A Cognitive And Neuroimaging Study Of Exceptionally Old Individuals: Sydney Centenarian Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$857,197.00
Summary
Australia has an ageing society. Individuals over the age of 95 years are the fastest growing proportion of this population. Many of these individuals retain good cognitive function. The Sydney Centenarian Study will recruit all individuals 95 and over in 7 local government areas in Sydney to assess their brain function to determine which cognitive faculties are more or less affected, and how this relates to changes on brain scans. This will be related to neuropathology.
Quality and outcomes of individual supported living arrangements for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This project identifies service quality aspects contributing to positive outcomes in individual supported living arrangements that enable adults with developmental disabilities to live in their own homes. 150 arrangements will be evaluated across Western Australia, New South Wales and Victoria, providing evidence of service quality in support of people with disability hav ....Quality and outcomes of individual supported living arrangements for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This project identifies service quality aspects contributing to positive outcomes in individual supported living arrangements that enable adults with developmental disabilities to live in their own homes. 150 arrangements will be evaluated across Western Australia, New South Wales and Victoria, providing evidence of service quality in support of people with disability having choice and control in their living arrangements.Read moreRead less
Social outcomes, behaviour and emotional well-being of adults with autism. It is recognised that autism results in substantial life-long disability. Severe emotional and behavioural problems are likely to be a key factor in precluding adults with autism from work, independent living, social contact, and undermine their quality of life, thus increasing support needs. This project aims to address a major gap in our current knowledge - the association between severe emotional and behavioural proble ....Social outcomes, behaviour and emotional well-being of adults with autism. It is recognised that autism results in substantial life-long disability. Severe emotional and behavioural problems are likely to be a key factor in precluding adults with autism from work, independent living, social contact, and undermine their quality of life, thus increasing support needs. This project aims to address a major gap in our current knowledge - the association between severe emotional and behavioural problems in adults with autism and social outcomes. Identification of markers of adult outcomes aims to lead to an improved understanding of the pathways to better social outcomes, facilitating the development of specific interventions to provide much needed improvements in outcomes for adults with autism.Read moreRead less
Disability and the performing arts in Australia. Disability and the performing arts in Australia. This project aims to explore how the creative and aesthetic value of contemporary Australian disability theatre, dance and live performance can enhance the social and economic benefits of art-making. There has been little recognition of how performing artists with disability contribute to Australian cultural life. This project will map the field of current practice, develop inclusive models for coll ....Disability and the performing arts in Australia. Disability and the performing arts in Australia. This project aims to explore how the creative and aesthetic value of contemporary Australian disability theatre, dance and live performance can enhance the social and economic benefits of art-making. There has been little recognition of how performing artists with disability contribute to Australian cultural life. This project will map the field of current practice, develop inclusive models for collaborating with artists with a disability, and design a set of accessible examples of creative innovation for use by artists, the disability community and cultural policymakers. This project is expected to result in increased critical recognition, employment and funding opportunities for artists with a disability.Read moreRead less
The Economic And Social Impacts Of Genetic Sequencing For Intellectual Disability
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,263,576.00
Summary
In this project we will quantify the social and financial costs to families of severe intellectual disability that is genetic in origin. We will assess these impacts in terms of poorer carer health, relationship breakdown, lost income and risk of poverty, as well as increased dependence on government, particularly on welfare payments, and reduced personal income tax paid. We will then determine the extent to which modern clinical genomics can contribute to ameliorating these impacts.
The efficacy of models for educational service delivery for students with autism spectrum disorders. This project will evaluate the effectiveness of two models of support (Satellite Class and Consultative model) for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in regular schools. This research has significant potential to provide insight into the best ways of supporting children with ASD and improving their educational outcomes.
How schools make decisions about supporting students with disability. How schools make decisions about supporting students with disability. This project aims to examine how schools decide about adjustments for students with disability. More students with disability are enrolled in mainstream schools, and schools take decisions about resourcing to support them. Little is known about how schools make these decisions and data suggest an over-reliance on teacher assistants. This project will develop ....How schools make decisions about supporting students with disability. How schools make decisions about supporting students with disability. This project aims to examine how schools decide about adjustments for students with disability. More students with disability are enrolled in mainstream schools, and schools take decisions about resourcing to support them. Little is known about how schools make these decisions and data suggest an over-reliance on teacher assistants. This project will develop and evaluate a pilot professional learning package to support schools to make better decisions will be developed and evaluated. A better understanding of decision-making processes is expected to help schools make optimal, cost-effective decisions that personalise learning and support.Read moreRead less
Using 3D printing to improve access to graphics by vision-impaired people. This project aims to investigate the possible benefits of 3D printing for production of accessible materials for vision-impaired people. Currently tactile graphics are used to provide severely vision-impaired adults and children with access to graphical content used in education and in orientation and mobility training. This project is expected to clarify the kinds of graphics for which 3D prints are better suited than ta ....Using 3D printing to improve access to graphics by vision-impaired people. This project aims to investigate the possible benefits of 3D printing for production of accessible materials for vision-impaired people. Currently tactile graphics are used to provide severely vision-impaired adults and children with access to graphical content used in education and in orientation and mobility training. This project is expected to clarify the kinds of graphics for which 3D prints are better suited than tactile graphics, and to build capacity within the national accessible format provision sector for the production and use of 3D prints. Benefits will include increased educational opportunities and quality of life for Australians with severe vision impairment, through improved access to graphic materials used in education and orientation and mobility training.
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Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140100443
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$395,220.00
Summary
Tweet Reach: Using Twitter to Increase Information Exchange in People with Communication Disabilities. With as many as seven per cent of Australians having a physical and/or communication disability and being disenfranchised from information, Twitter offers a valuable form of social media allowing short segments of text communication that bypasses impaired speech. This project will evaluate the impact of training designed to increase the use of Twitter for information exchange in people who have ....Tweet Reach: Using Twitter to Increase Information Exchange in People with Communication Disabilities. With as many as seven per cent of Australians having a physical and/or communication disability and being disenfranchised from information, Twitter offers a valuable form of social media allowing short segments of text communication that bypasses impaired speech. This project will evaluate the impact of training designed to increase the use of Twitter for information exchange in people who have little or no speech and who need information for better inclusion, empowerment and evidence-informed decision-making. Outcomes will inform policies and practices in training vulnerable populations to use social media for increased information exchange and will promote inclusion of all people with disabilities in social media campaigns.Read moreRead less
An Australasian, Multi-centre, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial Of The Efficacy Of Fluoxetine In Improving Functional Recovery After Acute Stroke
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,306,367.00
Summary
Stroke is one of the top three causes of disability. Treatments that improve recovery after stroke are lacking. We reviewed the world literature and found a number of very small studies which, together, suggest that the antidepressant drug, fluoxetine, may improve the recovery in stroke patients. AFFINITY is a large trial in 1600 Australians and New Zealanders with stroke which aims to find out whether taking fluoxetine for 6 months after a stroke improves recovery compared to a placebo.