Disability peer networks and their organisations are founded upon the aspiration to build the individual capacity of their peer members through their programs. Such programs are created on clear principles based on the rights of each person living with disability across Australia. Peer support programs were reviewed, and the Social Policy Research Centre (SPRC) report (May 2018) expressed the clear need for greater resources in the evaluation field. Peer organisations need to consider how they can grow their evidence collection skills and expertise to ensure they can continue operating their much needed support programs.
Moving further into this training package, we will contemplate in more detail why peer organisations would want to gather evidence. We explore why aspects of the disability peer support program environment lead to information collection being of greater importance in the short-term, as well as, the longer term. We will also reflect upon the concept of organisational capacity building to ensure peer organisations are able to keep doing what they are doing well – Advancing the capacity of individuals living with disability from a lived experience perspective.
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