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Queensland Advocacy Incorporated

Queensland Advocacy Incorporated (Q A I) is an independent, community-based systems and legal advocacy organisation for people with disability in Queensland, Australia.

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Nundah Scams Awareness Group offering presentations

Nundah Scams Awareness Group (NSAG) is a community action group of people with disability who have come together to support the community on how to stay safe from scams.

 

NSAG was awarded a grant through the NDIS to hold community education sessions to inform and educate people with disability and the wider community about scams, and some tips on how to stay safe. 

"Nundah Scams Awareness Group: we say no to scams" Logo

They have a few different presentations, their focus topics include:

  • Phishing/digital information scams
  • Romance scams
  • ‘Mate crimes’ (face-to-face scams from false friends)
  • Scamming behaviour from both real and fake businesses

 

They make these engaging and fun, and are able to adapt them to fit into a shorter or longer presentation time, for example ranging from 30 minutes to 2-hour workshops. They can also present online over Zoom or a similar technology if desired. They also have the capacity to travel across the Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast regions. 

 

If you think a group you are involved in would be interested in a presentation from the Nundah Scams Awareness Group, you can get more information by contacting them at:

NSAG@communityliving.org.au 

 

Follow their activities: www.facebook.com/nundahfraudsafety

Keep up to date with scams affecting all Australians: www.scamwatch.gov.au

  • 16 Feb, 2021
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Building Better Homes Campaign

Please sign this petition to make accessible housing available for all Australians!
 
The Building Better Homes campaign is fighting to make accessibility standards mandatory for all new residential homes.
 
Image with text: Building Better Homes. Every Australian deserves a home which is safe, secure and meets their needs..."

We know the campaign will be strongly opposed by many vested interests across the building industry – that’s why we need your help to win this campaign.

 

Please, sign and share this petition to show you support for people with disabilities, seniors, and those with mobility impairment. 

Sign petition here
  • 27 Jan, 2021
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Recruiting – Mental Health Solicitor

ABOUT US 

QAI’s mission is to promote, protect and defend, through advocacy, the fundamental needs and rights and lives of the most vulnerable people with disability in Queensland.  

QAI is a specialist community legal service and disability advocacy organisation dedicated to the promotion, protection and defence of the fundamental needs and rights and lives of the most vulnerable people with disability in Queensland.  

QAI provides legal services in mental health and human rights law and non-legal advocacy in NDIS appeals and decision support, education, Disability Royal Commission and criminal justice matters. We also publish and educate in our fields of expertise to empower clients and their supports to self-advocate, and consider law reform and challenging systems as one of our primary purposes. 

ABOUT THE ROLE 

QAI is looking for a Mental Health Solicitor to join QAI’s Mental Health Legal Service on a full-time basis, to work in our Legal Aid Queensland (LAQ) Referrals Team. 

QAI offers competitive remuneration under the SCHADS Award, with remuneration commensurate with experience and includes advantageous salary sacrifice and flexible working arrangement options. 
 

The position reports to and is supervised by the Principal Solicitors.  

 

The functions of the role include:  

  • Provide legal advice and representation within the scope of QAI’s legal services, including in relation to the Mental Health Act 2016 (Qld), the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld) and the Forensic Disability Act 2011 (Qld), with representation before the Mental Health Review Tribunal (MHRT) and the Mental Health Court Queensland as required; and  
  • Working with other members of the Mental Health Legal Service. 


Additionally, the role include
s opportunities to work with other QAI team members:  

  • Collaboration with systems advocates supporting law reform activities; and  
  • Representing QAI at conferences, meetings with external stakeholders, and other events.  


