Disability Inclusion

University Of Sydney research project

Sydney University’s Centre for Disability Studies has launched a research project titled NDIS: Rhetoric versus Reality? That will explore the realities of living with intellectual disability in Australia, and the impact the National Disability Insurance Scheme has had individualised funding.

The three-year study study will examine, within this era of disability reform, how people with intellectual disability are having their needs met and the extent to which they are involved in decision-making about their lives.

The study will use a mixed method design that will specifically examine the relationship between self-directed individualised funding and its effect on personal wellbeing, self-esteem and voice, choice and control.

People with intellectual disability will act as co-researchers.

The specific aims of the project are:

• To identify perceptions held by adults with intellectual disability about their lives since the introduction of individualised funding, and to assess the impact of such funding on having their needs met, as well as on their personal well-being and self-esteem.
• To evaluate the everyday ways that individuals with mild and moderate intellectual disability exercise choice and control, and harness the supports required to do so.
• To identify ways that people with intellectual disability perceive how disability industry practice (particularly staff support and coordination) could be improved to further enhance personal wellbeing.
• From the findings, to develop recommendations for government, the disability service industry, and disability advocacy groups, to review guidelines for the delivery of the NDIS.
• To determine the role co-researchers with intellectual disability can play in the evaluation of support schemes.

The project brings experienced University Chief Investigators directly alongside co-researchers with intellectual disability, along with partner investigators from six disability organisations, including Uniting VicTas and the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania.

For more information, see Related Documents below and/or email Dr Eric Badu, Post-doctoral researcher at Sydney University.

Disability Royal Commission

On May 21, Moderator Rev Denise Liersch released a pastoral letter highlighting the Church’s response to the federal Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability.

The Assembly has established a national Task Group, with each Synod required to coordinate a response. The Synod of Victoria and Tasmania’s Task Group includes representatives from congregations, Uniting VicTas, schools liaison and relevant Synod staff.

The Task Group has been producing resources and information about how the Church needs to respond to the Commission, and these have been circulated across the Synod.

Any person with disability who has experienced violence, abuse, neglect or exploitation, either within the Uniting Church or beyond, is encouraged to tell their story to the Royal Commission.

In drawing this to your community’s attention, you are encouraged to use both the Values Statement produced in Easy English and the short video People with Disability in the Community produced by Victorian Advocacy League for Individuals with Disability (VALiD)

Anyone affected by the Disability Royal Commission can access free, specialist counselling support through Blue Knot Foundation. Call 1800 421 468.

For further information contact Chairperson Rev (Deacon) Dr Andy Calder at andy.calder@victas.uca.org.au or 03 9340 8844.