Carindale local Yvonne Campbell is helping the community to better connect to and understand the services provided for people with a disability.
Yvonne was invited to the Carindale and Eastern Suburbs Community Forum last week to tell locals more about her work and the upcoming disability awareness expo.
In 2006 she started a business providing adaptive clothing for people with limited mobility.
“Until that time, I had no idea the difficulty people with a disability and some of the aged carer families had in finding a service provider in their own area that could help them,” Yvonne said.
“Some people have had a disability all their life and still battle and battle.”
3 years ago she started her first expo for disability services providers to see what could be done by putting as many of providers together for a day.
“These 35 service providers got together, started to talk.”
In September Yvonne will be holding her 4th expo and expects over 45 service providers to be exhibiting. Fiona Anderson the NDIS-EAC Campaign Coordinator-Queensland (Every Australian Counts – National Disability Insurance Scheme) will be a guest speaker.
Yvonne has also recently launched SpecialCare Central – a not for profit association and online directory to help people find the services they need. Successful paralympian Karni Liddell is SpecialCare Central’s ambassador.
Yvonne said trying to find and understand various disability needs as well as service providers is a minefield.
“When my mother had dementia, I didn’t know what it was and I just used to get more and more frustrated,” she said.
Yvonne has a strong interest in Alzheimer’s and last year held the first fundraising event for the Queensland branch of Alzheimer’s Australia. She says the work of Ita Buttrose as President of Alzheimer’s Australia is a great inspiration to her.
Disability Awareness & Opportunity Expo
Wednesday 12th September 2012, 9.30am – 3.30pm
Mt Gravatt Showground, Logan Rd, Mount Gravatt, Brisbane.
Guest speakers
– Fiona Anderson – National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
– Janice Ellson, Founder and Managing Director of Elan Medical Supplies – How to access government goods and services
Local Disability Awards 2012 – 7 categories
Volunteering | Community Service Award | Sport & Recreation | Best Employee | Business Award (best employer) | Achievement Award | Leadership
Download and print Nomination Form 2012 (PDF)
Contact: To find out more information about this event including being a services provider exhibitor or to request a nomination form contact Yvonne Campbell on 0417 729 315 or email yvonne@specialcarecentral.com.au
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