News.

Check here for General Information about our news and newsletters.

This page is mainly devoted to general news.

Note: Use of his material is subject to our Copyright provisions.

Please note: Up to date press releases and information bulletins from Disability Services Queensland can be found on the official DSQ web site, by following this link. The site allows you to sign up to receive news to your own email.

News.

QDN suggests members sign the petition to strengthen the DDA.

In light of the findings by the Federal Court vs. Sheila King, a petition demanding the strengthening of the DDA has been developed at the following link: www.petitiononlineaustralia.com/petition/stop-further-discrimination-strengthen-the-dda-disability-discrimination-act-1992-australia/301 .

QDN is proud to support Sheila in her one person battle against airline discrimination in Australia. This is petition is a way to demonstrate support and bring about changes that will benefit all people with disabilities across Australia.

Please sign the petition in support of all people with disabilities.

TOP

Supporting inclusion in environment groups.

Resources are available to help environment groups engage with people with a disability interested in volunteering to protect the environment.

The resources have been developed by a University of Queensland Bachelor of Environmental Management student, Ellenie Ariotti, and Fran Vicary, the CEO of Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN).

'We wanted to put disability and inclusion on the agenda,' says Fran.

'People with disability are an untapped group of volunteers.'

The resources are available. You can also find out more about the project-including the research findings and how supporting people with disability as volunteers can lead to better outcomes for environment groups and the community.

The full content is on the webpage Disability Online at www.qld.gov.au/disability/news-events/supporting-inclusion

TOP

Self-Directed Funding.

Queensland Alliance for Self-Direction presents a workshop to provide information on how this is currently being achieved in Queensland and to provide an opportunity for ongoing conversation for the future of self-direction.

Date: Monday 21st Nov 2011

Cliff hanger over disability!

QDN in partnership with QAI invites you to our DisabiliTea to celebrate the abilities of people with disability and raise awareness of the national campaign that supports an inclusive life for everyone.

Watch Fran Vicary and John MacPherson from QDN and Ken Wade from QAI dangle before abseiling down the cliffs, proving that disability does not get in the way of enjoying life!

Read more in Cliff hanger over disability!

Read how to get there in navigation.

TOP

New guideline on Premises Standards released.

Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes, today released a guideline that will assist building professionals and those concerned with access to better understand how the Premises Standards apply to new and upgraded public buildings. The Disability (Access to Premises - buildings) Standards 2010 (the Premises Standards) commence on 1 May 2011.

Read more at AHRC, 'New guideline on Premises Standards released'.

TOP

Vale Angus Downie.

'The disability movement has lost a great friend, a great leader, a great mentor'.

'Let's remember Angus as a straight shooter, a larrikin with a touch of the anarchist and a man who was, rightfully, almost as proud of his achievements as we his friends and inheritors are'.

NDIS Qld information forums - coming to you.

As QDN is part of the NDIS Queensland committee, we are circulating these e-updates to our contacts.

Read more in the document titled NDIS jan 2011.

TOP

As QDN is part of the NDIS Queensland committee, we are circulating these e-updates to our contacts.

Read more in the document titled NDIS jan 2011.

TOP

Australian Disability Parking Scheme.

The Australian Disability Parking Scheme helps eligible people park nearer to their destination. The Scheme has been designed through consultations with permit holders, State, Territory and Local Government representatives and other stakeholders. A key feature of the Scheme is the introduction of a national permit with enhanced security features. These features will help reduce the abuse of permits.

Read more at their site, Australian Disability Parking Scheme.

TOP

Your Assistanc, please. QAUHD.

In January 2010, the Queensland Government launched a mandatory Sustainability Declaration at the sale of all homes, to raise Queenslanders' awareness of the benefits of sustainable housing features. It required the seller to declare the features of their home that save water and energy, and enhance access and safety.

Queensland Action for Universal Housing Design supported this initiative.

There is an urgent issue we ask you to consider. Follow these links to read more

Link to QAUHD form letter (Word).

Link to QAUHD letter to supporters (PDF).

Link to QAUHD Proposed Sustainability Declaration (PDF).

TOP

Advances in disability and human rights legislation welcomed.

