What We Believe In

DAQ is a disability action group - a collective of individuals with a disability in Queensland - who believe that people with disabilities deserve a say in decisions and policies that affect our lives. DAQ demands:

- Genuine consultation and involvement in government decisions;

- Every available opportunity for people with disabilities to participate in society; and

- Meaningful implementation of the Disability Services Act (Qld) 2006 and any other relevant disability legislation (Commonwealth or State).

How We Operate

We are:

• A newly established loose group of individuals who have disabilities [NO service provider or other organisations]
• A virtual organisation [exist in cyberspace - no Management Committees!] who communicate via e-mail and telephone unless meeting with politicians etc
• Individuals working hard as a team using each other’s skills to make our views on disability issues clear
• Individuals freely expressing individual views & exchanging ideas & information
• Individuals prepared to be politically active members prepared to contribute - e.g. letter writing, approaching politicians, researching etc.
• Able to raise issues to be debated and lobbied for in a timely manner

Our People

Founding Members [in alphabetical order]:

Tanya Hornberg:

A person with C4-C5 spinal-cord injury due to a diving-block accident in December 1991. Reside in Roma. I’m an activist and self-advocate and manage my own Lifestyle Support Package funded by Disability Services. I work part-time as Funding Administrator for a Disability Employment Network. I feel that I (and other people with disability) have the right to live with the same human rights as I did pre my injury.

Vicki Humphries:

A Brisbane woman with an acquired disability as a result a spinal cord injury 27 years ago. An advocate and activist in disability rights. Manages own funding for support workers (from Disability Services), with responsibilities including advertising, interviewing, training potential staff, bookkeeping and doing a payroll.

Ben Lawson:

Ben has a physical disability and uses a wheelchair for mobility. He holds a Bachelor of Science with Honours and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Conservation Planning. He works full time, and in his spare time lobbies for improved policy and outcomes for people with disabilities. Resides in Brisbane.

Tony Leggett:

A person with C5-C6 spinal cord injury after a diving accident in 1992. Arts graduate and a former director of ParaQuad NSW (where he learned firsthand what bear-pits NGO boards can be). A former peer support officer of Spinal Cord Injuries Australia and now its current QLD representative, residing in Brisbane.

Louise Lowe:

A Brisbane resident who has ‘owned’ her disability for 48 years (Transverse Myelitis resulting in low-level quadriplegia).Holds degrees in Social Work, Rehabilitation, Business Management and Training. Has worked in the disability sector for over 30 years, aside from private consultancy work is an activist & advocate. Married, 2 children, 2 grandchildren; has a life outside her disability!

Our Philosophiies

• We fully subscribe to the Standards (and beyond) of the Disability Services Act Qld 2006.
• It is the right of every person with a disability to be treated with dignity and respect
• It is the right of every person with a disability to make choices and decisions about every aspect of their lives
• We subscribe to the principles of Social Justice* which is based on the application of equity, rights, access and participation.

[Equity - fairness in the distribution of resources, particularly for those in need Rights - equality of rights established and promoted for all people Access - fair access for all people to economic resources, services and rights essential to their quality of life Participation - opportunity for all people to genuinely participate in the community and be consulted on decisions which affect their lives]

• Disability is a Human Rights issue: The right to be born equal in freedom and dignity, the right to personal integrity and self-determination: Human Rights are fundamental. They exist independently of laws passed in a society, and cannot be constrained by customs or beliefs of a particular community. We have human rights whether there are laws to uphold them or not. They are universal and indivisible.
• Socially Inclusive Societies should be based on the values of equality and non-discrimination: Inclusiveness means independent living, fully inclusive education, and access to information, the environment, and all social systems and this applies equally to people who live with a disability.

Membership

At this point, we are yet to determine process for membership to DAQ (application? nomination? Types of membership etc); watch this space for more!

Contacting Us

You can reach us by any of the following methods:

Email:

info@disabilityactionqld.org

Postal:

P.O. Box 1154
Oxley QLD 4075