We do research to find how services can improve the lives of people with disability. Research helps us understand the experiences of people with disability. It also helps us find out what works well.
We use research to help:
- have a best practice understanding that informs policies, priorities, practice, and people
- people with disability and their support networks have access to information to make informed decisions
- providers and workers know about best practice to improve supports and services delivered to people with disability.
Understanding evidence-informed practice
Provider and worker practices should be evidence-informed. Our practice guide explains:
- what evidence-informed practice is and why it's important
- how evidence-informed practice can be implemented by providers
Person-centred practice
Quality services and supports for people with disability starts with person-centred practices. Our research:
- describes what it means to be person centred in everyday practice
- provides practical resources for implementing person-centred practices.
See:
Restrictive practice
Restrictive practice is ‘any practice or intervention that has the effect of restricting the rights or freedom of movement of a person with disability’. Our research:
- helps increase awareness of restrictive practice use
- identifies effective ways to reduce and eliminate restrictive practice.
See:
Use of Psychotropic Medicines
- Evidence that psychotropic medicines are overprescribed and overused with people with disability
- There was little evidence that psychotropic medicines are effective for managing behaviours of concern
- Evidence that psychotropic medicines can diminish the wellbeing and quality of life of people with disability.
As people with autism are commonly prescribed medication for behaviours of concern, we undertook a systematic review on trials evaluating the benefits and harms of these medications. The full review can be found here Pharmacological intervention for irritability, aggression, and self‐injury in autism spectrum disorder.
From this review, we also developed Plain English Evidence Summaries on each of the major types of medication:
We also undertook research to determine the rates (prevalence) of psychotropic use by Australians with disability. Additional aims of this research were to identify whether people receiving psychotropics also received relevant supports; specifically access to mental health services, medicines reviews and health assessments.
This results of this research can be found here Report: Prescribing of psychotropic drugs to people with disability – national cohort data 2016-17.
Violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation
People with disability experience higher rates of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. Everyone is responsible for supporting people to be independent and live free from harm. Our research outlines:
- risks to people with disability
- safeguards to reduce and prevent harm.
Risk factors and prevention of violence abuse neglect and exploitation
Potentially avoidable deaths of people with disability
People with disability are at a higher risk of multiple health issues and early death. Our research identifies risks for potentially avoidable deaths of people with disability.
Health risks, service use and outcomes of people with disability
People with disability are at a higher risk of multiple health issues and early death. Knowing the health problems people with disability are more likely to experience helps us understand how to prevent them.
Our research review has identified health outcomes with an increased risk across all disabilities: obesity, cardiovascular health, diabetes and mental health. Preventative strategies and targeted health policies are needed to address the increased risks.
Health risks, service use and outcomes of people with disability