Queenslanders with Disability launches new link to virtual community

More than a million Queenslanders with disabilities and their carers can connect to local champions as part of a virtual community to help them access the $26.5 billion National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Minister for Seniors and Disability Services Craig Crawford today launched a newly overhauled website for the Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) at Parliament House.

At the launch, Minister Crawford said the new website had been purpose-built and designed by the disabled and their advocates for the one-in-five Queenslanders living with disability.

He said QDN and the work of local champions on the Palaszczuk Government’s Disability Outreach and Connect Program helped some of the state’s 1,562 new NDIS participants access support totalling over $121 million.

“I am pleased to launch QDN’s new website today,’’ Mr Crawford said.

“It’s really important Queenslanders with disability can access timely, reliable information and resources around a broad range of areas that impact upon their lives.

“Having this co-designed and co-delivered by people with disability helps to make it more user-friendly.”

QDN has supported the work of the Assessment and Referral Team (ART) in Townsville, Mt Isa, Mackay and Far North Queensland – and it is now being rolled out in South-East Queensland.

QDN Board chairman Des Ryan, a local champion in Rockhampton, said: “QDN’s motto is ‘nothing about us without us.”

“Making sure that Queenslanders with disability are empowered and active citizens is important to all our work. An important part of this is having access to information. I am proud of QDN’s work that is on our website,’’ Mr Ryan said.

“It covers a broad range of areas helping people get information, support, resources, and tools they need around NDIS, health, housing, transport, employment, human rights and more recently COVID-19, digital inclusion and disaster and emergency preparedness”

Paige Armstrong, QDN chief executive officer, said: “QDN’s new website has been informed by targeted user research, customer journey mapping and user testing by people with disability and key stakeholders. It shows our vibrant state-wide network in action, informing and connecting with each other and working together to lead and influence change.”

For more information go to: www.qdn.org.au

ENDS

Media contact: Peter Michael 0477948091

For video of grabs and overlay go to: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/owjcwj65yvln79r/AABTyIdxI8CTApvwzBw2v_fIa?dl=0

Still images can be provided on request.