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Changing Lives, Changing Communities: TownsvilleTownsville Stadium, Townsville

28 and 29 August 2018

About Changing Lives, Changing Communities...........................................................3

Check in: What inspired you to be here?.....................................................................3The Townsville context: panel......................................................................................4

Inclusive schooling....................................................................................................4-6Stories of inclusion....................................................................................................6-8

Projects of Change....................................................................................................8-9Recipe for inclusion....................................................................................................10

World Café............................................................................................................10-11Appreciative Inquiry...............................................................................................11-13

Open Space – ideas into action............................................................................13-24Conclusion..................................................................................................................25

/ August 2018 Changing Lives, Changing Communities Townsville

About Changing Lives, Changing CommunitiesChanging Lives, Changing Communities are 13, two-day events across Queensland, creating new ways for people – citizens, community organisations, private sector and government representatives – to come together, envision and ask, “What will it take to create communities where everyone contributes, matters and belongs?”

Changing Lives, Changing Communities is about bringing together all parts of the community to co-create solutions to ensure everyone is included in their community, and can access what they need; like a place to call home, good health, transport, education, and meaningful employment.

In Townsville, it is the third year this event has been held. Each year more people have attended and each year more people have put their hands up to make change through enacting ideas and projects to improve inclusion.

This document brings together the highlights of the two days in 2018 in Townsville.

Check - in: What inspired you to be here? To learn and understand how I as a person and a professional can play a part

in a truly inclusive community.

Changing the stigmatised stereotypical thinking of the world is close to my heart. As a transgender woman, transitioning in Townsville I am aware of the feeling of exclusion. I walk with pride, interact with a variety of Townsvillians with confident conviction that I can change thinking for the benefit of all LGBT transgender identified individuals.

To see how NDIS is being implemented in North Queensland after the last forums. Respect is pushing for decriminalisation of sex work.

Carers can be charged for arranging a booking in Queensland for people with disabilities.

Wanting to contribute to a Townsville where everyone is included and belongs.

Working towards creating a community that clients and client’s friends can come in and instantly feel supported & welcome, & to work toward improving our own community.

Really keen to be part of a community which is inclusive of all members of the community – where every door opens and is welcoming.

Hoping to hear new ideas and perspectives that are foreign to me.

Opportunity to think together, share ideas, create ideas and work for change towards a more inclusive Townsville.


Curious about how I can be part of the change.

The Townsville context: panelCr Colleen Doyle

Townsville City CouncilColleen has been working with Townsville City Council for more than 10 years and has more than 30 years’ experience in community services and planning and development. On the panel, Colleen talked about how proud she was to help drive the inclusive initiative to place beach mats on the beach in Townsville so people with mobility issues could access the sand. "If you want to walk on down or roll on down, now you can," she said.

Ann Greer

Community ConnectionAnn Greer is one of the founders of Community Connection in Townsville, an organisation established to provide individual customised support for people with disability to build a good life based on full and valued participation in community. She is also the mother of three adults, two of whom live with disability. Ann introduced a video by Loren Swancutt on School Inclusion - From Theory to Practice. Unfortunately, Loren could not attend the event.

Michelle Moss

Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN)Michelle is the Business and Operations Manager for QDN. On the panel, Michelle spoke about importance of the NDIS to the region. "It is about the power of people coming together to bring the NDIS to life," she said. She said Australia is leading the world in disability with Sweden looking to Australia because of the NDIS. "It is making a difference in people's lives," she said.

Mark Henley

QCOSSMark is the CEO of QCOSS and has been for the past seven years. On the panel, he spoke about how proud he is that QCOSS can be part of the community conversations that enable citizens to create the communities they want.

Inclusive SchoolingLoren Swancutt shared her journey of the continual transformation of Thuringowa State High School in Townsville. Prior to Loren being appointed as Head of Special Education Services at the school, there were problems. Although students with disability were welcomed, their education was mostly delivered in segregation,


complete with a symbolic, fenced-off lunch area for children with disability. Loren vowed to transform the school into a more inclusive environment with the project she affectionately titled Operation: BRING DOWN THE FENCE.

