News release

From: Flinders University

New website to prevent Everyday Harm for people with disability

Everyday harm refers to the small, often subtle moments in support relationships that can leave people with disability feeling unheard, disrespected or hurt. These everyday interactions often accumulate over time and have real impact on people’s wellbeing and sense of safety.

To help achieve a reduction in everyday harm for people with disability, Flinders University and a cohesive group of 10 other industry and community partner organisations is launching a new website –  www.everydayharm.org.au – which contains resources and training materials that can be accessed by people with disability, families and their supporters, but also industry, employers and general members of the community.

“Sometimes people think everyday harm is not worth mentioning because it happens often. But everyday harm is serious, and undermines people’s confidence, wellbeing and sense of safety. We can take steps to prevent and address it,” says Professor Sally Robinson from Flinders University’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

The project, supported by an Australian Research Council Linkage Grant (LP210200536), shares accessible outputs from a Australian Research Council project ‘Working Together: preventing and repairing everyday harm against people with disability’.

“This project has been a true collaboration,” says Professor Robinson. “Led from Flinders University in partnership with UNSW Sydney, we’ve worked closely with people with disability, support workers, service providers and organisations across the country.”

As the Matthew Flinders Professor of Disability and Community Inclusion, Professor Robinson worked closely with the large research group to collate relevant website materials that are practical, grounded and informed by lived experience.

“These resources aim to help recognise, prevent, and respond to everyday harm in ways that strengthen trust and relationships, and make support safer,” says Professor Robinson. “This project reflects what is possible when research, lived experience, and sector expertise come together.”

Professor Robinson directs particular thanks go to Inclusion Solutions, Inclusion WA and Avivo for their design work and co-production of the website, which is drawing praise for its practicality and easy-to-use navigation.

* The new website and resource library can be accessed at www.everydayharm.org.au