2023 Research Award

‘‘Understanding the lived experiences of Autistic jobseekers and Autistic employees accessing Disability Employment Services providers in Southeast Queensland: Breaking down barriers and leveraging enablers.’’

Autistic individuals can bring organisations innovative thinking, alternative perspectives, creativity, and attention to detail, but they are three times more likely to be unemployed than those with other disabilities and seven times more likely than people without a disability. While Disability Employment Services (DES) providers aim to assist Autistic jobseekers and Autistic employees to gain and maintain meaningful employment, the specific barriers and enablers to successful long-term employment remain unclear and ambiguous.

Led by The University of Queensland, a team of neurodiverse researchers will utilise a multi-stakeholder approach to explore the lived experiences of Autistic jobseekers and Autistic employees engaging with DES providers and their employers in Southeast Queensland. The research aims to reduce the un- and under-employment of Autistic people by identifying the barriers and enablers to their successful employment. We will elicit perspectives from 50 participants, including those of Autistic jobseekers, Autistic employees, DES providers, and organisations through interviews and focus groups to gain a holistic understanding of Autistic individuals’ experiences. Insights will be collated into an Autism Employment Playbook to communicate our findings and recommendations and will also be disseminated across stakeholder Roundtable and Forum & Networking events.

2022 Research Award

‘Facilitating sustainable employment of people with intellectual disability in Hospitality SMEs: A multi-stakeholder perspective’

Delivering sustainable "open employment" for people with intellectual disability (PWID) is of high priority, yet most research in this area has focused on job readiness of PWID rather than employer readiness.

The hospitality industry is a potentially attractive employer of PWID, but barriers exist. Some large organizations employ PWID, however, small and medium sized enterprises (76% of the industry) have been slower to support their recruitment.

The project will undertake a multi-stakeholder study to explore barriers to, and enablers of, sustainable open employment of PWID in the Hospitality SME sector in South Australia. From this research, an employer toolkit resource will be developed which will be distributed through Business SA. Secondly, an industry Roundtable event will be held to promote the employment of PWID, share best practice and promote the toolkit. Thirdly, a disability employment Networking event will link employers with disability employment service providers to support capacity building and job matching best practice directly relevant to the sector. In this way the research team expects to stimulate demand for the employment of PWID in the sector, while also providing the resources and opportunity to foster partnerships to support future employment outcomes for PWID.

2021 Research Award

‘Measuring outcomes that matter. Conceptualising contribution’

This work will challenge deficit-based paradigms and be pivotal in debates regarding NDIS assessments and funding. There is little or no research to inform policy or service delivery with respect to measuring the contribution of PwID, how to invest resources to maximise this contribution, and appraising the impact of investment. Identifying where PwID can and do contribute to their community, we can better direct resources (including NDIS resources) to foster these endeavours, enhancing the ability of PwID to lead fulfilling lives. This will have a significant impact for PwID, subjective wellbeing is linked to valuing a person’s contribution. Meaningful contribution is the core of inclusion. Articulating the contribution of PwID is a pressing issue for the sector, where PwID compete with other groups for finite resources, and prejudice regarding the value of PwID remains entrenched.

2020 Research Award

‘Connecting young people with intellectual disability for improved wellbeing and community connection: a focus on relationships and sexuality’

The proposed research will seek to develop an understanding about how adolescents with intellectual disability experience relationships, and how they can develop strategies for positive relationships. Working with adolescents with intellectual disability in a co-design model, the project will research the way in which co-designed materials in a peer-led program and through 1:1 sessions impacts the way in which adolescents with ID develop knowledge and skills for understanding and engaging in positive relationships including social relationships and sexual relationships.

2019 Research Award

‘The RAPID (Reducing Antipsychotics in People with Intellectual Disability) Study’

The RAPID study will develop and pilot a protocol (called mHALT) to reduce antipsychotic prescribing. mHALT will comprise: 1/education for group home residents, their families, and carers; 2/ training of group home staff and clinicians including behaviour support clinicians, 3/ training of general practitioners, 4/ training of dispensing pharmacists; and 4/ de-prescribing of antipsychotic medications. All aspects of mHALT will incorporate education about medication use for behaviours as well as revision of principles of positive behaviour support.

David and his team will pilot mHALT in ten Brisbane group homes. The primary outcome will be reduction in antipsychotic dose. Secondary outcomes include health-related quality of life (AqoL-4D), blood pressure, body mass index, UKU side effect scale, for adverse effects of antipsychotic medication and carer stress and attitudes.