“I was a young, enthusiastic leader with a burning commitment to inclusive education,” she says. “My path crossed with the principal, who was eager for change and who possessed a refreshed and current perspective… Together, we identified the need for change and set about making it happen.”

This was the third time Loren had attempted to impact systemic operations at a school. Using lessons learned from the previous schools, she opted to heavily invest in preparation and planning. She reengaged with research and theory and realised if you view effective education and inclusive education as being mutually exclusive, you unlock the potential to reach the entire school community. She established a like-minded, collaborative community focussed on cohesiveness and developing collective knowledge around inclusive schooling and its significant contribution to effective schooling. By using this knowledge, the collaborative community set about mapping the change they wanted to see, resulting in a shared vision for all future work. They worked together to see how they could bridge the gap between the now and what they wanted for the future and outlined key actions.

"There are no secrets to our success, no magic wands, no over allocation of staffing and no additional funds,” Loren says. “It has been a result of preparation, hard work, thinking about things differently and learning from our shortfalls. We are honest and reflective and recognise there is still work to be done."

From previous experience, Loren knew she needed 80 per cent of buy-in from staff, who believed and were willing to make the transformation happen. Once she had the buy in, she created an inclusive schooling policy and worked with the collaborative community to create the action plan with accountable smart

goals. Operation: BRING DOWN THE FENCE was now ready to be implemented.

“Inclusive schooling is not a destination,” she says. “It is an ongoing process of thinking and doing that requires great commitment and continuous learning and improvement. There is still work to be done."

Operation: BRING DOWN THE FENCE is working. The school has experienced ongoing success, with four students graduating with OP1s and, perhaps more impressive, 100 per cent of students exiting with senior school certificates in 2016. For students with disability, the data indicates increases in attendance, as well as significantly improved curriculum access and academic results. Even more resonating is the individual stories from students themselves.

When Loren asked three students with disability if they ever wanted to return to lessons in a segregated special education environment, their answers were a definite ‘no way.’ These feelings were reciprocated by their peers without disability who, when asked why inclusive education is important, responded with:


“It allows everyone to get along and teaches us how to interact with different types of people. It’s more fair.” – Emma, Year 9

“Because everyone is important, and no one should have to be treated different. I don’t actually think about or notice who has a disability, we’re all just kids.” – Zoe, Year 8

“It makes it more like real life. It’s like shopping centres, there aren’t separate ones for people with disability. It helps us to learn how to help everyone. It allows for a chance of a variety of different answers and input.” – Ned, Year 7

Stories of inclusionEmma Lynam

In 2016, Emma's mother Jo attended the QCOSS' 'Bringing the NDIS to Life' event and spoke about her daughter's business – Master Shredder, where Emma goes into businesses and shreds paper. She uses the shredded paper to make paper crafts to sell at the markets.

In 2016, Emma was living with her parents and had nine clients. Emma now has 27 clients and has moved into her own duplex, which she is paying off. "Mum says 'Nothing says inclusion like having a mortgage'," she said. Since moving into her own home, Emma's confidence has grown. She loves to go to local bars to listen to music and dance. In September 2017, she had her first overseas trip to Japan.

This year, she went to Melbourne and started martial arts. Emma continues to volunteer at Townsville Little Theatre where she sells programs. She can do this now without paid support.

Robert Campbell

Robert shared his incredible journey. “I’m a person that surprises everyone in multiple aspects. From birth, people saw my survival as phenomenal because of the Spina Bifida condition I have got. I have also been in car accidents. That hasn’t stopped me from going to school, finishing Grade 12 and working at various places across Townsville," Robert smiles.

"Now I own my own business.” Robert started his car cleaning company Campbell’s Car Care in 2006. One reason he decided to start his own business is because he likes to be in charge.

