The Disability Identifier initiative
The Disability Identifier (DI) is a way for patients with disability or their carers to self-report their disability to healthcare staff, so hospitals can make adjustments and better tailor care to each patient’s needs. This project was a collaboration
between multiple hospitals and organisations, co-designed by people with disability, clinicians and technical experts in disability, disability data and health information systems.
How can I tell the RCH about my child’s additional needs or disability?
You can let your healthcare team know about your child’s disability as well as any adjustments or assistance needed before your appointment.
This can be done via The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) Patient Portal app.
- Upload and/or log in to your RCH Patient Portal app
- Select ‘Menu’
- Scroll down and select ‘Questionnaires’
- Select ‘Identification of disability’
- Complete the questionnaire and ‘submit’
If you do not have the RCH Patient Portal app, you can speak with your treating team who can assist you in completing the questionnaire.
Once completed, your responses will be visible on your child’s medical file for the healthcare team to be aware of.
If you have any questions, please contact disability.liaison@rch.org.au
Information for staff and healthcare providers
Implementing a Disability Identifier in Electronic Medical Records: Evaluation of Utility and Acceptability
This research collaboration between The Royal Children’s Hospital, the Royal Melbourne Hospital, The Royal Women’s Hospital, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Austin Health, The University of Melbourne and Healthy Trajectories aimed to evaluate patient,
carer and staff experiences of using a self-report Disability Identification approach in Electronic Medical Records (EMR).
Study findings and recommendations for policy and practice are presented in this report.
Download the full Disability Identifier Research Report
Funded by The Victorian Department of Health
Accessible Care Toolkit
This toolkit is a practical guide designed to help healthcare staff integrate the Disability Identifier (DI) into their workflows and care delivery. The guidelines can be customised to suit different health services adopting the DI.
The Accessible Care Toolkit has been informed by recommendations arising from the DI evaluation report.
Download the Accessible Care Toolkit
Funded by The Victorian Department of Health and The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation
Download customisable Appendix 2: Accessible Care Toolkit DI at your service