Community Living Initiative

The Queensland Government’s priority is to reform and revitalise front-line services. This includes services for people with a disability and their families and carers. To achieve this priority the Department is committed to supporting as many people with a disability as possible using the disability budget in accord with the Disability Services Act (2006).

To maximise the number of people with a disability who can receive supports, the department is ensuring that supports and services provided are directly related to the disability needs of the person with a disability.

If you are an adult with a disability, the Community Living Initiative may help you set up a home and lifestyle of your choice. If you are a family member who cares for an adult with a disability and are exploring the possibility of your family member making the transition to living in his or her own place, this initiative may also assist you.

Living the lifestyle of your choice requires thinking ahead and planning, particularly when you have a need for regular assistance from others.

A good place to start your planning is to look at how other people with a disability have created a reasonable lifestyle for themselves. Doing this first will make sure you are aware of the many possibilities before forming a picture of what you want.

Some people are lucky and a good lifestyle just happens. The reality for most of us, however, is that we need to work at making it happen. In many ways it's like any other project. Depending on your circumstances the project might be as easy as planning a holiday or as difficult as building a house. Either way you will achieve a great sense of satisfaction by doing it yourself, despite the difficulties you might meet on the way.

What would be a good lifestyle for me?

You may have seen what others have achieved, but what lifestyle really suits you or your family member with a disability? Some people have a clear vision of what future they want; many of us don't. It's not often we ask ourselves this question, so don't be surprised if you don't know the answer straight away.

It may be easier to begin by identifying what most people want in life and applying these themes to your own life. When asked, most people would say they want:

• close relationships - for example, friends, someone to love, people who care for them
• a place to call home
• safety and security
• a passion - for example, an interest, occupation or hobby
• a sense of belonging.

Each person's list of what makes up a good life will be different. This is because we each have individual preferences and varied interests.