Rebuilding Lives, Empowering People and Preventing Spinal Cord Injuries

At the Spinal Injuries Association, we believe in rebuilding lives, promoting independence and preventing injuries. As Queensland’s peak body for people with a spinal cord injury, including people with the late effects of polio, and people with Transverse Myelitis, we provide a range of high-quality services that empower our members and clients either in their homes, at the workplace or in the community. Read more about us….

Woman with polio loses discrimination case against Jetstar

Sheila King booked a flight from Adelaide to Brisbane in 2008, only to be informed that she could not fly because she was a wheelchair user and Jetstar had already filled the quota of two wheelchair users requiring assistance for that flight. 

Mrs King decided to pursue the matter in court, as she believed Jetstar’s two wheelchair policy was discriminatory.

On 15 January 2012, Federal Court Judge Alan Robertson ruled that Jetstar was discriminatory towards Mrs King on the basis of her disability, but that discriminatory behaviour in this instance was not unlawful, because a change in the two wheelchair policy would cause unjustifiable financial hardship on Jetstar.

 Judge Robertson has ordered Mrs King to pay Jetstar’s costs, capped at $20,000.

Comment from the Association:
In this hearing, the Judge has decided that it would cause unjustifiable hardship on Jetstar to require them to change their policy of carrying a maximum of two wheelchair users who require assistance per flight.  But isn’t it also “unjustifiable” to expect Mrs King, who is a person with polio that was ruled to have been discriminated against, to pay Jetstar’s legal costs of $20,000?

Community forum on access in Gold Coast City

Do you have ideas about how to make the Gold Coast City Council’s services, activities, information, employment, parks or buildings more accessible?

The Gold Coast City Council is holding two forums for the community. Information gathered through these forums will be taken into account for a Disability Action Plan. Read more…

Better buckle up

Did you know that wearing a seatbelt can improve your chances of surviving a crash by up to 50 per cent? The Department of Transport and Main Roads have just launched their new campaign, Better buckle up– to educate both drivers and passengers on the consequences of not wearing a seatbelt. In 2010, 31 people died from not wearing a seatbelt as a result of crashes within Queensland. It takes no time to put your seatbelt on, even if you’re just going around the corner – doing so could save your life and the lives of others in the car. It could also prevent long-term injuries and suffering.

‘Hot tradie’ calendar hot off the press!

Kenick Constructions has generously chosen our Association as the beneficiary of their 2012 ‘hot tradie’ calendar. It’ll sure make remembering appointments that much easier! The calendars are $20 each.  If you live in Cairns, the calendars are for sale at all Genesis Fitness Centres, Redlynch Valley Estate Lucky 7 Store and Kenick Constructions Display Home at 3 Northgate Close, Redlynch Valley Estate.

Vehicle falls

There can be few more sickening experiences than reversing a mobility device out of a van to find the hoist has not been lifted into position and the person falls backwards out of the vehicle and gravity crashes them to the ground. In the past year, this has happened to two of the Association’s long term members who are very experienced van users (one in Brisbane and one in North Queensland). Read more…