Accommodating the Needs of People with Lifelong Intellectual Disability in Residential Aged Care. Unique challenges face the residential aged care system because of the increased life expectancy of people with life-long intellectual disability and the likelihood of their premature ageing. Although this group is recognised by Federal and State governments as requiring specific and special service arrangements, little is known about adapting disability and aged care services to their needs, thus p ....Accommodating the Needs of People with Lifelong Intellectual Disability in Residential Aged Care. Unique challenges face the residential aged care system because of the increased life expectancy of people with life-long intellectual disability and the likelihood of their premature ageing. Although this group is recognised by Federal and State governments as requiring specific and special service arrangements, little is known about adapting disability and aged care services to their needs, thus program development is in its early stages. This research will inform the development of policy and programs in the Aged Care, Disability and Health sectors with the aim of improving the quality of life for people with intellectual disability as they age.Read moreRead less
Self Advocacy and Inclusion: What Can be Learned from Speaking Up. Despite substantial effort and the closure of large institutions, research shows that people with intellectual disabilities in Australia remain marginalised in the community. Developments internationally indicate that much can be learned about the links between self advocacy and accomplishing national policy priorities for social inclusion. An independent voice, developing confidence and securing rights, all features of self advo ....Self Advocacy and Inclusion: What Can be Learned from Speaking Up. Despite substantial effort and the closure of large institutions, research shows that people with intellectual disabilities in Australia remain marginalised in the community. Developments internationally indicate that much can be learned about the links between self advocacy and accomplishing national policy priorities for social inclusion. An independent voice, developing confidence and securing rights, all features of self advocacy, have proven potential in securing policy that is 'fit-for-purpose' and building social capital, thus strengthening the social and economic fabric of our communities. Additionally, this project tests the benefit of inclusive research, placing Australia at the forefront of innovative research approaches.Read moreRead less
Developing a data-based system for competitor analysis, performance monitoring, and decision-making within the disability employment service industry. There are three aims: to implement a database that would assist business decision-making and improvement of professional practices; to provide the peak body means for reporting to members, representing members to the funding body, and promoting the industry; to develop a system relevant to micro and small businesses across industries. Disability ....Developing a data-based system for competitor analysis, performance monitoring, and decision-making within the disability employment service industry. There are three aims: to implement a database that would assist business decision-making and improvement of professional practices; to provide the peak body means for reporting to members, representing members to the funding body, and promoting the industry; to develop a system relevant to micro and small businesses across industries. Disability employment services currently do not have means for competitor analysis even though it is recognised as integral to business planning. We expect that organisations will use the system, making more informed decisions, improving their performance, and improving their influence in discussions with the funding body.Read moreRead less
Coping in the face of life adversity. A model of resilience for stroke survivors. Little is known about the resilience processes of adults, particularly following severe and chronic illnesses. The purpose of this study is to address this lack in knowledge by testing a model of resilience following stroke. Outcomes will be used to develop educative and preventative programs for adults and also to assist a higher percentage of stroke survivors to adapt better to their changed lives.