The successful applicant will be 
an experienced solicitor with at least (2) two years post admission experience (PAE) with an unrestricted Practising Certificate (or eligibility for one), who is able to meet the following selection criteria:  

 

  1. Strong commitment to social justice principles including the promotion and protection of the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.  
  2. Experience in Mental Health Law, Criminal Law with prior experience in the disability, mental health or social services sectors required. 
  3. Demonstrated experience providing legal advice and representation to highly vulnerable individuals in the community. 
  4. Admitted, or eligibility to be admitted, to legal practice in Queensland, with at least (2) two years Post Admission Experience (PAE). 
  5. Well developed legal casework, advocacy and negotiation skills. 
  6. Excellent interpersonal & verbal communication skills including the ability to communicate sensitively with clients and other people from diverse backgrounds. 
  7. Excellent written skills, including ability to convey information in simple English. 
  8. Highly developed organisational skills to identify priorities, manage workload, and maintain records within a resource-poor community legal service. 
  9. Good knowledge of the welfare and/or disability sector/s with understanding of what makes people vulnerable. 
  10. Current driver’s licence as travel is required as part of this role. 
  11. Willingness to meet the Department of Health Vaccine Preventable Disease (VPD) screening requirements as required for all practitioners appearing before the MHRT. Documentation is required, confirming the successful applicant has been vaccinated against or is not susceptible to the following VPD’s is required: Hepatitis B; Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR), Varicella (Chicken Pox); and Pertussis (Whooping Cough). 
  12. The position is conditional on accreditation to represent clients before the MHRT as determined by LAQ. 

Position description PDF document 
Position description Word document

Please submit your cover letter and resume and any questions addressed to the Principal Solicitors, Carly Dennis and Emma Phillips at QAI, Tel: 3844 4200 and/or email  qai@qai.org.au  using the subject line: Mental Health Solicitor enquiry.  

 

Applications for this position are open until filled, with a deadline of 5pm Wednesday 27 January 2021. 

  • 14 Jan, 2021
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NDS and NDIS Outcomes Frameworks – QAI Submission

QAI made a submission to the Department of Social Service regarding their consultation paper on the NDS (National Disability Strategy) and NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) proposed Outcomes Frameworks.

 

QAI agreed with the Department’s stated intention to focus on improving the implementation of both the Strategy and the NDIS, with renewed attention on measuring, monitoring and reporting of outcomes. QAI stated that if the Strategy and NDIS are to genuinely improve the lives of people with disability, there must be tangible change that facilitates the self-determination of people with disability and ensures the accountability of all stakeholders.

 

QAI made several recommendations, including the following:

  • The principles of universal design must be applied to all policy-making. The extent to which they are adhered to throughout the built and natural environment, services and programs and the provision of information is a quantifiable measure that could be incorporated into the Outcomes Frameworks.

  • The autonomy of people with disability must not be lost amid efforts to quantify progress in the Outcomes Frameworks. Rather, progress under the Outcomes Frameworks should be relative to the extent that people with disability exercise choice and control over their lives.

  • All people, regardless of their disability status, have a right to a basic standard of living. The level of payment under Australia’s welfare system and its equivalence with the minimum wage is a quantifiable measure that could be included in an Outcomes Framework. The eradication of ADE’s and the abolition of productivity-based wage assessment tools, when coupled with the expansion of meaningful employment roles in open employment, could also be indicators of increased economic security.

  • Progress towards achieving equitable access to suitable housing for people with disability can be measured through a reduction in the number of tenancies in congregated, segregated and Supported Independent Living (SIL) settings.

  • Measuring health and wellbeing requires more than quantifying a person’s access to health care services. The Outcomes Framework must be nuanced enough to decipher the quality of healthcare services that are accessed by people with disability as well as improvements in mortality rates.
  • A person’s ability to feel safe and have their rights promoted, upheld and protected is integral to the CRPD and must be ensured through robust accountability measures. The ongoing funding and uptake of a well-resourced disability advocacy sector is fundamental to achieving success in this domain. With Article 12 of the CRPD enshrining the right to equal recognition before the law and the model of supported decision-making, the level of a paradigm shift away from substitute decision-making approaches should be tracked under the Outcomes Frameworks through measures such as reduced applications for guardianship and administration, involuntary treatment and the use of Restrictive Practices.

