Disability Advocate Uses Lived Experience to ‘Bridge the Gap’ in Ipswich Support Sector

The All Ability Hour podcast on West Bremer Radio has highlighted the work of local disability advocate Peter Tully, whose new venture, DCA Mentoring Support, aims to “bridge the gap” for people navigating the disability sector in Ipswich and beyond.

Appearing with host DJ Sparky and co-host Patti from Focal Community Services, Tully’s interview coincided with Disability Action Week and the International Day of People with Disability. He described how he and business partner Grandal Manning have spent the past four years transforming their former volunteer organisation, Disability Community Awareness, into DCA Mentoring Support.

Tully, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, said the service focuses on helping people who don’t know where to start with disability systems and supports.
“We bridge the gap for people who’ve never been involved in the disability sector,” he said, noting DCA assists potential support workers, participants and families with everything from understanding the NDIS to completing complex paperwork such as Access Request Forms.

Beyond the business, Tully remains heavily involved in community work, including co-leading the Ipswich Disability Interagency Network (IDIN), held quarterly on the last Wednesday of the month in partnership with Ipswich City Council. The meeting brings together service providers, people with disability and families for networking and guest presentations from agencies such as the NDIS, Queensland Disability Research Network (QDRN) and Council’s emergency planning team.

Tully also volunteers on a reference group with QDRN, helping guide disability-focused research through Griffith University. He urged service providers, participants and families to get involved so governments and funders have better local data to base decisions on.

Asked whether the NDIS is improving, Tully said the picture is mixed. “In some areas, absolutely it’s getting better. In other areas, we’ve still got a long way to go,” he said, stressing that ongoing feedback and storytelling from people with disability is essential to realising the scheme’s original vision.

Listeners who want to learn more about DCA Mentoring Support, the interagency network or how to get involved can contact the team via community@dcams.com.au.