Joint Media Release – QDN and PWDA
Queensland State Election “A call to action for all candidates”
Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) calls on the future Queensland Government to deliver high quality and accessible essential services for people with disability. Our Election Platform outlines priorities across 6 key areas, and emphasises the crucial need for people with disability to be actively involved in shaping the development of policy reforms so that they best meet our needs.
“1 in every 5 Queenslanders have a disability that’s almost 900,000 people”, said Mr Nigel Webb, Chairperson of QDN’s Board of Directors. “Currently we experience multiple barriers to accessing everyday services such as health, transport, safety and justice. We vote, we want jobs, we need affordable and accessible housing, and a standard of living that means we can meet everyday costs such as energy. Queenslanders with disability want to see action, and a government committed to realising the targets in the All Abilities Queensland State Plan 2017-20.”
“The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a transformational time for people with disability. There will be over 91,000 Queenslanders with disability in the scheme, including an estimated 45,000 who have never received support before. The NDIS is a great opportunity for people with disability to have choice and control and get access to the reasonable and necessary supports they need,” continued Mr Webb.
QDN calls on all candidates to commit to ensuring that all those who are eligible can easily access the scheme, that there are adequate services in place for those who are not eligible, and that vital individual and systemic advocacy supports remain funded into the future. We don’t want people to fall through the gaps.
People with Disability Australia (PWDA) the national peak organisation of and for people with disability, calls on all candidates to fully consider and support QDN’s recommendations.
“The roll out of the NDIS is a critical time for people with disability in Queensland and nationally. Now more than ever we need strong, visionary, political leadership in Queensland to innovate, invest in, and deliver inclusive mainstream services that ensure the full participation of people with disability in their communities”, Ms Bonnie Millen, President of PWDA.
QDN and PWDA look forward to close collaboration and dialogue with successful QLD parliamentarians and the Government that will be formed after the election on 25 November 2017.
Media contact:
Paige Armstrong – CEO, Queenslanders with Disability Network, 0408 720 099