People with Disability Australia and Inclusion Australia are partnering with University of Sydney researchers in new research on the experiences of people with disability subject to restrictive practices.
Restrictive practices include forms of physical and chemical restraint and seclusion. The use of restrictive practices is at odds with several human rights treaties but restrictive practices are routinely used within disability services in Australia.
The Disability Royal Commission heard significant evidence about the use of restrictive practices and the harm they can cause. However, there remains limited research that examines how people with disability themselves experience restrictive practices and the effects they can have across a person’s life. Funded by the National Disability Research Partnership, this new research will help build that evidence base by directly exploring the experiences and impacts of restrictive practices from the perspective of people with disability.
‘People with an intellectual disability are the group most affected by restrictive practices in Australian disability services’ said Maeve Kennedy, CEO, Inclusion Australia. ‘The Disability Royal Commission made clear that restrictive practices can have a profound impact on people’s rights, wellbeing and inclusion. This important new research helps ensure the experiences of people subjected to restrictive practices are heard and better understood, and reinforces the need for meaningful action on the Royal Commission’s recommendations.’
‘Restrictive Practices are routinely used on people with disability, yet we still know too little about their impact on people’s lives,’ said Megan Spindler-Smith, CEO, People with Disability Australia. ‘This research will centre the experiences of people with disability who have been subject to these practices and strengthen the evidence for how we eliminate them.’
‘Restrictive practices are at odds with our human rights obligations, including under the UN Convention Against Torture,’ said Associate Professor Human Rights and Socio-legal Studies, Dinesh Wadiwel. ‘This research will provide crucial evidence to ensure that we can meet our obligations to uphold the rights of people with disability.’
Associate Professor Social Work and Policy, Emma Tseris, added that ‘there is growing research that restrictive practices generate harm and trauma. This new research will help build the case for much needed policy reform.’
NDRP CEO Mary Sayers said “Australia is going through a significant period of disability reform, and investing in co-designed research is an urgent national priority to inform this change.”
“Research is stronger and more relevant when people with disability help set its direction, make decisions and lead the work,” Ms Sayers said.
The results of this new research study are anticipated to be released in late 2027.
ENDS
Partner organisations
- People with Disability Australia
- Inclusion Australia
- University of Sydney
This research is funded by the National Disability Research Partnership through a grant from the Australian Government as an initiative under Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031.
Learn more about NDRP’s 2026 Funded Research Teams.
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