Donald Beasley Institute
Established in Ōtepoti Dunedin in 1984, the DBI is recognised nationally and internationally as a leader in the field of disability research, with particular expertise in learning (intellectual) disability. We are committed to ethical, inclusive and transformative research and projects that promote the rights of disabled people.
Kā Matāpono - Our Values
Whakatinana / Honour Te Tīriti o Waitangi
Mā te aroā o Te Tīriti o Waitangi, ka ora ai te mauri o kā takata o Aotearoa
- By honouring our roles and responsibilities under Te Tīriti o Waitangi, we aspire to ensure that our nation’s founding document is reflected in our practice
Whakarakatira / Respectful
Mā te whakarakatira i te tapu o te takata, ka ora ai tātou
- By respecting the uniqueness of each person, our collective well-being will be enhanced
Whakawhanaukataka / Relational
Mā te whakawhanaukataka, ka roko ai
- From authentic connections, comes transformation
Whakamana / Ethical
Mā te whakamana i te tikaka, ka āhei ai tātou
- Through upholding the dignity of others, our goals can be achieved
Whakawhirinaki / Accountable
Mā te whakawhirinaki, ka puāwai ai
- Through working with accountability, we help those around us to flourish
Whakakotahi / Inclusive
Mā te whakakotahi, ka eke panuku tahi ai tātou
- Through inclusion, the quality of our work is strengthened
Whānau
Mā te hāpai i te whānau, kā tōnui tō tātou haerekatahi
- Through uplifting whānau, our journey together will be one of prosperity
Kōrero Whakamārama
When writing in te reo Māori, we use the Kāi Tahu dialect which replaces the ng with a k (for example: whakarongo is changed to whakaroko) - we have underlined the k (if technically possible) whenever this has been applied.
Kā Whāika - Our Aim
The DBI aims to advance the rights of disabled people, with a particular focus on people with learning disabilities, through research, monitoring, evaluation, education and other projects that seek to:
- Understand the lived experiences of disabled people, recognising cultural diversity, gender, age, and other intersecting identities;
- Generate inclusive and accessible evidence-based research that can be used to inform the development and delivery of responsive support and the progressive realisation of the UNCRPD;
- Deliver transformative research and evaluation meaningful to disabled people, families/whānau and disability services;
- Build research capacity of disabled researchers through collaboration with disabled people, DPOs, and the disability sector;
- Disseminate accessible and evidence-based research and education.