Connecting people of all abilities to the world's possibilities

Engagement Officer Danni had the privilege of stopping by CPL in Brisbane to meet Bjorn (BJ), and hand-deliver him his very own laptop thanks to corporate partner Golding.

BJ lives in 24-hour supported living accommodation. He attends CPL for four days each week, where he enjoys filming with a go-pro, then editing the footage on one of the centre's laptops. BJ loves showing these videos to his dad on their monthly visits.

BJ was over the moon with his new laptop, and excited that he can now make his videos at home. He's also looking forward to being able to talk to his friends and family on Facebook and via email any time he wants.

One of his carers, Shirley, said it had been a while since they'd seen him smile so much, and she didn't think it had sunk in yet for him that this laptop was all for him. BJ is non-verbal, but throughout Danni's visit, he kept on signing 'thank you' over and over!

A staff member at Jabiru Community Youth and Children's Service requested a touchscreen laptop and stylus for Matt (name changed), a client they were working with. This young trans man was recently diagnosed with an intellectual disability. Matt experienced childhood sexual abuse and violence, leading to self-harm and suicide attempts at a young age. Matt is disconnected from his birth mother, and has had to move schools and make new friends repeatedly as a result.

As a young trans man with a history of trauma, Matt has experienced bullying, discrimination, disadvantage and marginalisation, and experiences poor mental health. 

This year Matt started at another new school. His experience this time around has been more hopeful and inclusive, and for the first time in a long time, he is imagining a brighter future. Matt is participating in art and media to support his recovery, and is finding healing through this creative pathway.

Thanks to a generous corporate donation, GIVIT purchased a touchscreen laptop and stylus to help Matt on his courageous journey of recovery.

Another request from CPL that GIVIT filled recently was for a young non-verbal man with a high-care physical disability. He had communicated to his carers through sign language that he'd like a phone or tablet to communicate more easily. A mobile phone would allow him to text and video call his family and friends, and a tablet would help him stay in touch with mates on social media, and access programs, apps and services.

CPL placed requests for both items, and in no time both were donated! The tablet was donated thanks to a generous donor who used the FUND button. In their donation, the donor said "I hope this makes a positive difference for this young man. I wish him all the best." The request for the mobile phone was met thanks to another member of the public who donated their secondhand smartphone.

Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) is engaging directly with people with a disability needing support in communities across Queensland.

In addition to coordinating the donation of devices to people in need, QDN is also running digital literacy workshops for people with disability. Here's some participant feedback from a recent workshop in Brisbane:

"I'm really happy that myself and my partner were able to get the same phone donated for each of us because we'll be able to teach each other things we have learnt."

"Since getting to know everyone at these workshops I've felt much more comfortable asking questions about my Chromebook and have learnt lots of good skills like using two fingers to scroll up and down a page."

Want to help people with disability in Queensland to access digital devices? You can help through GIVIT's Digital Inclusion - Queenslanders with a Disability Appeal, even if you don't live in Queensland.

• Donate a mobile phone, computer, laptop, tablet or other digital devices and accessories by looking through the list of what's needed below.
• Don't see any requests for the items you have to donate? No worries. List your items on our online warehouse, sit tight, and if a charity needs your donation, you'll be matched.
• Give money by looking for the FUND button next to each request to fund a specific item, or donate directly to the appeal.
• Volunteer your time. Upload your offer of time, skills or services to our online warehouse, and if a charity needs your help, you'll be matched. Volunteering Queensland is also looking for digital inclusion mentors to help with training sessions for people with disability. Click here for more information.
• For residents in Brisbane seeking to donate digital device, mobile phones, laptops, tablets, PCs and accessories can be dropped off at all Brisbane City Council Libraries until 30 September, 2022.