The Melbourne Disability Institute's Community Based Research Scheme provides funding to research and evaluate great community based initiatives making a difference in the lives of people with disability. We do this by linking community organisations to researchers or students who can provide research and evidence to help demonstrate impact and outcomes. We are absolutely delighted to announce the latest
recipients and look forward to working with them:
Aspergers Victoria Incorporated - Teens Work Know How Program - for neuro-divergent students
The Aspergers Victoria Teens Work Know How program offers autistic teens in the mainstream school system with a positive and supportive pathway to work experience. This project will evaluate the impact of work experience , including the impacts on attitudes and understanding of host employers and their staff about autistic team members.
Amaze - One-to-one Peer Support Program for carers of Autistic Children with complex support
needs
Amaze is the peak body for autistic people and their supporters in Victoria. This project will help determine the best models and frameworks for a new 1-to-1 peer support program targeted to the primary carers of autistic children with complex support needs.
Barwon Disability Resource Centre - Community Diversion Pilot Program for Young People with a Disability
The Barwon Disability Resource Centre Community Diversion Pilot Program helps to divert young people with a disability away from the criminal justice system. This project will evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot to both improve practice and to share key learnings with the broader community.
BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder) Community - Meeting the Missing Middle with Relational Support
BPD Community is a grassroots, peer led, independent not for profit organisation dedicated to providing a voice for all members of the BPD community in Victoria. This project will evaluate the model of relational support with a view to further developing peer support for people with BPD.
Disability Resources Centre - The Buddy Network
The Disability Resource Centre Buddy Network matches trained supporters who have lived experience of disability with others in the community waiting for individualised advocacy support. This project will evaluate the strengths of this innovative approach and the ways it could fill an important gap for many advocacy services.
Fragile X Association of Australia (FXAA) - Supporting the Fragile X community
virtually: what works?
The Fragile X Association supports people who are impacted by Fragile X and works to raise awareness of Fragile X-associated disorders. This project will evaluate the effectiveness of their virtual support programs and activities and will help to inform the design, delivery and evaluation of future supports and activities.
Genetic Support Network of Victoria - Genetic Support Group Database
The Genetic Support Network of Victoria provides education, advocacy and support to people with genetic conditions and those who support them. This project will evaluate the usefulness of a database of support groups for those with rare and genetic conditions and explore ways to expand and improve support.
Keys of Life - Enabling all students with disabilities and their families to access and benefit from instrumental music
lessons
Keys of Life trains instrumental music teachers to teach students with disabilities, connects families with trained teachers and creates a community where students, families and teachers can come together to share in and benefit from music. This project will examine the benefits of learning an instrument for children with disability and explore the key features of a successful learning program.
Syndromes Without A Name (SWAN) Australia - Finding the Gaps
SWAN supports families with children who have disabilities associated with undiagnosed or rare diseases. This project seeks to collect data to help to identify gaps and barriers in accessing services and supports.
VALID Inc. - Advocacy for Absolutely Everyone
The VALID advocacy program provides one-on-one assistance for a person with disability to help solve a problem. This project will look at key features and costs of successful advocacy programs that support people with complex needs and their families.
Stay tuned to our website. We'll share another update shortly as the projects begin to take shape. If you have questions about the Community Based Research Program, please contact Campbell Message at campbell.message@unimelb.edu.au.