QDN e-News - 27 March 2025

 

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Voice of Queenslanders with Disability survey 2025 

The Voice of Queenslanders with Disability survey, is back! 

QDN, Griffith University, and the Queensland Government invite you to participate in the Voice of Queenslanders with Disability survey.  

This survey is a research initiative designed for Queenslanders with disabilities, their families, carers, and organisational representatives. Your insights and stories are important in helping to enhance services and programs. 

Your insights and stories are important in helping to enhance services and programs. 

There are many ways to share your stories. You can complete our online survey by clicking on the survey below that best describes you. You may be able to complete more than one. 

To share your story, take the survey here: https://bit.ly/3Y0GVBC

You can also ask for phone interview, virtual interview, complete the survey in a word document, or any other way you feel comfortable sharing. Please email dignityproject@griffith.edu.au 

Insights from the 100-Day Review – Brisbane 2032 Olympics 

The final report from the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Infrastructure 100 Day Review and the Queensland Government’s 2032 Delivery Plan have both been recently released.  

The Plan outlines $7.1 billion in construction projects across Queensland including:  

  • building and upgrading sport venues and facilities  
  • an athlete village which will be turned into permanent housing  
  • improved public transport infrastructure.  

QDN is pleased to see 58 commitments to accessible infrastructure in the Plan including a commitment to deliver a dedicated para-sport facility and increase investments in increasing participation in sport and physical activity for people with disability. QDN looks forward to continuing to be able to work as part of the implementation and the important role of co-design and engagement with people with disability as part of this next phase of work.  

Read QDN’s full statement: https://qdn.org.au/insights-from-the-100-day-review-brisbane-2032-olympics/


2025 Federal Budget  

On Tuesday 25 March 2025, Treasurer Jim Chalmers handed down the Federal Budget for 2025 with a range of key elements affecting people with disability. Read the budget highlights that impact people with disability and what’s missing: https://qdn.org.au/2025-federal-budget/

'The Centre's' 2025 conference - registrations open

QDN is a proud member of the National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability (The Centre). The Centre's 2025 conference on 3-4 of July is now open for registration. The conference theme is ‘Working together every step of the way’ and will explore ways to rethink healthcare for people with intellectual disability.  
Find out more and register: https://nceidh.org.au/conference-2025 
 

Opportunities to be involved in new QDN Projects  

QDN is part of a number of new projects and we are looking for people interested. One is ESports-Able Program around gaming and disability inclusion in esports and the other is the Empower Project which is the only funded legacy project for the Brisbane 2032 Games. For more information please see below.  

Expression of Interest: Esports Lived Experience Mentor: https://qdn.org.au/expression-of-interest-esports-lived-experience-mentor/ 

Expression of Interest: Be part of the co-design team for the Empower Project: https://qdn.org.au/expression-of-interest-be-part-of-the-co-design-team-for-the-empower-project/ 


QDN Peer Support Groups are back for 2025! 

QDN Peer Support Groups bring people with disability together to share experiences, exchange information, and connect with their communities. The groups are led by individuals with disability and held online and in-person, right across Queensland.
Peer Support Groups provide safe spaces for discussing important matters like housing, transport, education, employment, and human rights. They also provide a platform for people with disability to influence change, voice opinions on community concerns, navigate the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), and support each other in achieving personal goals. Peer Support Groups are open to anyone living with disability in Queensland.
Learn more and get involved: 1300 363 783 or peersupport@qdn.org.au 

 

Bright Sparks Workshops

QDN is running 48 Bright Sparks workshops across Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan, Toowoomba, Cairns, Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay. The workshops focus on practical ways to reduce electricity bills without compromising health and wellbeing. These workshops are open to people with disability and will be delivered both in-person and online. An additional 12 workshops will be delivered by Multicultural Australia. The Bight Sparks project is funded by the Department of Energy and Climate.  

 If you would like to attend a Bright Sparks Workshop or read more follow this link: https://qdn.org.au/our-work/bright-sparks-2024-25/ 

Are you enrolled to vote? - Check your details now  

With a Federal Election anticipated to be around the corner, it is important all your details are up to date with the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC).   

Head to this website for more information: https://www.aec.gov.au  

The AEC also has a website that has information for people with disability or mobility restrictions, find out more here: https://www.aec.gov.au/assistance/  

 

Policy Submissions

Policy Update, there is a image of a tick in a box with an arrow coming out the side of the box and circling around back to point at the box.

