An online government survey is looking for ways to improve the education of students in the health professions by giving them more knowledge and experience of people with intellectual disability.  

The survey, from the Department of Health and Aged Care, is asking disability organisations how they might help educators involve people with intellectual disability, their families and carers in the design of health education. It also asks about possible student placements with providers who support people with intellectual disability.  

Answers in the survey will help the department, working with the University of New South Wales, to develop a co-education toolkit for teaching students in the health professions. It will become part of the Intellectual Disability Health Capability Framework that sets out the core skills and knowledge that professionals need to give top-quality healthcare to people with intellectual disability.         

Organisations that work with people with intellectual disability, whether providing support services or advocacy, can take the online survey, which closes on Wednesday 4 September. It takes just twenty minutes and only one person from each organisation need complete it.  

If you have any questions or comments, please contact Claire Eagleson, Project Manager, at c.eagleson@unsw.edu.au.