Queenslanders with Disability Network

16/10/2026

The NDIA is hosting a series of webinars to provide information about changes to NDIS support budgets. The sessions will focus on budget reductions (also called Support Determinations).

Starting 1 October, some NDIS support budgets will change over the coming 12 months. This change is part of the new NDIS laws.

It will reduce budgets for two support categories:
• Social, Economic and Community Participation
• Improved Daily Living Skills
These webinars are designed for participants, families, carers and kin who want to better understand how the changes may affect their NDIS plan.

Topics will include:
• Which support budgets will be impacted
• What supports are not subject to the budget reductions
• How the new plan variation process works
• Where to access information, guidance and support

Where: Virtual information session delivered via Microsoft Teams
Dates & Time: Offered over multiple dates and times during:
• October
• November
• December

To register, please go to the NDIS Website by clicking on the following link:
https://www.ndis.gov.au/events/11714-changes-ndis-support-budgets-overview-community-and-participants

15/10/2026

The Australian Government has announced that major reforms to the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (Transport Standards) and supporting guidelines are now in place.

QDN acknowledges the leadership and advocacy of our members that have contributed to this work for many years.

The new rules apply across Australia to make public transport safer and more accessible for people with disability.

The changes include better disability training for transport staff, clearer information for passengers and improved accessibility requirements for vehicles, buildings and other transport infrastructure.

For more information about the reforms, including summary documents in accessible formats and frequently asked questions, please visit the department’s website: www.infrastructure.gov.au/transportstandards

13/10/2026

You still have time to book for this Inclusion Matters Forum.

Inclusion Matters Online Forum – Health and Wellbeing

Join us at QDN’s Inclusion Matters Forum to explore how inclusive communities are built, lived, and strengthened—by everyone.

This Inclusion Matters Online Forum, hosted by local QDN Peer Leaders will connect people with disability, families, allies, schools, local business and organisations to share ideas, solutions and practical actions for building a stronger and more inclusive region.

Where: Online via Zoom (Link sent before meeting)
When: Thursday 15 October
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm

Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/inclusion-matters-forum-6-online

More about the forum:
• Hear from local leaders and changemakers about what works and what’s needed next.
• Join conversations about how we can make inclusion stronger across Queensland.
• Turning good ideas into real change – share your insights and shape inclusion in your community.

Speakers announced:
- Dr Pingping Han - PHD in Biomedical Engineering and researcher at The University of Queensland
- Simon Katterl - Chief Executive Officer of Rise: Queensland's Mental Health Lived Experience Peak
- Gillian Hermosilla-Silva - Manager of Disability Policy and Projects within the System Policy Branch of Queensland Health
- Sophie Barrett - Project Officer QDN - Reforms Team

Find out more here: https://qdn.org.au/ourwork/inclusion-matters/

12/10/2026

2026 Australian Guardianship and Administration Council (AGAC) Conference

Last week, some QDN Members attended the AGAC Conference where the theme was “Decision Time: Let’s be the change.” QDN Peer Leader Alison Maclean was emcee for the conference alongside Queensland Public Advocate John Chesterman. Uncle Willie Prince delivered the Acknowledgement of Country. QDN CEO Michelle Moss also spoke on one of the Panel Sessions called “Reforms after the Disability Royal Commission and NDIS Review”. QDN does a lot of work in this area as part of the Queensland Stakeholder Engagement and Co-design Strategy.
You can read more about this work on our website by clicking the following link: https://qldcodesignstrategy.qdn.org.au/

There were a range of presentations and panel discussions with key topics such as:

- First Nations guardianship

- Reforms after the Disability Royal Commission and NDIS Review

- Aged Care reforms

- Abuse and Mistreatment of Older People

- Supported decision-making

- Adult safeguarding

- Modernising financial guardianship

Please see below some photos from the event.

