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Connect - Winter 2008 (Issue 15)

The Winter 2008 issue of Connect contains the following sections and articles:

Welcome

• Welcome to Connect

  Disability Services Queensland plays an important role in many Queenslanders lives and in this issue we highlight the many ways the department's support makes a difference.

Meet our Minister

• Message from the Minister

  I was very proud to announce the new Disability Services and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2008 in Parliament recently, establishing even more safeguards to protect the rights of Queenslanders with a disability. This landmark legislation, which comes in from July 1, will protect the rights of people with an intellectual or cognitive disability who exhibit challenging behaviour.

Making a difference

• Regional families benefit

  The Local Area Coordination program assists people with disabilities in remote and rural communities, helping connect people with a disability to services and supports within their communities.  Connect talks to the Misi family from Thursday Island about their experiences with the program.

Accommodation

• Big brother house

  Two young brothers talk to Connect about how the daily chores of paying bills and shopping for groceries have become part of a whole new world of experiences.  The brothers moved to an accommodation support house in Brisbane last year.

Seniors

• Scrap metal turns to gold

  The recent winner of a Premier's Award for Queensland Seniors collects scrap metal and old batteries, and has raised more than $300 000 to fund facilities for people with a disability in Ingham.

Community action

• Council stands for action

  Recently appointed for a new three-year term, the Disability Council of Queensland (DCQ) has an important mandate to advise the Minister on issues, policy and strategy, and propose solutions to problems at a local level.

• Council's community links

  The Disability Council of Queensland enjoys a grass roots connection through 10 regional councils across the state.  Fitzroy Regional Disability Council Chair Liza Roberts talks about community networks at the heart of council work.

Accessibility

• Access all areas

  Two booklets have been developed to help designers, developers and property owners make it easier and safer for people with a sensory impairment to find their way to, into and through new or existing properties, particularly buildings and large public spaces.

• Homes get nod for access

  People with special access requirements across Brisbane are finding homes that are easier to live in thanks to a home access information trial.
  The trial encourages real estate agents to identify and promote homes for sale or rent which include access features for older people and people with a disability.

Sport

• Aspiring sports stars

  With the Beijing Olympics only months away, 2008 is a busy time for a pair of teenager swimmers who are training to represent their country at the Olympics one day.

Arts

• Beating the drum

  Australia's first bursary for people with a mental illness at Griffith University's Conservatorium of Music has been established by the family of drummer Ben Pagura.  Ben got his start through support from the Family Support Program.

Farewell

• Big achievements

  Retiring Brain Injury Association of Queensland CEO John Dickinson talks about his career and the philosophy and vision that has guided the work of the association. 

Innovation

• Shear good fortune

  When a shearer lost his arm in a car accident everyone said he had as much chance as a one-arm violin player of shearing again.  David Wylie proved them wrong and tells the story of his journey to the 2008 shearing world championships in Norway.

Profile

• DSQ welcomes a new perspective

  The new Deputy Director-General of Disability Services Queensland, Bruce Milligan, talks about his vision for the disability sector and the exciting reform agenda.

Early years

• Little Jems playgroup is a gem

  The Little Jems playgroup brings together ten Toowoomba families once a month for a morning of fun activities and friendship.  Founder Toni Mitchell was awarded an Australia Day Award for her work with the playgroup and with other groups raising awareness about disabilities in the local community.

In brief

• Wax on, wax off

  Surfing clinics for people with a disability are now available on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.

• More access to QPAC

  The main theatres at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) will be modified to improve disability access.

• Women and violence

  A manual covering the issue of women with a disability experiencing violence has recently been made available in multiple formats.

Visions

• A Connect feature on the views of people within the disability sector

  Connect features the views of people within the disability sector.  This edition Peter Cullen, Service Manager Burnett Respite Services Inc. shares his experiences.