QPPD was established in 1981 and, during the eighties, received a number of grants to support advocacy ventures by parents. Their advocacy covered issues including family support and respite, education, quality lifestyles for adults and guardianship. In the formative years QPPD developed contacts around the state and maintained energy from parent to parent connections and by bringing families together to share experiences, stories and strategies in their search for better lives for sons and daughters. In 1990, the organisation was successful in obtaining funding under the Disability Services Act from the Commonwealth Government, for parents to continue to do statewide systems advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities.

Over the years QPPD has continued to develop a wide network of families and friends across Queensland who remain in contact with the organisation. As well as personally supporting one another, these families take up issues collectively on behalf of sons, daughters and others, speaking out about injustices and promoting people with disabilities as respected, valued and participating members of society.