Centre for Disability Studies

What Centre for Disability Studies does

The Centre for Disability Studies (CDS) is a non-profit organisation affiliated with the Sydney School of Health Sciences at the University of Sydney, established in 1997 to improve the lives of people with intellectual disability through evidence-based research, clinical services and inclusive education. It operates from the Susan Wakil Health Building at the University of Sydney and runs a Complex Care Service clinic at Strathfield, delivering multidisciplinary health assessments and support needs assessments for adults with intellectual disability and complex needs.

Its core product is I-CAN (Instrument for the Classification and Assessment of Support Needs), a proprietary online assessment tool aligned to the World Health Organization ICF framework across 12 domains, now in version 6 (launched 2022) and licensed to assessors through paid accreditation. CDS complements I-CAN with the uni 2 beyond inclusive university program (enabling people with intellectual disability to attend University of Sydney lectures with peer mentors), the Complex Care Service multidisciplinary clinic, the Inclusive Research Network co-research model, an Internship Pathways Program for graduates, and e-learning healthcare courses delivered via its Acorn Learning Management System.

CDS is funded primarily through government grants from the NSW Ministry of Health, the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care, the NDIA, and the Australian Research Council, supplemented by philanthropic donations, I-CAN training fees, clinical consultation revenue, and paid work with disability organisations. Distribution is anchored in the University of Sydney affiliation, government partnerships (including a five-year NDIA partnership with the University of Melbourne) and the National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health consortium, with go-to-market delivered through consultation, training, events and the Acorn LMS platform.

Name

Centre for Disability Studies

Legal name

Centre for Disability Studies

Website

https://cds.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Centre for Disability Studies is a non-profit affiliated with the University of Sydney that delivers clinical services, inclusive education programs, and disability research for people with intellectual disability across Australia, anchored by the proprietary I-CAN support needs assessment tool.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Research and Clinical Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Social Assistance (624), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG), Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG), Accessibility, Accommodations & Assistive Services (EDALAFAN)

Keywords

• Intellectual disability research
• Support needs assessment
• Disability clinical services
• Inclusive higher education
• Disability workforce inclusion

Headquarters

HQ city

Sydney

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Research Grants and Government Funding: CDS operates as a non-profit organization relying on grants and donations. The organisation receives funding from Australian Research Council grants, NSW Ministry of Health grants, Commonwealth Department of Health contracts, and philanthropic foundations.
2. Clinical Services: CDS provides clinical services including the Complex Care Service for adults with intellectual disability, and clinical consultation services to disability organisations. Revenue generated through service delivery.
3. I-CAN Training and Licensing: CDS offers I-CAN v6 assessor training for $655 including accreditation, and annual re-accreditation for $195. The training provides access to the online I-CAN tool and licensing for practitioners.
4. Healthcare Education Courses: CDS provides e-learning courses including preventative healthcare training for support workers, team leaders, allied health professionals and families at $25 per course.
5. Consultation Services: CDS provides consultation services to private companies and NGOs on disability-inclusive practices, policy development, and evaluation services.
6. Donations: CDS accepts donations to support its programs and research activities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Centre for Disability Studies delivers research, clinical services, training, and inclusive programs for people with intellectual disability. Its core commercial and mission-critical offerings include the I-CAN online support needs assessment tool (delivered with accredited assessor training and licensing), the uni 2 beyond university audit and social inclusion program, the Complex Care Service multidisciplinary health clinic, clinical and policy consultation services for disability organisations, an e-learning preventative healthcare course, and the Internship Pathways Program that transitions graduates into open employment.

Product overview

CDS operates a portfolio of interconnected programs and services centred on improving the lives of people with intellectual disability. The core offerings include the I-CAN online assessment tool (used by certified NDIS practitioners for support needs planning), the uni 2 beyond university audit program, the Complex Care Service (a multidisciplinary health clinic), and the Inclusive Research Network (a co-research initiative). These are complemented by clinical consultation services, an e-learning preventative healthcare course, and an internship pathways program. The I-CAN tool serves as the backbone of the NDIA partnership, while uni 2 beyond feeds graduates into the Internship Pathways Program, creating a pipeline from education to employment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• uni 2 beyond: An award-winning social inclusion initiative for people with intellectual disability who want to experience university life. Participants take part in university life as audit (non-enrolled) students with peer mentoring support.
• I-CAN
• Complex Care Service
• Inclusive Research Network (IRN)
• National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health (NCEIDH)

Products and services

• I-CAN (Instrument for the Classification and Assessment of Support Needs)
• I-CAN v6 Assessor Training and Accreditation
• uni 2 beyond
• Complex Care Service (CCS)
• Clinical Consultation Services
• Inclusive Research Network (IRN)
• Preventative Healthcare for People with Intellectual Disability (E-Learning)
• Internship Pathways Program
• I-CAN Support Needs Assessment (NDIA Partnership)

Quantifiable outcome

• 18 students in 2022 cohort - largest yet
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, notable and minor.

