
These resources can assist professionals or supporters in having clear conversations about key reproductive and health rights issues with clients or patients who may struggle with verbal communication and comprehension.
Access the booklets and videos here: https://www.childrenbychoice.org.au/resources/easy-english-resources/
Digital Inclusion masterclasses and workshops
QDN's online Digital Inclusion masterclasses, and workshops are supporting people with disability to develop their digital literacy skills and understanding. Workshops are delivered online and in person, with dates confirmed for Gympie, New Farm in Brisbane, and Caboolture.
Visit the Digital Inclusion page on the website to register and to find out what else is happening in February and March.
Learn more here: https://qdn.org.au/our-work/access-affordability-ability-digital-inclusion/
DDIRR forums and workshops
QDN’s Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction community forums and workshops are supporting communities to be more inclusive and disaster resilient. Together we will develop inclusive strategies, actions and plans that will help us to act before, during and after a disaster to include people with disability and others in our community.
Dates are confirmed for areas across South East Queensland including Esk, Gatton, Stanthorpe and more.
Learn more here: https://qdn.org.au/our-work/disability-inclusive-disaster-risk-reduction/building-inclusive-disaster-resilient-communities/
Policy update 3rd - 17th February 2023
Disability Ministers from around Australia set priorities for the year
Last Friday, disability ministers convened in Canberra to discuss the key priorities to improve the lives of people with disability in Australia in 2023. This is the first meeting of the Disability Reform Ministerial Council (DRMC) formerly known as the Disability Reform Minister’s Meeting. The DRMC will now report directly to National Cabinet. Minister Shorten discussed progress on key items of work currently improving outcomes for people with disability, such as reducing hospital discharge delays and that with State and Territory Ministers, and Minister Rishworth mentioned a commitment to ensuring workplaces are inclusive for people with disability, implementing a National Autism Strategy and embedding support for young people with disability into the Commonwealth Early Years Strategy.
Other areas discussed at the meeting included:
- An update on the work of the NDIS Review.
- Endorsement of the report to National Cabinet on the Improving Care Pathways recommendations.
- Discussion regarding progress to reduce hospital discharge delays to 33 days down from 160 days in early 2022.
- Discussion of failure to meet the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety target to prevent young people entering aged care and the need to work together across government to tackle the issue.
- Agreement in accelerating a nationally consistent approach to regulatory settings around restrictive practices.
- Hearing updates on the COVID-19 response for people with disability.
- Endorsement of the Support Employment Principles which will guide a plan to evolution of the supported employment sector so that it remains viable, and better meets community expectations.
Ministers also heard from Tracy Mackey, NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissioner, who provided an update on the Own Motion Inquiry into Aspects of Supported Accommodation.
The next DRMC will be held in March 2023.
More information can be found here
You can access DRMC Communiqués can be found here
Commitment to improving the National Disability Insurance Scheme
The Australian Government has proposed a commitment to transparency, openness and accountability between the NDIS and the disability community. The NDIA is working on ways to ensure that published information is accessible to a broad audience and a review of the NDIS is currently underway.
On February 2023, the Australian Government tabled its response to the Joint Standing Committee on the NDIS report which you can access here.
The Australian Government supports the six recommendations made in the Committee’s report and is planning to have meaningful engagement with people with disability, carers, representative organisations, providers and state and territory government to improve the scheme.
Read more here
Accessible Transport under review
Public consultations by the Federal Government have been underway for standards for accessibility of public transport. The Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2022 require public transport operators and providers to ensure accessible services for people with disability.
These standards go under review every five years. The review must report on the effectiveness and efficiency of the transport standards, report on the removal of discrimination and whether it has gone far enough, and any necessary changes/updates to the standards.
You can make a submission regarding disability standards for the accessibility of public transport by June 30.
Whilst the discussion paper includes questions, you don’t have to answer all of them, as they are there as a guide. QDN encourages members to share experiences around accessibility of transport.
More information can be found here.
Disability Royal Commission
Public Hearing 32 occurring from the 13th to the 17th of February 2023 will re-examine policies and practices of disability service providers. This will include four hearings looking into how specific providers have prevented and responded to violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation and will look into areas such as whether:
- People with disability have choice and control in the way services are delivered.
- People with disability have access to independent advocacy.
- Service providers are trauma-informed and culturally responsive.
- Service providers use inclusive design principles.
- Workforce conditions are support high-quality disability services.
- Best practice around the management of incidents and complaints.
- Self-advocacy.
- internal governance in disability service providers.
- The role of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Quality and Safeguards Commission. and the National Disability Insurance Agency.