  • The Australian Collective for Inclusive Education (ACIE) has produced a roadmap for achieving inclusive education in Australia, outlining six core pillars where efforts for change should be focused and providing a comprehensive list of short, medium and long-term outcome measures that will track progress over a ten-year period. As a member of ACIE, QAI endorses the roadmap and the outcome measures contained therein.

  • Personal and community supports must remain person-centred. This is in keeping with the diverse needs of people with disability and their right to self-determination. Continuity of service provision, together with the clarification of the interface between NDIS and mainstream services and education and training regarding this issue are important outcome measures. The introduction of the NDIS should not have the unintended effect of absolving state and territory governments from their responsibilities and the Outcomes Frameworks must remain alert to this throughout the life of the new Strategy. 
Read the full submission here
  • 13 Jan, 2021
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Disability Information Helpline

Image of man thinking in front of a blue background, with icons for staying at home, washing your hands and physical distancing floating around his head. Australian Government logo in top left corner and box with big question mark in it that says "Questions about coronovirus (COVID-19)?Do you have disability? Are you currently in New South Wales, or have recently visited? Do you have concerns about coronavirus? Support is available to you.

 

You can contact the Disability Information Helpline to talk about your concerns in relation to coronavirus (COVID-19), for example if:

 

  • your support worker has not turned up
  • your provider has stopped services
  • it’s hard for you to get food, groceries, medications or other essential items
  • someone close to you has symptoms of coronavirus
  • you are feeling really upset
  • anything else is worrying you.

 

To contact the Disability Information Helpline, please call 1800 643 787.

 

The Helpline is available Monday to Friday 7am to 7pm (AEST). It is not available on national public holidays.

 

If you are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment, you can call the National Relay Service on 133 677.

 

If you require support in another language, you can use the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) free of charge by:

 

  • calling the Disability Information Helpline on 1800 643 787 and asking for an interpreter. The counsellor will make the arrangements, or
  • calling TIS on 131 450 and asking to be connected to the Disability Information Helpline on 1800 643 787.

 

The Disability Information Helpline is free, private and fact-checked.

The Disability Information Helpline is funded by the Australian Government.

 

For more information about the Disability Information Helpline, including Easy Read and Auslan resources about coronavirus, visit www.dss.gov.au/disabilityhelp.

  • 6 Jan, 2021
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UN Side Event 2020

It all begins with education

Realising inclusive education in Australia and the roadmap to change​

UPDATE 7/01/2021

The video of this event is now available to watch on UN Web TV.

Watch full event here

Australia’s side event at the United Nations 13th Session of the Conference of State Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

 

Co-hosted by Queensland Advocacy Inc. (QAI) and Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA).

Young girl with down syndrome pointing at images on the blackboard with her teacher and classmates in the background
On Thursday 3 December 2020, it is International Day of People with Disability. A day in which people with disability are celebrated all over the world.
 
This year, QAI is celebrating by co-hosting a side event to the United Nations 13th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). We are excited to be collaborating with our colleagues at Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA) to host a panel discussion, entitled “It all begins with education: Realising inclusive education in Australia and the roadmap to change”.
 
In this event, emerging young leaders with disability and disability advocates, activists and scholars from Australia will be discussing the relevance of Article 24 CRPD – the right to an inclusive education – in the Australian context, and offer nation states a roadmap charting the key elements required for full inclusion.
Panellists

Young Australians with disability

Photo of Cassandra Grey
Cassandra Grey

Young person with disability, law student, QAI volunteer, Co-Chair working group for design of Disability Inclusion Action Plan.

Photo of Melanie Tran
Melanie Tran

Young person with disability, Chair of CYDA’s National Youth Disability Summit Co-Design Committee, CYDA Board Member, Recipient of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award and  the Laureate International Universities Here for Good Award.

Photo of Tim Chan
Tim Chan

Young autistic non-speaker who uses assisted typing to communicate, sociology and political science student, passionate advocate for people with complex communication needs. 

Photo of Jocelyn Neumueller
Jocelyn Neumueller

Young person who lives with significant physical disability, CYDA Board member, law student and passionate advocate for equal opportunities, true inclusion, choice and control, with a focus in education and sport

Photo of Jock Young
Jock Young

Young person with disability, lawyer, graduate of two law schools, International Law Masters student, QAI volunteer and aspiring international lawyer or diplomat .

