Published Thursday, 30 August, 2007 at 05:00 AM
Minister for Communities, Disability Services, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Mackay forum focuses on future for people with a disability
The local disability community will come together today to share its vision for a better future for people with a disability at the Mackay Shared Visions regional forum at the Windmill Motel, North Mackay.
Disability Services Minister Warren Pitt said about 150 service providers, government representatives and other stakeholders from all areas of the disability community – including people with a disability, their families and carers – were expected to attend.
"Today's forum follows the success of two Shared Visions state conferences held on the Gold Coast in 2005 and 2006," Mr Pitt said.
"This is the first year that we are holding a series of regional forums across Queensland, enabling more people in more places to share their visions for the future.
"We want to identify strengths and opportunities for the local disability community, and build a better future for people with a disability.
"It's an opportunity for locals with an interest in the disability sector to share their experiences and work together for a better quality of life for people with a disability.”
Today’s presentations and discussions will be led by local representatives, who will showcase a range of local initiatives. These include Nola Sneyd with an overview of the implementation of the Mackay Access Card and Mandy Edwards, who will be exploring projects that assist people with a disability to make a contribution to the community.
The Mackay event is one of 11 Shared Visions regional forums being held across Queensland and a summary from each regional forum will be posted on the Shared Visions website. At the end of all 11 regional forums, a report will be published to help fine-tune the focus of the next state conference, which is planned for 2008.
"The visions that we share today will help us all to shape better communities for tomorrow," Mr Pitt said.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3235 4280
Disability Services Minister Warren Pitt said about 150 service providers, government representatives and other stakeholders from all areas of the disability community – including people with a disability, their families and carers – were expected to attend.
"Today's forum follows the success of two Shared Visions state conferences held on the Gold Coast in 2005 and 2006," Mr Pitt said.
"This is the first year that we are holding a series of regional forums across Queensland, enabling more people in more places to share their visions for the future.
"We want to identify strengths and opportunities for the local disability community, and build a better future for people with a disability.
"It's an opportunity for locals with an interest in the disability sector to share their experiences and work together for a better quality of life for people with a disability.”
Today’s presentations and discussions will be led by local representatives, who will showcase a range of local initiatives. These include Nola Sneyd with an overview of the implementation of the Mackay Access Card and Mandy Edwards, who will be exploring projects that assist people with a disability to make a contribution to the community.
The Mackay event is one of 11 Shared Visions regional forums being held across Queensland and a summary from each regional forum will be posted on the Shared Visions website. At the end of all 11 regional forums, a report will be published to help fine-tune the focus of the next state conference, which is planned for 2008.
"The visions that we share today will help us all to shape better communities for tomorrow," Mr Pitt said.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3235 4280