Migration-related Factors and Settlement Service Literacy: Findings from the Multi-site Migrants' Settlement Study.

Migrants' access and effective utilisation of settlement services depend on their level of settlement service literacy (SSL). However, SSL is multi-dimensional in nature and has many facets that are influenced by demographic and migration-related factors. Identifying factors that drive various components of SSL, and thus allowing for more focused development of specific dimensions, is critical. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between components of SSL and migration-related and migrants' demographic factors. Using a snowball sampling approach, trained multilingual research assistants collected data on 653 participants. Data were collected using face-to-face or online (phone and via video platforms such as Zoom and Skype) surveys. Our findings suggest that demographic and migration-related factors explained 32% of the variance in overall SSL; and 17%, 23%, 44%, 8%, 10% of the variance in knowledge, empowerment, competence, community influence, and political components of SSL respectively. SSL was positively associated with pre-migration and post-migration educational attainment, being employed in Australia, being a refugee, coming from the sub-Saharan region but negatively associated with age and coming from the East Asia and Pacific region. Across SSL dimensions, post-migration education was the only factor positively associated with the overall SSL and all SSL dimensions (except the political dimension). Employment status in Australia was also positively associated with competency and empowerment, but not other dimensions. Affiliating with a religion other than Christianity or Islam was negatively associated with knowledge and empowerment whilst being a refugee was positively associated with knowledge. Age was negatively associated with the empowerment and competency dimensions. The study provides evidence of the importance of some pre- and post-migration factors that can assist in developing targeted initiatives to enhance migrants' SSL. Identifying factors that drive various components of SSL will allow for more focused development of specific dimensions and therefore is critical.

"She Would Love That": Identifying Community Needs in a Multisensory Environment.

BACKGROUND: CareWays Community, a not-for-profit organization that provides community care services within the Illawarra region of Australia, and researchers from the University of Wollongong (Australia) collaborated to conduct research into the requirements and requests of the local community regarding the creation of a multisensory environment (MSE). OBJECTIVES: Guided by the principles of community-based participatory research (CBPR), we sought to gain an understanding of what the community wanted with respect to the design and implementation of a MSE, before its construction at a local community center managed by CareWays. METHODS: A mixed methods approach was adopted to access as many participants as possible. Participants included both professional and familial caregivers and educators of potential clientele. A total of 24 people participated in either a focus group or a one-on-one telephone interview. Additionally, the Delphi method was used to survey a total of 87 respondents over two rounds to identify the specific equipment preferred for the MSE. RESULTS: Participants expressed both their wishes and concerns regarding the proposed MSE. They wanted a safe, noncategorical environment able to cater to a range of users. They preferred private access, and wanted the MSE to be available for bookings across a wide range of times. Participants wanted the MSE to contain equipment that stimulated all senses, and identified specific items of equipment most preferred. CONCLUSIONS: This research enabled the identification of what the local community is seeking in a MSE. The research findings have been incorporated, as far as practicable, into the design and construction of the Careways MSE.