As the peak body for intellectual disability in Queensland and the leading advocate for the rights and opportunities of people with intellectual disability, Down Syndrome and Intellectual Disability Queensland (DSIDQ) takes a proactive approach to community issues through regular submissions to government and industry bodies. These submissions are a valuable contribution to the government decision-making process and ensure our community’s voices are heard.
See our submission here.
2026 Pre-Budget Submission (Queensland)
Down Syndrome & Intellectual Disability Queensland (DSIDQ) urges the Queensland Government to prioritise policies, funding, and programs that ensure people with intellectual disability, their families, and carers have equitable access to safe, inclusive, and supportive systems. People with intellectual disability face systemic barriers across health, education, employment, housing, safety, and community participation. Without targeted investment and proactive policy, these barriers create preventable inequities, reduce social and economic participation, and increase long-term costs for government services.
2026 Pre-Budget Submission (National)
This pre-budget submission calls on the Australian Government to prioritise policies,
funding, and programs that ensure people with intellectual disability, their families, and carers have equitable access to safe, inclusive, and supportive systems nationwide.
New Program for Children and Families – Intellectual Disability Focus
This submission is provided by Down Syndrome & Intellectual Disability Queensland (DSIDQ), Queensland’s peak body for people with intellectual disability, committed to supporting, advocating for, and empowering children, families, and communities across the lifespan. It outlines DSIDQ’s perspective on the proposed new program for children and families, drawing on our role in connecting individuals with intellectual disability to information, support, and opportunities for inclusion.
DSE Review 2025
The Disability Standards for Education 2005 (DSE) clarify the obligations of education and training providers under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA). The DSE seek to ensure that students with disability can access and participate in education on the same basis as students without disability.
The DSE are reviewed every 5 years to find out how they could be improved. In 2025, the review was considering three topics:
How well the Standards are being implemented,
What more can be done to support inclusive decision-making and complaints handling, and
Whether responsibilities for assessment authorities and course developers are clear.
DSIDQ made a submission to respond to the questions around these topics.
Anti-Bullying Rapid Review
As the Queensland peak body representing people with intellectual disability and their families, Down Syndrome and Intellectual Disability Queensland (DSIDQ) advocates directly to government, sharing insights, lived experiences, and community priorities. Through this work, DSIDQ aims to drive meaningful change, influence policy, and improve the quality of life for people with intellectual disability across the state
Voices That Matter: Insights from Queensland’s Intellectual Disability Community
Down Syndrome and Intellectual Disability Queensland (DSIDQ) is the peak body for people with intellectual disability across the state. In July 2025, DSIDQ conducted statewide consultations and survey to gain a deeper understanding of community needs, challenges, and priorities.
Locations: Townsville, Toowoomba, Gold Coast, Brisbane South & Brisbane, plus an online survey.
Participation: 118 surveys, 25% were completed by individuals with an intellectual disability.
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