Project: Connect to Move

About this project

The aim of this project is to make it easier for adults with intellectual disability to be more physically active.

Being active can make people feel healthier and happier.

Many people want to be active, but it can be hard to:

Find activities in the community
Know where to go
Get the right support

What we will do

We will create a program called Connect to Move.

Connect to Move will make it easier for people to:

Find physical activities they enjoy
Join activities in their local community
Get support to stay active

We will work with:

Adults with intellectual disability
Families and supporters
Health and community services

People with intellectual disability work as part of the team that:

Plan the project
Create the program
Check how the program is going

Why this matters

We want people with intellectual disability to:

Be more active
Feel healthier
Feel included in their community

How the project is going now

Get involved in our study:

As of June 2026, we are looking for people to take part.

You can take part in:

Focus groups/interviews
Co-design workshops
Short feedback surveys

Who can take part?

Adults with intellectual disability
Family members or caregivers
Professionals in recreation, health, disability, education, or policy

More information:

Register your interest:

Who is doing the study

IMH Team Members working on this project

The University of Sydney

La Trobe University

Inclusion Australia

Down Syndrome Victoria

Prader-Willi Research Foundation Australia

La Trobe University Members working on this project

Lived-Experience Partners working on this project

Watch the video to learn more:

Investigator team:

Prof Leanne Hassett (USyd lead), Prof Nora Shields (LTU lead), Ms Jenni Cole (World ParaVolley), Dr Phil Hamdorf (ASAPD), Prof Benjamin Smith (USyd), A/Prof Gillian Nisbet (USyd), Dr Katherine Lawler (LTU), Prof Catherine Sherrington (USyd), Dr Che Fornusek (USyd), Prof Jennifer Smith-Merry (USyd), Dr Abby Haynes (USyd), A/Prof Natalie Allen (USyd), A/Prof Joanne Glinksy (USyd), Dr Louise Pearce (USyd), Dr Georgia McKenzie (LTU), Prof Andrew Milat (NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation), Dr Marina Pinheiro (USyd), Dr Katherine Owen (USyd), Ms Jennifer Hassett (Lived experience investigator), Mr John Carey (UniMelb), Dr Jennifer Torr (Monash), Ms Kirsten Deane (UniMelb)

Funding:

This study is funded by the MRFF 2024 Improving the Health Outcomes of People with Intellectual Disability Grant (APP2045063).

If you want more information, you can email the team.

connecttomove@latrobe.edu.au

Connect to Move