Queenslanders with disability are being supported through the COVID-19 outbreak, with the Queensland Government and partner organisations working together to ensure vital services remain available and key information is accessible.
Minister for Disability Services Coralee O’Rourke said it was important that people with disability right across the state had support to meet their essential daily needs – such as food and medications.
“Queenslanders with disability, who don’t have carers, family or friends to assist them, are encouraged to phone the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349 to request essential food, household items and medicines,” Mrs O’Rourke said.
“The Community Recovery Hotline will work with partner organisations to arrange for the delivery of these essentials to the homes of these Queenslanders with disability.
“This Hotline has received more than 1200 requests for support, including more than 550 requests for essential food and almost 300 requests for essential medication.”
The Community Recovery Hotline is also playing a key role in supporting vulnerable older Queenslanders who are self-isolatingby coordinating the mobilisation of a Care Army.
“Seniors seeking essential services and support and Queenslanders wanting to volunteer can contact the hotline,” Mrs O’Rourke said.
“The hotline has now expanded to help coordinate the Care Army, however it remains just as committed to supporting people with disability, vulnerable Queenslanders and people in quarantine with no other support networks.”
The Queensland Government has provided funding to Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) to produce a range of resources to assist people with disability in understanding COVID-19 and making necessary preparations.
“We are listening to people with disability and the sector, meeting weekly with peak bodies and advocacy organisations and working with our Commonwealth counterparts to resolve any issues as they arise,” Mrs O’Rourke said.
“I am proud of the work we have undertaken with the disability services sector and our partner organisations such as QDN, to ensure that people with disability have the information they need to prepare for, and stay safe during, this outbreak.
“QDN has created easy-to-read resources to provide accurate and up-to-date information about COVID-19 for people with disability.
“QDN has also teamed up with the University of Sydney to develop a tool to help people with disability manage the impact of COVID-19.
“The Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness Planning Tool will give people with disability the facts about COVID-19 and outline how to make a plan that is tailored to their unique support needs.
“We’ve also provided funding to the Community Services Industry Alliance (CSIA) to develop a Business Continuity Toolkit and facilitation guide to support organisations across industry to accelerate their planning around three key areas of business operations, workforce and clients.”
To find copies of QDN’s COVID-19 ‘Easy Read’ information and the Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness Planning Tool visit www.qdn.org.au.
The CSIA Business Continuity Toolkit is available at csialtd.com.au.
