For Brisbane resident Bernadette Scalora, the search for accessible rental housing has been a recurring challenge over her three decades as a tenant. Living with cerebral palsy, a condition affecting her mobility, Ms. Scalora, 52, requires a home with minimal entry steps – ideally just one – and modifications that enhance independent living.

“Housing has always been one of my particular bugbears as a person with a disability,” Ms. Scalora shared. Her experience highlights a systemic issue where the options for suitable housing are often severely limited by accessibility requirements, location, and affordability.

The Daily Reality of Inaccessible Housing

Ms. Scalora's current residence, which she describes as her favourite, exemplifies how small adjustments can make a profound difference. It features temporary ramps at the entrance and crucial grab rails installed within the bathroom. “There's lots of little things that you can do… that will make a big difference and make it a lot more accessible,” she explained.

This personal account resonates with the findings of the recent 'Voices of Queenslanders with Disability' report. The state government-funded study, which surveyed over 480 individuals, revealed that approximately one in three people with disability live in homes that do not adequately meet their needs. The report pinpointed a glaring lack of accessible housing and difficulties in securing necessary modifications as primary obstacles.

Rental Crisis Exacerbates Challenges

Michelle Moss, CEO of the Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN), underscored how the broader housing crisis disproportionately affects individuals with disability. “The rental and the housing crisis are affecting everybody, but it doesn't affect everybody equally,” Ms. Moss stated. She elaborated that for many years, QDN has received consistent feedback from its members about the struggles encountered when attempting to implement modifications in private rental properties.

In response to these pervasive issues, QDN has forged a powerful partnership with the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) to launch the 'Small Changes, Big Difference' campaign. This innovative project leverages posters and videos to dispel common misconceptions surrounding renters with disability and their entitlement to request home modifications. Crucially, it also provides property owners with valuable insights on how to better support tenants requiring accessible features.

Finding Common Ground with Property Owners

Antonia Mercorella, CEO of REIQ, expressed the organisation's pride in being a part of this vital initiative. She highlighted the significance of diverse stakeholders converging to “find some common ground” on such a critical issue. Ms. Mercorella noted the overwhelmingly positive feedback from the property management sector, with several property managers actively participating in the campaign to share their experiences and insights.

The campaign also serves to educate renters about their rights to request modifications. Ms. Mercorella observed a noticeable shift in the mindset of many property owners, who are becoming more open-minded and understanding. The advent of temporary and reversible modification solutions has further eased concerns. “I do think we've seen a shift,” Ms. Mercorella said, adding that there's a growing understanding that while a property is an asset, it is also a tenant's home, necessitating a collaborative approach to accessibility.

Government Support and Future Work

Queensland Housing Minister Sam O'Connor welcomed initiatives like 'Small Changes, Big Difference,' acknowledging their role in raising awareness about practical steps to make rental properties more inclusive. He affirmed that the 'Voices of Queenslanders with Disability' report reinforces the government's commitment to accessible housing as a priority. This commitment is reflected in maintaining the high standards of the National Construction Code 2022, despite earlier recommendations to opt out of federal accessibility requirements.

Minister O'Connor also pointed to the state government's significant investment of $5.7 billion into building social and community housing. However, he conceded, “there's more work to do, and too many Queenslanders living with disability continue to face barriers in finding housing that meets their needs.”

Advocacy and Advice for Renters

Bernadette Scalora, who features in the 'Small Changes, Big Difference' campaign, hopes that property managers will engage with the project and recognise the broader pool of excellent tenants within the disability community. “We're likely to be very good, reliable and often long-term tenants because we don't want to leave something behind that we have found that can work for us,” she explained.

Her advice to other tenants seeking modifications is to approach landlords or property managers with clear information and potential solutions already in mind. This proactive approach, she suggests, has consistently yielded the most favourable outcomes in her extensive renting experience.