QDN e-News Update - 6 August 2024
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2024 Queensland Disability Conference - Imagining Possibilities: Shaping an inclusive Queensland
Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN), in partnership with the Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services, is hosting the 2024 Queensland Disability Conference — 'Imagining Possibilities: Shaping an inclusive Queensland' on Friday 16 August.
Event highlights will include discussions on upcoming disability reforms, accessibility, health, education, research and the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This one-day event will also explore how we can boost equity and inclusion for all Queenslanders, including Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples living with disability.
Conference Details:
Date: Friday 16 August 2024
Time: 9:30am – 4:30pm
Please register to attend online at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/queensland-disability-conference-2024-online-registration-tickets-943970179217?aff=oddtdtcreator
Registration closing date is Monday 12 August 2024.
QDN Catch Up meetings
We are excited to catch up with our members and supporters through our QDN Catch up meetings. These meetings will take place in various locations, providing an excellent opportunity to update you on QDN’s activities across different policy areas, share ways you can get involved, and hear your perspectives on key issues. The upcoming meetings are being held on the Gold Coast, followed by Ipswich and Caboolture, you can find more information on the QDN calendar - with more to be scheduled soon.
50 cent fares are here.
From Monday 5 August for six months, the public transport fares will be reduced to a 50 cent flat rate.
Services
The 50 cent flat fare applies to all:
- Queensland Rail City Train services
- buses (excluding dedicated school buses)
- Brisbane City ferries and Southern Moreton Bay Island Ferry
- trams
- on demand services.
The 50 cent flat fare applies to all Translink network regional bus services in the following areas:
- Bowen
- Bundaberg
- Cairns
- Fraser Coast (including on demand)
- Gladstone
- Gympie
- Innisfail
- Kilcoy
- Mackay
- Rockhampton and Yeppoon
- Sunshine Coast Hinterland
- Toowoomba (including on demand)
- Townsville
- Warwick
- Whitsundays
Off-peak travel discount
The 20% discount on off-peak travel will not apply during this time. All travel across zones and times of day will be at a flat rate of 50 cents.
Concessions
The 50% concession fares will not apply during this time. Fares will be at a flat 50 cent rate for everyone using public transport.
Seniors
If you're a Senior Concession Card holder, then you will be able to continue to travel free on Brisbane City Council buses and in the Gold Coast City Council areas during off-peak travel times.
Policy update
Policy submissions
QDN members are encouraged to reach out to the policy team to be involved in our submission writing. Email qdn@qdn.org.au or call 1300 363 783 to have a conversation with the policy team.
Submissions the policy team is working on:
- National Housing and Homelessness Plan Bill 2024
Submissions the policy team has completed since the last e-news
- 2023–24 Severe Weather Season Review
- Consultation on Draft Statewide Oral Health Services Plan
- Draft National Autism Strategy submission
- Automated vehicle safety reforms
- National Construction Code 2025 Public Comment
- Joint Standing Committee on the NDIS — General Issues Inquiry
- Independent Human Rights Review
- Disability Services (Restrictive Practices) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024
- NDIS Bill amendments
- Personal Mobility Device Dimensions Discussion Paper
Policy updates
There has been a lot happening in disability reforms in the last couple of weeks. If you have any questions or concerns reach out to the QDN policy team at qdn@qdn.org.au or phone 1300 363 783.
Australian Government Response to the Disability Royal Commission
The Australian Government Response to the final report of the Disability Royal Commission includes responses to 172 recommendations within the Australian Government’s primary or shared responsibility. The Australian Government accepts or accepts in principle 130 recommendations, is considering 36 recommendations and notes 6 recommendations.
What does this mean? Of the 172 recommendations that are the responsibility of the Australian Government, they mostly agree with 130 recommendations but need to think about the best ways to follow some of these recommendations. More time is needed before they decide what to do about 36 recommendations and there are 6 recommendations they cannot respond to.
It does not include responses to the 50 recommendations within state and territory governments’ primary responsibility.
You can read the response to each recommendation here:
Easy Read, Auslan, Braille and large print https://www.dss.gov.au/disability-and-carers-australian-government-response-to-the-disability-royal-commission/australian-government-response-to-the-disability-royal-commission-and-supporting-documents
Queensland Government Response to the Disability Royal Commission
The Queensland Government also released its response to the Disability Royal Commission. 130 of the 222 recommendations in the final report require a response from Queensland. The Queensland Government’s response addresses these 130 recommendations, which includes 85 recommendations where Queensland has contributed to a joint response with the Australian and other state and territory governments.
