Our Voice — QDN Position Statements, Policy Documents and Strategic Planning.

QDN, in the course of its work as a statewide network (link to What is QDN) of people with disability, from time to time gathers its work together in documents, statements, media releases etc. This is Our Voice on matters that affect our lives. The documentation recording our voce are listed below. Individuals are welcome to download and distribute our documents. Organizations should note our Copyright (link to Copyright page).

Details listed below:

Quick link to:

Policy Documents
Position Papers
Media Releases

1. QDN Position Statements, Policy Documents and Strategic Planning.

QDN Position Statements

The QDN Position Statements were developed from a synopsis of policy discussions conducted at the 3rd QDN gathering in 2002 and additionally, via Teleconferences conducted state-wide in December 2002.

We have developed statements on the following social issues (in no order of priority):

Education
Employment, employment alternatives and income security
Getting Around
Housing
Access to information
Recreation, Culture, Spirituality and Sexuality
Life in The Community

These statements are available in our document titled “QDN's Social Position Statements”.

Follow this link to download a copy of our Position Statement.

QDN Policy Documents.

QDN is committed to ensuring that our work is governed by clear and proficient processes. To this end QDN has recently developed a comprehensive Governance Charter and Policy Manuals.

QDN is now working towards accreditation under the ISO 9000:2001 quality standards and as such, we have developed a manual which outlines QDN's focus on being a network that is underpinned by sound values and pertinent quality measures to ensure these values are reflected in all we do.

Download the 5 QDN policy manuals listed next:

Management Committee Governance Charter - Policy Manual Volume 1
Networking and Membership — Policy Manual Volume 2
Financial Control and Human Resource Management — Policy Manual Volume 3
Health and Safety: Bowen Hills Office — Policy Manual Volume 4
Quality Management System — Policy Manual Volume 5

QDN Strategic Plan

Since its inception, QDN has spent considerable energies clarifying the values that underpin the philosophy and behaviour of QDN. If you would like to know more about this, please download the Mission and Values document.

Follow this link to download a PDF copy of QDN Strategic Plan 2006 — 2009 — Clarity of Purpose.

Follow this link to download a plain text (Word) copy of QDN Strategic Plan 2006 — 2009 — Clarity of Purpose.

Follow this link to download a Word copy of QDN Operational Plan 2007 — 2008.

2. Position Papers

Restrictive Practices Draft Bill: a response by People with Disability. (QDN December 2007.)

Introductory Observations.

1. Human Rights.

It must be stated at the outset that any use of restrictive practices upon people with disability can clearly be seen as a breach of the fundamental human rights, particularly rights to liberty and security of person, recognised in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights and clarified most recently by the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability. It is useful to consider Article 14 of that Convention which states:-

Please read QDN's submission below for further details.

Restrictive Practices Draft Bill: a response by People with Disability. (QDN December 2007.).

Policing and People with Disability.

Interaction between police and people with disability can be an exercise fraught with extreme danger to both the police officer/s providing the service and the person with disability receiving the service. In late February this year media headlines reinforced how dangerous this interaction can be. Media reported how a person with disability had been fatally shot by police who attended the person with disability's home to provide assistance. This situation raises the issue of whether the Queensland Police Service (QPS) is training it's police officers in the most appropriate and suitable strategies when interactions arise involving people with disability.

The question of whether people with disability are receiving the most effective police services is imperative when considering that this is not the first time people with disability have been harmed by police attending similar incidents in recent years. This repetitious scenario for people with disability draws attention to the manner in which police are providing their services to people with disability and the fact it may not be the best practice available.

It is clear that the current practice of service provision is not safe or effective for people with disability. The methods used by police officers attending call outs involving people with disability is similarly unsafe for police officers who often develop Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) and lose their employment as a consequence of the experience.

The implementation of better management practices is essential to reduce the potential for harm of people with disability when seeking assistance from police, and to prevent police officers developing PTS.

This paper will highlight the this very real concern for people with disability and police officers and provide an alternative, the “Memphis Model”, as one possible strategy to improving the way people with disability and police interact.

Follow this link to download a copy of our Position Paper.

Disability Services Bill 2005 - A step in the right direction?

The concerns of Queenslanders with disability regarding the Disability Services Bill 2005 and our proposed amendments. December 2005.

This position paper outlines our concerns about the new Disability Services Bill 2005.

