Connected In Crisis
Connected in Crisis is a free, place-based program helping people with intellectual disability gain the digital skills they need to stay healthy, informed, and prepared in any situation.
Delivered across the Bundaberg Region the program combines small group workshops with in-home mentoring so learning happens in safe, familiar, and accessible environments.
With the support of trained volunteer mentors, participants build confidence using everyday digital tools like MyGov, My Health Record, telehealth, e-scripts, and local disaster dashboards.
Every session is co-designed with the community to ensure it’s practical, inclusive, and relevant to real life.
Photo courtesy of Steps Group
Connected in Crisis is a place-based digital mentoring program designed to support people with intellectual disability to build digital confidence, navigate health systems, and prepare for emergencies. Delivered across the Bundaberg Region the program combines small group workshops with in-home visits, ensuring learning happens in environments that feel safe, familiar, and accessible.
Photo courtesy of Steps Group
Mentors Who Make a Difference
Volunteer mentors, digitally fluent individuals, are trained in inclusive mentoring and preparedness skills.
These mentors work alongside participants in trust-based, relationship-driven sessions, focusing on practical digital skills such as setting up MyGov, using My Health Record, booking Telehealth appointments, managing e-scripts, and accessing local disaster dashboards.
Co-Designed with Our Community
The program is co-designed with people living with intellectual disability, sector experts, and primary care professionals to ensure all delivery methods, tools, and resources are usable, accessible, and transferable to other digital literacy initiatives. This co-design approach also means local voices shape how training is delivered, making it culturally appropriate, inclusive, and relevant.
Interactive learning experiences, such as our A-Maze-Ing Ways to Be Connected maze, add a fun, engaging dimension to the program by involving the disability community in emergency preparedness, hazard awareness, and digital health literacy. The maze features themed zones with hands-on activities, practical tips, and information on where to find help during emergencies and disasters.
Photo courtesy of Steps Group
It’s designed to be fully accessible and inclusive, with people with intellectual disabilities front of mind. Set up for free exploration throughout, the maze sparks conversation, builds skills in an enjoyable way, and promotes the Connected in Crisis program. These events also create valuable opportunities to link participants with ongoing mentoring support.
Experience the Maze at Options Day 2025
Tuesday, 23rd September
9am - 1pm
Recreational Precinct Main Pavilion
Bundaberg
Wide Bay Kids is coordinating this project as part of our Connected in Crisis project.
This project is supported by the Resilient CARE program, a Country to Coast Queensland and Australian Business Volunteers partnership, with received funding from the Australian Government.