- Nearly one in five Queenslanders – more than 935,000 people – identify as a person with disability
- About 191,000 people in Queensland are the primary carer for a person with disability.
- Recent projections show Queensland’s National Disability Insurance Scheme participants will almost double to 223,000 in the next ten years.
Life has improved for one in three Queenslanders living with disability, their family and carers, a new state-funded survey has found.
The Palaszczuk Government today released the report at Australia’s Disability Strategy (ADS) – Queensland Forum in Brisbane.
More than 440 people took part in the Voice of Queenslanders with Disability survey, conducted by Griffith University and Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN).
Thirty per cent of people who participated in the inaugural study said that life had improved in the last year. They agreed that they had enough money (53%), a good job (56%), and accessible, safe housing (66%).
People who felt that life was improving also said they were safe (80.5%), happy (72%), and healthy (49%), with access to the paid (31%) and unpaid (45%) support they needed.
The Voice of Queenslanders with Disability report will help to improve the inclusion and service experiences of Queenslanders with disability.
While there is much to celebrate in the survey findings, about one-in-four respondents (24%) felt life had worsened in the last year.
The remaining participants said life was similar to the previous year and they were managing fairly well.
The report identifies four key strategies for action: safeguarding community voice; improving standard of living and social protection; enhancing dignity and equity; and strengthening belonging.
Quotes attributable to Minister Craig Crawford:
“The Voice of Queenslanders with Disability survey shows that for most Queenslanders, we’re making progress towards an inclusive and accessible Queensland.
“However, there are still improvements to be made.
“It is expected the number of Queensland participants on the National Disability Insurance Scheme will almost double to 223,000 in the next ten years.
“As Queensland’s Disability Minister, I’ve made it my mission to push for changes to the NDIS system to make it work best for the people who need it.
“I also want to see the economic value from the $2.3 billion in Queensland’s taxpayer contributions to the NDIS to flow back to our state’s economy.
“I believe access to meaningful employment, healthcare, and appropriate housing for the state’s people with disability is not only our obligation as a first-world nation, but it also makes good economic sense.”
Quotes attributable to Michelle Moss, CEO, Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN):
“QDN is proud to work with the Queensland Government in hosting this Queensland forum around Australia’s Disability Strategy. This forum facilitates how we can all contribute in making the outcomes from the strategy and plan a reality.
“It is an opportunity for Queenslanders to hold conversations, make connections, and work together by sharing ideas and generating energy towards a more accessible and inclusive state.
“The release of the Voice of Queenslanders with Disability report today, here at the forum, is a positive starting point that gives people with disability a voice and initiates the conversation on how we can all help shape the Queensland of tomorrow.”
Quotes attributable to Kelsey Chapman, Research Fellow, The Dignity Project, Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability, Griffith University:
“This report is driven and informed by people with disability and shows a real commitment on behalf of the Queensland Government to the pursuit of improvement and inclusion for Queenslanders with disability, their family and carers, and the organisations that support them.
“We are so grateful to the nearly 450 people and nine citizen scientists who shared their stories, connected with their networks, and provided perspectives and insights, oftentimes vulnerably, about the lives of Queenslanders with disability and what can be done to continue towards inclusion and improvement.”
To learn more about the Voice of Queenslanders with Disability report, visit: dsdsatsip.qld.gov.au/campaign/queenslands-disability-plan