“I’ve loved cleaning cars as a kid, so I thought I’m going to turn this lifelong hobby into a well-earned business. And that’s what I have done. I’ve done that since 2006 and it’s still going strong.”


Jackline Nyiransabimana

Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Jackline lived as a refugee in Kenya. In April 2018, she resettled in Townsville. Jackline shared her story of inclusion with a focus on one of her children, Benjamin, who has cerebral palsy. "Most babies start to walk at eight months. Ben took more than a year. He tried to walk but he would fall. In Kenya, it is the responsibility of the family to support the person with disability but when we arrived in Australia, I saw a difference in terms of support. When I got here, the case manager told me Ben had a problem.

Immediately my son got specialist appointments and his disability was found. Now he has an NDIS plan and is accessing services like occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech therapy. My son is really enjoying the NDIS services which he could not access in Kenya." Jackline said the support is making a big difference in Ben's life. "I am really excited," Jackline said.

"He is going to get a special shoe, so he can walk normally like everyone else," she beams. "He has also started talking like everyone else."

Morgan Woods

Morgan told his story of inclusion through photos from his everyday life, showing just how independent he is.

"I help Vicky pack vegetables and fruit. I love to cook Greek food, including turkey rissoles. I do grocery shopping every week. I have a diary of everything I do - it helps me to know what I am doing. I love living by myself. On Tuesday nights, I go bowling. I got two strikes and two spares."

Through the NDIS, Morgan has been able to access more supports. "For me, the NDIS means more dreams," he said.

Nicole Ferht-Pitt

Nicole shared her beautiful, shifting journey with disability throughout her life. Her journey began when she was growing up in a small town in Canada.

“There was a place called Riverside Residence,” she recalls.

“I never knew much about it except this is the place where people with disabilities lived. I was a bit uncertain and a bit scared of this house and residents in it. Trust me, it is very hard for me to say this and I am embarrassed, given what I know now. Fast forward 30 years. I moved to Australia about 10 years ago, met my husband and fell pregnant with my first child. I was ecstatic. They placed my daughter Kassidy on my chest. A few moments later, the doctor said, ‘I think she might have Downs Syndrome.’ I felt sick and I cried for many days and nights on end. This was now my life. It was scary with so many unknowns. Then I realised being a parent is scary with so many unknowns. I started reading and researching and signed up for every information session I could. I was going to do all I could to help my little girl and prevent others from seeing her as one of those people from the Riverside


Residence." Since Kassidy was born, Nicole has never put limits on her daughter, even when others have.

"Once I got up the courage, I started telling my family and friends of her diagnosis. I remember my dad said, ‘That’s okay. At least she will never move out of home. You’ll never have the empty nest like we had.” My immediate response was, 'Like hell she won’t'."

Kassidy is in Year 3 and Nicole has received the same message from all her teachers - Kassidy has taught the class things the teacher never could. She truly feels Kassy does belong.

Projects of ChangeMartin Locke

Silver Level Housing Pilot ProjectMartin has been building homes in North Queensland since 2009. Through his work, he recognised the critical shortage of liveable homes for

the ageing and disability population and has been inspired to include accessible features, called Silver Level accreditation, into all new homes he builds as standard. “The total extra to include silver level is between

$2000-$3000 per house in the initial construction stages. The cost to retrofit a home after construction is a lot more. It makes sense financially to do it when building a home,” Martin said. Currently, Martin Locke Homes is advocating for Townsville to pilot a 12-month program to include silver level standards in all new homes. “I’m a Dad first. I own a small business. The private and government sector need to do more things together...Now is the time to make Townsville unique in our nation. We are changing whole communities through this design.”

Ann Greer

Work ConnectABLEWhat would it take to get five people with significant disabilities work? This is the question Ann posed at last year's Changing Lives, Changing Communities event and led to a small group who formed Work ConnectABLE. "We met sporadically over the year and hosted a meeting late last year," Ann said. Although the group has faced numerous challenges, they are still working hard to meet their goal. They plan to engage with disability employment services to support their work and learn from what has and hasn’t worked and circulate it to their stakeholders.


