Supporting selfdetermination of people with intellectual disabilities to improve outcomes in health and education
The problem
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More than 450,000 Australians have intellectual disabilities , yet there remain significant health and education inequities . People with intellectual disabilities have more than twice the rate of avoidable deaths , twice the rate of emergency department and hospital admissions , and higher rates of physical and mental health conditions . A lack of accessible resources and the use of noninclusive language provide additional barriers to equity .
Our solution
Working in partnership with people with intellectual disabilities empowers them to self-advocate and make a difference in society , says Professor Iva Strnadová . It also teaches researchers how to accessibly and respectfully engage with people with intellectual disabilities and make a difference in their lives .
Iva Strnadová is an expert in special education and disability studies . Her inclusive research improves the life experiences of people with intellectual disabilities . She works with Julie Loblinzk , a researcher with an intellectual disability , lifetime self-advocate , and Adjunct Lecturer at UNSW ’ s School of Education to support the self-determination of people with intellectual disabilities .
They are collaborating on the GeneEQUAL research project , and developing a suite of accessible genomic counselling resources
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Members of the GeneEQUAL team including Jackie Boyle , Julie Loblinzk , Skie Sarfaraz , Iva Strnadová and Elizabeth Emma Palmer . Photo : Russell Wheatley .