Friendship program
What is the Friendship program?
The Friendship program works with both individuals and the community. While the program does not provide direct funding, our caring friendship program coordinators work across the state to encourage disability service providers, community groups and organisations to support the communities they work in to include people with a disability.
They also work with people with a disability who are feeling isolated to become more involved in the life of their community and to develop and maintain long-term friendships and connections.
Friendship program coordinators and the community
Friendship program coordinators work with the community by:
- providing information and training to government and community organisations
- linking with the community to promote the inclusion of people with a disability
- organising activities to raise community awareness and involvement of people with a disability
- developing and promoting partnerships between government and community organisations to increase the number of informal friendships for people with a disability.
Friendship program coordinators and people seeking support
Friendship program coordinators work with people to:
- advocate for themselves and link them with community members who may also advocate on their behalf
- identify social networks and friendship opportunities
- develop skills for independent social interactions with people in the community and support their relationship with the aim of developing a friendship
- reconnect the person to family or past friends
- link with groups in the community with similar interests
- support the people’s families or significant others.
Who is eligible to receive assistance through the Friendship program?
To be eligible for assistance through the Friendship program, you will need to meet the criteria outlined in the Disability Services Queensland Eligibility Policy1.
You must be one of the following:
- an Australian citizen
- a permanent Australian resident
- a Temporary Protection Visa holder
- a New Zealand citizen who arrived in Australia prior to 26 February 2001
- a member of a family on a work or study visa sponsored by the Australian Government.
You must also live in Queensland and have a disability that:
- is attributable to an intellectual, psychiatric, cognitive, neurological, sensory or physical impairment or a combination of impairments
- results in a substantial reduction of the person’s capacity in one or more of the following areas: communication; social interaction, learning, mobility, or self care/management
- results in you needing support and
- is permanent or likely to be permanent (and may or may not be of a chronic episodic nature) and
- manifests itself before the age of 65.
To be eligible for assistance through the Friendship program you will also:
- have no or limited formal or informal support networks
- have a limited capacity to develop and sustain relationships and friendships without support
- live in a variety of circumstances including in your own home, in independent living situations in the community and in congregate living situations, including boarding houses and hostels
- not be receiving disability support services
- have limited disability support, which does not reduce your social isolation.
How do I apply for support?
A Disability Services Queensland Application for Support is required for a person with a disability to register or apply for Disability Services Queensland specialist disability services.
Copies of the Application for Support and the Guide to Completing the Application for Support are also available at any Disability Services Queensland Service Centre.
The Application for Support can be completed by a person with a disability over the age of 18, or by a family member (if the applicant is under 18 or unable to apply on their own behalf). A carer, advocate or service provider may also complete the Application for Support, if requested by the applicant.
The Application for Support can be posted to the nearest Disability Services Queensland regional office, or hand delivered to any Disability Services Queensland service centre located throughout Queensland.
Please note that applying for support and assistance does not guarantee support will be made available.
An Application Update Form should be submitted if your circumstances change. It is not necessary to re-apply.
How are applications processed?
Applications are assessed against Disability Services Queensland eligibility requirements and to see if they meet the access criteria for the Friendship program.
The program coordinator will send you a letter informing you if you have been successful or unsuccessful.
Further information
For further advice or assistance regarding the Friendship program or to submit an Application for Support, please contact your nearest DSQ Regional Office.
- Freecall:
- 1800 177 120
- TTY:
- 1800 010 222
1 These criteria reflect the definitions provided in section 11 of the Disability Services Act 2006.
Last updated June 2008