Disability Aim: To provide an overview of key legislation and services related to disability

Disability 18% of Aust. population have a disability 14% regard themselves as handicapped Are disability levels increasing or reducing?

World Health Org. Classifications Impairments - Abnormality of body structure Disability - Consequences of impairment in terms of functional performance Handicaps - Disadvantages experienced as a result of impairments and disabilities

Most Common Disabilities Musculoskeletal conditions 27% Ear and mastoid process 14% Mental disorders 11% Respiratory diseases 9%

Handicap Limitation to perform certain tasks associated with daily living related to self care, mobility, verbal communication, schooling or employment

Most Common Areas of Handicap Adults - Mobility and employment Children - Self care, mobility and schooling Handicap rate for year olds seven times that for children aged 0-4 Handicap rate for people 75+ is 14 times that for children aged 0-4

People with Handicaps Women make up almost half the number of people with disabilities 3 out of 4 Aboriginal children in remote areas contract trachoma. Middle ear infection 200 times more common than in general population. Rural Aboriginal life expectancy of 48 yrs for men and 56 yrs for women (compared with 71 and 78 resp.)

Aboriginal Disability In one rural study 1 in 4 people reported a disabling condition: Loss of sight or hearing most common Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissues Asthma Slow learning and developmental delay Heart disease

Aboriginal Disability Aborigines 70% more likely than the total Australian population to suffer a disability

People in Remote Areas Suffer From: Distance from services Limited public transport and high costs of private transport Isolation and Segregation Inflexible service provision and reticence of agencies to recognise that service provision models of the city may not be applicable

Commonwealth Disability Services Act 1986 Promotes downscaling of large institutions Defines quality of services according to a set of principles and objectives Home and community care budget doubled Established Aged Care Assessment Teams

Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act 1992 Makes it unlawful to discriminate in service provision against people with disabilities, their relatives or associates. Makes it unlawful to harass people with disabilities.

NSW Disability Services Act 1993 All NSW government bodies to prepare plans to make their services better able to meet the needs of people with disabilities Incorporates independent mechanisms for complaints, monitoring and appeals related to all services provided or funded by the Dept. of Community Services

Government Philosophy Re Services Consumer focus and consultation Equal rights for disabled people Services provided by generic organisations used by all Australians Services individualised to allow people to maximise their potential for integration in everyday life (case managed?) People with disabilities should participate in policy making and implementation

Commonwealth Disability Service Standards 1. Service access 2. Individual need 3. Decision making and choice 4. Privacy, dignity and confidentiality 5. Participation and integration 6. Valued status 7. Complaints and disputes

Commonwealth Disability Service Standards 8. Service management 9. Employment conditions 10.Employment support 11.Employment skills development

Services Available Home and community care services: home help; personal care; home maintenance; respite care; home modification; food services; transport; community paramedical (e.g. podiatry); community nursing Aged care assessment teams provide assessment leading to community aged care packages, hostel entry, nursing home entry

Available Support Age pension (25% of average weekly earnings)($341 per fortnight single; $282 for a couple) Sickness allowance (up to 52 wks) Disability pension Carer’s pension Rent assistance; transport assistance Pharmaceutical allowance, aids, appliances Telephone assistance

Commonwealth Rehabilitation Service and Private Rehab. Providers Assist people with disabilities or injuries to find employment options or gain more independence in their lives Disability wage supplement enables an employer to pay a reduced productivity- based wage and the person’s disability prevents him or her working 30 hrs per week at full award wages

NSW Guardianship Board, Office of the Public Guardian and the Protective Commissioner Operate independently to provide services for people with disabilities aged sixteen years or over who are incapable of making their own decisions and who need a legally appointed substitute decision maker for health or financial matters