National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health

18/03/2026

The Health Matters! Art Competition prompted individuals with intellectual disability to create art that represents what matter most to them in healthcare.

All entries have contributed to the development of the Centre’s Co-Designed National Research Priorities report - set to launch in May 2026.

From over 60 artists that submitted artwork, there was one People's Choice Winner: Simi Gninisberg.

You can view the full Health Matters! Art exhibition and watch this video here https://artspaces.kunstmatrix.com/en/exhibition/15090737/health-matters-art-competition

17/03/2026

This is a positive step for inclusive healthcare.

New Medicare items started on 1 March that allows GPs, prescribed medical practitioners and nurse practitioners to support patients during a video consultation with a specialist.

For people with intellectual disability, having a trusted clinician in the room can make telehealth appointments far more accessible and effective.

This change could be particularly valuable when connecting with specialist services such as intellectual disability health teams or psychiatrists - especially for people in rural and regional communities.

This was announced in the 2025 Federal Budget and is a welcome reform to improve access to care.

Learn more: https://www.mbsonline.gov.au/internet/mbsonline/publishing.nsf/Content/news-260301.

13/03/2026

The Health Matters! Art Competition prompted individuals with intellectual disability to create art that represents what matter most to them in healthcare.

All entries have contributed to the development of the Centre’s Co-Designed National Research Priorities report - set to launch in May 2026.

From over 60 artists that submitted artwork, we had two 3rd prize winners: Holly Walton and Ty Hardin. Congratulations!

You can view the full Health Matters! Art exhibition here: https://artspaces.kunstmatrix.com/en/exhibition/15090737/health-matters-art-competition?fbclid=IwY2xjawQgQVBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFvNkdIZTJkaTZVeFlXTkpac3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHik5YUPBU1wk7PbPGhllGAWMG1LrbtV4XmBpF1maB-ziyubpRhdG47h2Sr3i_aem_mSIhe0aJVswLsrnl7qkhlQ

11/03/2026

Intellectual disability representative organisations are leading the call for better health care

An important part of our work at the Centre is to provide direct support to Disability Representative Organisations (DROs) who are advocating for better health care for people with intellectual disability.

Over the past year, we have partnered with intellectual disability representative organisations in states and territories around the country, supporting information exchange, public and member consultations, awareness‑raising and campaigning efforts.

A highlight was working with Developmental Disability WA, including CEO Mary Butterworth and DDWA members in Western Australia.

DDWA continues to be a powerful voice for better health care and for stronger training in intellectual disability health for all health professionals in WA. Because better training leads to better care.

You can find out more about our Building Capacity in Advocacy Project here: https://nceidh.org.au/advocacy-capacity-building

You can watch the full interview with Mary Butterworth here: https://youtu.be/p5YRACQvoX8

Council for Intellectual Disability

11/03/2026

10/03/2026

March 8 was International Women’s Day - a reminder that health equity still matters.

Reproductive and sexual health care is a key part of overall health and wellbeing. But too often, people with intellectual disability face barriers when trying to access the care they need.

In our latest podcast episode, Understanding and Advancing Health Care for Women with Intellectual Disability, we talk about why this matters - and how health professionals can help make care more accessible, respectful and inclusive.

Featuring:

- Professor Deborah Bateson, from Sydney Medical School at The University of Sydney a clinician, researcher and advocate with more than 20 years’ experience in sexual and reproductive health.

- Melinda Brown, self-advocate and Inclusion Advisor at the South Australian Council on Intellectual Disability.

It’s an important conversation about rights, respect and better health care for everyone.

Listen to the episode now: https://nceidh.org.au/resources

09/03/2026

The Health Matters! Art Competition prompted individuals with intellectual disability to create art that represents what matter most to them in healthcare.

All entries have contributed to the development of the Centre’s Co-Designed National Research Priorities report - set to launch in May 2026.

From over 60 artists that submitted artwork, Roslyn Gear received the 2nd prize. Congratulations!

"I feel that pets are a member of the family, but they also contribute within the community.
Pets provide companionship in places like hospitals and nursing homes. When people are really sick, or very old, they can have many health problems. For example: Being diagnosed with cancer or other health problems.
People with intellectual disabilities also experience many health problems.

"As a person with intellectual disabilities, I find love and companionship with my dogs. This is why I wanted to create an artwork about pet therapy. I feel inspired as a dog owner, because my dogs provide companionship, and are good for my overall health."

