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Home > The department > Publications > Community connect > Community connect issue four > Companion card provides lion's share of discounts

Companion card provides lion's share of discounts

A young smiling man wearing a football uniform and holding a yellow football crouches beside a young bearded smiling man sitting in a wheelchair wearing a white tshirt and long brown shorts. A smiling woman wearing a white blouse and blue earings and necklace crouches on the other side of the man in the wheelchair.

For most of us, going to a show, football match or a movie is a fun way to relax and unwind. The new Companion Card ensures that people with a disability can now participate in such activities without incurring additional costs for a companion to accompany them.

"The card enables children or adults who require lifelong personal care assistance to have their carer accompany them to events, cinemas, sporting events and many other activities at no cost for the carer," explains Robyn Plowman, social worker with Montrose Access, an organisation that supports children and young adults with physically disabling conditions.

"It's wonderful timing with the beginning of the football season. A lot of our families and the children enjoy these events… even if they don't understand the footy, they just love the atmosphere. Going to these family sporting events is not cheap, so some of these families can really only afford to go once a season," Robyn says.

"Some families have pre-ordered the Companion Card application form as it will mean they are able to take their children to such events more often. For the girls, they might enjoy the movies or places like the Sciencecentre more often."

The Companion Card has been backed by many businesses and organisations around the state, including the AFL and Brisbane Lions, which have had a similar program in place for supporters for some time.
"People in these situations have enough difficulties in their life and enough expense without having to have additional costs put upon them," says Brisbane Lions chief executive officer Michael Bowers.

"We are the second most supported AFL club in Australia and there is a big Lions family. We are all about building and sustaining families."

As well as treating people with a disability and their companion as one when it comes to ticketing, the Brisbane Lions seeks to make it as easy and enjoyable as possible for visitors by catering to access and any other needs.

"We hope that people can be part of the family, enjoy the excitement of the game and feel welcome … we feel it's a community obligation. We've been doing it for a long time and say to everyone that you really should come on board as it's a really good thing to do."

The Steadman family is one of the first families keen to take advantage of the companion Card. Jenny Steadman, who is primary carer to son Tom, says the card will be very helpful to families, support organisations and other social groups.

"There are lots of expenses in addition to costs of equipment and aids. Support workers for extra-curricular activities and outings cost a lot and can take most of the budget whether paying them privately or through funding packages.

More often than not outings are limited to free events or places due to the lack of money for tickets," Jenny says. "It is a good idea. Tom has some family friends around his own age who are really good with him and visit him at home but they are students and don't have a lot of money themselves. If they knew they could accompany Tom for free to somewhere like the AFL I think it would encourage them to take him out so that he could participate more in the community."

Along with the AFL and Brisbane Lions, participating businesses include the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, The Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts, Australia Zoo, Queensland Museum and Sciencentre, Birch Carroll and Coyle, the Workshops Rail Museum in Ipswich, and the Museum of Tropical Queensland in Townsville.

Companion Cards will also be honoured on urban public transport services contracted to Queensland Transport across the state, including the TransLink Transit Authority. With reciprocal rights also in place, Queenslanders with a Companion Card can use their card in most other states, with the program aiming to become national in time.

For more information or to become a supplier visit www.disability.qld.gov.au or www.companioncard.asn.au or phone 13 13 04.

Where Companion Card is welcome

People who need lifelong attendant care can use their Companion Card to access affiliated community venues and activities for the price of a single ticket. Following are just some of the participating outlets. For a full list of Companion Card affiliates visit www.communities.qld.gov.au/community/companion-card