The Queensland Jacana 5 (Disability Discrimination)

To the Queensland Premier Campbell Newman and Disabilities Minister Tracy Davis,

We request that the Queensland Government respect the United Nations Convention on the Right’s of Person’s with Disabilities for the 5 men with an acquired brain injury who live at “Jacana” the Queensland Health Acquired Brain Injury Centre in Brisbane.

We request the Queensland Disabilities Minister Tracy Davis stop discriminating against the Jacana 5 and allow them to live in the community like other citizens. That the Jacana 5 be allowed to access public housing and not be forced to live in a large disability institution.

We request that the Jacana 5 be allowed to access social support so they can leave an institution where they have lived for up to 13 years. That they be allowed to enjoy a good life in the community like other citizens, have contact with their children, be close to their families and escape the poverty and homelessness in which they live.

We request that the Commonwealth Government properly administers the National Health Agreement, National Housing Agreement and National Disability Agreement so that Queensland respects persons with a disabilities’ United Nation Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). In Particular:

UN CRPD Article 19
Living independently and being included in the community States Parties to this Convention recognize the equal right of all persons with disabilities to live in the community, with choices equal to others, and shall take effective and appropriate measures to facilitate full enjoyment by persons with disabilities of this right and their full inclusion and participation in the community, including by ensuring that:
(a) Persons with disabilities have the opportunity to choose their place of residence and where and with whom they live on an equal basis with others and are not obliged to live in a particular living arrangement;
(b) Persons with disabilities have access to a range of in-, residential and other community support services, including personal assistance necessary to support living and inclusion in the community, and to prevent isolation or segregation from the community;
(c) Community services and facilities for the general population are available on an equal basis to persons with disabilities and are responsive to their needs.

The 5 men in Jacana ABI Centre are citizens like other people and tired of being isolated and ignored by all governments. Please end their isolation. Justice and Human Rights require action and resources not mere empty words on a policy document.