Research
CLIENT: DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS
Disability Compensation and Rehabilitation Study
This was a major project to investigate the nature of 'disability' in the 21st century and how it is dealt with both in military and broader contexts around the world. It was conducted in four stages. The first stages investigated existing literature internationally around how 'disability' is currently defined and perceived, as well as introducing the concept of 'wellness'. Stages 3 and 4 built on the first two stages by investigating ways to deal with disability in a constructive manner and suggesting a range of approaches directed more to successful rehabilitation and reintegration than on simply providing monetary compensation. This involved consultation with disability and rehabilitation experts and examining different schemes in Australia, Canada, the USA, UK and New Zealand.
WestWood Spice is currently carrying out further research into the most appropriate service models for people, service personnel and veterans who are seriously injured or wounded.
CLIENT: NATIONAL RELAY SERVICE OUTREACH
Awareness and Acceptance Study
As part of its ongoing contract with the Australian Government to increase awareness and acceptance of the NRS amongst users and potential users, WestWood Spice has conducted extensive research into levels of awareness and acceptance of the service by various user groups. This has involved surveys, interviews and focus groups.
Click here for a PDF giving more details of this project.
CLIENT: CITY OF SYDNEY
Inclusion Study and Disability Action Plan
WestWood Spice conducted an Inclusion (Access and Equity Needs) Study for the City of Sydney in preparation for the development of a revised Disability Action Plan 2007-10. This involved a stock-take and analysis of strategies and outcomes which were in place to support the inclusion of people with a disability in the City and the extent to which the previous Disability Action Plan had been implemented. Assisted by an Inclusion Advisory Group which involved external stakeholders, including residents with a disability and disability organisations, a new draft Action Plan was prepared for the City. This was then used by the City as the foundation for further wider scale community consultation and plan finalisation.
A follow-up project in 2011 reviewed internal decision-making within the City to assess its disability-inclusiveness and made a number of recommendations for improvements.
CLIENT: HOUSING NSW
Connecting Older Tenants Project
In 2011 WestWood Spice conducted an evaluation of the success of the Tenant Connect Service - a service which Housing NSW contracted the Australian Red Cross to deliver for a four year period. Key priorities of the service were to establish older persons' precincts in major housing developments to strengthen social networks and reduce isolation, and improve older tenants' access to support services. Nine pilot projects were evaluated, each of which had a number of discrete activities and range of outlet locations. Examination of project self-evaluation documents and reports, telephone interviews with key project and funder personnel was undertaken as well as the conduct of a half-day workshop to discuss findings to date and receive input from a number of 'expert' informants. The draft final report was presented four weeks after the tender was awarded.
Click here for a PDF giving more details of this project.
CLIENT: FaHCSIA
Indigenous Communities Baseline Mapping
WestWood Spice was engaged to conduct research to provide an overview of government investments in 29 Indigenous communities across Australia and to assess the extent to which the services and infrastructure were comparable to non-Indigenous communities of similar location, size and needs. The service areas were recreation and culture, social security and welfare, employment services, transport services, youth services and emergency services. In carrying out this project we:
- Recognised that a tailored approach to each state and region would be needed.
- Dedicated a consultant to each state in order to explore state-based program and regional issues.
- Provided an important baseline snapshot of specified services in 29 remote communities.
- Drew summary conclusions about matters which influence the baseline picture.