Caroline Ellison

APrf Caroline Ellison

Program Director: Bachelor of Social Science (Ageing and Disability)

UniSA Justice & Society

Teaching Enterprise

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.

Available For Media Comment.

I am Associate Professor Caroline Ellison. Crossing the Horizon Professor of Ageing and Disability and a Developmental Educator. I have extensive multidisciplinary professional practice, teaching and research experience across disability and human services in Australia and SE Asia. I am about engaging with people living with disability and those experiencing aging as co researchers and collaborators as well as academic researchers, mainstream society, the NDIS and Myagedcare, to create increased inclusion of all people. Approx 20-25% of the population live with impairment and we are all ageing. It is an economic, not just human rights issue, that we consider full inclusion of diverse populations in all societal systems. I am interested in systemic, societal and individual issues across sectors such as disability inclusive development, urban planning, housing, end of life choice and planning, arts, sports and leisure (how we use our free time), access to spiritual activities, positive behaviour support, protective behaviours and sexual health, family leadership, social role valorisation, the NDIS, Myagedcare and workforce development. The global theme of my research is to transform communities to be accessible and inclusive to benefit everyone.
My question to you is how can we collaborate to explore access and inclusion around ageing and disability or into your research plans?

Year Citation
2025 Bassey, E. A., Ahaiwe, K., Bassey, E., Ohamaeme, M. C., & Ellison, C. (2025). Realizing life goals: lived experience of young and middle-age adults with adult-onset vision impairment in Nigeria. British Journal Of Visual Impairment, online, 1-15.
DOI
2025 Ramos, J. S., Alexander, J., Dalleck, L. C., Drummond, C., Beleigoli, A., Lange, B., & Ellison, C. (2025). The impact of a workplace virtual reality-delivered exercise program on central hemodynamics in people with developmental disability living in Australia: A pilot randomised waitlist-controlled study. Preventive Medicine Reports, 59, 103256.
DOI
2025 Dee-Price, B. J. M., Fairweather, A. K., Kelly, J., Price, M. S., Welsh, M., Esterman, A., . . . White, E. (2025). Talking scrubs: Improving the health outcomes of patients with communication disability - A mixed method investigation of feasibility, effectiveness and clinician-patient concordance. BMJ Open, 15(11), 9 pages.
DOI
2025 Cricelli, G., Newbutt, N., Alexander, J., Ellison, C., & Loetscher, T. (2025). Implementation of virtual reality for neurodivergent individuals: perspectives of disability care staff. Journal of Enabling Technologies, 19(2), 128-140.
DOI
2024 Hsu, R., McCabe, C., Ellison, C., Howells, M., & Loetscher, T. (2024). Bridging the Gap: Virtual Reality as a Tool for De-Escalation Training in Disability Support Settings. Multimodal Technologies and Interaction, 8(11), 16 pages.
DOI Scopus2 WoS2
2024 Chu, N., Pho, J., Dark, L., Tan, A., Alford, S., Tang, C. Y., . . . Lim, D. (2024). A scoping review into the service needs of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds living with disability to engage in meaningful occupations. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 71(3), 408-422.
DOI Scopus2 Europe PMC2
2023 Meribe, N. C., Bassey, E. I., Bassey, A. E., & Ellison, C. (2023). Enhancing social connectedness: how adults with vision impairment perceive and use social media in Nigeria. New Media and Society, 26(11), 6220-6234.
DOI
2023 Michalski, S. C., Gallomarino, N. C., Szpak, A., May, K. W., Lee, G., Ellison, C., & Loetscher, T. (2023). Improving real-world skills in people with intellectual disabilities: an immersive virtual reality intervention. Virtual Reality, 27(4), 3521-3532.
DOI Scopus21 WoS17 Europe PMC1
2022 Michalski, S. C., Szpak, A., Ellison, C., Cornish, R., & Loetscher, T. (2022). Using Virtual Reality to Improve Classroom Behavior in People With Down Syndrome: Within-Subjects Experimental Design. JMIR Serious Games, 10(2), e34373.
DOI Scopus11 WoS7 Europe PMC3
2022 Bassey, E., & Ellison, C. (2022). Psychological changes among working-age adults with acquired vision impairment: the need for psychological intervention?. British Journal of Visual Impairment, 40(1), 61-74.
DOI
2022 Bassey, E., & Ellison, C. (2022). Perspectives on social support among adults with acquired vision impairment. British Journal of Visual Impairment, 40(2), 240-254.
DOI
2021 Yoon, J. H., Ellison, C., & Essl, P. (2021). Shifting the perspective from 'incapable' to 'capable' for artists with cognitive disability; case studies in Australia and South Korea. Disability and Society, 36(3), 443-467.
DOI
2021 Michalski, S. C., Ellison, C., Szpak, A., & Loetscher, T. (2021). Vocational Training in Virtual Environments for People With Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Systematic Review. Frontiers in Psychology, 12(627301), 1-9.
DOI Scopus21 WoS20 Europe PMC6
2021 Pho, J. N. Q., Tan, A. C., Chaudhary, K., Hines, S., Ellison, C., Isaac, V., & Lim, D. (2021). Health and support service needs of individuals with disability from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds: a scoping review protocol. Systematic Reviews, 10(1), 34-1-34-7.
DOI Scopus7 WoS5 Europe PMC6
2020 Essl, P., Bellon, M., & Ellison, C. (2020). Preliminary insights into international work integrated learning (Wil) placements in disability and student recommendations for success. Student Success, 11(1), 1-8.
DOI
2019 Bassey, E., Ellison, C., & Walker, R. (2019). Perception of blind rehabilitation services among adults with acquired blindness in Nigeria: attention to functional goals. British journal of visual impairment, 37(1), 6-16.
DOI
2019 Bassey, E., Ellison, C., & Walker, R. (2019). Social capital, social relationships and adults with acquired visual impairment: a Nigerian perspective. Disability and Rehabilitation, 41(10), 1169-1176.
DOI Scopus16 Europe PMC3
2017 Ellison, C. J., & White, A. L. (2017). Exploring leisure and retirement for people with intellectual disabilities. Annals of leisure research, 20(2), 188-205.
DOI
2017 Darragh, J., Reynolds, L., Ellison, C., & Bellon, M. (2017). Let's talk about sex: how people with intellectual disability in Australia engage with online social media and intimate relationships. Cyberpsychology, 11(1, article no. 9), 1-17.
DOI
2016 Redgrove, F. J., Jewell, P., & Ellison, C. (2016). Mind the gap between school and adulthood for people with intellectual disabilities. Research and practice in intellectual and developmental disabilities, 3(2), 182-190.
DOI
2016 Darragh, J. A., Ellison, C. J., Rillotta, F., Bellon, M., & Crocker, R. (2016). Exploring the impact of an arts-based, day options program for young adults with intellectual disabilities. Research and practice in intellectual and developmental disabilities, 3(1), 22-31.
DOI
2011 Ellison, C., White, A., & Chapman, L. (2011). Avoiding institutional outcomes for older adults living with disability: the use of community-based aged care supports. Journal of intellectual and developmental disability, 36(3), 175-183.
DOI

