UTS is committed to impact-driven research that helps shape the world we live in, working in partnerships that deliver new innovations in disability services and technologies. 

Our way of working

The UTS Disability Research Network works collaboratively with people with disability and industry partners to develop new interdisciplinary knowledge and to drive change for a better, more inclusive society. 

We use a collaborative and partnership-based approach to research, drawing on diverse expertise across UTS and in the disability community to achieve high-quality outcomes that lead to direct and tangible impacts on people’s lives.   

The UTS Disability Research Network  addresses present-day and future challenges by 

  • Listening to and working with people with disability in a co-creation approach  
  • Engaging meaningfully with industry partners to drive development and change 
  • Designing tailored research teams of excellence that can address specific, real-world problems in a collaborative way 

Let us know how we can help your community. [email protected]

Our approach

The work of the UTS Disability Research Network is guided by the following guiding principles.

  • Partnership: We work in partnership with people with disability and the disability sector
  • Engagement: We draw on the expertise within the disability community, working dynamically to achieve optimal outcomes
  • Evidence: We value rigour in research that informs evidence-based policy and practice
  • Ethical action: Our work is ethical, action-oriented and impact-focused
  • Capacity building: We seek to build educational and employment opportunities in research, teaching and engagement for people with disability

Our research themes

Researchers right across UTS contribute expertise in support of projects in disability research. They have experience working together, often in unique ways, bringing a transdisciplinary approach to important questions.

Their expertise underpins four major, intersecting themes in the Network’s research agenda where we believe UTS can help drive transformative outcomes for people with disability and their community.

Inclusion and Social Participation

Our research on the social inclusion of people with disability is founded in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the National Disability Strategy.

UTS has a long and established record of research considering accessibility of transport, built environment, information communication technologies, education, employment, the workplace, business innovation, political life through advocacy, the arts, sport and tourism.

See our project disability entrepreneurship in Australia as an example of this in practice.

Social Justice, Diversity and Equity

Research projects in this area focus on transforming law, policy and practice to achieve just and fair access to disability services and health and justice systems. The aim is to facilitate community-wide shifts in attitudes towards people with disability, and to improve the broader social, political and economic status of people with disability. UTS has research strengths in gender equality law, migration and refugee law and policy, elder and dementia law, along with Indigenous knowledges, law and nation-building.

See our project on creating safe and just futures for people living with dementia in residential aged care.

Health and Wellbeing

Our research reflects a bio-psycho-social model of disability, recognising that disability arises from the interaction of many factors including the person’s health conditions, their environment, their activities and participation in society, and a wide range of personal factors. Necessarily, this research spans both the disability and the health sectors, looking for solutions in the intersection to reduce gaps and inequities and improve health-related quality of life, participation, and inclusion.

See our project on visualising vulnerabilities as an example this in practice.

Enabling Technologies

This research provides a strong focus on developing and implementing new enabling assistive technologies to enhance all areas of life, including mobility, communication, self-care, employment and education. The focus is on human-centred co-design of technologies that are safe, usable and effective.

This includes consideration of both mainstream and assistive technologies and how these can be implemented effectively across a range of settings to improve the lives of people with disability.

See how we supported the use of assistive robotic technology in aged care.

 

Talk to us about

  • Collaborative research - We are excited to discuss how we can support you with our research expertise - from contract research for an urgent need to long term planning for collaborative research.
  • Tapping into UTS resources - Working with UTS can also be support to access UTS resources - UTS Library, UTS Rapido  (hardware and software prototyping), Social Impact Toolbox, UTS Shopfront (probono student projects).
  • Learning and development  - Try courses on UTS Open to enhance your skills, or customise learning experiences for your community or team at PLUS UTS Business Futures.
  • Engaging with our students - Guest lectures, student projects, and internships are just some of the ways you can work with UTS students.

Register for our mailing list to find out more about the UTS Disability Research Network.