The Centre for Research into Disability and Society

The Centre for Research into Disability and Society strives to initiate and support research that has a positive impact on the lives of people with disabilities, their families and the community at large. The Centre aims to:

Contribute to the creation of healthy, inclusive societies.
Find innovative solutions to real world problems.

The Centre does this through:

Working and researching cooperatively with partners, in particular, people with disability and their families.
Encouraging and supporting cross-sector and multi-disciplinary approaches to research and problem solving within the disability and rehabilitation sectors.
Recognition of our place in the Asia-Pacific rim with an emphasis on cultural understanding and diversity.

Key Research Themes

Key research themes create a critical mass of researchers with complementary expertise and provide academics, community agencies and research students with a forum for critical evaluation and innovation. We welcome the involvement of individuals and groups who share similar interests and research aspirations. The CRDS aims to:

Develop a critical mass of researchers and higher degree by research (HDR) students in the each Research Group's focus.
Promote effective innovation in policies and practice.
Secure support for the Research Group's research and development activity.

For more information, contact Professor Tanya L. Packer, Director of the Centre on +61 8 9266-3621 or by email to T.Packer@curtin.edu.au.

Research Theme 1 - Enhancing Capacities in Children and Families

Promoting positive mental health outcomes and the development of coping capacity for all families and children; development of citizenship capacity; preparing children for mainstream education; effects of information and computer technology on school and workplace performance.

You can find out about our research groups and key contacts in each of these groups through the links below.

Research Theme 2 - Activity Participation and Inclusive Communities

Strategies to enhance activity participation at all levels and the creation of inclusive communities; self-management of chronic illness and disability; accessible tourism and travel opportunities for people with disabilities; the impact of corporations as social mechanisms influencing health.

You can find out about our research groups and key contacts in each of these groups through the links below.