Technology boost for disability sector service providers in Brisbane

Non-government organisations in the Brisbane area delivering services to people with a disability have received a $1,781,728 boost to improve their communications technology.

Disability Services Minister Warren Pitt said 119 organisations through the state would share in $2.6 million, which will allow them to maintain, upgrade or replace information technology and office equipment.

“Identified needs have included hardware and software upgrades, printers, faxes, databases and telephone systems as well as technology to allow for ease of reading such as Braille writing machines, projectors and image enhancers,” Mr Pitt said.

“In essence, technology that helps the organisations function better and deliver quality services to people with a disability.

“It’s amazing the difference these basic improvements can make to daily operations. By contributing these one-off funds we also ease the pressure on organisations’ budgets.”

The needs were identified by a statewide technology survey of 395 DSQ-funded service providers, conducted by Digital Business Systems. The funding has come from Disability Services Queensland’s Strengthening Non-Government Organisations strategy (see local breakdown below).

“This strategy recognises the vital role that non-government agencies have in delivering a range of community support services,” Mr Pitt said.

“This innovative strategy adopts a strength-based development approach to building robust and vibrant community service organisations, rather than dwelling on problems and deficiencies.”

Funding for services in the Brisbane region has been allocated to:

• Foundation for Independence Recreation and Social Training, Eight Mile Plains $17 765
• Mobile Attendant Care Services, Alderley $1 818
• Centacare Disability Services agencies $132 039
• Deaf Society, Annerley $39 182
• Cerebral Palsy League, Fortitude Valley $222 440
• Schizophrenia Fellowship, Fortitude Valley $3 154
• Lifeline agencies $40 141
• ARAFMI Coolibah Family Support Program, New Farm $10 604
• Brain Injury Association, Milton $9 984
• Endeavour Foundation, Tingalpa $270 270
• Share Bayside, Alexandra Hills $17 140
• Help Enterprises, Hamilton $13 798
• Redlands Bayside Disability Services $3 386
• Ablecare, Arana Hills $12 135
• Enhanced Care, Taringa $3 267
• River North Lifestyles, Ashgrove $16 735
• Homes West, Sherwood $509
• Pony Riding for the Disabled, Kenmore $2 327
• SeQual Association, Ashgrove $8 428
• Xavier Children’s Support Network, Mt Gravatt $37 086
• Kyabra Community Association, Sunnybank $9 961
• Autism Queensland, Sunnybank $103 500
• Guyrow, Oxley $1 102
• Westside Community Services, Oxley $4 726
• Montrose Access, Corinda $118 408
• Qualtime Association, Virginia $27 136
• Horizons Respite and Recreation Association, Scarborough $3 522
• Breakway, Margate $7 793
• ROPE, Redcliffe $6 570
• SBH Queensland, Woolloongabba $9 502
• Carers of Disabled Adults, Woolloongabba $28 604
• Life Stream Foundation, Coorparoo $15 603
• Spiritus Care Services, Stones Corner $19 110
• CHARM Services, West End $22 791
• Royal Blind Foundation, Fairfield Gardens $10 267
• Spinal Injuries Association, West End $252 995
• Stepping Stone Clubhouse, Coorparoo $20 000
• Mamre Association, Stafford $44,820
• TLB Alliance, Stafford $343
• Mercy Disability Services, Lutwyche $32 119
• Islamic Women’s Association, Sunnybank Hills $572
• Multicap, Eight Mile Plains $64 265
• Community Care Inc, Mansfield $14 318
• Autism Early Intervention Outcomes Unit, Nundah $2 070
• Queenslanders with Disability Network, Bowen Hills $15 179
• Muscular Dystrophy Association of Queensland, Eagle Farm $15 443
• Independent Living Centre Association of Queensland, Newmarket $40 518
• Community Resource Unit, Auchenflower $18 782
• Epilepsy Queensland $9 582
• ACROD Queensland $5 429
• Queensland Braille Writing Association, Annerley $5 454.

Media contact: Joe Begley 3235 4280