This unit was started during 1996 in the Department of Community Health as a neutral base from which multi-disciplinary rehabilitation research and the development of policy could be facilitated. The resources available to the unit include, inter alia, a part time worker, a corporate body of expertise from the Community Health Department, the Departments of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy as well as any other relevant departments. Since its first year of existence the unit has been involved in the presenting of courses, conducting of workshops and surveys as well as rendering consultation services. The largest project yet is the National Disability Survey conducted in partnership with a variety of other centres and institutions.