Tā mātou mahi
Our work

Research and education

The DBI was established over forty years ago to respond to a lack of research in the field of learning (intellectual) disability in Aotearoa New Zealand. Evidence-based research and education meaningful to tākata whaikaha, whānau hauā and disabled people continues to be central to the work of the DBI. 

While learning disability remains a strong focus, Tiriti o Waitangi-based, disabled-led research involving all disability communities is now core to our work and we continue to advocate for disability data and evidence to be part of the research agenda in Aotearoa. 

We live by the well-recognised slogan 'nothing about us, without us' in relation to our work with disabled people and within the disability sector. All our work is designed to align with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the 2016-2026 New Zealand Disability Strategy.

Evaluation, monitoring and service innovation

We undertake evaluation, monitoring and service innovation on a wide range of disability topics on request, using disabled-led and inclusive methodologies.

Service innovation involves exploring the potential of new ideas with tākata whaikaha, whānau hauā and disabled people, the disability sector, and the wider government so data and evidence can be used to transform policy and practice.