Member Update: QDN Welcomes 2022 State Budget The state budget was handed down on Tuesday 21 June, 2022. The following highlights key budget announcements across key government portfolios that affect people with disability. Among a number of highlights that will directly benefit Queenslanders with disability, QDN is particularly pleased to see a commitment to the continuation of the Taxi Subsidy Scheme, including an increase in the capped amount from $25.00-$30.00. This will assist many ... Read More

  QDN Nigel Webb Emerging Leader Bursary Jeni Lewington, QDN Emerging Leader was the successful recipient of the 2021 QDN Nigel Webb, Emerging Leader Bursary.  As part of the bursary Jeni has been meeting with disability and community leaders in Melbourne to gain new perspectives on leadership styles and techniques from our interstate connections which Jeni will provide to inform the Emerging Leaders program. Well done Jeni! For more information on Emerging Leaders click here »   ... Read More

  Rob Ellis Gold Coast Hot Topics Peer Support Group Why did you join QDN? To be included in my local community and to have a say about issues impacting people with disability. What has been good about becoming part of the group? Friendship, being out in the community and being able to communicate with others and share knowledge which is what I love to do.   What has been one of the groups achievements? Long lasting, staying together, and friendship. One of the groups achievements was ... Read More

QDN e-News Video Update – June 2022 Week 3 2032 Games Visioning Forum On Monday we held the Brisbane 2032 Games Visioning Forum. With over 70 participants the Forum was opened by the Hon Stirling Hinchliffe MP, Minister for Tourism, Innovation and Sport and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics and Paralympics Sport and Engagement. Three speakers, including two former Paralympians Geoff Trappett and Karni Liddell and Dr Sharon Boyce set the scene for how we can work together to ... Read More

  Matt McCracken receives an Order of Australia The late Matt McCracken was recognised among the 119 Queenslanders who have been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the recent 2022 Queen’s Birthday Honours List. QDN is delighted that Matt has been recognised to receive an OAM. He was a QDN Board Director, Peer Leader, mentor and a natural born advocate as well as a caring friend to anyone who needed him. We know he would have been proud to have received this award in ... Read More

P-CEP Leadership profile – Geoff What are you learning from the group? “I’m learning to be prepared for all kind of emergencies and to give information to my deaf blind peers in the Hunter NSW.” Would you encourage others to do it? If so why? “Yes. There is always room to learn more information. You can listen to others first hand experiences of all different kind of emergencies.” “I am enjoying learning about emergency preparedness because it raises ... Read More

P-CEP Leadership profile – Chantel What are you learning from the program? “I’m learning how to prepare for an emergency if you have a disability. I’m learning about how to support myself in an emergency and how to support others by helping them think about what is important to them in an emergency (such as what medications or equipment you need and what planning we can do to prepare)” Would you encourage others to do it? Why? “I definitely encourage anyone to undertake ... Read More

    Peer Support Group wrap up – March 2022 QDN team members, Olivia and Kat went to Far North Queensland! Olivia and Kat spent a week in Far North Queensland supporting our three Peer Support Groups, building and broadening local community connections and awareness of the work of QDN’s Peer Support Groups. Over the week they supported three peer groups meeting with 17 QDN peer group members and over 40 community service providers and 3 regional councils. They connected with new ... Read More

P-CEP Leadership profile – Rohan What did you learn from the program? Always be prepared for the disaster when it happens. I also gained good  leadership skills being part of this program. Would you encourage others to do it? If so, why? Yes, I would like other people to be part of the program, so they can be prepared for any disaster and emergency situation. Helping others to learn about this program, could be a good way for them to become a volunteer for this kind of work. I am enjoying ... Read More

  Making complex interfaces work for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) In 2021, QDN collaborated with The Hopkins Centre to host an online Forum for Fitting providers together in your National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) support puzzle.  The session focused on the perspective of participants and their families, and an advocacy view on experiences, challenges and good practices of managing funded supports with multiple providers. This forum was part of The Hopkins ... Read More

  People with disability want support to make their own decisions The Brisbane Hot Topics Peer Support Group was featured in the Royal Commission Connect Newsletter this month. ‘People think I am not capable because of my disability’ but ‘they should talk to me instead of going behind my back.’ Eight people with intellectual disability from Brisbane peer support group ‘Hot Topics’ shared their views on choice, control and decision making at a co-designed focus group with the Royal ... Read More

Upcoming Peer Support Group meetings Looking for a place to connect, meet new people, find out more about topics of interest like National Disability Insurance Scheme, navigating hospitals and healthcare or housing. Come along to one of QDN’s Peer Support Groups which are run by people with disability, for people with disability. QDN also has an online peer support group for people with disability looking to connect online once a month. This group meet on the third Monday of the month. New ... Read More

  Bill Shorten announced as new NDIS Minister QDN congratulates Bill Shorten on the announcement that he will be sworn in as the new Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). He has been shadow Minister for the NDIS since 2019 and was also influential in the formation of the Scheme way back in 2013. QDN has been working with Minister Shorten over the last few months both up in Cairns where he met QDN members and staff and also online at our state-wide election forum. We ... Read More

Keeping well during flu season Coming into the flu season the Queensland Health have developed fact sheets in response to Queensland’s free flu vaccination to all Queenslanders. Why is it important to get a flu vaccination? Annual flu vaccination is recommended for everyone over 6 months of age. Vaccination is the best way to reduce the risk of getting flu. You can’t hide from flu. Both the flu virus and COVID-19 are circulating in our community. The flu virus has the potential to make people ... Read More

Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Visioning Forum With 10 years to go until the Brisbane 2032 Games. QDN held an online ‘Visioning Forum – For Queenslanders with Disability’. The time to make this happen is now and we need your input! Your chance to help shape the future and leave a legacy of a more accessible Queensland for all! On Monday 13 June, we held the Brisbane 2032 Games Visioning Forum. With over 70 participants the Forum was opened by the Hon Stirling ... Read More