Monash University has announced a new Disability Wellbeing Index, designed to better measure how people with disabilities are doing
Here’s the lowdown from AusBiz..
Backed by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), this Index tool is set to help shape better services and guide disability policy nationwide.
After four years of development through a multi-phase research project in consultation with more than 3,500 Australians with disability, their families, carers, and support networks, Monash University’s Centre for Health Economics launched the new Disability Wellbeing Index (DWI).
The DWI measures wellbeing across 10 key life domains including health, safety, relationships, personal care, meaningful activities, finances, learning and support, then grouped into 14 specific groups. The index assesses outcomes for adults and young people, aged 15 years or older.
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Professor Gang Chen, lead researcher and expert from Monash’s Centre for Health Economics, said the Index can be used to help measure the impact of disability services. This includes the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and other agency services, measuring impact in a way that is meaningful for all people with disability.
“Measuring wellbeing through the DWI over time will help the NDIA, providers and other agencies improve services for people with disability,” Professor Chen said.
Built by and for people with disability
What sets the DWI apart is that people with disability directly shaped its development using a preference-based scoring system. Nearly 2,000 NDIS participants contributed to the survey that helped determine the Index’s final measures.
“This is the first time a wellbeing index has been built from the ground up by and for people with disability,” said Professor Dennis Petrie, a health inequities researcher from Monash University’s Centre for Health Economics and co-author of the project.
“It captures what really matters to the participants, not just what systems think should matter. This will enable smarter, more compassionate investments in disability services and supports,” Professor Petrie said.
To calculate each person’s wellbeing score, they used responses to a short questionnaire that individuals could complete either independently or with support. The questionnaire included statements like ‘I am satisfied with my mental health,’ ‘I have enough money to meet my needs,’ and ‘I am satisfied with how people treat me,’ providing a personal snapshot of daily life experiences.”
A total of 1,983 NDIS participants (1,470 adults and 513 young people) completed the final valuation survey which informed the weighting and scoring of the index.
Valuable data in practice
Targeted insight is crucial for a sector that has long been difficult to evaluate in a meaningful way. The NDIS is a major social reform, but measuring its impact—especially on participant wellbeing—has remained challenging.
Professor Anthony Harris, co-author of this research and expert from Monash’s Centre for Health Economics, said the DWI was designed to measure the performance of services and supports delivered to people with a disability. The goal of the index is to promote services that perform better, and allow participants to make better choices.
“Ultimately if adopted as a routine measure of performance by providers we hope that it will lead to better support for people with a disability, and improved value for money as investment shifts to services that contribute more to wellbeing,” Professor Harris said.
Inclusive communication
The team recognised the diverse communication needs of people with disability. To find a solution, they partnered with the Victorian Advocacy League for Individuals with Disability (VALID). Together, they developed an Easy English version of the DWI questionnaire.
This accessible format aims to help as many people as possible use the tool. It supports those with intellectual disability or limited literacy.
Fionn Skiotis, CEO at VALID, said they were proud to support the Easy Read version of the DWI.
“This ensures people with diverse communication needs can use the tool, express what matters to them, and be counted. Making the DWI more inclusive means it can better reflect the experiences and wellbeing of all people with disability,” Mr Skiotis said.
The introduction of the Disability Wellbeing Index marks a significant advancement in Australia’s approach to disability services. By centering the lived experiences of people with disability, it provides a push for continuous improvement and accountability.
This collaborative effort between universities, advocacy groups, and government agencies signals a shift toward more person-centred and evidence-based policy making.
To read the full Disability Wellbeing Index report, please visit: http://www.dwi.org.au
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