- The Queensland Government has accepted 104 recommendations, either in principle, in part or in full. This means they mostly agree but need time to think about some recommendations or to engage more with the disability community.
- There are 23 recommendations where further consideration is required, including consultation with people with disability, before an approach is finalised.
- There is one recommendation that proposed raising the criminal age of responsibility to 14 years that Queensland did not support.
Read the full report and accessible versions here Disability Royal Commission | Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services (dcssds.qld.gov.au)
Consultation on draft lists of NDIS supports
If changes proposed under the NDIS (Getting the NDIS Back on Track) Bill become law there will be a new definition of NDIS supports. This is intended to enable more flexible planning and new budget setting arrangements as recommended by the NDIS Review. Government would like your feedback on the draft list of NDIS supports. Read the discussion paper including draft lists and fill in the survey to have your voice heard here Consultation on draft lists of NDIS supports | engage.dss.gov.au
Queensland Disability Reform Framework
The Queensland Government has also released the Queensland Disability Reform Framework – The Next Chapter (Framework), which has been developed in consultation with the disability sector. The Framework provides an approach to disability reform including the Disability Royal Commission and the NDIS Review. The Framework has key focus areas and initial reforms under three broad objectives:
- The rights, voices and participation of people with disability are elevated.
- Queenslanders with disability can access high quality, safe services.
- Strong structures to drive outcomes for Queenslanders with disability.
You can read the Framework in accessible format including Easy Read and Auslan here https://www.dcssds.qld.gov.au/our-work/disability-services/queensland-disability-reform-framework
NDIS Provider and Worker Registration Taskforce Report
The NDIS Provider and Worker Registration Taskforce has provided its advice to the Minister including recommendations on:
- The design and implementation of the graduated risk-proportionate regulatory model;
- A Provider Risk Framework; and
- Arrangements for platform providers and circumstances where participants directly employ their workers.
The Taskforce recommends five types of NDIS registration
- No registration for goods bought in mainstream services
- Basic Registration for providers offering low-risk supports
- Self-Directed Support Registration for people who contract all of their supports directly
- General Registration for providers who offer medium-risk supports
- Advanced Registration for providers who offer high-risk supports.
You can read the advice including in accessible formats here https://www.dss.gov.au/disability-and-carers-standards-and-quality-assurance/ndis-provider-and-worker-registration-taskforce
NDIS (Getting the NDIS Back on Track) Bill 2024
The Bill was considered by the Senate in June and referred back to the Senate Committee for further consideration and consultation. The Senate Committee is expected to report back to the Senate by 5 August 2024. If legislation passes, the Australian Government will then go through a consultation and co-design process with the disability community on updates to the NDIS Rules.
You can read more and subscribe to updates here https://www.dss.gov.au/disability-and-carers-programs-services-ndis-reforms/changes-to-the-ndis-act
Launch of Partnering for inclusive housing with Queenslanders with disability 2024-2027
This new inclusive housing plan was co-designed with Queenslanders with Disability Network, and outlines new ways to address housing barriers and increase housing options for people with disability. The plan is underpinned by the four housing principles for inclusive communities – rights, choice, control and inclusion. Check out the plan and the co-design journey here Partnering for inclusive housing with Queenslanders with disability 2024-2027 | Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works
Disability Services (Restrictive Practices) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill
The public hearing was held for the Amendment Bill in July with Paige Armstrong and Rebecca Cason presenting to the Parliamentary Committee on behalf of QDN. The Committee has tabled its Report recommending the Bill be passed with some amendments. The Government has three months to respond to the report. You can read Report here https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-Committees/Committees/Committee-Details?cid=0&id=4437
Supported Accommodation Inquiry
The Parliamentary Committee handed down its Report on the Inquiry into Supported Accommodation in June. QDN and QAI were engaged to return to Level 3 Supported Accommodation facilities to provde residents with information about the recommendations from the report.
You can read the full report here https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-Committees/Committees/Committee-Details?cid=165&id=4298
User-friendly summary report https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/com/CSSC-0A12/IPRSAQ-00AB/User%20friendly%20summary%20of%20CSSC%20Report%20No.44%20Inquiry%20on%20supported%20accommodation.pdf
Intellectual Disability Health Capability Framework
The Department of Health and Aged Care has published the Intellectual Disability Health Capability Framework (the Framework). The Framework sets out intellectual disability health capabilities, tools, and resources to improve pre-registration education for health professionals. The Framework has been developed in close consultation with people with intellectual disability, their families, carers and support networks, as well as accreditation, education, and health professional experts.