Thursday, 25 June 2009. The Australian Human Rights Commission has welcomed two major initiatives today for human rights of people with disability and their families.

Both Houses of the Federal Parliament have passed the Disability Discrimination and Other Human Rights Legislation Amendment Bill 2008. The Attorney-General has also announced that the Australian Human Rights Commission will be given specific responsibilities for monitoring Australia's implementation of the international Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Follow this link to the NHRC human rights bulletin (rtf).

TOP

Showcase tours for patrons with a disability. (QPAC).

Access improvements made as part of QPAC's $35 million refurbishment were test-driven recently by several groups representing patrons who use wheelchairs or require mobility assistance, who are blind, deaf or with a vision or hearing impairment and teachers and students from Special Education units. An Auslan signed tour was conducted for visitors from the Deaf community.

All appreciated the opportunity to explore QPAC's new amenities and welcomed the advancements made in accommodating their needs in order to ensure equitable access to live entertainment. (QPAC bulletin).

TOP

Transport pass delivers more options for people with a disability. (Victoria).

People who have a severe and permanent disability and can travel independently on public transport will have access to a new travel pass. Victoria.

Follow this link to the Victorian Transport bulletin (rtf).

TOP

Report allows us to go forward on building access for people with disability.

Tuesday, 16 June 2009. Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes, has welcomed the report of the House Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs inquiry into the draft Premises Standards, urging the Government to adopt the Committee's recommendations and proceed to finalise the standards as soon as possible.

Follow this link to the NHRC bulletin about the HSC recommendations(rtf).

TOP

Commission makes recommendation for an Australian Human Rights Act.

Tuesday, 16 June 2009. The Australian Human Rights Commission has lodged its submission to the National Human Rights Consultation, formalising its key recommendation that the Australian Parliament should enact a national Human Rights Act.

Follow this link to the NHRC bulletin (rtf).

TOP

Premises Standard.

The Disability Discrimination Act was passed by Parliament in 1992 with the promise of producing a radical shift in the way society included people with a disability. After 16 years of operation, the Act has produced substantial benefits for people with a disability and has contributed to attitudinal change in many areas of Australian society. However, in some areas it is clear that much more work remains to be done. Access to premises is one of those areas. Equal access to premises is crucial to justice and social inclusion for people with a disability because it has a pervasive impact on the interaction of people with a disability with the Australian community. Without access to premises, people with a disability cannot access goods, services and facilities which other Australians take for granted, in areas as simple as the ability to enjoy the cinema with their family, go to the dentist, or to visit their Member of Parliament. Without access, people with a disability face many hurdles to full participation in community life. Failure to provide access may even affect the ability of people with a disability to find work - something which contributes to dignity and self-esteem, and which represents a sad loss of human potential.

Follow this link to the document titled 'Access All Areas' (PDF).

TOP

Health, Housing and Disability Forums.

Over recent months, QDN has been part of a reference group brought together by Queensland Shelter to plan and have input into a number of state-wide forums aimed providing people with disability and/or those experiencing chronic health conditions with an opportunity to discuss and share their experiences and concerns with regard to accessing and maintaining adequate housing.

These forums will include presentations by speakers from the Federal department of Families Housing Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA), The Queensland Department of Communities, and local services to provide updates on departmental changes and recent policy initiatives.

Follow this link to the Registration Forms (word).

TOP

National Human Rights Consultation - A Charter of Rights for Australia.

Have your say on whether you want a Bill of Rights for Australia. Let policy makers know about the ways in which the rights of people with disability are ignored or abused every day.

Follow this link to read the Template Human Rights Consultation Letter (word).

Follow this link to the Draft Human Rights Consultation Submission Letter (word).

TOP

Queenslanders with Disability Network Comments on Disability (Access to Premises-Buildings) Standards 2009.

Below are responses from the Queenslanders with Disability Network answering the questions raised by the House Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs in the Terms of Reference for the Inquiry into the draft Disability (Access to Premises- Buildings) Standards as detailed at the Parliament of Australia (House of Representatives) web site:

http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/laca/disabilitystandards/tor.htm

Follow this link to read QDN's response.

