Melbourne Disability Institute
The Melbourne Disability Institute is being established following major reforms in the last ten years that have transformed the lives of people with disability, including the National Disability Insurance Scheme and the National Disability Strategy 2010-2020.
We will promote collaboration across the University of Melbourne, harnessing high-level skills, expertise and partnerships to address the complex problems facing people with disabilities, their families and carers.
The Institute builds on several initiatives and partnerships in place at the University and draws together a range of researchers with an interest in disability.
Vision
To transform the social and economic health and wellbeing of people with disabilites through high-quality research, teaching and training, and knowledge translation.
Mission
In partnership with key stakeholders, we will catalyse interdisciplinary research and teaching that addresses complex, systemic, strategic and cultural problems facing people with disability, their families and carers. The knowledge produced through our research will be translated into policy and practice through a process of continuous engagement and innovation.
The MDI's strategic plan will be launched soon; watch this space.
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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Establishment 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.
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.
The research that attracts the MDI comes under the following five research themes.
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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 disability including those with co-morbidities, those with mental health problems, and those not eligible for the NDIS.
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Inclusive Communities
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 and cities. Research will explore the role of services, families, relationships, advocates and volunteers and endeavour to build their capacity to enable social inclusion and participation of people with disability. This involves developing the evidence-base to optimise inclusion and access to community through transformation of the built environment, change social attitudes, address relevant modifications or adjustments and improve communication. Projects will investigate best practice inclusive education models to support participation in higher education for people with a disability, reshaping cities for disability inclusion, creating sustainable housing options and create resources for the design of housing, technology, and support.
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Health and Wellbeing
Equity and inclusion underpin a good life. This research theme focuses on other aspects that contribute to a person’s health and well-being, including social determinants, life style, unique health needs, child health, mental health, sexual and reproductive health, biomechanics and rehabilitation and the role of music and creative arts. Research will explore the intersection between disability and health, focusing on reducing health disparities and addressing gaps that leave people with disability underserviced by the National Disability Strategy, 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 ethically-based use of 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 in this theme will include economic modelling, 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 (e.g. through new apps).
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Policy and Practice
All research auspiced and promoted by the MDI will seek to optimise policy and practice. Work in this theme will investigate the best approaches to incorporating evidence produced into policy and practice so that we can transform the lives of people with disability, family and carers for the better. This will include promoting research approaches where key stakeholders, particularly people with disability, play a key role in identifying questions, interpreting results and driving change through innovative approaches to dissemination. An integrated knowledge translation approach will build dynamic partnerships with local and state governments, the National Disability Insurance Agency, the Commonwealth, State and local governments, foreign governments, Disabled Peoples Organisations, key service providers, social insurers and others, to ensure research findings are taken up and integrated into policy or practice. We will use a range of innovative approaches including media, leveraging partnerships, submissions to inquiries and participation in public debate through media and commentaries to support academics and the sector to advocate for change and build the sector’s research capacity and literacy. 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 Research
Current research projects in disability across the Faculties and Interdisciplinary Research Institutes.
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Partners
View the University of Melbourne’s industry, government and sector partnerships and collaborations in disability.
We welcome your interest in the Melbourne Disability Institute
Sign up for the MDI newsletter to receive regular updates on:
- our research
- our strategic planning
- relevant events, news and opportunities to engage
The MDI is committed to building the capacity of researchers with an interest in disability, people with a disability who wish to be involved in research, and students. Opportunities for jobs, PhD scholarships and capacity building programs will be listed here as they arise. Sign up to our newsletter to stay up to date.
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Radio
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Television
The National Wrap - ABC
Q&A Episode: Enabled - ABC, 25 June 2018
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Podcasts
Taking the pulse of the NDIS - Pursuit, 6 December 2017
Dying for Change - Melbourne Disability Institute, 6 December 2018
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Articles
'Architect of NDIS says unfair rollout holding back billions from Australians in dire need' - The Guardian, 28 September 2018
'Willing and Able' - The Financial Review, 31 July 2018