Research library

Description:

Funding to live in specialist disability accommodation (SDA) can be transformative for eligible participants of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Recent demand projections estimate that by 2042 over 36,000 people with extreme functional impairment and/or very high support needs will require SDA housing.

This report presents an overview of the future SDA supply in Australia. Building on previous Specialist Disability Accommodation – Supply in Australia reports, the Housing Hub conducted a nationwide survey among SDA providers in September 2023. The aim was to gather information on SDA currently being developed, offering clarity for the broader SDA community and the NDIA.

Citation:

Aimers, N., Morgan, A. J., Wellecke, C., Tuohy, L., Mulherin, P., Rothman, R., Rathbone, A., & Winkler, D. (2023). Specialist Disability Accommodation Supply in Australia. Melbourne, Australia: Housing Hub and Summer Foundation.

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October 2023

Summer Foundation – La Trobe University Research Program 2022/2023

Tags: accessible housing, disability support, hospital discharge, NDIS, YPIRAC

Description:

The enduring research partnership between the Summer Foundation and La Trobe University’s Living with Disability Research Centre is testament to what is possible when rigorous academic methods are applied to real-world problems. The research program at the Summer Foundation is unashamedly ambitious. It needs to be in order to address the manifold challenges experienced by people with disability in Australia today.

Our Research team consists of more than 20 researchers, including experienced academics, clinical experts, research assistants, and doctoral candidates. They come from diverse backgrounds, including psychology, speech pathology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and architecture. Together, the team work on more than 20 active projects covering topics as broad as younger people in residential aged care, hospital discharge, the disability housing market, and factors contributing to quality disability support.

This report outlines the research undertaken in 2022/23 as part of the program, our aims and our outputs.

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August 2023

Specialist disability accommodation provider experience survey: August 2023

Tags: housing, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)

Description:

The 2023 SDA Provider Experience Report includes the results of the Housing Hub’s third annual SDA Provider Experience Survey. In total, 41 providers completed the survey. These providers have a total of 1,452 places for tenants in their 779 New Build SDA dwellings, representing almost one-quarter of all New Build SDA dwellings (21.8%) and places (22.4%) in the market.

The report reveals challenges in the SDA market with many SDA providers facing financial pressure due to high vacancy rates and delayed payments from the NDIA. These findings emphasise the need for continued monitoring and interventions to ensure market stability.

The report contains a detailed analysis of the survey results. It also includes a series of recommendations for the NDIA, to ensure its stewardship of the SDA market maximises positive outcomes for both participants and providers.

You can access a 2-page summary of the report here.

Citation:

Tuohy, L., Wellecke, C., Aimers, N., Winkler, D., Rathbone, A., Robertson, J., & Rothman, R. (2023). Specialist Disability Accommodation provider experience survey: August 2023. Housing Hub and Summer Foundation

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May 2023

Achieving the Younger People in Residential Aged Care Targets

Tags: YPIRAC

Description:

In 2019, the coalition government committed to measurable, timebound targets to solve the issue of Younger People in Residential Aged Care (YPIRAC) once and for all.

The aims of this analysis are to:
• Review progress of the current YPIRAC initiative
• Analyse the pathways of younger people into and out of aged care

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February 2023

YPIRAC Factsheet

Tags: YPIRAC

Description:

There are 2934 young people living in aged care. Most will remain there until they die or turn 65. Around 80% of young people in aged care are NDIS participants but only a quarter have a goal to move out.

The government have failed to meet 2022 YPIRAC targets, and more than 30 young people a month are still entering aged care. There continues to be bureaucratic delays around funding for housing and supports. Delays around funding reviews are also contributing to the problem.

Young people in aged care or at risk of aged care need access to professionals with knowledge and expertise across the housing, health and disability sectors who can assist them in navigating the pathway out of hospital, away from aged care and into housing that suits their needs.

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February 2023

Reimagining Shared Housing and Living – Workshop Findings and Recommendations

Tags: housing, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)

Description:

In October to November 2022, the Housing Hub ran a series of workshops designed to gather collective knowledge about SDA-funded group homes from providers and stakeholders. Specifically, these workshops and the broader body of work were focused on housing for people with disability who have a preference to live with other people with disability.

The Reimagining Shared Housing and Living Report provides background to the workshops, and discusses the main findings and recommendations towards a better future for people with disability who choose to live in shared arrangements.

Citation:

Rathbone, A., Dwyer, H., Winkler, D., Mulherin, P. (2023). Reimagining shared housing and living: Workshop findings and recommendations. Housing Hub

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December 2022

Co-designing with adults with acquired neurological disability in the community: a scoping review protocol

Description:

Co-designing healthcare research and health services is becoming increasingly prominent. Co-design invites people with disability to leverage their lived experience knowledge to improve service provision, as well as ensuring meaningful and relevant research. Given the emerging nature of the use of co-design with adults with neurological disability, well-defined guidelines on best practice are yet to be developed. The aim of this scoping review is to synthesise available peer-reviewed literature which investigates the use of co-design in research and/or service development with adults who have an acquired neurological disability and live within the community. The findings of this review will help to guide future co-design practice, ensuring people with acquired neurological disability are best supported and engaged in the process.

Citation:

D’Cruz, K., Antonopoulos, S., Rothman, R., Douglas, J., Winkler, D., & Oliver, S. (2022). Co-designing with adults with acquired neurological disability in the community: A scoping review protocol. BMJ Open.

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December 2022

“You’re supporting the whole person”: A grounded theory study of quality support according to close others of people with neurological disability

Description:

Close others of people with acquired neurological disability often play a key role in supporting their relative to get necessary support, and therefore have valuable insight into what facilitates quality support. Situated within a series of studies aiming to build a holistic model of quality support grounded in the lived experience of adults with acquired neurological disability, support workers and close others, this study explores the perspective of close others. The findings complement the perspective of people with disability and support the key notion of quality support honouring the person’s autonomy and highlight the need to raise accountability in the disability sector.

Citation:

Topping, M., Douglas, J., & Winkler, D. (2022). “You’re supporting the whole person”: A grounded theory study of quality support according to close others of people with neurological disability, Neuropsychological Rehabilitation

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December 2022

YPIRAC Factsheet

Tags: YPIRAC

Description:

There are 2,934 Australians with disability under 65 living in aged care. The government seems confident that its efforts to get them out will succeed, highlighting the 20% reduction in the number of YPIRAC in the past year. However, this falling number overlooks a grim reality: most YPIRAC do not leave aged care for a better housing situation.

