Assessment of acquired brain injury in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians: guidance for DisabilityCare Australia

Abstract

[Extract] In 2012, James Cook University, Synapse (Brain Injury Association of Queensland, Inc.) and Brain Injury Australia were funded by the Federal Government's Practical Design Fund (Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs) to prepare individuals, communities and services for the transition to DisabilityCare Australia. The project had three deliverables: 1. Develop best practice guidelines for engagement and assessment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons with acquired brain injury and their communities. 2. Develop, pilot and evaluate a culturally appropriate instrument for assessing functioning, cognitive impairment, and the care and support needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons with acquired brain injury. 3. Develop a support framework for assessors including guidelines for training, peer mentoring, supervision, management and review.