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Communities for all means everyone, including the one in five Queenslanders with disability having the same opportunities. Raising awareness and dispelling myths about disability and peoples’ abilities is the first step towards this. The more informed we all are, the more we can do to create truly inclusive communities.

Improved physical accessibility allows people with disability, older people, parents with young children, people with temporary injuries, and tourists with suitcases to have a better experience of finding their way around the community. Welcoming attitudes and inclusive organisations provide Queenslanders with disability the opportunity to participate in and contribute to the cultural, artistic, sport, tourism and recreational activities in our community.

Government  

Our vision is for people with disability to be welcomed, valued and respected members of their communities. To create an environment where Queenslanders with disability can participate in all aspects of community life, including community activities, sports, arts, tourism and recreation activities that are accessible and socially inclusive of all Queenslanders.

How?

1. Raising awareness and developing and sharing information and resources
2. Recognising diversity and welcoming people of all abilities
3. Promoting and upholding rights
4. Improving accessibility of arts, sports and recreation activities
5. Improving accessibility of places and spaces
6. Ensuring information is accessible and available in multiple formats
7. Promoting safe, healthy and respectful relationships.

What you can do

Queenslanders with disability are mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, siblings, friends, neighbours, workmates, employees, bosses, customers, team mates and community leaders… just like you.

Here are some tips to help you to communicate better with people with a disability and be more inclusive in your community:

1. Treat people with disability with the same respect you have for everyone else.
2. Don’t make assumptions about what a person can or can’t do.
3. Focus on the person, not the disability and don’t bring it up unless relevant.
4. Speak to people with disability directly, not through their carer or interpreter (if they have one).
5. Don’t talk down to a person with disability.
6. Ask a person using a wheelchair if they would like help, and where they would like to sit, before you start moving furniture.  
7. Can’t understand what’s being said? Don’t pretend — ask again.
8. Take some time. People with some kinds of disability may take a little longer to understand and respond.
9. Some disabilities are invisible. Get to know people.
10. Never pat or speak to a Guide Dog while it’s wearing a coat or harness.
11. Be aware that some people may need information to be provided in different formats, such as electronic, large font, braille, audio or Auslan.
12. If a person is blind, consider describing the layout of the area to them, especially any obstacles like stairs or furniture. Tell them where you are standing when you say hello, so they can shake hands with you.
13. Always make sure you’re facing people when you speak to them, so that they can read your lips if they need to.
14. Don’t speak loudly, use big hand gestures, or speak extra slowly - just speak clearly.
15. Try and put yourself at eye level with a person who is a wheelchair user, and speak directly to them.

Based on the Australian Network on Disability’s Welcoming customers with disability.