The lower number of YPIRAC is mostly due to people either dying or remaining in aged care until they turn 65, and ‘ageing out’ of the cohort. Furthermore, over 30 younger people are still entering aged care every month. The inefficiencies at the health-disability interface mean it is still easier to discharge people from hospital to aged care than secure NDIS funding for housing.

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November 2022

“Let the people you’re supporting be how you learn”: a grounded theory study on quality support from the perspective of disability support workers

View the Research Summary

Description:

Quality disability support is fundamental to the lives of many adults with acquired neurological disability. However, little is known about the factors that influence the quality of paid support. This study is part of a larger project to develop a holistic understanding of quality support, grounded in the experience of people with acquired neurological disability, close others, and disability support workers. The current study focuses on the support worker perspective. This study found that critical to quality support is centring the needs and preferences of people with disability, improving support worker working conditions and supporting people with disability and support workers to build effective, balanced working relationships.

Citation:

Topping, M., Douglas, J., Winkler, D. (2022). “Let the people you’re supporting be how you learn”: A grounded theory study on quality support from the perspective of disability support workers. Disability and Rehabilitation

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November 2022

Getting the NDIS back on track – A survey of people with disability

Tags: NDIS, NDIS participant

Description:

The Summer Foundation, with the support of People with Disabilities Australia, conducted research into people with disability’s experience of the NDIS. The research was seeking to understand what works well in the NDIS, how it has made a difference to people’s lives and what they would change about the NDIS.

The research amplifies the voice of NDIS participants (and close others) and provides invaluable insight into the lived experience of dealing with the NDIS.

Key findings include:

The NDIS has transformed lives for the better and helped people achieve important life goals
There is a deep distrust and lack of confidence in the administration of the scheme
Many participants live in fear of their funding being cut due to policy change, miscommunication, or errors
Dealing with the NDIS is stressful and time consuming, and difficult to access

Citation:

Winkler, D., Brown, M., D’Cruz, K., Oliver, S., Mulherin, P. (2022). Getting the NDIS back on track: A survey of people with disability. Summer Foundation.

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November 2022

The healthcare needs and general practice utilization of people with acquired neurological disability and complex needs: A scoping review

Tags: complex support, disability support

Description:

For people with acquired neurological disabilities and complex needs, general practitioners (GPs) play an important role in health management and early intervention for the prevention of comorbidities and health complications. People with disability are a vulnerable group who need and have the right to, quality general practice services. It is therefore important to understand the health needs and service use of this group. The aim of this review was to identify the healthcare needs and general practice utilization of people with acquired neurological disabilities and complex needs.

This paper found that people with acquired neurological disabilities and complex needs were vulnerable to receiving suboptimal healthcare. The literature highlighted issues regarding the accessibility of services, the fragmentation of health services and inadequate preventative care. GPs were challenged to offer adequate disability‐related expertise and to meet the mental health needs of people with disability within time constraints.

Citation:

Oliver, S., Douglas, J., Winkler, D., Pearce, C., Minter, E., Jarman, H. K., and Topping, M. (2022). The healthcare needs and general practice utilization of people with acquired neurological disability and complex needs: A scoping review. Health Expectations

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October 2022

Specialist Disability Accommodation – Supply in Australia: October 2022

Description:

The government expects that by 2025 up to 30,000 NDIS participants with ‘extreme functional impairment’ or ‘very high support needs’ will be receiving funding for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA). Understanding the current and future supply of SDA housing is crucial for supporting the development of the SDA market.

This report, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) – Supply in Australia, is the fifth iteration of a national survey of SDA providers that aims to help inform stakeholders in the market.

Citation:

Wellecke, C., Robertson, J., Mulherin, P., Rathbone, A., Winkler, D., Rothman, R., & Aimers, N. (2022). Specialist Disability Accommodation Supply in Australia. October 2022. Housing Hub and Summer Foundation.

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October 2022

Providing an evidence base for Home and Living decisions – A survey of occupational therapists

Tags: disability support, NDIS participant, occupational therapist, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)

Description:

The Summer Foundation and Occupational Therapy Australia conducted a survey in July 2022 to explore the role of OTs in helping NDIS participants request SDA funding. The aim was to understand the functional assessment and report-writing process from the OT perspective and provide actionable insights to the NDIA.

Key Findings include:

Clear, concise and rigorous OT reports have the potential to help NDIS participants with the highest levels of needs secure adequate funding for housing and support, including funding for specialist disability accommodation (SDA)
However, there is currently very limited information about what evidence the NDIA needs from OT reports to make informed, timely and accurate decisions.
Occupational therapists need to know what the NDIA thinks a ‘good’ functional assessment report looks like to help NDIS participants provide evidence for Home and Living decisions.

Citation:

Winkler, D., D’Cruz, K., Minter, E., Mulherin, P. (2022). Providing an evidence base for Home and Living decisions: A survey of occupational therapists writing functional assessment reports for NDIS participants. Summer Foundation.

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October 2022

Survey of support coordinators – Essential features of support coordination assistance for pursuing home and living goals

Tags: support coordinator

Description:

The Summer Foundation and the Housing Hub work with hundreds of NDIS participants with complex needs who have goals related to housing. Many report difficulties accessing support coordinators who have the necessary depth of disability housing knowledge and skills. This results in limited opportunities for exploration of suitable housing that reflects participants’ preferences in living arrangement and supports.

Based on this, the Summer Foundation is exploring how support coordinators can improve the quality and consistency of guidance provided to NDIS participants seeking funding for home and living supports, including SDA. In July 2022 it conducted a survey of support coordinators who currently work with participants considering their housing options. Findings from this survey describe the essential features of support coordination enabling NDIS participants to make an informed choice and move into new housing.

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October 2022

‘What’s next?’ The journey from hospital to community engagement from the perspectives of adults following severe acquired brain injury: a scoping review protocol

Tags: community participation, disability support

Description:

Community integration and social participation remain a challenge for many individuals following acquired brain injury (ABI) and the transition from hospital to home is a complex journey. It is important to conceptualise this transition from the perspective of people with ABI, to inform future research with the overall aim of improving the experience of community re-engagement and maintaining important relationships within social networks. This article provides the protocol for a study that will review existing literature to support conceptualisation of community participation from those who have experienced the transition to the community following discharge from hospital.

Citation:

Currie, S., Douglas, J., and Winkler, D. (2022). ‘What’s next?’ The journey from hospital to community engagement from the perspectives of adults following severe acquired brain injury: A scoping review protocol. BMJ Open.

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September 2022

Younger people in residential aged care – Progress towards Government targets

Tags: residential aged care (RAC), YPIRAC

Description:

A nursing home is no place for someone under 65 to live. The government’s focus on the issue of younger people in residential aged care (YPIRAC) is welcome, but the problem isn’t solved yet.

