Australian Government allocates $13.6 million dollars to establish the National Disability Research Partnership

Key points:

• National Disability Research Partnership’s new chairperson is Clare Gibellini, a disability advocate with lived experience of autism spectrum disorder
• Possible new research funding from the National Disability Research Partnership could contribute to increasing tertiary education completion for Australians with disability
• Adults with tertiary educations ‘earn twice the amount of their secondary-educated peers’ on average, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

A new chairperson of the National Disability Research Partnership could improve opportunities for people with disability to work in higher paying roles.

Clare Gibellini recently accepted her new role in NDRP and has worked in the disability sector for over 16 years with lived experience of autism spectrum disorder. She has extensive experience in policy, research, advocacy and service delivery and was the Vice President of People with Disability Australia.

The Australian Government has allocated approximately $13.6 million dollars over the next two years to establish the NDRP. 

While new research projects have not yet been commissioned by the NDRP, suggestions include researching how to make communities more accessible and ways to increase university and TAFE completion rates for Australians with disability.

Ms Gibellini has undertaken a number of tertiary education certifications including Certificate IV of Individual Support in Disability studies at North Metropolitan TAFE. 

Australians with disability are seven percent less likely to complete Vocational Education and Training compared to peers without disability, as per recent data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

However, researchers also suggest that on average, adults with tertiary educations ‘earn twice the amount of their secondary-educated peers.’

Ms Gibellini commented on why people with disability should be included when decisions are made regarding aspects that could affect them.

“With so much reform occurring across the sector, it’s important that policy and practice decisions of the future are informed by inclusive research and evidence and that we are heard when it comes to decisions that impact our lives,” she said.

An estimated 18 percent of Australians have disability, as per recent data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth commented on the value of the NDRP and how Ms Gibellini’s contribution will help improve the lives of Australians with disability.

“The NDRP will support research that includes a wide range of people with disability, including those who are often left out or not well represented and Ms Gibellini will lead a board made up of a majority of people with disability,” she said.

“I am so pleased Ms Gibellini has accepted my offer to chair the NDRP and I am confident she has the expertise to realise its vision.”

Fewer than 50 percent of Australians with disability are employed, compared to 80 percent of peers without disability, according to recent data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. 

Minister Rishworth reiterated how research by the NDRP will be influenced by people with disability to ensure that results can positively impact their lives.

“We want to ensure people with disability are at the centre of the policies and programs that affect them, which makes this appointment [of Ms Gibellini] so vital,” she said.

“The NDRP will improve policy and practice research for people with disability and build disability research capacity across Australia.” 

NDRP has previously funded research projects including:

• supporting students with intellectual disability at university;
• experiences of police apprehension for psychosocial disability; and
• increasing support and information for Syrian and Iraqi people with disability from refugee backgrounds.

Read more about the NDRP and its principles on the NDRP website. An easy-read version is also available. 

What research projects would you like to be undertaken by the NDRP?

Let the team at Talking Disability know on social media. 

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