Imagine an inclusive future where everyone belongs. A world where disability is not a barrier
More than one billion people worldwide—including 40% of Australians—live with a disabling impairment or chronic condition.
Of all the modern challenges facing humankind, creating a just, inclusive and equitable future for those living with disability is arguably one of the greatest.
To tackle this challenge, Griffith University has established Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability, an interdisciplinary alliance of people with disability, researchers, designers and educators, as well as health and social services providers, industry and government bodies.
Inclusive Futures seeks to deliver innovative solutions and shape policy to improve quality of life—through sport and recreation, education and work, and communities that promote health, wellbeing and social connection.
We aim to work with people with disability to create products, services and places focused on reducing impairment and increasing participation in a reimagined, inclusive society.
Sustainable Development Goals
Griffith University is aligned with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and is committed to advancing knowledge, innovation, and practices that promote holistic health and well-being.
Griffith University Disability Scholars Research Scholarship
Support for HDR students with a disability
Our Focus
We focus on disability across the lifespan, taking a “cell to community” approach to health and wellbeing. We unite efforts from all sectors and fields of research to reach new ways of reducing impairment, increasing participation and building better responses to disability.
Our work is underpinned by the core United Nations principle of ‘leave no-one behind’ and guided by the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We give special focus to the places where people with disability:
- LIVE (a home for life)—supporting healthy, safe, affordable and accessible urban environments, housing and transport systems.
- WORK (pathways to employment)—creating sustainable employment, leadership opportunities and access to education.
- PLAY (active and engaged citizens)—promoting inclusive sport and recreation, including participation and performance in competitive sport in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games.
Voice of Queenslanders with Disability Initiative
If you’re a person with disability, a family member or carer of a person with a disability, part of a disability service, or a member of a peak or advocacy organisation relating to disability, we want to hear from you.
Featured projects
Our researchers work to create a more inclusive society in a range of ways, from breaking new ground in healthcare and rehabilitation to creating more accessible public transport networks and improving social opportunities and participation.
What if the answer for spinal cord injury is in our noses?
The Spinal Injury Project brings together scientists, engineers, medical doctors, veterinarians and educators to develop an olfactory cell therapy for spinal cord injury.
What if we could use an avatar to overcome paralysis?
BioSpine is about revolutionising rehabilitation. Using a digital twin, people with spinal cord injury are able to bypass the injury so the brain can send messages to the muscles again without the spine, enabling movement.
What if ballet could help with brain injury?
Ballet for Brain Injury is an inclusive dance program to improve coordination, memory and socialisation, as well as physical fitness.
What if people with disability led public transport design?
The Transport Design project focuses on understanding the intersection of travel and dignity, including the importance of transparent information, training and accessibility.
Inclusivity in Play: Inaugural innovation pitch
14 November 2022
Southport Sharks
Australians love the great outdoors but 4.4 million Aussies living with a disability don’t have easy or ready access to our beaches, parks or sports fields. But together, we’re going to change that. We're looking for solutions with dignity and practicability that will work. We're listening, collaborating and learning.
Latest news
Griffith celebrates investment in women on International Women’s Day 2024
08 Mar 2024
Griffith celebrates International Women’s Day recognising the diversity of women, their...
Griffith Alumnus journey with MS, graduation success and scoring the perfect job
28 Nov 2023
Managing multiple sclerosis, Griffith University Alumnus Gavin Jackson persevered to achieve a...
Griffith Design Café is revolutionising access through co-design
28 Nov 2023
The Design Cafe co-design initiative invited participants with disability to work alongside...
Griffith launches the Deaf Space to support increasing community of Deaf...
11 Oct 2023
The Griffith University Deaf Space has launched with a dedicated, deaf-friendly, safe study and...
Latest news
Thinktank to increase disability access to sport, recreation and tourism
In an Australian first initiative, Griffith convened close to 100 experts from a variety of sectors, knowledge backgrounds and experiences to co-create solutions that will increase participation and access to sport, recreation and tourism for Queenslanders with disability.
The Dignity Project—Eureka Prize finalist
Find out about the Dignity Project team's crucial work, which saw them named as finalists in the 2022 Department of Industry, Science, and Resources Eureka Prize for Innovation in Citizen Science.
Read more about the Dignity Project, 2022 Eureka Prize finalists
Interpreters: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Dr Riona Tindal, the senior disability adviser for Student Disability and Accessibility at Griffith, explores the highs and lows of working with—and speaking through—Auslan interpreters.
Read more about Interpreters: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly.
Building Inclusive Communities for All
Cathy Easte, the manager of Student Disability and Accessibility at Griffith, outlines some key issues faced by the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community as part of the National Week of Deaf People.
Co-Designing Better Solutions
Creating Inclusive Futures requires collaboration with people who have lived experience of disability. Our research is driven by a panel of researchers with disability who are experts in managing the impact of disability and sharing their experience about living with disability to improve the future for everyone.
Contact us
Please contact us if you have any questions about Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability.