Voice of Queenslanders with Disability Report

A Griffith University and Queenslanders with Disability Network-led research initiative to discover the lived experience of Queenslanders with disability was released at Australia’s Disability Strategy Forum in Brisbane today.

The first annual Voice of Queenslanders with Disability report which aims to inform policy to remove barriers to access and produce equitable outcomes for a diverse Queensland, was funded by the Queensland Government and delivered in partnership with Queenslanders with Disability Network.

Griffith researchers adopted a unique approach to gathering survey information by engaging nine citizen scientists with lived experience of disability to enable participants to share their stories authentically and transparently about challenges and successes in their lives.

Griffith Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability and Hopkins Centre Research Fellow Kelsey Chapman said the initiative examined a range of areas which impact daily life for Queenslanders with disability.

“The findings reflect a meaningful step towards understanding what life is like for Queenslanders with disability, their family and carers, and the organisations that support them,” Ms Chapman said.

““Participants called for improved standard of living and social protection for Queenslanders with disability, to improve economic security, accessible housing, increased employment opportunities, and support lifelong learning.”

Please email inclusivefutures@griffith.edu.au for a PDF copy of the dashboard (see below).

Image 1: Left: IFRD Researchers Kelsey Chapman and Dr Camila Shirota stand in front of the Queensland’s Disability Plan pull up banners, Top Right: Craig Crawford MP delivers the Ministers Address to attendees from the stage, Bottom Right: Panel 2 sit on the stage, including Katie Kelly, A/P Michelle Villeneuve and Jennifer Cullen with moderator Peter Tully. Bottom: Logos – Griffith University, Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability and The Hopkins Centre.

Image 2: Top: Panel 2 on the stage including Kevin Cocks, Katie Kelly, A/P Michelle Villeneuve and Jennifer Cullen with moderator Peter Tully, Bottom Left: Craig Crawford MP delivers the Ministers Address to attendees from the stage, Bottom Right: Mathew Ames sit in his motor chair and addresses the audience. Bottom: Logos – Griffith University, Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability and The Hopkins Centre.

Image 3: The Sunshine Troupe performing a western style line dance on stage at the Australia’s Disability Strategy Queensland Forum. Dancing in time to the music, the troupe are wearing western attire, consisting of black jeans and boots, shiny gold belt buckles with longhorn bull head and fringed or embroidered collared western style shirts and black cowboy hats. Bottom: Logos – Griffith University, Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability and The Hopkins Centre.

Below: The Queenslanders with Disability Dashboard infographic

Voice of Queenslander's with Disability Dashboard Infographic showing statistics gathered during the research survey. Download a PDF copy from the in-text link.