Kata Jacka

Beyond the Yellow Card Volunteers for Beyond the Yellow Card give bite-sized training on topics they are experts in. The concept is to give free training to not just support workers but anyone who is interested. "Amazing people donate time to talk," Kate said. "NGO's and mainstream health services are talking about it. We are enthused by the support we receive but we need to look at funding," she said.

Jo Lynam

Journey ProjectFor Jo, inclusion is about including everyone's stories in media. The Journey Project is about telling the stories of people with disability in mainstream media. "We need the mainstream media to value stories that are different," Jo said. "They are rich and worthy of telling," she said. Jo knows this better than most. She saw the difference it has made in her daughter Emma's life. "Seeing her story told instantly empowered her in another way. It rippled through her workplace and social life and she is seen as a valuable member of the community. That matters. Our stories matter," she said.

Sibbo Sengabo

Diversity Safe Place ProjectCulturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) people experience added barriers when attempting to access disability services. In 2017 numerous organisations, community leaders and people with disability from a CALD background came together to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for people with disability from CALD backgrounds in the broader Australian community. Out of this, the Diversity Safe Place Project (DSPP) started in September 2017.

The project works with CALD people with disabilities and support workers to provide their stories to understand the key issues from the client point of view. The project has also facilitated discussions with community and disability service providers as a means of reflecting on how to respond appropriately, respectfully and with encouragement to the needs of CALD clientele. The project has highlighted six key barriers and outlined solutions that will create a more inclusive Australia. For more information, please visit www.waystowelcome.org.

Recipe for inclusionWhile storytellers were sharing their experiences, we asked participants to listen to the ingredients for inclusion. These are the keywords participants heard:

1. People2. Family3. Friends


4. Difference5. Purpose6. Attitude7. Opportunity8. Vision9. Culture10. Passion

World CaféWhat will it take to create a community where everyone contributes, matters and belongs? (key words written from participants to answer this question)

Accessibility

Education

Welcoming

Open

Collaboration

Respect

Trust

Hope

Listening

Empathy

Purpose

Connected

Non-judgemental

Spirituality

Understanding

What are the elements already happening here? (key words written from participants to answer this question)

Storytelling

Collaboration

Acceptance

Goal

Diversity

Accessible


Entrepreneurs

Education

Freedom

Social

Connection

Community

Inclusive

Champions

Common

Respect

Drive

Spirit

Openness

Communication

What action am I willing to take to progress the vision? (key words written from participants to answer this question)

Empower

Connection

Continue

Participate

Inclusion

Awareness

Persistence

Raise

Advocate

Listening

Evaluate

Collaborate

Stories

Education

Conversations

Share

Communicate


Courage

Leadership

Appreciative InquiryMaking social change requires courage. We asked participants to share when they had to be courageous to create change. We asked what was inspiring/important and what helped it to happen. Here are some of the participants responses:

What was inspiring/important? Be prepared to tackle a difficult issue

Able to negotiate when the other person disagrees

Deal with disappointment

Quite okay about the result

Gave an alternative solution

What helped it to happen? Reflection on what needed to happen

Direct response to client regardless of their view

What was inspiring/important? Career change

Country change

Long-time raising family, now being courageous to go back to work and study

Left financial and family support behind

Kids inspire mum to work hard and make the sacrifices

What helped it to happen? Support from husband and kids throughout

Similar values around higher education

Had to follow dreams and overcome challenges of parenting three young children

What was inspiring/important? Coming from a challenging background to working with a great support

network to achieve great outcomes

Giving a boy a full life

Building a family back to a strong family network

Going from non-verbal to small words to express his emotions


What helped it to happen? Connections

Knowledge around the situational understanding

Right people in the right jobs

What was inspiring/important? The fact that a simple conversation at the beginning could lead to so much

success

Family support grew

Confidence of the young man grew in leaps and bounds

What helped it to happen? Someone taking the time to sit down and involve individuals, and families

Family support

Support from services

Open Space – ideas into actionProject one

Host idea – Legalising assistance to sexual services in NDIS plans – legislation in Queensland thwarts accessWhat could this idea become?

