Our Projects
Explore some of the projects we are currently working on via the links below.
Inclusive Health Communication in Specialist Disability Accommodation (Group Homes) – Go to project homepage
Written and spoken health information is inaccessible for many people with intellectual disability. Building on our extensive work in inclusive communication, this study will identify communication priorities and effective supports for people with intellectual disability living in high risk specialist disability accommodation (SDA) during disease outbreaks. Using observations, interviews and a literature synthesis we will evaluate current engagement with COVID-19 messaging in SDA settings. A modified Delphi study will identify public health communication priorities and effective supports for this community across broader health and human service contexts, informing a scalable SDA communication strategy for public health events.
Research Team: Dr Kate Anderson, Dr Joanne Watson, Dr Meredith Prain, A/Prof Nathan Wilson, A/Prof Angela Dew, A/Prof Patsie Frawley, Dr Amie O’Shea, A/Prof Melissa Bloomer, Prof Catherine Bennett, Dr Muyiwa Omonaiye, Mr Dion Williams, Dr Jennifer David.
Project Partners: Able Australia, Northcott, Inclusion Melbourne, Agosci.
My Active Life Program Evaluation – Go to project homepage
My Active Life (MAL) is a government-funded initiative managed by TAD Australia/Solve Disability Solutions Inc. This national program is developing open-source, bespoke solutions that improve autonomy, access and enable participation in other areas of sport and recreation in communities across Australia. We are conducting a longitudinal survey to evaluate My Active Life service user outcomes, and in-depth interviews exploring the experiences of FreedomWheels bicycle users and local recreation providers who are connected with the My Active Life program. We work in partnership with a Lived Experience Advisory Group, and are happy to share our co-designed research protocols and tools with other teams conducting Assistive Technology research.
Research Team: Valerie Watchorn and Kate Anderson (project co-leads); Danielle Hitch, Jo Watson, Pearse Fay, Sally Logan, Dion Williams, and Stephanie Sorraghan.
Research Partners: TAD Australia/Solve Disability Solutions Inc. and the My Active Life Lived Experience Advisory Group (LEAG).
Exploring parent and clinician experiences and preferences concerning early intervention home programs. Go to project homepage
Home programs are often provided by allied health practitioners to families of children with developmental delay and disabilities. This research project aims to explore what parents and allied health clinicians think about home programs in early childhood intervention services, and what their experiences and preferences are. The findings of this project will help allied health professionals create home programs that better meet the needs of children with disability and their families.
Research Team: Liana Konjarski (student researcher); Kate Anderson and Jennifer David (research supervisors).