Year Citation
2023 Ellison, C., Chapman Van Duivenbode, C., Buchanan, F., & Moulding, N. (2023). An open exploration around end-of-life journeys for children facing terminal illness/severe disability. In A. Beckett, & A. -M. Calllus (Eds.), Source details - Title: The Routledge International Handbook of Children's Rights and Disability (pp. 465-480). US: Routledge.
DOI
2022 Ellison, C. (2022). End-of-life Doulas and people living with intellectual and developmental disability. In R. J. Stancliffe (Ed.), Source details - Title: End of Life and People with Intellectual and Developmental Disability: Contemporary Issues, Challenges, Experiences and Practice (pp. 297-320). Switzerland: Springer.
DOI
2016 Ellison, C., & Cranwell, J. (2016). Footy is for everybody: embracing diversity and inclusion in Australian football. In M. Drummond, & S. Pill (Eds.), Source details - Title: Advances in Australian football (pp. 120-127). Australia: Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation.
2016 Ellison, C., & Lante, K. (2016). People living with disability: navigating support and health systems. In E. Willis, L. Reynolds, & H. Keleher (Eds.), Source details - Title: Understanding the Australian health care system (3rd ed. ed., pp. 181-194). Australia: Elsevier.
2012 Ellison, C., & Matthews, B. (2012). Disability professionals: assisting people living with disability to navigate the health system. In Source details - Title: Understanding the Australian health care system (2nd ed. ed., pp. 175-187). Australia: Elsevier.

  • The Living My Life Project, Cwth Dept of Social Services, 06/11/2024 - 30/03/2026

  • Hindu Pura in Bali and Access for People with Physical Disabilities: Culture, Urban Planning and Human Rights, Warmadewa University, 10/02/2025 - 31/12/2025

  • Disability NOT Inability: The management control implications of workers living with intellectual disability, Accounting And Finance Association of Australia And New Zealand Limited, 28/06/2021 - 01/12/2023

  • APR Intern project: Legatus Group / UniSA - Sandra Seymour, AMSI-APR Intern, 19/10/2020 - 01/04/2021

Courses I teach

  • WELF 1021 Lifespan Development and Diversity (2025)
  • WELF 2024 The Social Construction of Ageing and Disability (2025)
  • WELF 3029 Ageing and Disability: Diversity and Discrimination (2025)
  • WELF 4037 Constructions of Ageing and Disability (2025)
  • SOCU 2022 Justice & Society Study Tour (2024)
  • WELF 1021 Lifespan Development and Diversity (2024)
  • WELF 2024 The Social Construction of Ageing and Disability (2024)
  • WELF 3029 Ageing and Disability: Diversity and Discrimination (2024)

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2025 Co-Supervisor - Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Esther Hinome
2023 Co-Supervisor - Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Tohid Zarei
2022 Co-Supervisor - Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Connor McCabe
2020 Principal Supervisor - Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Sandi Seymour
2019 Co-Supervisor - Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Tyson John Boyce
2019 Principal Supervisor - Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Kate Swaffer

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