Queensland Parents for People with a Disability Inc (QPPD)
QPPD was a parent-based, mission-driven organisation which existed from 1981 to 2015. It was established to “vigorously defend justice and rights for people with disability by exposing exclusionary practices, speaking out against injustices and promoting people with disability as respected, valued and participating members of society.”
In working towards this mission, parent members from QPPD consistently advocated for inclusion in all walks of life so that all people might learn the importance of belonging and the democratic strength of diversity.
The pursuit of genuinely inclusive education was a long-term priority for the organisation. QPPD supported Queensland parents in their dream to have their children educated in local schools alongside their non-disabled peers. They assisted parents to develop skills in advocacy, knowledge of the legal frameworks underpinning inclusion and information about developing effective partnerships with educators. QPPD’s systemic advocacy efforts were wide-ranging and included campaigns, representations to state and federal government, participation in ministerial task-forces and roundtables, and production of discussion papers and research.
In addition to this systems advocacy focus, QPPD developed a wide membership of families and friends across Queensland who took up issues collectively and supported each other in a movement of change. Members of QPPD personally supported one another and offered guidance and wise counsel before and after challenging situations.
Below is a collection of the many resources created by QPPD: (Click on a link below to download a PDF)
- Diving for Pearls. (2011). An account of parents’ quest for an inclusive education in Queensland
- I choose Inclusion. (Originally 2011, republished by CRU in 2020). A guide for parents in their search of an inclusive education
- Inclusion or Segregation for Children with an Intellectual Disability. What does the research say? (2008). Bob Jackson.
- Launch into Life: Planning great futures for young people with disability. (2008) Handy hints for parents of students with disability leaving school
- Past Connections, New Directions: A report from a gathering to ensure QPPD’s strong advocacy into the future. (2006). Celebrating 25 years of QPPD.
- The Pendulum is Swinging back Report. (2005). An evaluation of the challenges in the lives of people with disabilities.
- There's small choice in rotten apples. (2003). An exploration of the process of parental decision-making around educational choice for parents of children with disabilities.