According to new data, there are still 3,163 younger people in aged care, and on average they’ve been stuck there for 4.9 years. Another 30 people under 65 enter each month. Two government targets aiming to solve the problem are due in December, but meeting them can’t be taken for granted.

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August 2022

Summer Foundation – La Trobe University Research Program 2021/2022

Tags: accessible housing, disability support, hospital discharge, NDIS, YPIRAC

Description:

The Summer Foundation – La Trobe University Research Program is designed to understand the issue of young people in aged care. By researching the issues at each stage of the critical pathways that lead young people to aged care we can provide the evidence needed to create systems change that will solve this problem.

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August 2022

Development and preliminary evaluation of a novel participant-led video intervention to train disability support workers

Tags: community participation, complex support, disability support, NDIS participant, participant led videos, support worker

Description:

This paper describes the development and preliminary evaluation of a novel participant-led video (PLV) intervention to support people with disability (PWD) and cognitive and communication impairments to communicate their needs and preferences to their disability support workers. The PLV intervention was piloted with five primary participants with acquired brain injury and cognitive and communication impairments, five close other supporters and five facilitators. Analysis of interview data revealed the PLV to be a person-centred experience for primary participants that was structured around sense of self and included having a voice and taking control in directing their lives, personal growth through participation and feeling validated through the experience. The production and use of PLV training resources has much potential to improve the delivery of support and maximise support outcomes by enabling people with cognitive and communication impairments to have choice and control, set their own goals and direct their supports.

Citation:

Douglas, J., D’Cruz, K., Winkler, D., Topping, M., Bucolo, C., & Finis, C. (2022). Development and preliminary evaluation of a novel participant-led video intervention to train disability support workers. Health & Social Care in the Community, 00, 1–12.

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August 2022

Budgetary impacts of timely specialist disability accommodation payment approvals

Description:

The Summer Foundation presents a discussion paper about the importance of getting eligible NDIS participants into well designed, appropriate SDA in a timely manner.

Research indicates NDIS participants living in well-designed, appropriate SDA have improved health and well-being. Additionally, it has the potential to reduce overall costs to the NDIS, due to a reduction in the need for costly supports.

Currently delays in SDA funding are restricting the continued flow of participants into SDA and led to more than 1,000 NDIS participants stuck in hospital beds. This has presented a significant burden on the health system, especially during the pandemic.

Citation:

Winkler, D., & Rathbone, A. (2022). Budgetary impact of timely specialist disability accommodation payment approvals: Discussion paper. Summer Foundation.

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July 2022

“They treat you like a person, they ask you what you want”: a grounded theory study of quality paid disability support for adults with acquired neurological disability

You can read a summary here.

Description:

Support workers provide assistance across a range of activities, including daily and domestic living tasks, employment, housing and community participation. However, in Australia the support workforce is heavily casualised and under-trained, which can have negative impacts for people with disability. Furthermore, there is a lack of evidence on what constitutes ‘best practice’ in the area of disability support. New findings from interviews reveal the most important qualities of a ‘good’ support worker, which should be used to inform future policy and practice in the area.

Citation:

Topping, M., Douglas, J., & Winkler, D. (2022). “They treat you like a person, they ask you what you want”: A grounded theory study of quality paid disability support for adults with acquired neurological disability. Disability and Rehabilitation.

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June 2022

Effective housing and support models for people with Huntington’s disease – Report 1: Interviews with professionals

Tags: housing, residential aged care (RAC)

Description:

People with Huntington’s disease require high levels of specialised care in order for them to manage daily living tasks. Specialised housing for people with Huntington’s disease in Australia is limited. This is in part due to a lack of funding and in part due to a lack of appropriate facilities. For many people, this means that their only option is to live in residential aged care (RAC). Living in RAC is generally not appropriate given that the environment often has a lack of age-appropriate activities, and social interaction.

Citation:

Cubis, L., McDonald, S., Winkler, D., Douglas, J. (2022). Effective housing and support models for people with Huntington’s disease – Report 1: Interviews with professionals. Summer Foundation and La Trobe University.

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June 2022

Effective housing and support models for people with Huntington’s disease – Report 2: Interviews with close others

Tags: housing, residential aged care (RAC)

Description:

Citation:

Cubis, L., McDonald, S., Winkler, D., Douglas, J. (2022). Effective housing and support models for people with Huntington’s disease – Report 2: Interviews with close others. Summer Foundation and La Trobe University.

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June 2022

Specialist disability accommodation provider experience survey: June 2022

Tags: housing, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)

Description:

The report includes the results of the Housing Hub’s second annual SDA Provider Experience Survey. In total, 28 providers completed the survey. These providers have a total of 1,281 places for tenants in their 671 SDA dwellings. At the time of the survey, they had committed over $1.5 billion to build SDA, accounting for nearly half of the total value of the SDA market.

The report contains a detailed analysis of the survey results. It also includes a series of recommendations for the NDIA, to ensure its stewardship of the SDA market maximises positive outcomes for both participants and providers.

You can also read a Summary of the report here.

Citation:

Wellecke, C., Robertson, J., Mulherin, P., Winkler, D., & Rathbone, A. (2022). Specialist Disability Accommodation provider experience survey: June 2022. Housing Hub and Summer Foundation.

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May 2022

Housing Delayed and Denied: NDIA Decision-Making on specialist disability accommodation funding

Tags: housing, NDIS, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)

Description:

In the past year, an increasing number of people have received SDA funding decisions that were not aligned with their needs and preferences.

In order to understand and engage with the SDA decision-making and appeals process, the Housing Hub and the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) commenced a collaborative project in mid-2021, providing legal help to NDIS participants who are seeking reviews of SDA funding decisions at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). This new report presents our early findings.

Citation:

Skipsey, M., Winkler, D., Cohen, M., Mulherin, P., Rathbone, A., & Efstathiou, M. (2022). Housing delayed and denied: NDIA decision-making on Specialist Disability Accommodation. Public Interest Advocacy Centre and Housing Hub.

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May 2022

Evaluating the discharge planning process: Barriers, challenges, and facilitators of timely and effective discharge for people with disability and complex needs

Tags: hospital discharge

Description:

Improving the pathway from hospital to the community is the key to reducing the number of younger Australians stuck in hospital and/or discharged to residential aged care (RAC). This report presents preliminary findings from three studies initiated to explore and identify barriers, challenges and facilitators of timely and effective discharge for people with disability and complex needs.

You can read a summary of the report here.

