Help shape an all abilities future for Queenslanders with disability

Queenslanders can have their say on a new disability plan to pave the way for a brighter future for people with disability, with more opportunities to work, socialise, travel, and participate in our community.

The call comes today, on the eve of International Day of People with Disability, which aims to celebrate the vast and rich contribution that people with disability make to our communities.

Speaking at PwC’s disability inclusion showcase event in Brisbane, Disability Services Minister Coralee O’Rourke said state-wide consultation on the ‘Towards an all abilities Queensland’ consultation paper would be open until 10 February 2017, to help shape future policy and initiatives across Government, the private sector and the community.

“We want our new disability plan to be an 'all abilities' strategy that accurately reflects the valuable contribution Queenslanders with disability make to our communities, our economy and our state,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

“The ‘Towards an all abilities Queensland’ consultation paper will help direct future policies across five key areas of personal and community relationships, recreation and tourism, working and learning, key services, and leadership and contribution.

“By connecting with people from all corners of the state, we aim to find a shared vision on how we can make Queensland more inclusive and accessible.”

Mrs O’Rourke said while Queensland had a long way to go, organisations like PwC were leading the way by valuing diversity in the workplace, and encouraged other businesses to adopt similar policies.

“We know people with disability are underemployed, with shocking figures showing only around 50 per cent of Australians with disability are actively participating in the workforce. This number is too low and worryingly has remained relatively unchanged during the past two decades,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

“Now is our opportunity to drive change and break down systemic and social barriers to ensure Queenslanders with disability have a better future, without discrimination in the workplace or the community. But we cannot achieve this on our own.

“We need all levels of government, and the community, to come together and include people with disability, to break down the barriers preventing them from living the life they choose.

“With the roll out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) now underway in Queensland, it is a perfect time to make sure people with disability not only receive supports, but can live a meaningful and full life just like everyone else.”

PwC Partner and Inclusion@PwC employee-led network sponsor Stuart Landsberg said the International Day of People with a Disability event was focussed on awareness and education around a variety of services currently offered by organisations to help people with a disability to achieve their full potential. 

“At PwC we are committed to increasing the awareness, inclusion and employment of people with a disability,” Mr Landsberg said.

“In the market, our firm has taken a leadership role in disability research and our contribution has been instrumental in the introduction of the NDIS.

“We are also working towards creating an inclusive culture to increase opportunities for people with a disability within our workforce.

“Some initiatives we’ve undertaken include publicly lodging an Access and Inclusion Plan with the Australian Human Rights Commission to drive change across every part of our business, conducting a recruitment systems review to ensure our systems and processes are accessible, and establishing an employee-led network ‘Ability’ to raise awareness and give our people a discussion forum.”

The ‘Towards an all abilities Queensland’ consultation paper is available at www.qld.gov.au/allabilitiesqueensland. Submissions are now open until Friday, 10 February 2017.

The release of the ‘Towards an all abilities Queensland’ consultation paper follows feedback gathered from the Queensland Disability Conferences ‘Opportunities in our Backyard’, in Cairns, Toowoomba and Maryborough in August this year, attended by more than 800 delegates.

Media Contact:                                  Minister O’Rourke’s office                  0434 849 454