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:  

  • Platform Providers mandatory registration
  • Supported independent living (SIL) and support coordination mandatory registration
  • Inquiry into Elder Abuse  

Submissions the policy team has completed since the last e-news: 

  • Aviation Customer Rights Charter  
  • Inquiry into Volunteering in Queensland  


NDIS updates  

Rule Amendments  

There have been recent rule amendment changes regarding plan variations, plan reassessments, and unreasonable risks in a plan management decision. You can learn more here: https://www.ndis.gov.au/changes-ndis-legislation/summary-legislation-changes 

 

New information about eligibility reassessments 

New letters and a fact sheet have been launched to assist people to understand eligibility reassessments. You can learn more here:  

https://www.ndis.gov.au/changes-ndis-legislation/frequently-asked-questions-about-legislation 


NDIS events - Introducing changes to NDIS legislation    

For Support Coordinators: Thursday 27 March from 10am –11am. RSVP by 26 March  

https://www.ndis.gov.au/events/10618-introducing-changes-ndis-legislation-support-coordinators 


Using a NDIS Plan: Thursday 27 March from 1pm –2pm. RSVP by 26 March  

https://www.ndis.gov.au/events/10621-understanding-ndis-webinar-series-using-ndis-plan 

Policy updates 

Queensland Government media statement about the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 

The Queensland Government has paused implementation of changes to the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 that was due to start on 1 July 2025. The Queensland Government would like more time to do further consultations with stakeholders. You can learn more here: https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/102168 

 

Review of Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA)  

The Australian government has committed 6.9 million to review and modernize the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA Act). The Attorney General Department will conduct the review and consider Disability Royal Commission recommendations and other stakeholder views.  

Subscribe here for updates: https://bit.ly/4iI4kQB 

 

Skype platform is closing   

Microsoft announced that Skype is closing on 5 May and that users have an option to move to Microsoft Teams for free. Some people who are deaf or have a hearing impairment rely on Skype for the National Relay Service Video Call channel. You can learn more and find information in Auslan here:  

https://www.accesshub.gov.au/news/update-video-relay-service-light-5-may-skype-shutdown 

 

Carer Wellbeing Survey 

A national survey has been released about the wellbeing of carers and their support services.
The survey closes on the 18 April.
Learn more here: https://www.dss.gov.au/news/carer-wellbeing-survey-2025-now-open 

 

NDIS Reform Advisory Committee  

There is an expression of interest to join the NDIS Advisory Committee that will advise the Disability Reform Ministerial Council regarding implementation of NDIS reforms. Applications are open until 24 March. Learn more here: https://engage.dss.gov.au/ndis-reform-advisory-committee-expression-of-interest/  

 

The Disability Centre of Excellence and Disability employment Services name changes

Disability Employment Services will be known as Inclusive Employment Australia- Finding careers for people with disability. The Disability Centre of Excellence is now known as the Centre for Inclusive Employment. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/440Pdx8 


Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme 

Since the start of January 2025, the Australian Government have put a freeze on the maximum cost of PBS medicines. This means the cost of the PBS medicine is the same as it was in 2024.  

Learn more on: https://www.health.gov.au/cheaper-medicines 

 

Covid Report 

Australian Human Rights Commission released a report about the Covid 19 Pandemic called Collateral Damage. Learn more on: https://bit.ly/3QRZcNI 

 

Assistance Animal National Principles  

The Department of Social Services have developed draft National Principles for the regulation of assistance animals. You can provide feedback about the principles. Consultation period ends 1 June 2025. Learn more here: https://engage.dss.gov.au/assistance-animal-national-principles/ 

 

Inquiry into Elder Abuse 

The Queensland state government has announced an inquiry into elder abuse. Submissions open until 10 April 2025.
Have your say about the inquiry into elder abuse: https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-Committees/Committees/Committee-Details?cid=269&id=4455  

 

Election Resources  

The Australian Electoral Commission have accessible information about voting for the upcoming election. Learn more on  https://www.aec.gov.au/community/accessible-education.htm  and https://www.aec.gov.au/assistance/ 

 

Final report from disability reform community reforms released  

We are pleased to share the final report and presentation slides from the disability reform community forums held in February across Queensland. The report includes themes that emerged from our discussions and the data collected during the activities around reform priorities and timeframes. These documents can be accessed here: https://qdn.org.au/qld-disability-reforms/

Stay informed and up to date about the disability reform work and about future events and opportunities by becoming part of our disability reform Community of Practice. You can sign up here: https://forms.office.com/r/MBVbap8A8S 

What's on

Expression of Interest: Esports Lived Experience Mentor   

Are you passionate about gaming and disability inclusion in esports?   

Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) is looking for a person with lived experience of mental health or psychosocial disability who wants to become an Esports Lived Experience Mentor as part of the Esports-Able program.    

 The program aims to encourage greater diversity in esports participation and create safer and more welcoming esports communities for high school students who have mental health conditions.    

It will provide teens with an online training and coaching program to support their involvement in a series of esports events in Cairns, Mackay, Mount Isa, Rockhampton, Townsville and Toowoomba.    

The program will run from March to December 2025.    

The project is led by Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in collaboration with Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN).   

How to Apply: 

  1. Read the Information sheet: Esports Lived Experience Mentor 
  2. Please complete the online Expression of Interest form 

If you would like more information or need support answering the questions, please call QDN on 1300 363 783 or email at qdn@qdn.org.au.     

 

Expression of Interest: Be part of the co-design team for the Empower Project

QDN is partnering with the Jamieson Trauma Institute (JTI) from Metro North Health on the Empower Project, a Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games 2032 Legacy project.   

We are looking for people with disability who want to be involved in the co-design of the Empower Project. 

The Empower Project will explore and address barriers to sports and recreation participation for Queenslanders with disability to foster a more inclusive and accessible sports and recreation environment.  

In this program we will also work collaboratively with the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Griffith University, Sporting Wheelies, the University of Queensland (UQ) and other key representatives across the sporting and disability sector.   

The project will be completed by November 2026.  

The Empower Legacy Project is proudly supported by the Queensland Government. 

How to Apply: 

  1. Read the Information sheet: EOI Empower Project
  2. Please complete the online Expression of Interest form 

If you would like more information or need support answering the questions, please call QDN on 1300 363 783 or email at empower@qdn.org.au.    

The closing date to receive applications is close of business (COB) Friday 9 of May 2025.  

Shortlisted applicants will be notified by Wednesday 14 of May 2025 for interview by a selection panel. 

 

Stay updated on what’s happening with the Peer Support Group, DIDRR Workshops, and Policy Forums, on our website. You can find this information under the 'Events' page and check the QDN Calendar for upcoming events.
QDN Events: https://qdn.org.au/events/

 

QDN Membership – spread the word

Do you know someone who should be a QDN member? Share this link them so they can have their voice heard and connect with peers and support networks across Queensland.

QDN Membership Application: https://qdn.org.au/membership/qdn-member-application/

From our Allies 

Stories That Matter – Disability & Resilience in the Bush 

Life in Outback Queensland comes with unique challenges—but also incredible resilience and community spirit. 

Their new video series, "Living the Best Life in the Bush with Disability," tells the powerful real-life stories of people with disability thriving in remote Queensland. 

  • Adam Ballard – A Longreach local with Williams Syndrome who’s built a meaningful life through work, volunteering, and radio. 
  • Daisy Walton – A First Nations woman with a visual impairment embracing creativity, confidence, and new skills. 
  • Jacques Jacobie – A determined advocate who, after a spinal cord injury, returned to work and pushed 29km in his wheelchair to raise funds for a friend. 

These stories highlight both the challenges and the triumphs of living with disability in remote areas. 

Watch now → www.oil.org.au/stories 

Please take a moment to watch, share, and amplify these voices. Disability in the bush deserves to be seen, heard, and supported. 

 

Leadership changes at DANA  

We congratulate El Gibbs who has been appointed the new CEO of DANA after Jeff Smith was appointed as the NSW Ageing and Disability Commissioner. Learn more on: https://www.dana.org.au/leadership-changes-at-dana/ 

 

ASID Conference 

ASID 2025 Conference Learning from the Past, Shaping the Future will be held in November 2025. The conference will include people who are committed to improving the lives of people with an intellectual disability. They are asking for Abstracts from people who would like to present at the conference. 

Learn more on: https://asidconference.com.au/call-for-abstracts/ 

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/  

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