Intellectual disability, victimisation, challenging behaviour and offending. The expected national benefits that will arise from this research will include significant advances to policy and practice in the field, which will impact on service users and service providers at both individual and community levels. At the same time, this unique collaboration will foster research excellence, further develop interagency collaborations and thus advance Australia's research and clinical leadership in the ....Intellectual disability, victimisation, challenging behaviour and offending. The expected national benefits that will arise from this research will include significant advances to policy and practice in the field, which will impact on service users and service providers at both individual and community levels. At the same time, this unique collaboration will foster research excellence, further develop interagency collaborations and thus advance Australia's research and clinical leadership in the field of intellectual disability and community safety. Taken altogether, this research has a strong potential to lead to further collaborations focussing on research priorities of national and international significance. Read moreRead less
Universal access playgrounds: Can purpose-built playgrounds for children with disabilities provide opportunities for play that enhance cognitive and social development? This study will investigate social, cultural and physical barriers to playground access and participation by children with different types of disabilities. The outcomes of this project will be a model for best-practice playground design based on research in the areas of disability, learning and development; children's social, c ....Universal access playgrounds: Can purpose-built playgrounds for children with disabilities provide opportunities for play that enhance cognitive and social development? This study will investigate social, cultural and physical barriers to playground access and participation by children with different types of disabilities. The outcomes of this project will be a model for best-practice playground design based on research in the areas of disability, learning and development; children's social, cultural, physical and sensory needs; and biomechanics and engineering. The research will be continued through an evaluation of the social and cognitive benefits for children with disabilities using a purpose-built playground constructed on the basis of these best-practice principles.Read moreRead less
Comparison of interventions for families from rural communities who have a child with an intellectual disability and problem behaviour. The project comprises two studies. The first aims at evaluating the relative effectiveness of two modes of supporting families from rural areas who have a child with an intellectual disability and problem behaviour. Both modes involve providing the families with written and videotape materials containing advice about how to manage the problem behaviour, but one ....Comparison of interventions for families from rural communities who have a child with an intellectual disability and problem behaviour. The project comprises two studies. The first aims at evaluating the relative effectiveness of two modes of supporting families from rural areas who have a child with an intellectual disability and problem behaviour. Both modes involve providing the families with written and videotape materials containing advice about how to manage the problem behaviour, but one mode also includes the addition of regular telephone calls. The second study focuses on examining the child, parent, practitioner, and contextual variables associated with families being able to benefit from support through the use of the written and videotape materials.Read moreRead less
The social and cultural context of disability in the Solomon Islands: Identifying culturally appropriate solutions to disadvantage. "1.International relations. This research promotes Australia's relations with Pacific nations by strengthening the Solomons sole disabled peoples organisation and the Ministry of Health's Community-Based Rehabilitation Program through action-based training, provincial and local level networking.
2.Capacity-building. By better understanding people's experiences of d ....The social and cultural context of disability in the Solomon Islands: Identifying culturally appropriate solutions to disadvantage. "1.International relations. This research promotes Australia's relations with Pacific nations by strengthening the Solomons sole disabled peoples organisation and the Ministry of Health's Community-Based Rehabilitation Program through action-based training, provincial and local level networking.
2.Capacity-building. By better understanding people's experiences of disability, this research assists Australia's NGOs and government agencies to better formulate effective domestic and international solutions.
3. Social equity. By identifying solutions to disability-based discrimination, this research contributes to greater social equity and harmony, both critical in a context of heightened environmental risk and economic uncertainty."Read moreRead less
The transition from secondary school to adulthood: Experiences and life outcomes for youth with an intellectual disability and their families. This project seeks to explore the challenges faced and outcomes achieved by students with an intellectual disability as they move from secondary school into adult life. The study will investigate the factors at an individual, educational, family, and societal level which positively and adversely affect outcomes for young people with an intellectual disab ....The transition from secondary school to adulthood: Experiences and life outcomes for youth with an intellectual disability and their families. This project seeks to explore the challenges faced and outcomes achieved by students with an intellectual disability as they move from secondary school into adult life. The study will investigate the factors at an individual, educational, family, and societal level which positively and adversely affect outcomes for young people with an intellectual disability and their families. Family impacts can include significant loss of income as parents may have to cease employment to care for their young adult who has limited employment or day placement options. Gaining the knowledge to minimise the disruption to family life, which often occurs at this time of transition, will lead to strengthening Australia's social and economic fabric.Read moreRead less
A Great and Crying Need: A History of Kew Residential Services, 1887-2007, through Innovative Textual, Oral, Aural and Experiential Media. This original history of Kew Residential Services (KRS), formerly known as Kew Cottages, will trace the lives of its residents from 1887, analysing the changing discourses, policies and practices for people with intellectual disability. It will analyse the history of Kew Residential Services in terms of a modern society's shifting response to difference. Th ....A Great and Crying Need: A History of Kew Residential Services, 1887-2007, through Innovative Textual, Oral, Aural and Experiential Media. This original history of Kew Residential Services (KRS), formerly known as Kew Cottages, will trace the lives of its residents from 1887, analysing the changing discourses, policies and practices for people with intellectual disability. It will analyse the history of Kew Residential Services in terms of a modern society's shifting response to difference. The Project is internationally innovative, researching with and for people with intellectual disability and giving voice to their experiences. It will produce an academic monograph and scholarly articles, a unique non-verbal representation of residents' experiences, an oral history, radio documentary and photographic research.Read moreRead less