View the poster here.

Citation:

Cubis, L., Ramme, R.A., Roseingrave, E., Minter, E., Winkler, D., & Douglas, J. (2022). Evaluating the discharge planning process: Barriers, challenges, and facilitators of timely and effective discharge for people with disability and complex needs. Summer Foundation and La Trobe University.

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May 2022

Making homes more accessible for people with mobility impairment: A lived experience perspective

Tags: accessible housing

Description:

People with mobility impairment have the right to live in accessible housing that meets their needs. Although the Australian National Construction Code for residential housing will be amended to include minimum accessibility standards in September 2022, some states have chosen not to adopt these standards (New South Wales, Western Australia and South Australia). The inclusion of people with lived experience in decisions surrounding accessible housing design is lacking. This study sought the perspective of people with mobility impairment on the most important modifications they would make to the design of their own homes, and the homes of their friends and family, to make them more accessible.

You can read a summary of the report here.

Citation:

Goodwin, I., Davis, E., Winkler, D., Douglas, J., Wellecke, C., D’Cruz, K., Mulherin, P., & Liddicoat, S. (2022). Making homes more accessible for people with mobility impairment: A lived experience perspective. Australian Journal of Social Issues.

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April 2022

Moving into new housing designed for people with disability: preliminary evaluation of outcomes

Tags: housing

Description:

This article presents initial findings of a national longitudinal study of the experiences of people who have moved into Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA). The study shows that disability housing built with tenant outcomes in mind improves independence, health, wellbeing and community integration.

You can also read a Summary here.

Citation:

Douglas, J., Winkler, D., Oliver, S., Liddicoat, S., & D’Cruz, K. (2022) Moving into new housing designed for people with disability: Preliminary evaluation of outcomes. Disability and Rehabilitation.

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March 2022

Tags: health system

Description:

The Million Dollar Vax (MDV) competition ran in October 2021 and aimed to increase the rate of COVID-19 vaccinations nationally. Its goal was to reduce the burden on Australia’s healthcare systems and reduce the risk of infection to the most vulnerable in the community including people with disability. The campaign targeted regions with low vaccination rates. Million Dollar Vax broke records with the highest number of unique entries over 4 weeks for any competition ever held in Australia. Australia saw a 9.8% increase in first dose vaccinations in October.

Following the end of the competition, IMI International was commissioned to understand the impact of the MDV on people’s attitudes and behaviours towards vaccination. The analysis found that MDV positively impacted the behaviours of Australians towards vaccinations, and were vaccinated sooner than they would have been otherwise, had MDV not existed.

Citation:

Million Dollar Vax campaign learnings – General population study: November 2021. Summer Foundation and IMI International.

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November 2021

Storytellers with lived experience strengthening opportunities for people with disability to live independently – Co-design project

Tags: housing, independence

Description:

Traditionally, people with disability have been co-located in shared living environments such as group homes and residential aged care, or with family when available. In the context of acquired disabilities, discharge pathways from
hospital to home can be challenging, with many people who have sustained a spinal cord injury or acquired brain injury being unable to return to their pre-injury homes, and finding themselves living in shared living environments.

The aim of this co-design project was to create a series of tools to build the capacity of people with disability to make informed decisions about housing options.

Citation:

D’Cruz, K., de Costa, M., Winkler, D. Douglas, J. (2021). Storytellers with lived experience strengthening opportunities for people with disability to live independently: A co-design project. Summer Foundation and La Trobe University.

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November 2021

Humanising brain injury rehabilitation: A qualitative study examining humanising approaches to engagement in the context of a storytelling advocacy programme

Description:

Building upon the findings of an earlier study that explored the experience and impact of narrative storytelling following acquired brain injury (ABI), this study sought to examine the engagement of storytelling facilitators with storytellers. Transcripts of in-depth interviews conducted with six storytelling facilitators were analysed drawing upon content analysis. The analysis included a process of mapping previously analysed data to a humanising values framework.

The findings of this study provide insights into how facilitators engaged in humanising practice within the context of a storytelling advocacy programme. The facilitator participants ranged in years of facilitation experience from 1 to 11 years, with a mix of professional backgrounds, including health care (3), journalism (1) and community development (2). Analysed facilitator data mapped to each of the eight dimensions of the framework (insiderness, agency, uniqueness, togetherness, sense-making, personal journey, sense of place and embodiment), with a breadth of codes represented in each dimension, revealing the depth of humanisation. This study extends our understanding of approaches to engagement with adults living with ABI, demonstrating the humanising potential of storytelling. Furthermore, the findings help us to think about what it means to be human, guiding us to find ways to better partner with and support adults living with brain injury.

Citation:

D’Cruz, K., Douglas, J., Serry, T. (2021). Humanising brain injury rehabilitation: A qualitative study examining humanising approaches to engagement in the context of a storytelling advocacy programme. Brain Impairment.

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November 2021

Specialist Disability Accommodation – Supply in Australia: November 2021

Tags: housing, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)

Description:

This report, Specialist disability accommodation (SDA) – Supply in Australia, is the fourth iteration of a national survey of SDA providers that aims to help inform stakeholders in the market.

You can view the previous editions of the SDA Supply Report through the links below:

Citation:

Aimers, N., Wellecke, C., Winkler, D., Rathbone, A., & Mulherin, P. (2021). Specialist Disability Accommodation – Supply in Australia: November 2021. Housing Hub and Summer Foundation.

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September 2021

Factors that influence the quality of paid disability support for adults with acquired neurological disability: Scoping review and preliminary interview findings

Description:

Theoretically, individualised funding schemes empower people with disability (PWD) to choose high quality support services in line with their needs and preferences. Given the importance of support, the aim of the scoping review and in-depth interviews was to understand the factors that influence the quality of paid disability support for adults with acquired neurological disability from the perspective of PWD, close others and disability support workers (DSWs). A comprehensive scoping review of the published literature from 2009-2019 was conducted on five databases. In-depth interviews were conducted with people with acquired neurological disabilities, close others and DSWs to obtain their perspective on what influences the quality of paid disability support.

Citation:

Topping, M., Douglas, J., Winkler, D., (2021). Factors that influence the quality of paid disability support for adults with acquired neurological disability scoping review and preliminary interview findings. Paper presented at the 6th Pacific Rim Conference of the International Neuropsychological Society, Australasian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment, and Australian Psychological Society’s College of Clinical Neuropsychologists.

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September 2021

Young people in residential aged care: Is Australia on track to meet its targets?

