5 October, 2023
About the project
This research project was commissioned by Down Syndrome Australia to explore the impact of its ‘Inclusive Communication: Improving Health Outcomes for People with Down syndrome’ program between 2020 and 2022. This research assesses the outcomes for Health Ambassadors (people with Down syndrome) and for the health sector workforce and documents the ingredients of the Health Ambassador model that contribute to these impacts.
The ‘Inclusive Communication’ program aims to educate health care workers and students about Down syndrome, intellectual disability, and inclusive communication. It has a novel design in that it utilises a team of people with Down syndrome, known as ‘Health Ambassadors’ (HAs), who are employed as trainers and advisors to build the capacity of the health sector workforce. Based across all States and Territories, this group delivers training to tertiary students studying in diverse health fields and health professionals already employed in the health sector, and undertakes a range of broader advocacy focused activities.
The evaluation found that The ‘Inclusive Communication’ program had several key impacts. For Health Ambassadors the role provided personal development opportunities, a sense of purpose, a real job and a new network of colleagues with which to share experiences. For health professionals who attended a presentation or event, there was a high level of engagement and learning and a willingness to alter practice to be more inclusive of people with intellectual disability.
Read the report
The report was complied by the Centre for Social Impact, Swinburne University of Technology.
This project was commissioned by Down Syndrome Australia and conducted by the Centre for Social Impact Swinburne.
Down Syndrome Australia receives funding from the Department of Social Services, Information, Linkages and Capacity Building Grant for the project: ‘Inclusive Communication: Improving Health Outcomes for People with Down syndrome’.