Melbourne Disability Institute
The Melbourne Disability Institute (MDI) is an interdisciplinary research institute that was established by the University of Melbourne in 2018 to build a collaborative, interdisciplinary and translational research program to improve the lives of people with disability.
Ultimately, the MDI research program aims to capitalise on national reforms and active partnerships with the disability sector to deliver evidence for transformation. The MDI research program is centred around providing much-needed evidence for the disability sector and broader community to address the complex problems facing people with disability, their families and carers.
The MDI research program is underpinned by four foundation principles: data; interdisciplinarity; experience-based co-production with people with lived experience of disability; and active partnerships. The MDI will facilitate research through seed funding, research translation funding and community-based research, in addition to leading several flagship projects in response to priority issues raised by the disability sector.
Vision
To transform the social and economic wellbeing and the health of people with disability through high-quality research, teaching and training, and knowledge translation.
One in Five – a podcast about disability research
One in Five explores some of the most complex issues facing people with disability today. In Australia, one in five people live with disability.
The podcast gives voice to people with disability and asks about their experiences with employment, housing, the law, supporting families and early intervention. A range of experts including people with disability, researchers and people working in the sector talk about what we can do to improve the lives of people with disability.
ABOUT US
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MDI Staff
The Melbourne Disability Institute has a small team who coordinate our research and engagement activities.
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Executive Committee
The Committee is the key governing body for the Institute and consists of academics from law, public health, economics, education and the arts.
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Hallmark Disability Research Initiative
The Hallmark Disability Research Initiative was an interdisciplinary disability research hub at the University of Melbourne.
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Strategic Plan
The MDI Strategic Plan 2019-2021 is now available for download.
The MDI draws on the breadth of research activity at the University of Melbourne and is the principal body for the promotion of inter-disciplinary research in disability at the University of Melbourne.
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Opportunity and equity
All people with disability should have equal opportunity to access what they need to enjoy meaningful lives. This theme seeks to ensure equitable access to justice, education, meaningful employment, intervention and support, and mainstream services. Research will aim to improve outcomes for disadvantaged groups including Indigenous Australians, people living in remote and rural communities, and people with complex needs including those with co-morbidities, mental health problems, and those not eligible for the NDIS.
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Inclusive communities
All people with disability should have the opportunity to be involved in their community and participate in society. This theme focuses on the structures and practices that increase the inclusion of people with disability into everyday activities; including broader contexts such as home, education, workplaces and cities. Research supported under this theme will explore the role of services, families, relationships, advocates and volunteers in making communities more inclusive. Projects will aim to build capacity of communities to enable social inclusion and participation of people with disability.
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Health and wellbeing
Themes one and two focus on equity and inclusion, which underpin a meaningful and fulfilling life. This third theme focuses on other aspects that contribute to a person’s health and well-being, such as social determinants, lifestyle, unique health needs, child health, mental health, sexual and reproductive health, biomechanics and rehabilitation. The role of music and creative arts in enabling well-being also fall within this theme. Research will focus on the intersection between disability and health, reducing health disparities and addressing gaps that leave people with disability underserviced by the National Disability Strategy, the NDIS and the health system.
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Markets and sustainability
The introduction of the NDIS is creating opportunities for research into smart and ethical technology, effective market design, new models of service delivery, best practice approaches to consumer-directed models of technological and service development, and niche industries. Research will include economic modelling, commissioning by governments and individuals, exploration of disability services markets including the identification of ‘thin markets’ and new market opportunities, evaluation of innovative services including start-ups, and good policies and regulations for safeguarding people with disability and those who care for them.
Other projects will focus on the promotion and sustainability of a high-quality disability service workforce and innovative approaches to data collection.
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Policy and practice
All research auspiced and promoted by the MDI will seek to optimise policy and practice. This theme focuses on the best approaches to incorporating evidence into policy and practice so that we can transform the lives of people with disability, families and carers for the better. This will include promoting research approaches where key stakeholders, particularly people with disability, play a crucial role in identifying questions, interpreting results and driving change through innovative approaches to dissemination.
The MDI will incorporate a range of innovative approaches including media, leveraging partnerships, making submissions to inquiries and participating in public debate, to support academics and the sector to advocate for change and build the sector’s research capacity. The MDI is committed to bridging the gap between what is known and what is implemented.
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Democratising Disability Data
A coalition of Australian researchers and stakeholders committed to achieving safe and secure access to disability data and statistics
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Current Projects
Current research projects in disability across the University (please note this is in progress and is by no means a comprehensive overview of disability research at the University of Melbourne)
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Doctoral/PhD Research
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NDIS Housing Pathways Project
Providing practical resources for individuals and communities to build pathways to access and maintain housing for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants.
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Inclusive City of Melbourne
The City of Melbourne and University of Melbourne are teaming up to help make Melbourne a ‘city for people’ – one that is accessible and inclusive for all.
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Accessing the Home
Collecting, analyzing and creating a centralized record of the Home Renovation scheme reports - which represent a comprehensive record of Victoria's housing stock for people with a disability or age-related restrictions.
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Smoking Behaviours among People with Intellectual Disability
A programmatic approach to understanding the smoking behaviours of people with intellectual disability and potential interventions for reducing smoking rates.
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Violence against People with Disability - the numbers
This project will provide the most up-to-date population-based estimates on the prevalence of violence among people with disability in Australia to inform the upcoming Royal Commission into Violence and Abuse against people with disability. In addition, we will identify existing Australian data sources and make recommendations for improvements including the potential for data linkages.
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Community Disability Inclusion in India
The project, occurring over four phases, will produce, trial and evaluate a best-practice Community Disability Inclusion (CDI) Diploma course for CDI workers in India.
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Co-research Training Program
Melbourne Disability Institute and Melbourne Graduate School of Education are in the process of collaborating to develop a subject that is designed to teach the fundamentals of co-research methods.
Funding and support
The MDI is committed to supporting disability research at the University of Melbourne and in the broader sector. Researchers and community organisations can apply for funding to support pilot projects, community-led projects, events and research translation.
Researchers applying for Fellowships or large grants are encouraged to get in touch to discuss ways in which the MDI can contribute to help strengthen applications. Contact Tessa de Vries at tessa.devries@unimelb.edu.au for more information.
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Seed funding
Seed funding to support research ideas and pilot projects that are likely to lead to direct outcomes or further funding.
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Community-based research
Community-based Research Scheme supports the evaluation and research of innovative ideas in the broader disability community.
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Research Translation
Funding and network support to research programs which have reached ‘critical mass’ of knowledge which would benefit from targeted knowledge translation.
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Event Support
Funding to support events that share disability research findings, exchange knowledge and bring people together.