New Name Same Caring People

Media Release - Tuesday, 21st of September, 2010

The Brain Injury Association of Qld is now trading as "Synapse"

The Brain Injury Association of Queensland Inc. (BIAQ) has adopted the new trading name of “SYNAPSE”.  Though the name has changed our organisation, our people and our processes will stay the same. Our mission and values remain the same. We will continue to strive to be the peak disability organisation providing specialist services to Queenslanders living with Acquired Brain Injury or behaviours that challenge our understanding.

Current figures suggest that over 1.6 million people in Australia have an ABI (higher than Autism or Intellectual Disability).  These numbers are growing and so are the complex needs of those people having to live with acquired brain injury so SYNAPSE is striving to grow to meet those needs. Our new name affords us the chance of a better level of understanding with the community.

For those of you who have seen or used our Synapse Training services you may already be familiar with the brand. We have been using the Synapse name for our training arm for the past three years.  We have just refined it and brought the Synapse name across the whole organisation.

We have worn the name ‘Brain Injury Association of Queensland’ since 1986. 24 years later the community’s attitudes and perceptions about acquired brain injury are still in need of change.  2010 sees us wearing a fresh new name that is both positive and suggests the value of relationships rather than a label for an injury. For us, Synapse relates to the connections between people, communities and opportunities.

Over the next month we are gradually phasing-in the use of our new logo throughout our communications, our electronic communications first followed by our printed collateral. We ask you to take the journey with us. We have said farewell to an old friend (our old logo) and have turned a page.

What does Synapse mean?

We like to define the word SYNAPSE as the junction between neurons that is home to the processes that allow for movement, dreams, and the ability to achieve goals. In essence, you could say that this is what we do. We provide the people, the services and support to assist people in pursuing their life goals. Just like the flow of chemical and electrical processes between neurons we travel with our clients offering support on their journey back into the community.  

Why change our name?

BIAQ practices a positive approach in the way it applies its Model of Practice. It is because of this and other reasons that the need to change our name arose.  The first of which was the negative societal implications and stigma that surrounds the term “Brain Injury”.

Our new name will preserve our clients’ privacy, and maintain confidentiality. When we re-brand our communications materials and signage our people may take it with them when they go to work in the community. If this happens our clients will see “Synapse” and not “Brain Injury” on their doorstep.

The Department of Communities stated in a Toward 2 community service announcement that:  “People with a disability should enjoy the same opportunities and benefits as everyone else in our community.”   As an organisation we believe that our clients have a right to privacy and confidentiality. If we ever attract attention it will be for the right reasons.  

What does this change mean for me?

Our clients, members, partners, colleagues and friends can continue to expect the same high quality of service delivery.  Though our corporate face may change, our soul remains the same.

Media inquries:
Contact Anna Petrou on +61 7 3137 7400 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

SYNAPSE Inc.
(formerly the Brain Injury Association of Queensland)
Level 1, 262 Montague Rd, PO Box 3356, West End QLD 4101
Telephone 07 3137 7400   Facsimile  07 3137 7452  
Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   Web www.synapse.org.au
Reconnecting Lives after Brain Injury