TOP

. home about QDN. our Policies and Positions. our Priorities. our Networks. news. blog. links. membership. contact QDN. our web site. . © Queenslanders with Disability Network Inc. Updated 20 January 2012	news \| our media releases \| eBulletins \| general news \| projects and events \| newsletters \| labour day march \|
	News. Check here for General Information about our news and newsletters. This page is mainly devoted to general news. Note: Use of his material is subject to our Copyright provisions. Please note: Up to date press releases and information bulletins from Disability Services Queensland can be found on the official DSQ web site, by following this link. The site allows you to sign up to receive news to your own email. News. QDN suggests members sign the petition to strengthen the DDA. In light of the findings by the Federal Court vs. Sheila King, a petition demanding the strengthening of the DDA has been developed at the following link: www.petitiononlineaustralia.com/petition/stop-further-discrimination-strengthen-the-dda-disability-discrimination-act-1992-australia/301 . QDN is proud to support Sheila in her one person battle against airline discrimination in Australia. This is petition is a way to demonstrate support and bring about changes that will benefit all people with disabilities across Australia. Please sign the petition in support of all people with disabilities. TOP Supporting inclusion in environment groups. Resources are available to help environment groups engage with people with a disability interested in volunteering to protect the environment. The resources have been developed by a University of Queensland Bachelor of Environmental Management student, Ellenie Ariotti, and Fran Vicary, the CEO of Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN). 'We wanted to put disability and inclusion on the agenda,' says Fran. 'People with disability are an untapped group of volunteers.' The resources are available. You can also find out more about the project-including the research findings and how supporting people with disability as volunteers can lead to better outcomes for environment groups and the community. The full content is on the webpage Disability Online at www.qld.gov.au/disability/news-events/supporting-inclusion TOP Self-Directed Funding. Queensland Alliance for Self-Direction presents a workshop to provide information on how this is currently being achieved in Queensland and to provide an opportunity for ongoing conversation for the future of self-direction. Date: Monday 21st Nov 2011 Read more in Self Direction PDF. Read how to registerin in PDF. TOP Cliff hanger over disability! QDN in partnership with QAI invites you to our DisabiliTea to celebrate the abilities of people with disability and raise awareness of the national campaign that supports an inclusive life for everyone. Watch Fran Vicary and John MacPherson from QDN and Ken Wade from QAI dangle before abseiling down the cliffs, proving that disability does not get in the way of enjoying life! Read more in Cliff hanger over disability! Read how to get there in navigation. TOP New guideline on Premises Standards released. Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes, today released a guideline that will assist building professionals and those concerned with access to better understand how the Premises Standards apply to new and upgraded public buildings. The Disability (Access to Premises - buildings) Standards 2010 (the Premises Standards) commence on 1 May 2011. Read more at AHRC, 'New guideline on Premises Standards released'. TOP Vale Angus Downie. 'The disability movement has lost a great friend, a great leader, a great mentor'. 'Let's remember Angus as a straight shooter, a larrikin with a touch of the anarchist and a man who was, rightfully, almost as proud of his achievements as we his friends and inheritors are'. Read more in Michael Small's Eulogy. TOP NDIS Qld information forums - coming to you. As QDN is part of the NDIS Queensland committee, we are circulating these e-updates to our contacts. Read more in the document titled NDIS jan 2011. TOP As QDN is part of the NDIS Queensland committee, we are circulating these e-updates to our contacts. Read more in the document titled NDIS jan 2011. TOP Australian Disability Parking Scheme. The Australian Disability Parking Scheme helps eligible people park nearer to their destination. The Scheme has been designed through consultations with permit holders, State, Territory and Local Government representatives and other stakeholders. A key feature of the Scheme is the introduction of a national permit with enhanced security features. These features will help reduce the abuse of permits. Read more at their site, Australian Disability Parking Scheme. TOP Your Assistanc, please. QAUHD. In January 2010, the Queensland Government launched a mandatory Sustainability Declaration at the sale of all homes, to raise Queenslanders' awareness of the benefits of sustainable housing features. It required the seller to declare the features of their home that save water and energy, and enhance access and safety. Queensland Action for Universal Housing Design supported this initiative. There is an urgent issue we ask you to consider. Follow these links to read more Link to QAUHD form letter (Word). Link to QAUHD letter to supporters (PDF). Link to QAUHD Proposed Sustainability Declaration (PDF). TOP Advances in disability and human rights legislation