Tenants Qld Rental Vulnerability Index
The Rental Vulnerability Index (RVI) is a tool that can be used to find out the rental vulnerability in your area defined by postcode. ‘Rental vulnerability’ is the vulnerability of persons to problems that may make their rental housing unaffordable, insecure, or inappropriate, and which therefore indicates a need for tenant advisory services.
This unique tool uses thirteen indicators of rental vulnerability, and it is highlighted into two broad groups: 'dwelling indicators' (public/community housing, boarding houses, residential parks, owner occupied) and 'people indicators' (younger, older, unemployed, single parent).
Explore the tool here: www.rentalvulnerability.org.au
Learn more about the project here: https://tenantsqld.org.au/rvi/
2024 Rental Affordability Snapshot released
Every year, Anglicare Australia tests if it is possible for people on low incomes to rent a home in the private market. They do this by taking a snapshot of the thousands of properties listed for rent on realestate.com.au and test whether each property is affordable and suitable for people on low incomes. In response to the findings, Anglicare Australia is calling on the Government to return to directly funding and providing housing itself, instead of leaving housing to the private sector.
Read the snapshot here: https://www.anglicare.asn.au/publications/2024-rental-affordability-snapshot/
Passenger Assistance and Service Standards in Personalised Transport
Service standards are in place to strengthen customer, driver and vehicle safety in personalised transport (PT), as well as improving transparency on fares and passenger rights.
Passenger Assistance
- If requested, in personalised transport drivers must assist passengers to board and enter their vehicle and help load and unload luggage without charges, provided it is reasonable.
- Passengers can request a receipt which must include a breakdown of the total fare and any payment surcharges.
Accessibility and The Taxi Subsidy Scheme (TSS)
- Drivers must not refuse to provide a service because a passenger is accompanied by an assistance animal, or is a member of the TSS.
- Drivers cannot start the taximeter until after a TSS member using a wheelchair or mobility scooter is loaded and secured in the vehicle.
- For all TSS journeys and all journeys for people using a wheelchair in a wheelchair accessible taxi, the taximeter must be activated to calculate the fare.
- After a TSS card is swiped for a in personalised transport journey, the driver must return the TSS card to the passenger.
For more information visit Taxi Service Standards, Ride-booking Service Standards and Limousine Service Standards.
Secure Taxi Ranks
Under the secure taxi ranks program, taxi rank marshals, security guards and CCTV monitoring are provided for enhanced safety and efficiency. Secure taxi ranks operate in popular nightlife precincts on Friday and Saturday nights and for select special events.
Secure rank staff are specially trained to manage the safety of passengers, drivers and their vehicles and other road users. They can be challenging roles, but marshal and security staff take great pride in helping to deliver safety and public order outcomes at their ranks and to ensure safe late-night journeys for drivers and passengers.
More than four million passengers used secure ranks in the 2022-23 year, and patronage numbers are on the rise.
More information here: https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/business-industry/taxi-and-limousine/industry-information/taxi/secure-taxi-ranks
Suncorp Stadium accessible set down/pick up zones
Suncorp Stadium provides two dedicated zones for wheelchair accessible taxis (WATs) and other vehicles to set down and pick up passengers with disability. After events, up to 10 vehicles, including WATs, can wait in these zones for people with disability who are exiting the Stadium.
These accessible zones are located at:
- Caxton Street – between Hale Street and Castlemaine Street, immediately north of Gates D and E (northern entry gates)
- Castlemaine Street – corner of Chippendall Street, close to lift access for Gates A and B (southern entry gates). Entry is via the roundabout at Castlemaine Street/Heussler Terrace intersection only – not via Milton Road.
Drivers may need to advise Traffic Control Officers in attendance that they are setting down/picking up a passenger with disability, to ensure that the dedicated zone is kept for its intended purpose.
WATs may also use the general taxi rank in Castlemaine Street near Caxton Street outside Sports House, or the secure taxi rank on Petrie Terrace.
For further information, please refer to the Suncorp Stadium website where you can find descriptions and maps of the dedicated set down and pick up zones and taxi ranks, along with information about road closures and the stadium’s Traffic Management Plan.
