Vivienne Riches

Professor Vivienne Riches is a Clinical Professor at the University of Sydney's Centre for Disability Studies (CDS) within the Sydney Medical School. Her roles include researcher, educator, and consultant specializing in disability support needs assessment, transition planning, and vocational training. She is affiliated with the NSW Developmental Disability Health Unit and collaborates internationally, notably in Singapore through educational partnerships and consultancy projects. Vivienne has been recognized with prestigious awards such as the Disability Employment Australia Hall of Fame (2013) and the ASID Research Prize (2011).

Her research focuses on disability employment, mental health, and active support strategies, with a strong emphasis on transitioning individuals with disabilities into work and community settings. She has contributed to the development of the I-CAN instrument, a widely used tool for classifying support needs. Vivienne's work spans clinical practice, policy advocacy, and educational programs, including the Diploma of Disability Studies in Singapore and Australia.

• Key Projects: Disability employment outcomes, autism spectrum disorder employment strategies, and Active Support implementation.
• Associations: Australasian Society for Intellectual Disability (ASID), International Society for the Study of Intellectual & Developmental Disability (IASSID), and the Australian Psychological Society.
• Grants: Includes studies on homelessness policy for people with disabilities and NDIS system analysis funded by ARC and AHURI.

Her publications highlight innovations in support needs assessment, staff training, and cross-cultural disability policy. Vivienne actively engages in global initiatives, such as Singapore's Transition School-to-Work Collaborative Program, demonstrating her commitment to advancing disability inclusion worldwide.