QDN decided to withhold its support of the Disability Services Bill 2005 until several suggested amendments are made. During the two day “expert” focus group meeting, QDN raised concerns about several sections of the Bill and we were successful in obtaining some amendments to the legislation. Unfortunately, some of our concerns were also not addressed and consequently we feel that this legislation will inevitably lead to the decline of people with disability's hard gained empowerment. One example of this is the right to apply directly to government for funding, which cultivated the development of “individualised funding” in Queensland.

Follow this link to download a copy of our Position Paper (Word file).
Follow this link to download a copy of our Lobby Kit (Word file.

We Have More to Say!

QDN's response to Have Your Say. May 2005.

This QDN position paper formed our ideas and opposition to DSQ's social improved funding mechanisms. We believed that no only was the consultation process flawed, the content was a major threat to the advancement and empowerment of people with disability in Queensland.

Follow this link to download a copy of the Position Paper (Word file).

Welfare to Work

The move towards social division. June 2005

At the May 2005 Commonwealth Budget the Howard government released a series of changes to the way people with disability could apply for the Disability Support Pension. Not only would the eligibility criteria be reduced, the revamped assessment process opens the door to widespread segregation of people with disability in the employment sector.

Along with other peak bodies from around Australia, QDN ran a emphatic campaign to stop the federal changes. Unfortunately the changes passed the Senate and we now await the roll out of this new social policy.

Follow this link to download a copy of the Position Paper (Word file).
Follow this link to download a copy of the Lobby Kit (Word file).

Universal Housing

QDN's position on Universal Housing. May 2005

QDN believes that the adoption of Universal Housing design in dwellings contributes to economic, social and environmental sustainability of our communities. This position paper outlines what we believe are the critical factors of universal housing and essential need it presents.

Follow this link to download a copy of the Position Paper (Word file).

Inclusive Consultation

Guidelines for Inclusion of People with Disability in Conferences and Meetings

These Guidelines provide the advice necessary to include people with disabilities in conferences, meetings, workshops and focus groups. With appropriate methods and planning this is a simple process.

Follow this link to download a copy of the Position Paper (Word file).

3. Media Releases

Following are current media releases from QDN:

. home about QDN. our Voice. our Priorities. our Networks. news. links. membership. contact QDN. our web site. . © Queenslanders with Disability Network Inc. Updated 29th November 2008	our newsletters and ebulletins \| our projects and events \| how do I get involved? \| join our mailing list \| about our news and newsletters
	Our Voice — QDN Position Statements, Policy Documents and Strategic Planning. QDN, in the course of its work as a statewide network (link to What is QDN) of people with disability, from time to time gathers its work together in documents, statements, media releases etc. This is Our Voice on matters that affect our lives. The documentation recording our voce are listed below. Individuals are welcome to download and distribute our documents. Organizations should note our Copyright (link to Copyright page). Details listed below: Quick link to: Policy Documents Position Papers Media Releases 1. QDN Position Statements, Policy Documents and Strategic Planning. QDN Position Statements The QDN Position Statements were developed from a synopsis of policy discussions conducted at the 3rd QDN gathering in 2002 and additionally, via Teleconferences conducted state-wide in December 2002. We have developed statements on the following social issues (in no order of priority): Education Employment, employment alternatives and income security Getting Around Housing Access to information Recreation, Culture, Spirituality and Sexuality Life in The Community These statements are available in our document titled “QDN's Social Position Statements”. Follow this link to download a copy of our Position Statement. QDN Policy Documents. QDN is committed to ensuring that our work is governed by clear and proficient processes. To this end QDN has recently developed a comprehensive Governance Charter and Policy Manuals. QDN is now working towards accreditation under the ISO 9000:2001 quality standards and as such, we have developed a manual which outlines QDN's focus on being a network that is underpinned by sound values and pertinent quality measures to ensure these values are reflected in all we do. Download the 5 QDN policy manuals listed next: Management Committee Governance Charter - Policy Manual Volume 1 Networking and Membership — Policy Manual Volume 2 Financial Control and Human Resource Management — Policy Manual Volume 3 Health and Safety: Bowen Hills Office — Policy Manual Volume 4 Quality Management System — Policy Manual Volume 5 QDN Strategic Plan Since its inception, QDN has spent considerable energies clarifying the values that underpin the philosophy and behaviour of QDN. If you would like to know more about this, please download the Mission and Values document. Follow this link to download a PDF copy of QDN Strategic Plan 2006 — 2009 — Clarity of Purpose. Follow this link to download a plain text (Word) copy of QDN Strategic Plan 2006 — 2009 — Clarity of Purpose. Follow this link to download a Word copy of QDN Operational Plan 2007 — 2008. 2. Position Papers Restrictive Practices Draft Bill: a response by People with Disability. (QDN December 2007.) Introductory Observations. 1. Human Rights. It must be stated at the outset that any use of restrictive practices upon people with disability can clearly be seen as a breach of the fundamental human rights, particularly rights to liberty and security of person, recognised in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights and clarified most recently by the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability. It is useful to consider Article 14 of that Convention which states:- Please read QDN's submission below for further details. Restrictive Practices Draft Bill: a response by People with Disability. (QDN December 2007.). Policing and People with Disability. Interaction between police and people with disability can be an exercise fraught with extreme danger to both the police officer/s providing the service and the person with disability receiving the service. In late February this year media headlines reinforced how dangerous this interaction can be. Media reported how a person with disability had been fatally shot by police who attended the person with disability's home to provide assistance. This situation raises the issue of whether the Queensland Police Service (QPS) is training it's police officers in the most appropriate and suitable strategies when interactions arise involving people with disability. The question of whether people with disability are receiving the most effective police services is imperative when considering that this is not the first time people with disability have been harmed by police attending similar incidents in recent years. This repetitious scenario for people with disability draws attention to the manner in which police are providing their services to people with disability and the fact it may not be the best practice available. It is clear that the current practice of service provision is not safe or effective for people with disability. The methods used by police officers attending call outs involving people with disability is similarly unsafe for police officers who often develop Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) and lose their employment as a consequence of the experience. The implementation of better management practices is essential to reduce the potential for harm of people with disability when seeking assistance from police, and to prevent police officers developing PTS. This paper will highlight the this very real concern for people with disability and police officers and provide an alternative, the “Memphis Model”, as one possible strategy to improving the way people with disability and police interact. Follow this link to download a copy of our Position Paper. Disability Services Bill 2005 - A step in the right direction? The concerns of Queenslanders with disability regarding the Disability Services Bill 2005 and our proposed amendments. December 2005. This position paper outlines our concerns about the new Disability Services Bill 2005. QDN decided to withhold its support of the Disability Services Bill 2005 until several suggested amendments are made. During the two day “expert” focus group meeting, QDN raised concerns about several sections of the Bill and we were successful in obtaining some amendments to the legislation. Unfortunately, some of our concerns were also not addressed and consequently we feel that this legislation will inevitably lead to the decline of people with disability's hard gained empowerment. One example of this is the right to apply directly to government for funding, which cultivated the development of “individualised funding” in Queensland. Follow this link to download a copy of our Position Paper (Word file). Follow this link to download a copy of our Lobby Kit (Word file. We Have More to Say! QDN's response to Have Your Say. May 2005. This QDN position paper formed our ideas and opposition to DSQ's social improved funding mechanisms. We believed that no only was the consultation process flawed, the content was a major threat to the advancement and empowerment of people with disability in Queensland. Follow this link to download a copy of the Position Paper (Word file). Welfare to Work The move towards social division. June 2005 At the May 2005 Commonwealth Budget the Howard government released a series of changes to the way people with disability could apply for the Disability Support Pension. Not only would the eligibility criteria be reduced, the revamped assessment process opens the door to widespread segregation of people with disability in the employment sector. Along with other peak bodies from around Australia, QDN ran a emphatic campaign to stop the federal changes. Unfortunately the changes passed the Senate and we now await the roll out of this new social policy. Follow this link to download a copy of the Position Paper (Word file). Follow this link to download a copy of the Lobby Kit (Word file). Universal Housing QDN's position on Universal Housing. May 2005 QDN believes that the adoption of Universal Housing design in dwellings contributes to economic, social and environmental sustainability of our communities. This position paper outlines what we believe are the critical factors of universal housing and essential need it presents. Follow this link to download a copy of the Position Paper (Word file). Inclusive Consultation Guidelines for Inclusion of People with Disability in Conferences and Meetings These Guidelines provide the advice necessary to include people with disabilities in conferences, meetings, workshops and focus groups. With appropriate methods and planning this is a simple process. Follow this link to download a copy of the Position Paper (Word file). 3. Media Releases Following are current media releases from QDN: Wednesday 22 February 2006 — The new Queensland Disability Bill — People with disability hold back their support (Word file). Wednesday 30 November 2005 — The new Disability Bill — will it be a step in the right direction? Tuesday 29 November 2005 — Queenslanders with Disability call the National Party Senators to cross the floor on Welfare to Work. Wednesday 11 May 2005 — Queenslanders with Disability Reject the Howard Government 's Welfare Reform. Wednesday 8 June 2005 — Continued commitment, with surplus disappointment .