With

Lisa Bridle

Senior Consultant, Community Resource Unit


Cecile Elder

Executive Officer, Family Advocacy

 

Bob Jackson

Registered Psychologist & Adjunct Associate Professor, Curtin University and member of the Australian Coalition for Inclusive Education

 

Catia Malaquais

Lawyer, Founder and Director of Starting with Julius, CoFounder of All Means All – the Australian Alliance for Inclusive Education, member of Australian Coalition for Inclusive Education


Emma Phillips

Principal Solicitor & Deputy Director, QAI

 

Mary Sayers
CEO, Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA), Chair of Australian Coalition for Inclusive Education

 

Tamara Walsh
Associate Professor School of Law, University of Queensland, parent

How to attend

The UN have opened up attendance beyond CoSP delegates and extended it to the general public. So anyone wishing to watch this important discussion is welcome to attend remotely.

 

Date: Saturday 5 December, Australian time

Time: 9am Brisbane QLD
           10am AEDT

Zoom details:

Topic: It all begins with education: Realising inclusive education in Australia and the roadmap for change
Register for the Event Here
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
 

More information on UN side events here.

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QAI Logo
CYDA Logo
  • 2 Dec, 2020
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New Factsheet: Guardianship Law Reforms 2020

Key reforms to Queensland’s guardianship laws take effect on Monday 30th November 2020.

Photo of woman with an intellectual impairment and her guardian, playing with her dog in the backyard

They strengthen the protection afforded to Queenslanders with impaired decision-making capacity.

 

To help explain these important reforms, QAI has created a factsheet outlining the main changes. 

Click here to read our factsheet and learn more
  • 26 Nov, 2020
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National Disability Strategy – QAI Submission to DSS

Last month, the Department of Social Services commenced the second phase of consultations seeking feedback on a Position Paper to develop a new National Disability Strategy.

QAI made several recommendations:
QAI recommends: 1. The addition of the word ‘all’ before ‘people with disability’ in the proposed vision for the Strategy, so that it aims to achieve ‘An inclusive Australian society that enables all people with disability to fulfil their potential as equal members of the community’.

2. The inclusion of a person-centred approach to the ‘Involve and engage’ guiding principle, where policy processes engage with and listen to people with disability at all stages, people with disability are provided accessible information and opportunities for feedback and where implementation is person-centred and takes into account the needs and wishes of individuals.

3. The removal of ‘where possible’ in relation to the ‘Design universally’ guiding principle, removing any ambiguity and ensuring it is a minimum standard of practice.

4. The return to the previous Strategy’s order of outcome areas, with ‘economic security’ listed as the third not first policy domain.

5. Accept and adopt proposals for a federal Human Rights Act to extend the human rights protections now afforded to all Queenslanders to every single Australian, removing disparities in access to justice between state and territory jurisdictions and ensuring a coherent approach to implementation of the Strategy and Australia’s obligations under the CRPD.

6. Adoption of the Senate Committee’s recommendation that the government develop best practice guidelines for consultation with people with disability.

7. The development of a multi-layered plan to address community attitudes at the personal, organisation and government levels.

8. The development of mandatory disability action plans in all jurisdictions.
9. The creation of an Office of Disability Strategy to act as a coordinating agency for the Strategy under the auspice of the Disability Reform Council. Ensure the Office of Disability Strategy can integrate the key findings from the Disability Royal Commission into the Strategy over the coming years.

10. Further clarification regarding the interface between the NDIS and mainstream services. Update the current publicly available information to ensure the content is easy to understand, including the development of Easy Read versions.

