Projects which address these areas of need within our communities are able to significantly improve overall wellbeing and efficacy of often-marginalised individuals. Additionally, they aim to establish frameworks and systems which allow those in need to become self-sufficient and better able to cope with the world around them.
Disability and social services
This selection of CEGS projects has contributed toward addressing the following UN Sustainable Development Goals.
3 – Good Health and Wellbeing
4 – Quality Education
8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth
10 – Reduced Inequalities
11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities
12 – Responsible Consumption and Production
16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
17 – Partnerships for the Goals
Giving Voice to the Voiceless
UOW project leader
Dr Shoshana Dreyfus, Senior Lecturer, School of Humanities and Social Enquiry, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities.
Community partners
Mr Edward Birt, Chief Operating Officer, The Disability Trust, Ms Taryn Bracken, Senior Practitioner, The Disability Trust, Mr James Finn, Recreation Policy and Planning Officer, Wollongong City Council.
Brief
This project will deploy nonverbal communication methodologies to use with young adults with severe intellectual disabilities who are functionally nonverbal (SID/FNV) in order to be able to conduct stakeholder engagement with them. People with SID/FNV are rarely consulted in program development because of their inability to communicate. This project aims to give them a voice when they are not usually consulted.
In partnership with Wollongong City Council (WCC), this project will conduct stakeholder consultation in order to build an all abilities/all ages playground within the Wollongong area. Additionally, a toolkit will be produced enabling future consultations with SID/FNV people so that other groups such as councils, non-government organisations and individuals can use it to consult with this most marginalised group.
This project is working towards the following UN Sustainable Development Goals four, eight, 10, 11 and 16.
Facilitating the Voice and Self-determination of Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum
UOW project leader
Dr Amanda Webster, Senior Lecturer, School of Education, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities.
Community partners
Australian Autism Asperger’s Network and The Disability Trust.
Brief
Currently, adults on the Autism Spectrum generally achieve poor outcomes as they transition to adulthood. Without the ability to express themselves properly – their preferences, needs, and decisions – the many barriers these young people face often stop them from truly expressing their voice. This project is facilitating a collaboration between UOW, The Disability Trust and the Australian Autism Asperger’s Network to identify current challenges and strategies that will help adults on the autism spectrum to express their voice and self-advocate as they move into adulthood. The project will ascertain the perspectives of adults on the autism spectrum, as well as staff working with them, in a post-school transition program about the ways individuals on the autism spectrum are empowered to have a voice in their own decision-making, the challenges they face, and the support they need for success in adult life.
This project is working towards the following UN Sustainable Development Goals three, four, 10, 11 and 16.
Autism Friendly Communities
UOW project leader
Dr Sim Lau, Senior Lecturer, School of Computing & Information Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences.
UOW partner, Dr Pippa Burns, Lecturer, School of Medicine, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health.
Community partners
Corrimal Chamber of Commerce, ASPECT South Coast School and Autism Spectrum Australia
Brief
Autism is a life-long condition that impacts the social, communication and sensory abilities of one in 63 Australian school children. This project worked with business owners as well as individuals with autism to develop an audit tool which enables business owners to create more accessible environments for members of the Wollongong Community.
This project is working towards the following UN Sustainable Development Goals three, eight, 10 and 12.
Mentoring Network for Parent Advocacy
UOW project leader
Dr Amanda Webster, Senior Lecturer, School of Education, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities.
UOW partners, Dr Amy Conley Wright, Senior Honorary Fellow, Early Start and Dr Jane Warren, Lecturer, School of Education, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities.
Community partners
Noah’s Shoalhaven and Autism Education Services.
Brief
Parents of children with additional needs often have to advocate for their children to ensure that they receive the best and most appropriate care and education. In order to support parents, this project has developed and implemented a program to establish a community network of parent advocacy mentors.
This project is working towards the following UN Sustainable Development Goals three, four, eight, 10, 11 and 16.
Developing Online Resources and Videos for a Multi-sensory Room
UOW project leader
Dr Sim Lau, Senior Lecturer, School of Computing and Information Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences.
UOW partners - Dr Rose Dixon, Associate Professor, School of Education, Dr Pippa Burns, Lecturer, School of Medicine, Dr Andrea Garner and Ms Allison Cameron.
Community partner
CareWays Community Inc.
Brief
Multi-sensory rooms offer controlled environments to promote intellectual activity or encourage relaxation and can be modified to benefit those with disabilities or dementia. Online resources are now accessible to community organisations and families who are considering developing a multi-sensory room.
This project is working towards the following UN Sustainable Development Goals three, four, 10 and 11.
InCuisine: An Inclusive Dining Experience
UOW project leader
Mr Shawn Burns, School of the Arts, English and Media, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities.
UOW partners - Ms Jo Stirling, Lecturer School of the Arts, English and Media, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, Associate Professor Karen Walton, Associate Dean Education, Faciulty of Science, Medicine and Health and Dr Lyn Phillipson, Principal Research Fellow, School of Health and Society, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities.
Community partners
Shoalhaven Business Chamber, IRT, FOCAS Shoalhaven Centre for Health and Community Engagement.
Brief
InCuisine has created the foundation for devising an inclusive dining culture in the Shoalhaven. It has given profile to the voices of those with disabilities, created a report on their (perceived) barriers to eat in local restaurants, and communicated with restaurants in the area in order to create more inclusive dining experiences.
This project is working towards the following UN Sustainable Development Goals three, 10, 11 and 16.