More information can be found here
Update from Day 1 of Public Hearing 32:
This hearing began with an exploration into both policies and practices of disability service providers and whether they prevent violence, abuse neglect and exploitation of people with disability as well as whether they deliver safe and high quality services.
The first person to give evidence was Sam Peterson who is a visual artist, writer, performer and wheelchair user requiring a communication device.
Sam detailed experiences involving gaslighting, being brushed aside and ignored, limitations within shared support, situations where a person’s needs are continually not met over a long period of time, service providers being inconsistent, inadequate, and untimely in response to him speaking out, as well as being psychologically abused by service providers. He also mentioned that more training for providers and workers by people with disability could improve service delivery as well as a culture of transformative justice and trauma-informed practice.
There were also representatives from advocacy services that discussed topics of choice and control and human rights.
More information can be found here
Progression of a National Autism Strategy and Research Centre
The Albanese Labour Government plans to progress a National Autism Strategy as well as commit further funds to the Autism Cooperative Research (CRC). The Minister for Social Services has announced that a further $2 million in Commonwealth funds has been allocated to the Autisms CRC to continue research as well as support development for the National Autism Strategy.
The purpose of the funding has been to provide system change and practices that better support people with autism as well as opening up more opportunities for people on the autism spectrum and who have other neurodevelopmental conditions.
Key reform areas will include healthcare, education and employment and Minister Rishworth has stated that the government are partnering with Autism CRC and ensuring consultation and co-design with people on the autism spectrum and who have other neurodevelopmental conditions in developing the Strategy.
More information can be found here
Opportunity for Australians to help shape the Early Years Strategy
A discussion paper has been released by the Australian Government with a call for public submissions on the direction of the Commonwealth’s Early Years Strategy, which relates to the needs of children in their early years. Minister Rishworth is encouraging all Australians to have their say on the direction of the Strategy and has expressed that the government is looking to hear from a diverse range of voices on the discussion paper. Minister for Childhood Education Dr Anne Aly has expressed this Strategy is about optimising connections between health, education and family support services to ensure that children thrive throughout their life.
More information can be found here
Caring for others & yourself: Carer Wellbeing Survey 2023
Carers Australia is conducting an annual national survey into the wellbeing carers and their support services. The survey is being conducted in partnership with the University of Canberra on behalf of the Department of Social Services and seeks people’s experiences of being a carer and the support services they have accessed, including Carer Gateway.
More information can be found here
Link to survey is here
Safe Places Emergency Accommodation Inclusion Round
A discussion paper has been released for the Safe Places Emergency Accommodation Round and is open for public consultation. Input from people with disability is being sought by the Department of Social Services to help inform the design of the Inclusion Round, which will include capital grants to build, purchase or renovate dwellings to deliver new emergency accommodation for women and children leaving family and domestic violence. The focus of the Inclusion Round will be on accommodation groups such as First Nations women and children, women and children from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds and women and children with disability.
You can have input on how domestic and family violence crisis accommodation can be more accessible for women and children with disability experiencing domestic and family violence.
Submissions close 10 March 2023.
More information can be found here
Read the discussion paper here
Jobs
Projects Officer
We are looking for a Project Officer to join our Digital Inclusion team!
This is a full time contract ending 30 June 2023 with possible extension subject to project funding. The role is a hybrid role, working from home and our office in Spring Hill.
What will you bring to the role?
- High level of knowledge and awareness things that are important in the lives of people with disability.
- Demonstrated experience delivering projects.
- Effective engagements skills across a broad range of consumer, community, and government stakeholders.
- The ability to comply with relevant State and Commonwealth legislation and frameworks including Work Health and Safety requirements, QDN’s processes, NDIS Quality and Safeguards and Queensland Human Rights Act.
- Demonstrated high level communication and interpersonal skills.
We deeply value lived experience. People with disability, or family connections of people with disability are strongly encouraged to apply.
Read the full role description here.
To apply please send your CV and cover letter to applications@qdn.org.au by Wednesday 15th March 2023.