2018 Research Award

‘Navigating the transition from school to adult disability services: Experiences of young people with intellectual disability’

The aims of this research project are: (1) to understand how young people with intellectual disability experience the transition from school to adult services, and (2) to explore how they select and navigate the transition into adult services and meaningful occupations. This project utilises a mixed-methods, multistage design including:

An advisory group of young people with intellectual disability who will inform and help direct the research, including data collection design, data analysis, and dissemination of findings. The group will ensure the relevance of the research, and that outcomes are relevant to the people they are intended for.

Case studies involving interviews with young people with intellectual disability, their carers and educators to understand the experiences of young people six to twelve months before and after transition.

A retrospective survey that will explore young people’s experiences of selecting and transitioning to adult disability services two to five years after leaving school. Interviews with survey respondents who volunteer to participate across four geographical sites (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns).

It is expected that this project will: (1) identify indicators for successful transitions to meaningful post-school options, and (2) develop a resource to help young people and their carers navigate the transition to services that can support them in accessing meaningful occupations.

2017 Research Award

“Living with type 1 diabetes and intellectual disability: Towards a self-management intervention that fosters inclusion and participation in society”

Young adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and intellectual disability experience significant disadvantage during the transition to adulthood, yet there is little research exploring their needs. Their reduced ability to self-manage T1DM and the general lack of support outside the home, limits their social and work opportunities. This project will inform the development of a T1DM self-management intervention to improve the ability of young people with an intellectual disability to better manage their symptoms, allowing them to better engage with the community and lead a fulfilling life. The project will:

• Use ecological momentary assessment data (collected via a smartphone application) in combination with objective data on managing the clinical symptoms of T1DM and levels of physical activity in an effort to determine their influence on participation in daily activities;
• Identify the barriers and facilitators to optimal T1DM self-management for young adults with an intellectual disability; and
• Use this knowledge to develop a T1DM self-management intervention framework, ready for piloting in preparation for the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

The research team will be guided by an expert Reference Group, including young people with an intellectual disability and representatives from the National Disability Insurance Agency. The group will provide advice and ensure that the milestones and deliverables are on track.

2016 Research Award

“Virtual reality disability training: A technology comparison impact investigation”

Previous research between the Endeavour Foundation and Queensland University of Technology has yielded a three dimensional (3D) working model of a train station in Brisbane as an educational aid for people with disabilities. This has been successfully trialled as a virtual reality experience for clients. This project will extend this previous work in two ways: (1) by utilising new 360 degree video techniques to generate immersive video replays of ticket purchasing scenarios, and (2) evaluating these new video techniques against the other 3D virtual reality systems with regards to a number of qualitative criteria (e.g., usability, user acceptance, design requirements for future systems, cost).

2015 Research Award

“The development and implementation of a framework for evaluating organisational person-centredeness by people with intellectual disability: An Inclusive Research Approach”

This project will develop a Person Centred Evaluative Framework built on the experiential knowledge of people with intellectual disability. The Framework will be used to assess the extent of person-centredness within service organisations. The Inclusive Research Network (IRN) is a team of researchers with and without intellectual disability located at the Centre for Disability Studies. The IRN, following training and with support, will use the Framework to “quality check” the closeness of the person-centredness fit between what is observed within the partner organisations and what is desired by the participants with intellectual disability. The study will enable organisations to learn from the participants with intellectual disability their perspective on person-centredness, and its fit with current practices.

2014 Research Award

“How I’m feeling: Pilot study of a web-based self-report measure for depression and anxiety in adolescents with intellectual disability”

The co-morbidity of intellectual disability with mental health issues occurs commonly but is frequently under-diagnosed due to the presence of behaviours associated with an intellectual disability that may mask symptoms of mental health issues. This study will pilot a newly developed self-report measure delivered via a tablet computer and designed to assist with identifying symptoms of depression and anxiety in adolescents with mild-moderate intellectual disability. If successfully evaluated, this self-report measure will improve the capacity of clinicians to detect anxiety and depression in a currently underserved population.

2013 Research Award

“End of life care for people with intellectual disability”

End of life care should facilitate an individual to remain living at home until their death; however, many complex legal and medical issues come into play when supporting someone with impaired capacity to remain at home until their death. There is a paucity of research about palliative care for this population, the needs of carers (both paid and unpaid), and appropriate bereavement support. This study will: gain feedback from key informants in rural and metropolitan locations regarding the provision of end of life care for people with an intellectual disability; determine what changes to policy and practice may facilitate better outcomes; and pilot a support framework.