More information: https://suncorpstadium.com.au/the-venue/accessibility.aspx
Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (Transport Standards) Reforms
The Australian Government recently published the outcome of its review of the Transport Standards to improve public transport accessibility and remove discrimination against people with disability. As part of this, the Australian Government developed the Decision Regulation Impact Statement outlining the options, findings from public consultation and the costs and benefits for improvement options.
More information on this decision can be found at: www.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure-transport-vehicles/transport-accessibility/reform-disability-standards-accessible-public-transport-2002-transport-standards
60-day prescriptions scheme has been widened
Nearly 200 Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines are now available for a 60-day prescription for a range of stable ongoing health conditions.
This will give many Australians twice the amount of their medication on a single prescription.
To qualify, patients must:
- live with a stable ongoing health condition,
- have discussed their medication with their prescriber and be assessed as suitable, and
- have received a new 60-day prescription.
- This change is the second of three planned stages to introduce 60-day prescriptions over 12 months. When fully implemented by 1 September 2024, 60-day prescriptions will be available for around 300 PBS medicines.
Learn more here: https://www.health.gov.au/cheaper-medicines
What's on
To stay updated on what’s happening with the Peer Support Group, and Policy Forums, please visit our website. You can find this information under the 'Events' page and the QDN Calendar for upcoming events.
QDN Membership
If you or someone you know would like to be a QDN member apply here: https://qdn.org.au/membership/qdn-member-application/
From Our Allies
ASID QLD | What’s working well, what’s not and what’s next in the lives of people with intellectual disability.
Come along and join the one-day conference hosted by Queensland Division of ASID. During the day there will be keynotes, individual presentations, and parallel sessions, providing an opportunity for people with intellectual disability and supporters to meet up and share their thoughts and opinions.
Date: Monday 23 September 2024
Arrival time: 8:30am
Conference time: 9am – 5pm
Location: Modwest Building (11A), St Lucia Campus, The University of Queensland
Click here to register: https://tas.currinda.com/register/event/2394
For more information visit the ASID website - https://asid.asn.au/asid-qld-whats-working-well-whats-not-and-whats-next-in-the-lives-of-people-with-intellectual-disability/
National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health annual Conference 2024
The first annual Conference for the National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health! This conference focus on what the Centre is working on and highlighting important information about intellectual disability health.
When is the conference: Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 August
This conference is free to attend.
The conference is for anyone involved in the health care of people with intellectual disability. This includes:
- People with intellectual disability, including First Nations people with intellectual disability
- Supporters, friends, and family members of people with intellectual disability
- Disability professionals and advocates
- Health and allied health professionals
- Academics and researchers
Click here to register: https://events.peanutproductions.com.au/ncoeidh_annual_conference_2024
For more information visit the conference website: https://events.peanutproductions.com.au/ncoeidh_annual_conference_2024/program
Research assistance: Developing a model of preventive health care for people with intellectual disability.
The UNSW Department of Developmental Disability 3DN is looking for people with intellectual disability for research aimed at improving information about preventive health information (or information about staying healthy) for people with intellectual disability.
- Keep feeling healthy.
- Get better quickly when you are sick.
They want to ask you about a time when you have looked at or used information about staying health. Your experiences will be used to help the research how it can improve information about staying health for people with disability.
People will receive a $50 voucher for their participation.
To participate in the project or want more information you can contact Maryann Barrington. To contact Maryann call 02 9065 4445, or email maryann.barrington@unsw.edu.au
To find out more information visit the website: Preventive healthcare for people with intellectual disability | Department of Developmental Disability Neuropsychiatry (3DN) (unsw.edu.au)
Get behind your favourite Aussie athletes by cheering them on in Paris.
With the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games officially opening on Friday 26 July, it’s time to get behind our athletes and show our support as they compete in green and gold. And with eight years to go until the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we also want to encourage all Queenslanders to discover what the Games means for our community.
Here are four ways you can join in the excitement and show your support for your favourite Aussie athletes:
- Attend an Olympic and Paralympic Live event: https://q2032.au/discover/content/olympics-paralympics-live
- Host your own Olympic and Paralympic Live event: https://www.olympics.com.au/games/paris-2024/olympics-and-paralympics-live/
Light up in green and gold and generate support throughout your own channels.
A week without driving. Are you ready to see your community from a new perspective?
The week Without Driving Challenge is a voluntary, self-managed initiative encouraging individuals to experience life without relying on their car. Participants pledge to avoid driving for an entire week, discovering alternative transportation methods such as walking, biking, scooter-riding, public transport, or carpooling.
Sing up today!
www.getaroundcabocarfree.com.au