Tags: residential aged care (RAC), YPIRAC

Description:

Governments have long aimed to reduce admissions of young people to residential aged care (RAC), but in 2019, for the first time, the Australian Government adopted target dates for resolving the issue through the Younger People in Residential Aged Care Strategy. The targets include:

no people under the age of 65 entering residential aged care by 2022
no people under the age of 45 living in residential aged care by 2022
no people under the age of 65 living in residential aged care by 2025

This study drew on quarterly data from the National Aged Care Data Clearinghouse to examine progress toward these targets. It finds that significant progress was evident in terms of young people entering RAC, as admissions reduced each quarter between September 2018 and July 2020, halving over two years. However, no progress was evident in terms of young people leaving RAC for better arrangements, as the trend neither increased nor decreased. This paper discusses these trends and also prospects for achieving the Australian Government’s targets.

Citation:

Brown, M., Condi, A., Davis, E., Goodwin, I., Winkler, D., & Douglas, J. (2021). Young people in residential aged care: Is Australia on track to meet its targets? Australian Journal of Social Issues

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August 2021

Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) Investor Think Tank: Findings and Recommendations

Tags: accessible housing, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)

Description:

Thousands of Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) dwellings are needed to meet Australia’s accessible housing needs. Private investors play a significant role in funding the considerable build and refurbishment of housing that is needed.

This investment plays an important role in supporting the Australian Government’s vision for a market-based system and reduces the pressure on public funds.

Citation:

Madhavan, D., Mulherin, P., Winkler, D, (2021). Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) investor think tank: Findings and recommendations. Summer Foundation.

July 2021

Interim Report – Moving into new housing designed for people with disability: Evaluation of tenant outcomes

Tags: accessible housing, housing

Description:

The preliminary findings presented in this interim report examine the tenant outcomes of people with disability moving into SDA-funded apartments, with appropriate technology, support, design and location, in the 10+1 model. The overarching aim of the research project is to systematically evaluate individual outcomes of tenants moving to newly built, SDA-funded contemporary models of housing for people with disability over a 3-year period.

To date, this project has found that tenants have a greater level of community participation and are significantly more involved in household tasks such as meal preparation, shopping and electronic social networking post-move. There is also a positive trend towards improved social integration. These changes reflect the fact that tenants moving into SDA-funded apartments are more involved in everyday life compared to their pre-move living situation, suggesting that the 10+1 model better enables people with severe disabilities to fulfil their aspirations to live an ordinary life.

Citation:

Winkler, D., Douglas, J., Oliver, S., D’Cruz, K., Naismith, J., Minter, E., & Liddicoat, S. (2021). Interim report – Moving into new housing designed for people with disability: Evaluation of tenant outcomes. Summer Foundation and La Trobe University.

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May 2021

General Considerations for Conducting Online Qualitative Research and Practice Implications for Interviewing People with Acquired Brain Injury

Download the Preliminary Findings summary for this report.

Description:

This paper examines the existing literature and maps out the potential practical, ethical and methodological considerations when adapting research methods to an online environment, with suggestions for practice when working with adults with acquired brain injury (ABI). People with ABI experience a range of impairments likely to be impacted by the adaptation of interview methods to an online space. This paper discusses the benefits and challenges of conducting qualitative interviews online and maps out the key practical, ethical and methodological considerations for planning and conducting interviews. Being aware of the potential complexities with interviewing people with ABI online should enable researchers to plan strategies to overcome challenges accordingly. It is hoped that the guidance and suggestions offered in this paper will assist researchers to deliver best practice research while protecting the welfare of participants with ABI, and more generally.

Citation:

Topping, M., Douglas, J., & Winkler, D. (2021). General considerations for conducting online qualitative research and practice implications for interviewing people with acquired brain injury. International Journal of Qualitative Methods.

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May 2021

Housing Seeker Snapshot

Tags: accessible housing, housing

Description:

A new version of the Housing Hub website was launched in August 2020. On this new version of the Housing Hub, people with disability who are looking for a home – housing seekers – can provide data about their housing needs and preferences and the website can then identify properties listed that are a close match.

In this data snapshot, the Housing Hub is releasing data from housing seekers in a summarised way to inform the market. By doing this, the Housing Hub is working to ensure that the wants and needs of housing seekers are driving the market.

The Housing Hub intends to release this information every 6 months.

Citation:

Rathbone, A., Aimers, N., & Winkler, D. (2021). Housing seeker snapshot – May 2021. Housing Hub and Summer Foundation.

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March 2021

Study 2 – Accessible design, hospital discharge and ageing in place: A national survey of occupational therapists

Tags: accessible housing

Description:

This report is the second of two studies investigating accessible housing conducted through the Summer Foundation–La Trobe University research program, to inform decision-makers on incorporating minimum mandatory accessibility standards in the 2022 National Construction Code (NCC).

This study points to the inefficiencies of retrospectively modifying homes, rather than incorporating minimum accessibility features as standard in new homes.

Citation:

D’Cruz, K., Winkler, D., Douglas, J., Wellecke, C., Goodwin, I., & Davis, E. (2021). Study 2 – Accessible design, hospital discharge and ageing in place: A national survey of occupational therapists. Summer Foundation and La Trobe University.

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March 2021

Study 1 – Incorporating minimum accessibility standards in new housing: A survey of access consultants and-architects

Tags: accessible housing

Description:

This report is the first of two studies investigating accessible housing conducted through the Summer Foundation–La Trobe University research program. These reports provide an evidence base to inform decision-makers on incorporating minimum mandatory accessibility standards in the 2022 National Construction Code (NCC).

This study seeks the expert opinions of access consultants and architects on how expensive and complicated it would be for builders to incorporate specific accessible features into all new homes. It surveyed 24 access consultants and architects with expert knowledge of the Livable Housing Australia Design Guidelines.

Download the Preliminary Findings summary for this report.

Citation:

Winkler, D., Harvey, C., Davis, E., Goodwin, I., Wellecke, C., Douglas, J., & Mulherin, P. (2021). Study 1 – Incorporating minimum accessibility standards in new housing: A survey of access consultants and architects. Summer Foundation and La Trobe University.

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Young People in Residential Aged Care report cover

March 2021

Young People in Residential Aged Care in Australia, 2019 – 2020

Tags: residential aged care (RAC), YPIRAC

Description:

This report utilises the available administrative data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, and the NDIA to describe the characteristics and geographical distribution of young people in permanent residential aged care (RAC) in Australia in 2019-2020. It finds that as at 30 June 2020, 4,860 people under 65 years, including 130 people under 45 years, were living in permanent RAC. They accounted for 2.6% and 0.1%, respectively, of all residents in permanent RAC. The number of young people under 65 years residing in permanent RAC decreased by 13.3% compared to 12 months prior.