Events
Digital Inclusion
Monday 6 March - Digital Inclusion Masterclasses - Scams Related To Natural Disasters – Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/digital-inclusion-masterclasses-scams-related-to-natural-disasters-tickets-519289116727
Wednesday 8 March - Digital Inclusion Workshop - Module 2: Being online and staying connected – Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/digital-inclusion-workshop-module-2-being-online-and-staying-connected-tickets-512665515357
Monday 13 March - Digital Inclusion Masterclasses – Rediplan - Being prepared in disasters and emergencies – Register here:
Tuesday 14 March - Caboolture Digital Inclusion – in person workshops Module 1: Learning the basics – Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/digital-inclusion-workshop-module-1-learning-the-basics-tickets-551733197847
Wednesday 15 March - Digital Inclusion Workshop - Module 3: Staying informed online - Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/digital-inclusion-workshop-module-3-staying-informed-online-tickets-512705615297
Friday 17 March - Gympie Digital Inclusion – in person workshops Modules 1 & 2 - Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/gympie-digital-inclusion-in-person-workshops-tickets-535430816987
Friday 17 March - New Farm Digital Inclusion – in person workshops Module 1 – Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/digital-inclusion-new-farm-workshop-module-1-learning-the-basics-tickets-556233618727
Monday 20 March - Digital Inclusion Masterclasses – Navigating Disaster Dashboard – Register here:
Tuesday 21 March - Caboolture Digital Inclusion – in person workshops Module 2: Being online and staying connected – Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/digital-inclusion-workshop-module-2-being-online-staying-connected-tickets-551719216027
Wednesday 22 March - Digital Inclusion Workshop - Module 4: Accessing essential services – Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/digital-inclusion-workshop-module-4-accessing-essential-services-tickets-512709226097
Friday 24 March - Gympie Digital Inclusion – in person workshops Modules 3 & 4 – Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/gympie-digital-inclusion-in-person-workshops-tickets-535439322427
Friday 24 March - New Farm Digital Inclusion – in person workshops Module 2 – Register here:
Monday 27 March - Digital Inclusion Masterclasses – Red Cross Get Prepared App – Register here:
Tuesday 28 March - Caboolture Digital Inclusion – in person workshops Module 3: Staying informed online - https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/digital-inclusion-workshop-module-3-staying-informed-online-tickets-551759887677
Wednesday 29 March - Digital Inclusion Workshop - Module 5: Staying safe online – Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/digital-inclusion-workshop-module-5-staying-safe-online-tickets-513460493157
Friday 31 March - Gympie Digital Inclusion – in person workshops Modules 5 & 6 – Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/gympie-digital-inclusion-in-person-workshops-tickets-535440355517
Friday 31 March - New Farm Digital Inclusion – in person workshops Module 3 – Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/556236728027
DIDRR
Monday 6 March – Warwick Part A P-CEP workshop – Register here: https://forms.office.com/r/BpwXwsfQ78
Wednesday 8 March - Gatton Part A P-CEP workshop – Register here: https://forms.office.com/r/KFJ8i4mi3S
Thursday 9 March - Withcott Part A P-CEP workshop – Register here: https://forms.office.com/r/KFJ8i4mi3S
Friday 10 March - Esk BIDRC Community Forum – Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/387915414447
Monday 13 March - Beaudesert BIDRC Community Forum – Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/490200923157
Tuesday 14 March - Kedron Wavell Flood forum
Monday 20 March - Warwick Part B P-CEP workshop – Register here: https://forms.office.com/r/BpwXwsfQ78
Wednesday 22 March - Gatton Part B P-CEP workshop – Register here: https://forms.office.com/r/KFJ8i4mi3S
Thursday 23 March - Withcott Part B P-CEP workshop – Register here: https://forms.office.com/r/KFJ8i4mi3S
Friday 24 March - Stanthorpe Part A P-CEP workshop – Register here: https://forms.office.com/r/BpwXwsfQ78
Friday 31 March - Stanthorpe Part B P-CEP workshop – Register here: https://forms.office.com/r/BpwXwsfQ78
Peer support groups
Friday 3 March - Gympie – 9:30am – face to face
Friday 3 March - Gold Coast Hot Topics – 10:30am – Southport Community Centre
Monday 6 March - QDN Y – 4pm – online
Friday 10 March - Gold Coast – 10:30am – Nerang Library and online
Wednesday 15 March - Brisbane – 10:30am – QDN Office and online
Wednesday 15 March - Deception Bay – 10:30am – Deception Bay Darts Club
Thursday 16 March - QDN Group Convenor Training
Friday 17 March - Cairns Yarning Circle – 12pm – Maraway Community Hub
Saturday 18 March - Ipswich – 10am – Coffee Club Riverlink
Monday 20 March - QDN Online – 5:30pm – online
Saturday 25 March - Caboolture – 11am – Caboolture Sports Club
Tuesday 28 March - QDN Peer Leaders – 4pm – online
Wednesday 29 March - GrADS – 1:30pm – Griffith Uni, Nathan Campus
Wednesday 29 March - Self-management – 4pm – online
Wednesday 29 March - Toowoomba – 1pm – 2:30pm Toowoomba City Library
Wednesday 29 March - Sunshine Coast – 10am – 12pm Online
Thursday 30 March - Rockhampton – 12pm – CoCoBrew
Friday 31 March - Brisbane Hot Topics – 9am – QDN Office and online
