Queensland Disability Housing Coalition

A Home of Your Own

SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY

The family home, institutions, residentials, nursing homes and hospitals are all places where people with disability live. This is often not by choice, but simply because there are no other options. Either there is no appropriate housing that is affordable or there are insufficient funds for support services. The QDHC believes people have a right to live in housing of their choice, but at the same time we acknowledge that for many people with disability the lack of options denies them the opportunity to do so. This booklet aims to inform people of some of the choices.

WHERE CAN YOU GET SUPPORT TO LIVE IN HOUSING OF YOUR CHOICE?

Disability Services Qld (DSQ) provides funds to community based organisations to provide support to people with disability. From the Principles and Objectives of the Disability Services Act Queensland (1992) it can be argued that this support should not be attached to housing owned by the same organisation. This is a principle known as the least restrictive alternative. Many organisations provide support that is linked to housing and so if you want to move out of their houses, you can lose your support. There are a growing number of organisations, however, who may be able to provide you with support to live where you choose. This may be assisted by applying to DSQ for an adult lifestyle support package. Application packages available from DSQ.

Other support is available from Home and Community Care [HACC] funded services, that can provide you with meals and other types of support. Community Mental Health Services provides some support to people who may have a psychiatric disability. Intellectual Disability Services provides some support to people with an intellectual disability. Most support in the community is not funded and provided by relatives, friends or neighbours.

PEOPLE TO TALK TO

Contact the Disability Information and Awareness Line [DIAL] for information about support services in your local area:


DIAL	3224 8444
Free call	1800 177 120
TTY	3224 8021

Contact the Health Department for a listing of HACC services in your local area:


HACC	3234 0340
Charleville	4654 1307
New Farm	3254 0355
Maryborough/Burnett South	4123 2234
Ipswich	3810 6662
Brisbane South	3275 6794
Townsville	4727 9712
Central & Far West	4651 2187
Sunshine Coast	5476 6130

If you are interested in finding out more about funding for support services, you can contact the Community Care Program at their regional offices:

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