2012 Research Award

“Engagement with people with intellectual disabilities and their carers: Self-directed care coordination and competency development”

This project addresses issues relating to individualised funding and person-centred support, specifically the role of people with a disability and families in the purchase and management of their support. This study will: explore how well current support processes address the needs of adults with an intellectual disability and their families. It will also develop and test a skills competency package for client-led coordination of support that can be used by people with a disability, families and service providers to help manage and coordinate the supports they receive.

Key Project Outputs:

Crozier, M., & Muenchberger, H. (2013). 'It's your problem, not mine': Does competence have anything to do with desire and aspiration to self-direct? Australian Health Review, 37(5), 621-623. Available here.

Crozier, M., Muenchberger, H., Colley, J., & Ehrlich, C. (2013). The disability self-direction movement: Considering the benefits and challenges for an Australian response. Australian Journal of Social Issues, 48(4), 455-471. Available here.

Crozier, M., Muenchberger, H., Ehrlich, C. & Coley, J H. (2012). Self-directed Support: A state, national, international understanding. Griffith University. Download here.

Crozier, M., & Muenchberger, H. (2013). My Choices Tree. Download here.

2021 Inclusive Research Award

NDIS: Rhetoric versus reality?

‘NDIS: Rhetoric versus Reality?’ aims to explore the realities of living with intellectual disability in Australia, and the impact of individualised funding arising from the introduction of the NDIS. It will examine how people with ID are having their needs met, and the extent to which they are involved in decision-making about their lives. The study will be conducted over three years using a mixed method design, partnering with multiple service providers. It will specifically examine the relationship between self-directed individualised funding and its effect on personal well-being, self esteem and voice, choice and control.

2020 Inclusive Research Award

Entrepreneurial journeys of microbusiness owners with intellectual disability: An inclusive research perspective

The aim of this research project is to explore the experiences of micro-entrepreneurs with intellectual disability. Using narrative enquiry, the researcher with work with people with intellectual disability to understand how they navigate the business journey.

2019 Inclusive Research Award

‘Implementation of an evidence-based intervention in an Australian context with youth with complex disability and evaluation of involvement of consumer research partners’

This consumer-researcher collaborative study is multi layered and aims to customize and evaluate the feasibility and applicability using the Pathways and Resources for Engagement and Participation (PREP) to improve participation in community activities of young adults within a Complex Disability Clinic in Melbourne.

The aim of this project is to increase participation of young people in meaningful activities. Participation is complicated due to complex disability, typical transitions faced by young adults and the challenges involved in transitioning to adult services. Pathways and Resources for Engagement and Participation (PREP), is a 16-week innovative strengths-based intervention which aims to increase the community participation of adolescents with disability in activities such as leisure/recreational pursuits.

2018 Inclusive Research Award

‘People with intellectual disability as researchers: Exploring the experiences of an inclusive research team’

This entire research project aligns with the emancipatory methodological paradigm of inclusive research. Adult co-researchers with intellectual disability will be part of every stage of the research process. This will include establishing an inclusive research team and providing co-researchers with relevant research skills training. Following the training, co-researchers and the university researchers (the team) will develop and undertake a research study of interest and importance to all co-researchers using rigorous academic research procedures and methods. The exact nature of the project is unknown, it will be up to the co-researchers to formulate; however, examples could include how people with intellectual disability engage with services and/or access their community. A critical ethnographic approach will be used to explore the experiences of the team participating in the inclusive research study, in terms of the barriers and enablers of effective inclusive research processes. There is limited literature regarding the outcomes co-researchers with an intellectual disability see for themselves from their participation in inclusive research. The current research aims to address this gap. Funds will be used to pay an honorarium to co-researchers, contribute to costs associated with transportation, and to fund conference attendance for co-researchers to enable them to disseminate the findings of their research study.

2016 Student Award

“The development of an anxiety program for adults on the autism spectrum”

The experience of an anxiety disorder, which can occur in up to 84% of individuals on the autism spectrum, impacts quality of life above and beyond the impact of the characteristics of autism spectrum disorder. This project will develop and trial an anxiety treatment program for adults on the autism spectrum that adopts an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) framework. Previous psychological interventions using a cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) framework have limited evidence of treatment effectiveness for people with autism spectrum disorder. Funding from this award will be used to fund the creation of several animation videos to be used in the ACT treatment program. These videos will be created in collaboration with people with autism spectrum disorder.