Legal access to sexual services and recognition in clients plans Self-managed Able to use services

What do we know works? Approach MPs NDIS has recognised this in plans NSW legislation Victoria legislation South Australia legislation United Kingdom Cross jurisdictional challenging improves behaviours

Who do we need to partner with? Pro bono lawyers NDIS other organisations Advocacy QAI Disability Advocacy Legal Service Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland United Nations Convention on rights of people with disabilities Federal government and states


Office of Public Guardian Disability Act in conjunction Queensland Touching Base Section 216

What are the risks/challenges? Charges against carers Not everyone is self-managed Capacity to make decisions Capacity to communicate Deemed sexual assault Accessibility Ordinary costs

What do we need to learn by doing? Look at signed consent Look at legislation in other states and countries

How do we make sure everyone is included? Community consultation Advocacy Networking What are our next wise steps? Cultural change Community education/community engagement Advocacy Protest rallies

Project two

Host idea – How do we link community to the projects occurring?What could this idea become?

Focus on 'inclusion' Go to resource Information source Existing group - hard to join See - 'Facebook' group - QCOSS 'Changing Lives, Changing Communities Townsville' Sharing events, working groups

What do we know works? Word of mouth Social media Branding Acronym - 'TLC' - Townsville Linking Communities


Who do we need to partner with? Local government - Mayor, Deputy Mayor State government Schools Churches Community groups Influencers such as service providers

What are the risks and challenges? IT Lack of information Time and task allocation Not having clear guidelines Continuity Who do we need to partner with? Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) Existing networks Mercy community network newsletter

What do we need to learn by doing? Map out existing groups and network and add value Talk it out

How do we make sure everyone is included? Email out opportunities Invite internal stakeholders to take part Open Facebook page Inclusive community advisory committee What are our next wise steps? Attend advisory committee and table this item Establish a working group Connect with intended parties

Project three

Host Idea – Build and develop skills for children and teenagers to transition into adulthood and employment successfully – early intervention. Keeping kids with disability out of the justice system.What could this idea become?

Inclusive and accepting Employment opportunities for school leavers School leavers that are well prepared, informed and excited about their future

What do we know works? Obtain basic education


Maths and English Drivers licence Stability - Home/daily life Early psychology/Headspace - 6 month wait Lead by example Stay true to core question because it is a large problem

Who do we need to partner with? ATSI - liaison officer for example Jobs for Josh, Project Booyah Defence Employment agencies Schools Guidance officers SEP teachers Parents Role models - success stories Volunteering NEIS - hobbies develop into business Industry specialists NDIS Counsellor - youth School based officers

What are the risks and challenges? Never too late to start Individual commitment and support Waiting lists Peer pressure Lack of parenting Parents with a disability Need to belong Fear - transition to independence Domestic violence Low socio economic Lack of regular meals Lack of funding for teacher aides Bullying Funding - DES before school finishes NDIS

What do we need to learn by doing? Disability awareness and acceptance Improve leadership Link mentoring - use experience and mentoring Break barriers down for volunteers


How do we make sure everyone is included? Regular meet ups Communicating Get an 80 per cent buy-in Listen to ideas Stay true to the original question Keep it small until ready to launch Engage with youth support coordinators – Queensland Youth Services

What are our next wise steps? Establish a working group Meet up for ideas – survey monkey

Project four

Host Ideas – Making volunteering inclusiveWhat could this idea become?