11. Widening the scope of the Strategy to encompass non-government entities. For example, place greater emphasis on addressing media bias toward people with disability, seek to remove barriers to employment created by employers, continued and increased funding for individual disability advocacy services and community legal services, and working to ensure the dominance of the social model of disability and the supported decision-making model in the health setting. 12. Biannual, mandatory reporting by all levels of governments regarding progress against an outcomes framework to be developed in consultation with people with disability. QAI considers the International Day of People with Disability a suitable milestone on which to report progress. QAI further recommends that governments be required to issue ‘statements of compatibility’ when creating new policies, to signify compliance with the Strategy’s vision and guidance principles.

13. Consultation of people with disability on the development of all Targeted Action Plans, with clarification as to whether state and territory jurisdictions will have tailored targets under the outcomes framework to reflect varying levels of progress under the six domains. Regular program evaluations to become mandatory for states and territories. Collaboration with non-government entities to develop industry specific Targeted Action Plans is also recommended.

14. The employment of people with disability at all levels of government decision-making to ensure people with disability are actively involved in the delivery of the Strategy. A well-funded and

image of Senator Ann Ruston on tv screen
The current National Disability Strategy was the first ever commitment by all Australian governments

well-resourced disability advocacy sector is integral to this.

Read all the submission here

  • 2 Nov, 2020
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Time to Assess the Assessors: QAI warns against Independent Assessors in the NDIS

QAI Media Release

15 October 2020

For immediate release

Image of cartoon icon of 2 people with checklist

QAI and its allies in the disability sector have today raised grave concern over the proposed introduction of Independent Assessments in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) from early 2021.

QAI has written an open letter to the NDIS Minister, The Hon Stuart Robert MP, calling for an urgent halt on plans to introduce Independent Assessments to the Scheme and has urged for further consultation with the disability community before any more announcements are made.

“The introduction of mandatory Independent Assessments takes away a person’s choice and control and goes against the very objectives of the NDIS”, QAI Director Michelle O’Flynn said today.

“Forcing people with disability to endure repeated and unnecessary assessments by assessors who have not been chosen by the participant or who may not possess the required specialist knowledge regarding a person’s disability, is degrading to people with disability and must not be allowed.”

Read QAI's open letter to the NDIS minister here

QAI thanks its allies who endorsed the letter:

 

  • Advocacy For Inclusion
  • Disability Advocacy Victoria Inc
  • Disability Justice Australia Inc
  • Independent Advocacy NQ
  • People with Disability Australia
  • Queensland Collective for Inclusive Education
  • Queenslanders with Disability Network
  • Rights In Action
  • Speaking Up For You
  • TASC
  • Villamanta Disability Rights Legal Service Inc 
  • Your Rights, Your Voice 

 

Media contact: Michelle O’Flynn, Director, QAI
Phone: 0481 381 528

  • 15 Oct, 2020
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#MakeItSafeToSpeak: QAI calls for legislation to protect confidentiality at the Disability Royal Commission

QAI Media Release

13 October 2020

 

QAI stands with Disabled People’s Organisations Australia (DPOA) and urges the government to pass legislation to protect the confidentiality of submissions made to the Disability Royal Commission.

 

This week, QAI gave evidence at the Disability Royal Commission’s public hearing into education. It was a timely reminder that for many people with disability, sharing stories of abuse, neglect, violence and/or exploitation can be deeply distressing and carry significant risk.

 

“People are afraid of reprisals”, QAI Director Michelle O’Flynn said today. “If people cannot tell their stories safely and without fear of retribution, how will the Commission truly understand the experiences of people with disability and achieve its purpose of creating meaningful change?”

 

Obtaining support to give evidence through a private hearing is not an option for everyone. The Disability Royal Commission must provide the same protections that were afforded to those who courageously gave evidence to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

 

QAI therefore calls upon the Federal government to amend the Royal Commission Act to ensure that submissions made to the Commission are confidential not just now, but beyond the life of the Commission.

See our letter to the Attorney-General, the Hon. Christian Porter MP here
Add your support to DPOA’s open letter to the Minister here

Media contact: Michelle O’Flynn, Director, QAI
Phone: 0481 381 528

  • 13 Oct, 2020
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  • (07) 3844 4200
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Events
  • Love, Sex & Family - A Human Rights Forum & AGM

  • Event Date: 10/10/2019


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