2015 Student Award

“Yarning about Disability”

This research examines perceptions of health, wellbeing and disability by Aboriginal children and young people both with and without a diagnosed disability, as collected through yarning circles, a validated, culturally appropriate research methodology. The grant will fund the creation of a children’s storybook as an age and culturally appropriate method of research dissemination. The storybook will draw on narrations from Aboriginal participants with disabilities and will be developed with guidance from the participants and an Aboriginal Community Reference Group.

Key Project Outputs:

The storybook ‘Yarning About Disability’ by Caris Jalla is available online in text and audio versions here, and via You Tube here.

“Does home-based Occupational Therapy reduce carer burden and slow functional decline in adults with Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s type dementia disease?”

Adults with Down syndrome have an increased risk of developing younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease type of dementia due to their chromosomal anomaly. The Occupational Therapy (OT) management for an adult with Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease includes promoting and maintaining their functional independence and reducing the caregiver’s burden. However, there are limited studies investigating the effectiveness of OT intervention for this population. This study is an international cross-sectional survey among occupational therapists, which aims to understand the scope of OT practice with this population, and inform an OT intervention program for adults with Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease.

2014 Student Award

“Disability employment practices in the Australian retail sector”

The persistent low workforce participation rate of people with a disability in Australia has become a priority for the Australian Government. This research will examine how organisations embed disability employment practices within their social structures by exploring a case study of a large Australian holding company currently employing people with a disability. The findings of the research will contribute to understandings of everyday practices around disability employment within organisational settings.

Key Project Outputs:

Moore, K. (2015). Disability employment practices in the Australian retail sector. PhD thesis, Queensland University of Technology. Download full-text version here.

2013 Student Awards

“Supporting successful ageing and ageing in place for people with an intellectual disability”

This project will examine “successful ageing" for people with an intellectual disability through an exploration of the individual’s own understanding and experiences of their health, well-being and ageing. Of particular interest are the measures which may enhance the viability of ageing-in-place in order to prevent premature institutionalisation into residential aged care. This study will undertake semi-structured interviews in urban and rural settings in NSW and QLD. It will seek to develop recommendations for enhancing the capacity of disability and aged care services to support successful ageing for this population.

“Neuroimaging oxytocin modulated plasticity, response markers and implication for treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders and co-morbid intellectual disability”

This project examines the neurobiology of children with autism and co-morbid intellectual disability using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). This study will develop a pharmacological treatment which directly targets neural abnormalities that underlie symptoms of social dysfunction in this population. The other major aim – for which the Endeavour Foundation Disability Research Fund award was received – is to develop a training protocol using a mock MRI scanner and educational materials to desensitise children with autism aged 3-12 years, allowing them to undertake MRI scanning without the use of risky and invasive sedatives and/or anaesthesia.

2012 Student Awards

“Cognitive disability, diversion and the criminal law: Disrupting the criminalisation of people with cognitive disability in the criminal justice system”

Section 32 of the Mental Health (Forensic Provisions) Act 1990 (NSW) enables a defendant with cognitive or intellectual disability to have his or her criminal charges dismissed conditional upon engagement with disability or human services for 6 months. This study will focus on developing a more nuanced understanding of how Section 32 can challenge criminalisation of this vulnerable group by addressing the broader contexts that contribute to continuous cycling through the criminal justice system (notably, social marginalisation, diagnostic complexities, disability service system complexities, and discriminatory attitudes).

Key Project Outputs:

Steele, L., Dowse, L. & Trofimovs, J. (2013). ‘A Report on the Human and Criminal Justice Pathways of People Diagnosed with Mental Health Disorder and Cognitive Disability in the Criminal Justice System Who Have Received Orders Pursuant to Section 32 of the Mental Health (Forensic Provisions) Act 1990 (NSW)’. Available here.

Steele, L., Dowse, L. & Trofimovs, J., (2016). ‘Who is Diverted?: Moving Beyond Diagnosed Impairment Towards a Social and Political Analysis of Diversion’ Sydney Law Review, 38(2), 179-206. Available here.

“Making the Transition to Adulthood: Perspectives and experiences of young people with an intellectual disability who have exited non-kinship foster care”

Young people with an intellectual disability leaving out-of-home care are a vulnerable group. Transitioning to adulthood is a difficult process and many young people experience negative adult life outcomes and become engaged with tertiary systems and crisis support services. Policy and service systems struggle to identify and respond effectively to this group. This study will generate knowledge about the needs of such young people in order to develop improved policy and social work practice responses to support their successful transition to adulthood.

