Qld Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability and Autism Health

Happy International Nurses Day! 🎉🩺

To our extraordinary clinical nurses, research nurses, and every nurse across our community. Thank you for your care, your leadership, and the heart you bring to everything you do 💖

🎉 We’re incredibly proud to celebrate our colleague Dr Katie Brooker who has been awarded the prestigious 2026 Mater Research Emerging Leaders Fellowship Scholarship 🎉

🌟 Katie’s commitment to co designed, inclusive research is transforming health services for autistic people and people with intellectual disability.

A huge achievement for an exceptional member and leader of our team 👏

Registrations are now open!

The National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health is hosting a National Research Symposium in May.

The Symposium will be
- Online
- From 10am AEST
- On Wednesday 13 May

It will:
- Bring together researchers from across Australia who want to improve the health of people with intellectual disability
- Be a place to connect and share ideas
- Give attendees an opportunity to be part of an ongoing National Research Network.
The Symposium is for:
- Researchers and academics
- Lived-experience researchers and project workers
- Policy makers and government agencies

If you're a researcher who wants to improve the health of people with intellectual disability, you won’t want to miss this event.

Find out more and register now: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/national-research-symposium-2026-tickets-1983403242490

✨ On Friday 20 March, we came together for a special morning tea in celebration of World Down Syndrome Day.

This year’s theme, “Together Against Loneliness,” reminded us of the power of connection, inclusion, and community.

We are so grateful for everyone who joined us and helped make the morning meaningful and full of heart. 💛

Yesterday our very own research assistant Catrin Culla and director Dr Cathy Franklin did a fantastic job hosting the DSMIG AUS (Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group – Australia) Scientific Meeting, Down Syndrome Across the Lifespan. It was a successful day of learning and connection!

Thank you to everyone who joined us in person and online, and a big thank you to all the presenters who shared their knowledge - we’re so grateful you could be part of it.

QDN are running the Voice of Queenslanders with Disability Survey 2026!

Your lived experience helps shape stronger disability supports and policy across Queensland. People with disability, families, carers, supporters and disability sector workers are all invited to take part.

The survey is open until the end of day 17 April 2026.

Have your say here 👉 https://inclusivefutures.griffith.edu.au/vqd26

OR follow the link in our bio!

Yesterday, some of our team joined a key meeting for a collaborative research project developing a dental healthcare program for children and young adults with intellectual disability 🦷💙

We are proud to contribute to research that supports better oral health, better access, and better outcomes for this community.

⚠️ North & Central QLD Weather Warning ⚠️

Heavy rain • Damaging winds • Flash flooding risk

While we may not be directly impacted in South East Queensland, we’re mindful that clients and colleagues in North & Central Queensland may be affected.
Please stay safe and follow official advice.

For updates and help:
➡️ BOM for weather alerts
➡️ QLD SES (132 500) for storm and flood assistance
➡️ Call 000 in an emergency

Take care and reach out if you need support 💜

🩺 Have you been to the doctor recently? We want to hear from you!

Researchers from QCEIDAH are looking to speak with people with intellectual disability in:
📍 Central QLD
📍 Sunshine Coast
📍 Wide Bay
📍 Tasmania
📍 Central & Eastern Sydney
📍 Western Victoria

The chat takes about 1 hour, and you will receive a thank-you gift for helping us out!

👉 Interested? Contact Nic and Katie at [email protected] or call (07) 3163 7584 to learn more or sign up!