You can view the Health Matters! Art exhibition here: https://artspaces.kunstmatrix.com/en/exhibition/15090737/health-matters-art-competition?fbclid=IwY2xjawQcOYpleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE1Mkl2WjdoYncxMGl4QmRBc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHrn7dF4gM7Q36LaT3fwkjmJhkqeZPtGgL-ws9YrpTPkiec2h9oTAT1LTF6QX_aem_VJLJS_8PWOF2sqOI2VtZ4A

05/03/2026

The Health Matters! Art Competition prompted individuals with intellectual disability to create art that represents what matter most to them in healthcare.

All entries have contributed to the development of the Centre’s Co-Designed National Research Priorities report - set to launch in May 2026.

From over 60 artists that submitted artwork, Crystal Dowling received the 1st prize. Congratulations!

"My artwork is about Maladaptive daydreaming, it is a thing that creates a excessive immersive fantasy life that is compulsive and disrupts daily functioning. It acts as a unhealthy coping mechanism whenever it is from stress, trauma or personal emotional needs. It is common for those who have disabilities like ADHD, Autism, depressions and anxieties.

I think that Maladaptive daydreaming in a mental health sense matters most because it is not often talked about or even acknowledged. Usually in today's society Maladaptive daydreaming is brushed to the side as a "Oh but that's normal" kind of sense.”

You can view the Health Matters! Art exhibition here: https://artspaces.kunstmatrix.com/en/exhibition/15090737/health-matters-art-competition.

02/03/2026

Last Thursday, the Centre hosted the Health Matters! Art Competition prize ceremony, celebrating more than 60 powerful artworks created by people with intellectual disability from across Australia.

The art competition invited people with intellectual disability to create art that represents what matters most to them in health care.

All entries have contributed to the development of the Centre’s Co-Designed National Research Priorities report - set to launch in May 2026.

A big congratulations to our 2026 winners:

1st Prize: Crystal Dowling – Maladaptive Daydreaming

2nd Prize: Roslyn Gear – Pet Therapy

3rd Prize: Ty Hardin – NOT A NUMBER & Holly Walton – Amongst the Bush

Thanks also to our incredible judging panel Suzy Dunne, Niki Read, Digby Webster, Lauren Kerjan, Dean Walsh and Gabrielle Mordy.

As Associate Professor Mary‑Ann O’Donovan said on the night, “We were overjoyed with the response to the art competition. It not only demonstrates the diverse talents of people with intellectual disability across Australia, but shows ways in which we can be fully inclusive of people with intellectual disability with different communication needs".

We’ll be sharing the winning artworks over the coming weeks, and you can also explore the full online exhibition here: https://artspaces.kunstmatrix.com/en/exhibition/15090737/health-matters-art-competition.

Centre for Disability Studies
studio A

27/02/2026

This is a very powerful interview.

Jackson’s story is, unfortunately, not unique.

It is however, a real example of why we urgently need safer, more accessible health care for people with intellectual disability.

The South Australian Council on Intellectual Disability team are pushing hard for change in the lead up to their state election. You can find out more and join the campaign at https://sacid.org.au/health-action-now/

📣Health Action Now!
Jackson’s story highlights why South Australia can’t afford another term of inaction on health care for people with intellectual disability.

Jackson’s mum, Kirsty, joined SACID Executive Director Felicity Crowther on ABC Radio to speak about the urgent need for safer, more accessible health care for people with intellectual disability.

The upcoming election is a chance for real reform.

Listen to the full interview at 25.20 here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/adelaide-mornings/mornings/106345872

See more Health Action Now! Campaign information on the SACID website here - https://sacid.org.au/health-action-now/

National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health

25/02/2026

The shocking - and preventable - death of Stewart Kelly is a heartbreaking reminder that our health system is still failing people with intellectual disability.

An Ombudsman investigation found staff at a Queensland Hospital lacked adequate training to manage the complex needs associated with his neurodevelopmental condition.

As Scientia Professor Julian Trollor from the National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health explains in this interview, this case reflects broader systemic problems in healthcare - and highlights why urgent reform is needed.

Our thoughts remain with Stewart Kelly’s family and friends.

23/02/2026

SACID's Health Action Now campaign calls on all parties to commit strong action and change towards better health care for people with intellectual disability in the upcoming State Election.

You can support the campaign by liking and sharing on social media and, if you live in South Australia, talking to community members and your local MP about why Health Action Now matters to you.