2018 Non-Profit Organisation Award

“Assisting YOUR Neighbourhood”

This project will achieve a mutually beneficial connection between two isolated and disadvantaged groups - people with an intellectual disability and the elderly. The project aims to support adults with intellectual disabilities to become actively involved in volunteering. Through partnership with Manningham Aged and Disability Support Service, Onemda Association will provide real assistance to the elderly community, assistance that will be provided by their clients who have an intellectual disability. Some suggested activities are the posting of letters, exchanging of library books, putting out rubbish bins, and gardening tasks. This project has the capacity to reduce social isolation for people with an intellectual disability, and increase community inclusion and participation for this group of people. The project will also address the need to assist the isolated elderly members of the community, many of whom have mobility restrictions which make the performance of simple daily tasks difficult. Onemda Association will support up to 30 adults with an intellectual disability to volunteer within the program once a week, with the hope of growing the project to allow more volunteering time in future. In addition, Onemda Association will develop a practice framework and a resource toolkit for the Assisting YOUR Neighbourhood program, and will work with local councils and other disability service organisations in Victoria to expand the program’s reach.

2017 Non-Profit Organisation Award

“The Happy Garden Project”

Marli are hoping to encourage people of all ages and abilities to enjoy their garden and help grow organic vegetables. The garden beds have been built to a height of 600mm to allow for people in a wheelchair to easily access the gardens. Marli will start promoting the opportunity to volunteer in the Happy Garden Project to people with a disability via community and disability organisations in the Maitland area. To support this, a disability support worker will be hired for short period of time to help recruit volunteers into the project, to set up the volunteer process and to support the volunteers to work in the garden.

In addition, an occupational therapist will be hired for a short period of time to assess and review the support needs of the volunteers and people with a disability in general, and what equipment could be sourced to support the participation of people with a disability in the garden. Marli will purchase relevant equipment, and will also develop a partnership with the Maitland Men’s Shed to create new dedicated tools to allow people with a disability to participate in the program to the best of their ability.

2016 Non-Profit Organisation Award

“Waminda Grounds Maintenance Service”

Waminda Services has established a Grounds Maintenance Service through which to raise income to support their disability service provision, assist the local community, and employ staff both with and without a disability (including people with intellectual disabilities) within this service. Funding from this award will be used to purchase equipment for staff to use within the Grounds Maintenance Service, as the current equipment they possess is not powerful or reliable enough to tackle the type of jobs they are employed to do. With the purchase of new equipment, their work can speed up therefore increasing their capacity to tender for more work contacts from the local council. This will then allow Waminda to increase their labour force, and produce work of a higher standard.

2015 Non-Profit Organisation Award

“Bushlink – Connecting Communities through Bush and Garden Care”

Since January 2009, Bushlink, a social enterprise, has provided paid employment opportunities for adults with intellectual disability to carry out bush regeneration work while increasing their community participation. In addition to fulfilling a range of bush regeneration and gardening contracts, the social enterprise runs Corporate/Community Volunteering days at local bushcare sites where staff members teach the volunteers how to care for the environment. Bushlink also runs a Program for Schools, in which staff teach school students how to plant, weed and mulch in the school’s bushland and gardens. The funds sought are to purchase tools and equipment, specialised uniforms and marketing materials to enable Bushlink to expand its services and roll out programs to a greater number of schools and businesses.

“Compass Institute’s “Rakes and Panes” Social Enterprise expansion”

The Compass Institute is a Sunshine Coast based organisation that supports people with an intellectual and/or physical disability. In addition to education, training and pre-vocational services and community participation and living solutions, Compass runs five micro-businesses which provide flexible employment to over 30 people with disabilities. The funding requested relates to one of these businesses, the Compass Lawn and Gardens service "Rakes and Panes", which offers home maintenance to the elderly and people with a disability at discounted rates. Rakes and Panes staff members currently have the use of four different types of second hand mowers. The mowers all require different fuel and start procedures, which have proven difficult for people with an intellectual impairment to master. The funding requested is to purchase four new Honda mowers to support the workers’ independence.

“PWS Training Without Borders”

PWSA Victoria is a support group that provides education and support to enhance the lives of individuals living with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS). The PWS Training without Borders project aims to significantly improve health, education and lifestyle outcomes for people with PWS, by developing and providing specialist training and resources about how to provide a PWS friendly environment. The target of these educational initiatives will include families, carers and educators who otherwise receive no specific support or education from Government or health authorities. Planned activities will include several targeted training sessions (in person and video conferencing) and the creation of a suite of online resources (including videos and information for the broader community).