Partnerships with other organisations Increased opportunities for people of all abilities to volunteer Case workers for disabled groups Reframing disabled volunteers as a benefit to the organisation Information share Raise options Reshaping the positions Individualised needs met

What do we know works? Updating and moving forward Awareness Trials Shared positions

Who do we need to partner with? Training organisations Organisations willing to take on volunteers of all abilities

What are the risks and challenges? Losing affiliations Organisations not being open

What do we need to learn by doing? Broader/open questions For example - What else can we do to accommodate your needs? How do you prefer to be contacted? Asking more questions Person-centered approaches


•The 'benefits' package Perspective taking Addressing the issues Challenging the stigmas in a positive frame Personalised, individual resume videos Finding the 'right' contacts Good news stories Showing what works

How do we make sure everyone is included? Asking the questions Not pushing people/organisations Planting the seeds Leaving doors open Person-centred approach Valuing all contribution Availability of resources Accessibility Communication Inclusion Perspectives

What are our next wise steps? Approach management Prepare our proposal Get others onboard - membership Liaise with expert (workshop) External perspective

Project five

Host Idea – How can we create/reinvent/expand projects to create a changed community of our own (in Charters Towers)?What could this idea become?

"Collaborative communities" Could be the template for other smaller communities - create a framework

What do we know works? Using strengths Passionate community Existing projects in Townsville Building on community interests and passions (for example suicide prevention

course)

Who do we need to partner with? Townsville City Council STEPS group Australia


NDIS CDO Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland Local/State/Federal government WorkAbility project - Workforce issues Local organisations - CWA Politicians Chamber of commerce Department of Communities, Disability Services and Seniors NDS

What are the risks and challenges? Lack of resources Distance Understaffed services Lack of outreach Untrained workers Charters Towers mindset "Change is hard" "We don't need the big city's help Heritage listed buildings Taking help when it's offered

What do we need to learn by doing? Learn what services are there by looking/cold calling Flexibility and resource sharing What gets people engaged and motivated Learn how to create and improve channels of communication Learn how to improve and accept assistance from others/organisations and

communities

How do we make sure everyone is included? Advertise to all and utilise media outlets FIND A COMMON VISION! - "This is bigger than us" Encourage everyone to participate "Everyone has a voice and something to

give"

What are our next wise steps? Attend more networking events Make connections with local (and surrounding) representatives Open channels of communication Utilise 'place-based resources' (Department of Communities) Local government

Project six

Host Idea – Meaningful paid employmentWhat could this idea become?

A group that meets regularly to organise and discuss / August 2018 Changing Lives, Changing Communities Townsville

what needs to happen to get five people with a disability paid employment

What do we know works? People to know where to go to get information on different jobs, roles, etc Create jobs and roles for people by talking to businesses to find out what's

not getting done Small community-based groups who can hone people’s needs

Who do we need to partner with? Partner with employers Existing employers and employees to tell their stories

What are the risks and challenges? Employers understanding what roles available and what people are capable

of Continued training

What do we need to learn by doing? Decide on a course of action and stick to it Weekly meetings to see how actions are going Work to deadlines How do we make sure everyone is included? Find out when everyone is available via email after deadline

What are our next wise steps? Getting in touch with people you want to invite and check availability Arrange a time to meet

Project seven

Host Idea – How can we create consistent educational programs to educate Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) people about available services?What could this idea become?

Informed CALD community Make right decision Able to access services What do we know works? Partnership Cooperation Awareness drive Sharing experience

Who do we need to partner with? Partner with TAFE Churches and other organisations to provide information about


services available Ask this information to be included in the curriculum Peer/mentoring by community members Having information in native languages

What are the risks and challenges? What do we do if CALD members do not go to TAFE or churches?

What do we need to learn by doing? Having someone to oversee the process Resources/funding Understand different cultures (cultural sensitivity) How do we make sure everyone is included? Reach out Network Social media campaign Create a platform for multicultural communities

What are our next wise steps? Townsville Multicultural Support Group to team up with all

people/organisations here and others to work on this Further research and consultations with different stakeholders

Project eight

Host Idea – Does Townsville city have an inclusion plan? If yes, where is it? Who was involved? If no, we need one!What could this idea become?