12/10/2026

Disrupting the narrative: Disability leadership and My Housing Options

QDN CEO Michelle Moss and Housing Champion Grant Higham joined Mary Sayers from the National Disability Research Partnership at the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute - AHURI Australian Homelessness Conference in Darwin to challenge traditional narratives about homelessness and housing for people with disability.

Sharing insights from QDN’s My Housing Options research, Michelle and Grant explored the tools and resources to help people with disability to be in the drivers seat of their housing conversations.

For too many people with disability, housing is not about choosing where, with whom and how they want to live.

Michelle highlighted the systemic barriers that limit housing choice and how research, data and lived experience can inform better housing policy and solutions.

Grant brought the conversation back to what matters most – the security, belonging, independence and control that come with having a place to call home.

Together, they reinforced why disability leadership must be at the centre of housing reform, challenging assumptions and shifting the conversation from simply providing accommodation to enabling genuine choice, control and a sense of home.

08/10/2026

Inclusion Matters Online Forum – Health and Wellbeing

Join us at QDN’s Inclusion Matters Forum to explore how inclusive communities are built, lived, and strengthened—by everyone.

This Inclusion Matters Online Forum, hosted by local QDN Peer Leaders will connect people with disability, families, allies, schools, local business and organisations to share ideas, solutions and practical actions for building a stronger and more inclusive region.

Where: Online via Zoom (Link sent before meeting)
When: Thursday 15 October
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm

Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/inclusion-matters-forum-6-online

More about the forum:
• Hear from local leaders and changemakers about what works and what’s needed next.
• Join conversations about how we can make inclusion stronger across Queensland.
• Turning good ideas into real change – share your insights and shape inclusion in your community.

Speakers announced:
- Dr Pingping Han - PHD in Biomedical Engineering and researcher at The University of Queensland
- Simon Katterl - Chief Executive Officer of Rise: Queensland's Mental Health Lived Experience Peak
- Gillian Hermosilla-Silva - Manager of Disability Policy and Projects within the System Policy Branch of Queensland Health
- Sophie Barrett - Project Officer QDN - Reforms Team

Find out more here: https://qdn.org.au/ourwork/inclusion-matters/

06/10/2026

50 million people. 50 million different experiences, priorities and ideas about what needs to change.

6 October is World Cerebral Palsy Day, this is an annual event to raise awareness about cerebral palsy and to celebrate the lives and achievements of those living with this disability. This global movement aims to bring attention to the challenges faced by people with cerebral palsy and to advocate for their rights and inclusion in society.

Find out more about this important day by visiting the website at the following link:
https://worldcpday.org/

06/10/2026

As a parent or carer of a person with disability, you see firsthand what helps the person you support get involved in sport and physical activity, and what gets in the way.
Empower is building a statewide picture to improve sport and physical activity opportunities for people with disability.

Your voice can help create more welcoming and inclusive spaces by finding the barriers that stand in the way.

👉 Share your experience today.
The Empower Legacy Project is proudly supported by the Queensland Government.

02/10/2026

Calling people with disability aged 17-25!

Applications close 11.59pm Sunday 11 October

Join QDN's free Lead the Way: Shaping My Future 4-week course to shape your future, your way!

Learn how to build the life you want, from discovering and speaking up for yourself to exploring suitable housing options and earning an income through work that suits you.

Apply now! https://qdn.org.au/ourwork/lead-the-way/
Applications close 11.59pm Sunday 11 October

02/10/2026

Everyone is at risk of heat-related illness.

Staying safe in hot weather is important for everyone – even you.
Hot weather can be hard on your body. When it gets very hot, your body tries to cool down by sweating. But sometimes, sweating isn’t enough to keep you cool.

You might start to feel unwell with a heat-related illness.
Heat-related illness can be dangerous, or even deadly.
If you, or someone around you, starts to feel unwell from the heat, here’s how to beat the heat.

For tips on staying safe in the heat, visit the Queensland Health website by clicking the following link: www.health.qld.gov.au/heatsafe