2014 Non-Profit Organisation Award

“ConnectABLE”

Many people with a disability experience barriers to community participation. Research conducted by Mid North Coast Community Care has shown that many social, sporting and recreational groups within the Coffs Harbour and Bellingen LGAs identify as “disability friendly” but are not necessarily ready to include members with specific support needs and/or are uncertain about how to do this. The proposed project will build community capacity for the inclusion of people with a disability through a series of education workshops and the production of a documentary film about how to promote meaningful participation.

Key Project Outputs:

ConnectABLE resources for clubs and groups are available here.

“The Able Bake House”

The Able Bake House is a Social Enterprise that produces a unique range of gourmet cookies and slices. The Bake House provides paid employment opportunities and a means for people with a disability to actively participate in baking, packaging, marketing, sales and delivery. The Bake House has received external recognition of their work and is currently being used as an international case study by the Social Enterprise International Academy. The Endeavour Foundation Disability Research Fund grant will enable the purchase of new kitchen equipment and fund the development of marketing materials to increase the sustainability of the Bake House into the future.

“ldquo;Equipment for players with a disability”

Caboolture Disability Indoor Cricket was established in 2006 to enable people with a disability to be part of a sporting organisation, participate in local games, and be coached in a pathway to state representative level. The organisation sought a small injection of funding to purchase cricket bats and protective equipment to support the players’ participation in cricket.

2013 Non-Profit Organisation Award

“Camp Warami”

This project will include young people with an intellectual disability in an existing residential holiday camp program for children and young people aged 5-15 years. Currently such children have been unable to attend camps due to the staffing required to ensure that they are adequately supported. The Endeavour Foundation Disability Research Fund award will be used to contract formal carers to support children with a disability at four holiday camps. It will also be used to train three camp staff in a Certificate III in Disability Studies in order to sustain the inclusion of children with a disability in camps after the first year of the program.

2012 Non-Profit Organisation Award

“Finding a Way”

Rosie's Place is a community counselling service for children, young people and their non-offending family members who have experienced sexual assault and/or domestic violence. The Endeavour Foundation Disability Research Fund grant will be used to develop a personal safety program targeting young women with an intellectual disability. The project will employ a project worker to develop an eight-week programme and trial it with four small groups of 8-10 young women. A package of resources will also be developed to enable other service providers to deliver the program to this group.

2011 Non-Profit Organisation Awards

“Access 303 Sailing Dingy”

Sailability is a non-profit, volunteer-based organisation which aims to enrich the lives of people with a disability through the activity of sailing. It is an international organisation that was introduced to Australia in 1991, and there are currently over 50 clubs around Australia. The Endeavour Foundation Disability Research Fund grants enabled local clubs in Bundaberg and New England to each purchase a new Access 303 sailing dinghy.

2016 Grants Round Only

“Look Mum…..No Hands!!! Accessibility for All”

The Indel Ability arts Company in Queensland, create ‘theatre that leaves its mark’ with and by artists who identify as having disabilities. Indel-ABILITY arts sought funding to provide more accessible performance modes for their ensemble members (up skilling in AUSLAN sign language and other communication methods) as well as accessible strategies to allow audiences to access the works they produce such as subtitles, interpreting/shadow signing and audio description. Through this, they aim to provide accessible theatre experiences for everyone regardless of ability. They will also hire two new artists into their ensemble for a small period of time to give them the opportunity to test their skills in a professional environment, engage in new training techniques and to develop their own creative process in a supported environment. This will pave the way for successful partnerships and creative outlets in future.

“Creative Communication and Accessible Arts in Ashford”

The Ashford Business Council (ABC) supports local community clubs by sharing resource information and applying for funds that will assist the clubs and their members. They provide financial assistance and in-kind support to a number of services, clubs and businesses when opportunities arise to improve community capacity and sustainability. In collaboration with a local artist with a background working in the disability sector, the proposed project will enable the delivery of ten creative art workshops. The project will identify artists with intellectual disabilities in the community who would like to pursue their artistic skills further. Every opportunity will be taken to enhance inclusiveness and community connectedness throughout the project, for example, involving the students of the Ashford Central School to provide catering for the workshops. The finale of the project will be held at the Ashford Salami Festival in October this year, with the art work produced within the workshops to be displayed.