Roundtable: better health in Queensland
Photo of a group of people at a conference watching a presentation.

In partnership with consortium members Queenslanders with Disability Network and the Queensland Centre of Excellence in Autism and Intellectual Disability Health, the Centre hosted a roundtable in Queensland on 12 June, 2026.

The roundtable was about better health for people with intellectual disability in Queensland.

People with intellectual disability, families, and key decision makers, as well as experts and professionals from health, disability, and advocacy organisations joined the discussion.

We shared what is happening now in Queensland across health and disability. We discussed what has changed since the release of the Disability Royal Commission and the National Roadmap for Improving the Health of People with Intellectual Disability.

We also explored what needs to happen first, who needs to be involved, and how this links to the Disability Royal Commission and National Roadmap priorities.

We asked people two questions:

  • What are two or three things Queensland could do in the next 100 days to make a real difference now?
  • What one big change should Queensland aim for by 2028 to create a health system that is more connected, inclusive, easier to use and accountable for people with intellectual disability?

Some key things that we heard were:

  • People with intellectual disability need to be seen, heard and counted (including through a peer workforce)
  • The importance of raising awareness and voice of non-speaking people
  • Specialist intellectual disability health services are needed (like sedation pathways)
  • Better ways are needed to identify people with intellectual disability in the health system, and better data about reasonable adjustments
  • Extend Queensland Health's Hear me. See me. Respect me. campaign
  • Introduce disability peer navigator roles across all health care
  • Expand and promote oral health services for people with intellectual disability
  • Provide after-hours crisis mental health service options.

Thank you to our amazing speakers, presenters, panellists and attendees for sharing your views and experiences on these important topics.

 

Photos from the roundtable

Photo of a group of people at the roundtable watching a presentation.
Two people giving a presentation at the roundtable.
A group of people sitting around a table at the roundtable.

Allycia Staples and Alison Maclean

Two people giving a presentation at the roundtable.
A woman giving a presentation at the roundtable.
A photo looking up at a man giving a presentation at the roundtable.

Dr Cathy Franklin and Professor Julian Trollor

Sally Bidewell - Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service

Professor Nick Lennox, Advisor, Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (Commonwealth)