New research! Finding support outside the NDIS

More than 500,000 Australians with disability receive individual funding through the NDIS to purchase services and supports to meet their disability-related needs. But the overwhelming majority of the 4.4. million Australians with disability are not NDIS participants. With all of the focus on the NDIS, how are these Australians faring?

This research, conducted by The Melbourne Disability Institute in partnership with the Brotherhood of St. Laurence and Baptcare in 2021, examines if and how people with disability aged 18-64 years who are not NDIS participants are finding and using any support and services they need to participate in society and the economy.

You can download the full report along with an executive summary on our website here or by using the button below. 

You can also view some of the recent news articles linked below, which further highlight the importance of this research.

Policy Forum - 11 July 2022
https://www.policyforum.net/the-ticking-time-bomb-at-the-heart-of-the-national-disability-insurance-scheme/

Power to Persuade - 13 August 2022 
http://www.powertopersuade.org.au/blog/theres-much-more-to-disability-support-than-the-ndis

PhD Scholarship Opportunity! Disability and Inequality

There is new and emerging evidence that much of the poorer health experienced by people with disability is avoidable. However, very little is known about the health inequalities people with disability in Australia face and how they can be closed.

If you would like to be part of changing this picture, this PhD scholarship may be just right for you. We are looking for a PhD student to join an existing research team looking at health inequalities, disability and the NDIS. 

Registrations are now open for the 2022 Virtual Disability Conference!

This fully online conference will feature a great program exploring the theme of ‘Raising Expectations’. The keynote presentation will be delivered by Senator Jordan Steele-John and there will be designated talks on disability and intersectionality, promoting and achieving choice and self-determination, the disability workforce, employment and universal design.

The Melbourne Disability Institute is pleased to collaborate with the VDC on a symposium titled Inequality, inequity and inclusion – What exactly do we expect the National Disability Insurance Scheme to deliver?

We hope you can tune in. Please register by Tuesday 20th September 2022.

Closing Soon! Disability Research Seed Funding for University of Melbourne research projects

The Melbourne Disability Institute (MDI) is focused on developing much needed evidence, data and research to address the complex problems facing people with disability in this country. To do this, we want to facilitate research that is driven by people with disability and their families and that will make a real difference in their lives. 

We are excited to announce our latest round of seed funding is now open for University of Melbourne Researchers. Grants of up to $30,000 will be awarded to facilitate research that is driven by people with disability and their families and that will have real world policy or practice impact.

The Melbourne Disability Institute was established in 2018 to build a collaborative, interdisciplinary and translational disability research program at the University of Melbourne. 

Questions? Contact us at md-i@unimelb.edu.au