Speak to council Have community further informed What do we know works? There's an inclusion committee at Council; they just put together an action

plan for inclusivity. This is not widely known or on their website.

Who do we need to partner with? Townsville City Council Cr. Colleen Doyle

What do we need to learn by doing? How to communicate effectively

How do we make sure everyone is included? Ensure community can access plan Ensure the community knows they can attend committee meetings


What are our next wise steps? Townsville City Council to share plan Townsville City Council to market themselves as inclusive

Project nine

Host Idea – Practical application of nutrition and an inclusive community gardenWhat could this idea become?

Have any money in the bank Linking all members of society to come together in a safe place: to grow food share knowledge and skills diets and nutrition

What do we know works? Community that works together, grows together Food brings people together

Who do we need to partner with? Council Community group Volunteer Queensland My Pathway NSW - existing models

What are the risks and challenges? Continuity Education/application

What do we need to learn by doing? Look at previous projects - their challenges Take what worked and what didn't How do we make sure everyone is included? Build a sustainable model that includes everyone Networking

What are our next wise steps? Connect with council


Project 10

Host Idea – What options do individuals with challenges have to obtain training to gain employment?What could this idea become?

Skilling Queenslanders for Work Short term loans for not-for-profits. For example, NILS VET fee help (post Diploma) Put it back on the training organisations to provide answers Share with other communities make it happen

What do we know works? Job matching Finding out about the individual Work experience

Who do we need to partner with? Community sporting clubs Mining companies Local business groups Council Who's going to benefit from it

What are the risks and challenges? Funding depends on employment type People with challenges have the ability to work but lack the opportunity Finding meaningful work Training for training sake

What do we need to learn by doing? Research Networking Talking about the challenges - platform in the community Advocacy Awareness within business community

How do we make sure everyone is included? Advocacy Making RTO's/organisations responsible Currently not included Open communication and transparency

What are our next wise steps? Exploring support opportunities Action plan


Raise awareness - Chamber of Commerce guest speaker

Project 11

Host Idea – How do we make early childhood learning services more inclusive? How do we build educators capacity to be more inclusive?What could this idea become?

Training/education for new and current educators Working with centres to give ideas for inclusion What do we know works? Could be the template for other smaller communities - create a framework Communication with parents/family Asking questions Collaborating with others

Who do we need to partner with? Inclusion support agency Centres who are doing this well Training providers Policy makers

What are the risks and challenges? Openness of inclusion support Facilitators to accept new ideas and strategies Getting to educators (not directors/managers etc) Families/centres not knowing about/using service

What do we need to learn by doing? What people are doing well Exploring what is provided/how flexible the associated funding is How do we make sure everyone is included? Help awareness of inclusion support agency within early learning centres

What are our next wise steps? Build relationships with inclusive support agencies Start small

Project 12

Host Idea – How to expand accessible housing to accommodate challenging behaviour with robust housing?Perhaps the Townsville community wasn’t quite ready to have this conversation yet…

Joanna, who proposed the question, decided to take a step back and reframe the question…


How do we get community members to engage more, and increase understanding around care requirements for individuals with disabilities or challenging behaviours?

The answers were illusive this time. This issue will need to be revisited when the community is ready…


ConclusionThanks to everyone who came along to Changing Lives, Changing Communities Townsville. We know you have made a difference. On competition of the two days, we asked participants: what has stayed in my heart and mind? These are your responses:

Power of story Confidence to speak Goodwill Better future. Act on vision Desire for change Inclusivity starts with us Empathy Robust conversations

Changing Lives, Changing Communities Townsville is a proud partnership between: Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN), Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS), Anti Discrimination Commission Queensland (ADCQ), Ergon Energy Retail and Townsville City Council. (End of document)


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