Our mission is to improve the lives of people with intellectual disability. We do this by creating and sharing knowledge and evidence, and developing the best approaches and inclusive practices.
CDS believes all people with intellectual disability should live autonomous lives. They should make their own choices, and be engaged with, and valued by, their communities and wider society.
CDS has an active research program focused on different aspects of living with intellectual disability. These projects are carried out to provide advice to disability organisations and government, and to advance knowledge in the sector.
uni 2 beyond supports people with an intellectual disability to study courses for interest and take part in university life.
Learn new skills, make new friends, plan your future.
The Instrument for the Classification and Assessment of Support Needs (I-CAN) has been designed to assess and guide support delivery for people with a disability, including mental illness. Find out why the I-CAN tool would be a good choice for your business.
Read more about the wide range of work CDS has been doing to improve the lives of people with disability:
CDS Executive Director Mary-Ann O’Donovan recently spoke at the Mercy Foundation Forum on Housing. She spoke about the negative impacts that the current housing and homelessness system is having […]
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This video is an animation that explains what Australian universities and Australian government need to do to make sure people with Intellectual Disability are included at university. The video is […]
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CDS is excited to announce that 2023 is our 25th Anniversary! Throughout the year we will be hosting a variety of events in collaboration with people with lived experience of […]
Read moreThe Centre for Disability Studies is committed to the inclusion of people with disability in all aspects of our work.
One important way we do this is through our Inclusive Research Network (IRN). This is a group of people with intellectual disabilities who work as co-researchers alongside other CDS staff. The IRN has completed a wide range of projects. Currently they are co-designing and conducting a major Australian Research Council study, which will investigate how effectively the NDIS is supporting people with intellectual disabilites. The IRN can also provide consultation services to government, businesses, and service providers.
Find out more about the Inclusive Research Network, if you are interested either in joining as a researcher, or hiring their services for your organisation.
CDS is a non-profit organisation that relies entirely on grants and donations to continue its important and life-changing work. You can play a vital role by supporting a CDS project of your choosing.