Citation:

Bishop, G.M., Mulherin, P., & Winkler, D. (2021). Young people in residential aged care in Australia, 2019-2020. Summer Foundation.

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February 2021

Audit of accessible features in new build houses plans

Tags: accessible housing, housing

Description:

This study audited 20 of the most popular house designs from Australia’s most active volume home builders. It found that many features of the Silver, Gold and Platinum levels of Livable Housing Australia’s (LHA) Livable Housing Design Guidelines are already incorporated into new dwellings produced by these builders.

Version 1.1 Updated February 2021.

Citation:

Winkler, D., Martel, A., Chen, Y., & Greaves, T. (2021). Audit of accessible features in new build house plans. Summer Foundation and the University of Melbourne.

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January 2021

Specialist Disability Accommodation Supply in Australia: January 2021

Tags: housing

Description:

This report provides a comprehensive summary of the current supply of Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) in Australia. A national survey of SDA providers and developers was undertaken in October-November 2020. This survey offers insights into the SDA pipeline across Australia in 2020, and combines the survey results with the data published by the NDIA to provide the market an estimate of the supply pipeline. This report also provides insights into the experience of SDA providers. This includes their views about the SDA market as a whole, as well as plans they may have to develop further SDA.

This is the third annual report of its type, building on previous work of the Summer Foundation and Social Ventures Australia. The data in this report results from a survey of SDA providers in October and November 2020.

Previous editions of this report can be downloaded below.

Specialist Disability Accommodation Supply in Australia: March 2020
Specialist Disability Accommodation Supply in Australia: March 2019

Citation:

Housing Hub and Summer Foundation (2021). Specialist Disability Accommodation supply in Australia: January 2021.

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December 2020

Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) explainer for investors

Tags: housing

Description:

Impact investment is gaining considerable momentum in Australia and is starting to engage mainstream investors, investment banks and super funds. Impact investments generate a positive and measurable social and/or environmental impact as well as a financial return for investors. One of the limiting factors for the growth of impact investment in Australia is the lack of products that have the capacity for investment at scale. The Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) market is well placed to leverage private capital. The aim of this report is to provide a plain language summary of the SDA market to support impact investors to make informed choices about SDA impact investment opportunities.

Citation:

Winkler, D., McLeod, J., Mulherin, P., Rathbone, A., & Ryan, M. (2020). Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) explainer for investors. Summer Foundation and JB Were.

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October 2020

Factors that influence the quality of paid support for adults with acquired neurological disability: Scoping review and thematic synthesis

Description:

This review aims to understand the factors that influence the quality of paid disability support for adults with acquired neurological disability. The findings provide insights to PWD hiring and managing support, and facilitate the delivery of quality disability support.

Citation:

Topping, M., Douglas, J., & Winkler, D. (2020). Factors that influence the quality of paid support for adults with acquired neurological disability: Scoping review and thematic synthesis. Disability and Rehabilitation.

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September 2020

A scoping review to explore the experiences and outcomes of younger people with disabilities in residential aged care facilities

Tags: YPIRAC

Description:

This review maps the literature on the experiences and outcomes of young people with disability who are placed in aged care, and highlights the negative outcomes young people experience while living in aged care.

Citation:

Oliver, S., Gosden-Kaye, E., Jarman, H,, Winkler. D., & Douglas. J, (2020). A scoping review to explore the experiences and outcomes of younger people with disabilities in residential aged care facilities. Brain Injury

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September 2020

Young people in residential aged care (2018-2019): A snapshot

Tags: YPIRAC

Description:

This report utilises available administrative data to describe the characteristics and geographical distribution of young people in permanent residential aged care (RAC) in Australia in 2018-2019.

Citation:

Bishop, G., Rinehart, N., & Winkler, D. (2020). Young people in residential aged care (2018-2019): A snapshot. Summer Foundation.

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September 2020

Smart home and communication technology for people with disability: A scoping review

Tags: assistive technology

Description:

This review explores the impact of smart home and communication technology on the outcomes of people with disabilities and complex needs. It finds that smart home and communication technology can improve outcomes for people living with disabilities and complex needs. However, a number of factors impact the successful implementation of technology, including personalization, flexibility and ongoing support to the person with a disability and their close others.

Citation:

Jamwal, R., Jarman, H., Roseingrave, E., Douglas, J., & Winkler, D. (2020). Smart home and communication technology for people with disability: A scoping review. Disability and Rehabilitation.

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July 2020

The outcomes of individualized housing for people with disability and complex needs: A scoping review

Tags: housing

Description:

This review determines what is currently known about outcomes associated with individualised housing for adults with disability and complex needs.

Citation:

Oliver, S., Gosden-Kaye, E., Winkler, D., & Douglas, J. (2020). The outcomes of individualized housing for people with disability and complex needs: A scoping review. Disability and Rehabilitation.

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July 2020

Young people in Australian residential aged care: Evaluating trends from 2008 to 2018

Tags: YPIRAC

Description:

This paper reports trends in the number of young people entering and exiting aged care. Many more young people are admitted to aged care each year than return to community living, with no sustained change between 2008 and 2018 at the national level.

Citation:

Brown, M., Bishop, G., Winkler, D., & Douglas, J. (2020). Young people in Australian residential aged care: Evaluating trends from 2008 to 2018. Australian Health Review.

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May 2020

Personal protective equipment needs of NDIS participants during COVID-19: Preliminary results

Description:

People with disability, especially those with underlying medical conditions, are disproportionately vulnerable during COVID-19. A national survey conducted in April 2020 obtained the perspective of 351 National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants on their personal protective equipment (PPE) needs. The 30 question survey was designed to inform a national strategy to source PPE and provide an accessible distribution pathway to NDIS participants.

Citation:

Winkler, D., Douglas, J., Rinehart, N., Jamwal, R., Bishop, G., & Jarman, H. (2020). Personal protective equipment needs of NDIS participants during COVID-19: Preliminary results. Summer Foundation.

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March 2020

Transitional housing and support in Australia for people with disability: Environmental scan

Tags: housing

Description:

Transitional services that bridge the gap between hospital and community can be effective in maximising the potential of people with disability and reducing admissions of young people to residential aged care (RAC). The purpose of this environmental scan was to scope current and recent transitional housing and support options suitable for people with disability and complex needs, and identify gaps in the system in order to provide an evidence base potential solutions.

Citation:

Winkler, D., Moore, S., Hilton, G., Bucolo, C., Mitsch, V., & Bishop, G. (2020). Transitional housing and support in Australia for people with disability: Environmental scan. Summer Foundation.