welcomed. Thursday, 25 June 2009. The Australian Human Rights Commission has welcomed two major initiatives today for human rights of people with disability and their families. Both Houses of the Federal Parliament have passed the Disability Discrimination and Other Human Rights Legislation Amendment Bill 2008. The Attorney-General has also announced that the Australian Human Rights Commission will be given specific responsibilities for monitoring Australia's implementation of the international Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Follow this link to the NHRC human rights bulletin (rtf). TOP Showcase tours for patrons with a disability. (QPAC). Access improvements made as part of QPAC's $35 million refurbishment were test-driven recently by several groups representing patrons who use wheelchairs or require mobility assistance, who are blind, deaf or with a vision or hearing impairment and teachers and students from Special Education units. An Auslan signed tour was conducted for visitors from the Deaf community. All appreciated the opportunity to explore QPAC's new amenities and welcomed the advancements made in accommodating their needs in order to ensure equitable access to live entertainment. (QPAC bulletin). TOP Transport pass delivers more options for people with a disability. (Victoria). People who have a severe and permanent disability and can travel independently on public transport will have access to a new travel pass. Victoria. Follow this link to the Victorian Transport bulletin (rtf). TOP Report allows us to go forward on building access for people with disability. Tuesday, 16 June 2009. Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes, has welcomed the report of the House Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs inquiry into the draft Premises Standards, urging the Government to adopt the Committee's recommendations and proceed to finalise the standards as soon as possible. Follow this link to the NHRC bulletin about the HSC recommendations(rtf). TOP Commission makes recommendation for an Australian Human Rights Act. Tuesday, 16 June 2009. The Australian Human Rights Commission has lodged its submission to the National Human Rights Consultation, formalising its key recommendation that the Australian Parliament should enact a national Human Rights Act. Follow this link to the NHRC bulletin (rtf). TOP Premises Standard. The Disability Discrimination Act was passed by Parliament in 1992 with the promise of producing a radical shift in the way society included people with a disability. After 16 years of operation, the Act has produced substantial benefits for people with a disability and has contributed to attitudinal change in many areas of Australian society. However, in some areas it is clear that much more work remains to be done. Access to premises is one of those areas. Equal access to premises is crucial to justice and social inclusion for people with a disability because it has a pervasive impact on the interaction of people with a disability with the Australian community. Without access to premises, people with a disability cannot access goods, services and facilities which other Australians take for granted, in areas as simple as the ability to enjoy the cinema with their family, go to the dentist, or to visit their Member of Parliament. Without access, people with a disability face many hurdles to full participation in community life. Failure to provide access may even affect the ability of people with a disability to find work - something which contributes to dignity and self-esteem, and which represents a sad loss of human potential. Follow this link to the document titled 'Access All Areas' (PDF). TOP Health, Housing and Disability Forums. Over recent months, QDN has been part of a reference group brought together by Queensland Shelter to plan and have input into a number of state-wide forums aimed providing people with disability and/or those experiencing chronic health conditions with an opportunity to discuss and share their experiences and concerns with regard to accessing and maintaining adequate housing. These forums will include presentations by speakers from the Federal department of Families Housing Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA), The Queensland Department of Communities, and local services to provide updates on departmental changes and recent policy initiatives. Follow this link to the Registration Forms (word). TOP National Human Rights Consultation - A Charter of Rights for Australia. Have your say on whether you want a Bill of Rights for Australia. Let policy makers know about the ways in which the rights of people with disability are ignored or abused every day. Follow this link to read the Template Human Rights Consultation Letter (word). Follow this link to the Draft Human Rights Consultation Submission Letter (word). TOP Queenslanders with Disability Network Comments on Disability (Access to Premises-Buildings) Standards 2009. Below are responses from the Queenslanders with Disability Network answering the questions raised by the House Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs in the Terms of Reference for the Inquiry into the draft Disability (Access to Premises- Buildings) Standards as detailed at the Parliament of Australia (House of Representatives) web site: http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/laca/disabilitystandards/tor.htm Follow this link to read QDN's response. TOP