Welcome to the Applied Research Centre for Disability & Wellbeing

The Applied Research Centre for Disability and Wellbeing (ARCDW) is a collaborative partnership between academics and practitioners. Although the need to translate research into practice has always been recognised by researchers and practitioners, recently there has been growing interest in collaborations where this intention is explicit.

We are delighted to have two leading institutions from the spheres of research and practice come together to forge the partnership that has created the ARCDW – the University of Tasmania and the Possability Group are our initial strategic partners. The work of the ARCDW, focusing specifically on issues relevant to the lives of adults with intellectual or cognitive disability, will make a significant contribution to advancing knowledge and understanding in this field. We have embarked on an ambitious endeavour with a broad canvas of possible spheres of focus, including justice, health and social care, support systems, shared decision-making and communication.

We recognise that collaborative approaches are important in the study of complex phenomena, and that high level skills are required to ensure support and build trust. The ARCDW is committed to active and authentic engagement with stakeholders and have a number of mechanisms in place to assist meet this commitment, including seeking input from several advisory groups. We welcome affiliations with researchers and organisations involved in the sector who share our commitment to high quality research that is aimed to lead to improved life outcomes for adults with intellectual or cognitive disability.

Julie Rimes
Chair