Disability
We’re working for a just and inclusive community in which the rights of all people with a disability are respected and their diverse contributions celebrated.
Together with the BSL National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Services division, we work alongside people with disability, their families and carers to promote all forms of inclusion as well as social and economic participation.
We work together to influence each level of government and develop evidence-informed policies and practices.
This includes informing the successful implementation of the NDIS, which supports people with disability and their families in living a good life.
The NDIS represents a major shift in how society values and cares for people with disability, and our research and policy recommendations help get this shift right.
Find all recent publications on Disability (2000–present)
Visit the BSL library for our prior research on Disability (pre 2000)
• Realise the potential of the NDIS Partners in the Community program – Local Area Coordination (LAC) and Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) – to drive community solutions to increase the social and economic inclusion of all people with a disability and their carers – including those not accessing NDIS-funded supports.
• Continue to improve the NDIS participant experience through ensuring the planning process is personalised and tailored to participants’ aspirations, and leverages unfunded community supports to progress goals.
• Ensure the refresh of the National Disability Strategy is matched by a renewal of the National Disability Agreement to create clear and transparent accountabilities for all levels of government to drive measurable improvements in outcomes for people with disability across a wide range of metrics including education and employment.
Team presentations
Support online (PDF, 678 KB)
Authors: Deborah Warr, Georgia Katsikis and Andrew Thies
Date: 21 September 2022
Location: Virtual Disability Conference
‘I don’t know how to answer that!’: exploring community perspectives on engagement activities (PDF, 847 KB)
Authors: Amber Mills, Deborah Warr and Vasiliky Kasidis
Date: 19 September 2022
Location: Anglicare Australia conference, Hobart
Transforming research: embedding lived experiences in applied research (PDF, 317 KB)
Authors: Mutsumi Karasaki, Jasmine Ozge, Dave Peters and Malita Allan
Date: September 2019
Location: Anglicare Australia National Conference, ‘Our Stories: The Power to Change’, Perth
Related external publication
La Trobe University and BSL 2019, Quarterly Digest of Published Decisions about the NDIS from the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (PDF, 3 MB)
Selected publications
How do people with disability view efforts to consult them about the services they use?
Read reportOutreach to older people in vulnerable situations has enabled them to access aged care services before their health and living circumstances deteriorate.
Read reportHow are online platforms affecting support workers’ conditions and the quality of support available to people with disability?
Read reportThis qualitative study identifies features of a program that enables young people with disability to build interpersonal skills and explore employment pathways.
Read reportHow are Australians with disability who do not have individual funding from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) finding and using the support and services they need to participate in society and the economy?
Read reportSelected projects
How would people with disability, their partners, parents and allies like to influence services?
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This study focuses on a BSL initiative to increase participation in mainstream employment for people with disability.
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Exploring people’s experiences of providing and receiving disability support services via digital platforms
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The Critical Interim Support (CIS) program was devised to provide immediate case management services to vulnerable and socially isolated older people in Melbourne. Our evaluation examines how it can address a significant gap in the aged care system.
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How easy is it for Australians with disability aged 18–64 years who are not receiving NDIS funding to find and use the services and support they need to participate in the community?
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How can public and private sector organisations use their purchasing power to create positive social impact?
Learn moreLooking for services related to disability?
Our approach to working with people with disability focuses on building a sense of wellbeing and autonomy. We recognise the importance of family, friends, carers and community.
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