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March 2020

Specialist Disability Accommodation Supply in Australia: March 2020

Tags: housing

Description:

This report provides an update on the growth of Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) across Australia and the potential undersupply for SDA. It shares for the first time insights into current market sentiment and typical SDA management arrangements.

Citation:

Social Ventures Australia and Summer Foundation (2020). Specialist Disability Accommodation supply in Australia: March 2020.

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January 2020

Sharing stories of lived experience: A qualitative analysis of the intersection of experiences between storytellers with acquired brain injury and storytelling facilitators

Description:

Sharing stories of lived experience of disability presents an opportunity for meaningful occupational engagement, enabling social connectedness and contribution to society. This paper reports on the intersection of experiences between those sharing their story and those listening to the story.

Citation:

D’Cruz, K., Douglas, J., & Serry, T. (2020). Sharing stories of lived experience: A qualitative analysis of the intersection of experiences between storytellers with acquired brain injury and storytelling facilitators. British Journal of Occupational Therapy.

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December 2019

Understanding the factors that influence the quality of paid disability support for adults with acquired neurological disability and complex needs: A scoping review protocol

Description:

Adults with complex needs often require paid support to enable them to exercise choice and control and participate fully and effectively in society. Given support is so critical for this population, this review aims to further understand the factors that influence the quality of paid disability support for adults with acquired neurological disability and complex needs.

Citation:

Topping, M., Douglas, J., & Winkler, D. (2019). Understanding the factors that influence the quality of paid disability support for adults with acquired neurological disability and complex needs: A scoping review protocol. BMJ Open.

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August 2019

Young People in Residential Aged Care (2017-2018): A Snapshot

Tags: YPIRAC

Description:

This report utilises available administrative data to describe the characteristics and geographical distribution of young people in permanent residential aged care (RAC) in Australia in 2017-2018.

Citation:

Bishop, G., Zail, J., Bo’sher, L., & Winkler, D. (2019). Young people in residential aged care (2017-2018): A snapshot. Summer Foundation.

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March 2019

Specialist Disability Accommodation Supply in Australia: March 2019

Tags: housing

Description:

This report is the most comprehensive snapshot undertaken to date on how the market is responding to the opportunity to expand housing supply for people with disability. It highlights geographies and building types where the SDA market has had a strong early response, and shines a light on areas where SDA supply remains weak and needs more focus by providers and government.

Citation:

Social Ventures Australia and Summer Foundation (2019). Specialist Disability Accommodation supply in Australia: March 2019.

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March 2019

Narrative storytelling as both an advocacy tool and a therapeutic process

Description:

This paper focuses upon the experiences of eight adults with acquired brain injury who had participated in storytelling workshops facilitated by an advocacy organization. This study contributes to an emerging area of research and practice supporting positive identity growth following brain injury. The findings present substantial implications for goal setting and meaningful productive engagement in brain injury rehabilitation.

Citation:

D’Cruz, K., Douglas, K., & Serry, T. (2020). Narrative storytelling as both an advocacy tool and a therapeutic process. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation.

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January 2019

The use of electronic assistive technology for social networking by people with disability living in shared supported accommodation

Tags: assistive technology

Description:

This study examines the use of electronic assistive technology for social networking by people with disability living in shared supported accommodation (SSA), and compare participants’ Electronic Social Networking (ESN) integration with Australian ESN normative data.

Citation:

Jamwal, R., Enticott, J., Farnworth, L., Winkler, D., & Callaway, L. (2020). The use of electronic assistive technology for social networking by people with disability living in shared supported accommodation. Disability and Rehabilitation.

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June 2018

Hospital discharge planning for young people with complex disability: Literature review

Tags: hospital discharge

Description:

The aim of the discharge planning process is to improve the coordination of a person’s services post-discharge and reduce the likelihood of unplanned hospital re-admissions. This review sought to explore the current evidence base for hospital discharge planning for young adults (aged 18-64) with disability and complex support needs. Successful discharge planning for this group is complex and requires effective cooperation between health and disability services.

Citation:

Knox, L., Symmons, M., Douglas, J., Hilton, G., & Winkler, D. (2018). Hospital discharge planning for young people with complex disability: Literature review. Summer Foundation.

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March 2018

Specialist disability accommodation market insights

Description:

Knowing where Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) is required, what people’s needs and preferences are and insights into new SDA being built allow investors, SDA developers and housing providers to plan with confidence. This report is the result of a collaboration between SGS Economics, the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute and the Summer Foundation.

Citation:

SGS Economics & Planning and Summer Foundation (2018). Specialist Disability Accommodation market insights.

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March 2018

Evaluating the use of smart home technology by people with brain impairment: Protocol for a single-case experimental design

Tags: assistive technology

Description:

Smart home technologies are emerging as a useful component of support delivery for people with brain impairment. The objective of this paper is to present a systematic smart home technology training approach for people with brain impairment.

Citation:

Jamwal, R., Callaway, L., Winkler, D., Farnworth, L., & Tate, R. (2018). Evaluating the use of smart home technology by people with brain impairment: Protocol for a single-case experimental design. JMIR Research Protocols.

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Tags: community

Description:

The Community Integration Questionnaire is a tool used by researchers to gather information about how connected people are to their communities.

This paper revises the Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ-R), an instrument for assessing outcomes of rehabilitation after traumatic brain injury (TBI), including the goals of people living with the effects of TBI.

The Summer Foundation has produced a video that explains how to use our CIQ-R. You can also download the scoring guidelines.

Please complete this order form if you would like a hard copy of this resource.

Citation:

Callaway, L., Winkler, D., Tippett, A., Migliorini, C., Herd, N., & Willer, B. (2014). The Community Integration Questionnaire – Revised. Summer Foundation.

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June 2012

Accommodation outcomes and transitions following community-based intervention for individuals with acquired brain injury

Tags: housing

Description:

This article explores the living situation, support and participation outcomes of people with severe acquired brain injury residing in either home-like or disability-specific accommodation settings, who were provided with 3 years of occupational therapy intervention based on the Community Approach to Participation

Citation:

Sloan, S., Callaway, L., Winkler, D., McKinley, K., & Ziino, C. (2012). Accommodation outcomes and transitions following community-based intervention for individuals with acquired brain injury. Brain Impairment.

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June 2012

The Victorian younger people in residential aged care initiative: Evaluation of quality of life outcomes

Tags: YPIRAC

Description:

This evaluation of quality of life outcomes for Victorian YPIRAC participants demonstrated improvements in quality of life for the majority of service users as well as their family members. This evaluation involved interviews with 68 people with disabilities who had received YPIRAC services.

