Opportunities and contributions: Examining opportunities that young people with disability and young carers (aged 12-24) value and access and contributions they make to families, communities and society
Project Details
Funding partner
Australian Research Council Discovery (DP230100288)
Timeframe
2022-2027
Publications
Parkinson, A., Arciuli, J., Emerson, E., Robinson, S., Chance, S., & Redmond, G. (2026). Has inequality faced by young Australians with disability changed since the turn of the century? Australian Journal of Social Issues. http://doi.org/10.1002/ajs4.70120
Resources
An easy-read resource for this project is not currently available.
See this webpage for a summary of the project:
Team
DCI researchers
Dr Sally Chance
Flinders University researchers
Professor Gerry Redmond
Professor Joanne Arciuli
Research partners
University of Lancaster - Emeritus Professor Eric Emerson
Purple Orange - Dr Ellen Fraser-Barbour, Madde Mackenzie, James Norman
Summary
One in five young people accesses disability support at school. One in ten provides care for ill or disabled family members. Most research on young people with disability and young carers has focused on their support needs, but this project is examining their positive engagement in education, employment, caregiving, volunteering and other forms of active citizenship.
1. In-depth qualitative research to identify what young people with disability and young carers perceive as a fulfilling, productive and responsible life, the opportunities they value, and the contributions they aspire to make.
2. Analysis of large-scale survey data to assess trends in the opportunities accessed and contributions made by young people with disability and young carers to family, community and societal wellbeing since 2000, taking into account more recent effects of covid-19.
3. Engagement with policymakers and policy instruments to analyse the role of policy in supporting access to opportunities and contributions valued by young people with disability and young carers and identify steps for policy to support young people in leading fulfilling, productive and responsible lives.
Impact
Benefits include evidence for a strengths-based policy approach to disability and care.