• University of SydneyflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDS is affiliated with the Sydney School of Health Sciences at the University of Sydney. The partnership provides academic credibility, research infrastructure, and access to university resources and networks. CDS has operated since 1997 under this affiliation.
• University of MelbourneflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFive-year partnership with University of Melbourne to assist NDIA in developing and implementing a new support needs assessment process. CDS provides expertise in applied and lived-experience-led disability research while University provides academic strength.
• National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNDIA appointed the University of Melbourne and CDS partnership to develop and implement a new process for assessing support needs of NDIS participants using I-CAN v6 as the starting point.
• National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health (NCEIDH)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDS is proud to be part of the consortium for NCEIDH, focused on improving health outcomes for people with intellectual disability through advocacy, clinical, and research experience.
• Daffodil Centre at University of SydneycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDS collaborates with Daffodil Centre on cervical screening campaign for people with intellectual disability, developing accessible resources and educational materials.
• Sydney Opera HousenotableImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCDS developed a tailored training package and mentorship program for Sydney Opera House staff to support new employees with intellectual disability, including an Inclusion Framework and interactive workshops.
• Independent Living VillagesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCDS worked with Independent Living Villages to analyse their resident engagement strategy and provide recommendations for improvement through policy review and stakeholder interviews.
• Fragile X Association AustralianotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to identify gaps in support needs for adults ageing with Fragile X syndrome and create online training resources for aged care and disability support workers.
• 3DN at University of New South WalesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner in Fragile X Care project, working together to create online training modules and resources for supporting adults ageing with Fragile X.
• Flinders UniversitynotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Flinders University on establishing community of practice for inclusive university education for people with intellectual disability.
• Achieve AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organisation in NDIS: Rhetoric versus Reality? research project examining how people with intellectual disability are having their needs met under NDIS.
• The Housing ConnectionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organisation in NDIS research project on individualised funding and its effect on wellbeing, self-esteem, voice, choice and control.
• Uniting NSW/ACTminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organisation in NDIS research project examining lived experience of people with intellectual disability under the NDIS.
• The Synod of the Uniting Church in VictoriaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organisation in NDIS research project on individualised funding impact on people with intellectual disability.
• Trinity College DublinnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership hosting events with Professor Mary McCarron from Trinity College Dublin on ageing and intellectual disability, leveraging her expertise through IDS-TILDA longitudinal research.
• NSW Department of Communities and JusticecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContract with NSW Department of Communities and Justice to provide advice and review Companion Card applications for people with significant and permanent disability.
• Legal Aid NSWnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDS provides consultant clinical assessments for Legal Aid NSW clients engaged in NDIS AAT eligibility or funding decision appeals.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Inclusion Australia: National advocacy organisation for people with intellectual disability; comparable in lived-experience-led research, policy engagement, and inclusive practice focus in Australia.
• Achieve Australia: NDIS-registered disability service provider; partnered with CDS on NDIS research and operates in overlapping disability support space. Comparable in serving people with intellectual disability in NSW.
• Jigsaw Australia: Work-integrated social enterprise supporting people with intellectual disability into open employment; CDS's Tim Hayes previously led transitions for 100+ participants there. Closely comparable in disability employment pathway mission.
• 3DN - Department of Developmental Disability Neuropsychiatry (UNSW): UNSW-affiliated research centre focused on intellectual and developmental disability mental health; comparable in mission, academic affiliation, and clinical/research scope. CDS staff have prior 3DN connections.
• University of Melbourne Disability Research Initiative: Academic research institution partnering with CDS on the NDIA support needs assessment project; comparable in disability research, policy engagement, and inclusive education focus.
• Flinders University - Inclusive Education Practice: Partner on community of practice for inclusive university education for people with intellectual disability; comparable academic-institutional approach to inclusive post-secondary education.
• La Trobe Centre for Research Excellence in Disability and Health: Australian academic centre conducting disability and health research; comparable in producing evidence-based research for disability policy and practice in Australia.

Broad incumbents

• National Disability Services (NDS): Australia's peak industry body for disability service providers; broader scope but operates in the same disability service ecosystem where CDS engages. Comparable as a stakeholder/partner network.

Emerging players

• Down Syndrome Australia: National disability organisation providing information, advocacy, and support for people with Down syndrome; comparable in mission to support people with intellectual disability and their families across Australia.
• Special Olympics Australia: National disability sports organisation delivering programs for people with intellectual disability; overlaps with CDS's disability inclusion mission and serves a similar population in Australia.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CentreForDisabilityStudies
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/centre-for-disability-studies
• Xx.com/cds_sydney

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Centre for Disability Studies