Small Changes Help Renters with Disability

By Sarah Richards

Topic: People With Disability

Friday, 10 July 2026, at 5:40 am

Bernadette Scalora has rented homes for over 30 years in Queensland.

In short:

One in three Queenslanders with a disability says their home does not meet their needs.

Advocacy groups have launched a campaign to help renters with disabilities.

What's next?

Housing Minister Sam O'Connor supports the initiatives.

Bernadette Scalora has rented six homes in three decades, and it was not easy to find one that suits her disability.

She has cerebral palsy, which affects her mobility.

Ms Scalora uses temporary ramps to enter her rental home.

She needs a home with one step or less at the entrance.

Anything more makes a home inaccessible for her.

Her options are limited by location and affordability.

Ms Scalora says she cannot rent a place with more than one step.

Her current rental has two temporary ramps and grab rails in the bathroom.

Small changes can make a big difference and make a home more accessible.

Ms Scalora's rental has grab rails near her toilet and shower.

A report found that one in three people with disabilities say their home does not meet their needs.

Over 480 people with disabilities were surveyed for the report.

People with disabilities reported that finding a suitable home was a challenge.

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The housing crisis affects everyone, but not equally.

Queenslanders with Disability Network's CEO, Michelle Moss, says there are not many accessible rentals.

The rental and housing crisis are challenging for people with disabilities.

Ms Moss says the advocacy group has heard about the challenges of getting modifications in private rentals.

QDN has partnered with the Real Estate Institute of Queensland to create a campaign.

The campaign features posters and videos about renters with disabilities and property managers.

The project aims to help property owners understand how to support tenants with disabilities.

We've had a really positive response.

Finding common ground

REIQ chief executive Antonia Mercorella says it's essential to be involved in the initiative.

This is a campaign we've been working on for years with QDN.

Antonia Mercorella is proud REIQ has been part of the campaign.

Ms Mercorella says it's powerful to have stakeholders coming together.

She is proud that property managers are directly involved in the project.

The response to the campaign has been really favorable.

The Small Changes, Big Difference campaign features property managers.

Ms Mercorella says renters can request modifications from their landlord or property manager.

Many property owners are now more open-minded about modifications.

I do think we've seen a shift.

The property is an asset, but there is a tenant who lives in it.

There's more work to do

Housing Minister Sam O'Connor welcomes the Small Changes, Big Difference campaign.

The campaign raises awareness about making rental properties more accessible.

Housing Minister Sam O'Connor supports the campaign.

The Voices of Queenslanders with Disability report shows why accessible housing is a priority.

The state government has invested $5.7 billion in building social and community homes.

But there's more work to do, and many Queenslanders with disabilities face barriers in finding housing.

Good, reliable, and long-term tenants

Ms Scalora says people with disabilities are good, reliable, and often long-term tenants.

Ms Scalora hopes property managers will watch the campaign and see the benefits of renting to people with disabilities.

We're likely to be very good, reliable, and often long-term tenants.

Ms Scalora's current rental in Brisbane has been her favorite.

Her advice to people with disabilities is to request modifications with a solution.

That has usually yielded the best results.

Friday, 10 July 2026, at 5:40 am

Friday, 10 July 2026, at 6:33 am

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