Curtin University researchers are seeking participants for a study into the health of adults with an intellectual disability and how that can be improved.
Professor Errol Cocks, Chief Investigator from the Centre for Research into Disability and Society, said the study will look at the health of people with an intellectual disability and what is being done to help them to get healthy and stay healthy.
“The primary aim of this study is to determine whether the poor health experienced by people with disabilities in other countries around the world is also an issue for Western Australians,” Professor Cocks said.
“We are asking adults with an intellectual disability to simply talk to us about their health and lifestyle habits. There are no medical tests involved.
“We are also seeking participation from family members, carers, or advocates who can speak on behalf of adults with intellectual disability.
“It is important we get the views and experiences of a wide range of adults with an intellectual disability to accurately identify any health inequalities in that population and work to improve the health of people with disabilities.
“The results from this study will be used as the basis for a future project developing health promotions targeted at reducing the identified health inequities.”
The data collected will be compared against results from other countries to map worldwide issues.
The study has been approved by the Curtin University Human Research Ethics Committee and is supported by the Disability Services Commission, the Mental Health Commission, National Disability Services, the Developmental Disabilities Council, and national and international experts in health and intellectual disability.
To find out more about the study, or to take part, please contact Dr Allyson Thomson, Curtin Research Associate from the School of Occupational Therapy and Social Work, on (08) 9266 3601 or via Allyson.Thomson@curtin.edu.au.
Interviews will commence in early 2013 and finish in March 2013.