Citation:

Winkler, D., Holgate, N., Sloan, S., & Callaway, L. (2012). The Victorian younger people in residential aged care initiative: Evaluation of quality of life outcomes. Summer Foundation.

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August 2011

Young people in aged care: Progress of the current national program

Tags: YPIRAC

Description:

This paper examines the progress and effect of the current 5-year $244 million national Young People in Residential Aged Care program on the reduction of young people in aged care. It highlights the challenges of achieving a long-term reduction in the number of young people in residential aged care, including the challenge of achieving systemic change to prevent new admissions.

Citation:

Winkler, D., Farnworth, L., Sloan, S., & Brown, T. (2011). Young people in aged care: Progress of the current national program. Australian Health Review.

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January 2011

Moving from aged care facilities to community-based accommodation: Outcomes and environmental factors

Tags: housing

Description:

The objective of the current study is to explore the transition experiences of young people with acquired brain injury who have lived in aged care facilities and moved into community-based settings.

Citation:

Winkler, D., Farnworth, L., Sloan, S., & Brown, T. (2011). Moving from aged care facilities to community-based accommodation: Outcomes and environmental factors. Brain Injury.

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December 2010

People under 50 with acquired brain injury living in residential aged care

Tags: YPIRAC

Description:

The aim of this article is to describe the characteristics, needs and preferences of people under 50 with an acquired brain injury living in residential aged care in Victoria and examine implications for service development.

Citation:

Winkler, D., Sloan, S., & Callaway, L. (2010). People under 50 with acquired brain injury living in residential aged care. Brain Impairment.

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December 2010

Comparison of people with ABI living in two accommodation settings: Shared supported accommodation and residential aged care

Tags: housing

Description:

The aims of this article are twofold: (1) to describe the characteristics, support needs and level of community inclusion of people with an acquired brain injury living in shared supported accommodation in Victoria and (2) to compare the characteristics, support needs, social contact, community integration and leisure participation of this group with a group of people with ABI under 50 years old living in RAC reported in a previous study.

Citation:

Winkler, D., Farnworth, L., Sloan, S., Brown, T., & Callaway, L. (2010). Comparison of people with ABI living in two accommodation settings: Shared supported accommodation and residential aged care. Brain Impairment.

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December 2009

The community approach to participation: Outcomes following acquired brain injury intervention

Description:

This study investigates the participation outcomes of individuals with severe acquired brain injury (ABI) who were provided with up to 12 months of intervention based on the Community Approach to Participation (CAP).

Citation:

Sloan, S., Callaway, L., Winkler, D., McKinley, K., Ziino, C., & Anson, K. (2009). The community approach to participation: Outcomes following acquired brain injury intervention. Brain Impairment.

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December 2009

Changes in care and support needs following community-based intervention for individuals with acquired brain injury

Description:

This article examines the care and support and participation outcomes for individuals with severe acquired brain injury provided with three consecutive years of Community Approach to Participation (CAP) intervention.

Citation:

Sloan, S., Callaway, L., Winkler, D., McKinley, K., Ziino, C., & Anson, K. (2009). Changes in care and support needs following community-based intervention for individuals with acquired brain injury. Brain Impairment

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December 2007

Long-term outcomes following traumatic brain injury

Description:

This paper aims to investigate care needs, functional outcome, role participation and community integration approximately nine years following severe brain injury. It also aims to gain an understanding of the ongoing cost of care and support needs for this group.

Citation:

Sloan, S., Winkler, D., and Anson, K. (2007). Long-term outcomes following traumatic brain injury. Brain Impairment

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December 2007

Long-term accommodation and support for people with higher levels of challenging behaviour

Tags: housing

Description:

The purpose of the present article is to describe the issues associated with providing lifelong accommodation and support to people with severe brain injury, neurobehavioural disability, and overt challenging behaviours. In particular, the article focuses on two groups of people within an Australian context: (a) those who live in community settings but whose behaviour is not adequately managed even by specialist outreach behaviour management services, and (b) those who are confined to aged care residential facilities and who show challenging behaviour.

Citation:

Kelly, G., and Winkler, D. (2007). Long-term accommodation and support for people with higher levels of challenging behaviour. Brain Impairment

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January 2007

Younger people in residential aged care: Support needs, preferences and future directions

Tags: YPIRAC

Description:

As part of the my future my choice initiative in Victoria, people less than 50 years of age living in RAC were offered an individualised planning and assessment process to assist them and their family or key others to consider their specific healthcare and accommodation needs, aspirations and other important lifestyle factors. It provided an opportunity to explore options and consider models of care to best meet each individual’s needs and preferences.

Citation:

Winkler, D., Sloan, S., & Callaway, L. (2007). Younger people in residential aged care: Support needs, preferences and future directions. Summer Foundation.

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February 2006

People under 60 living in aged care facilities in Victoria

Tags: YPIRAC

Description:

This article describes the characteristics of people under 60 years of age living in residential aged care in Victoria and examines the occupational participation of younger residents in aged care facilities by measuring their social contact, participation in recreation and community access.

Citation:

Winkler, D., Farnworth, L., & Sloan, S. (2006). People under 60 living in aged care facilities in Victoria. Australian Health Review.

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January 2006

Factors that lead to successful community integration following severe traumatic brain injury

Description:

This article aims to assess and identify predictive factors of community integration of people 3 to 15 years after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). It finds that interventions that minimize challenging behavior and disability may make a significant difference to the level of community integration experienced by people with severe TBI.

Citation:

Winkler, D., Unsworth, C., Sloan, S. (2006). Factors that lead to successful community integration following severe traumatic brain injury. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation

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August 2005

Maintaining and developing friendships following severe traumatic brain injury: Principles of occupational therapy practice

Description:

This paper explores the role of occpational therapists, and describes principles of practice, in supporting and fostering friendships following traumatic brain injury.

Citation:

Callaway, L., Sloan, S., & Winkler, D. (2005). Maintaining and developing friendships following severe traumatic brain injury: Principles of occupational therapy practice. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal

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April 2005

Time use following a severe traumatic brain injury

Description:

The aim of this study was to compare the time use of 37 people more than three years post injury with time use in the general Australian population. This time use study was part of a broader research project, which examined community integration and factors that lead to successful community integration. The results of this study were that the TBI sample spent less time in employment related activities and more time on personal care than the general population.

Citation:

Winkler, D., Unsworth, C., & Sloan, S. (2005). Time use following a severe traumatic brain injury. Journal of Occupational Science

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May 2004

Community integration following severe traumatic brain injury: Outcomes and best practice