FACTORS AFFECTING ACCESS TO RESOURCES

AGE POSITIVE EFFECTS ON WELL-BEING (CREATES ACCESS) 5-16 year olds have an opportunity for education 18 year olds are able to marry, vote and drive, apply for a credit card, buy lottery tickets Access to government benefits (senior, youth allowance) Seniors card at 55 – benefits in travel etc NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON WELL-BEING (LIMITS ACCESS)  80+ MUST DO A MEDICAL TEST TO DRIVE  Younger than 18 can’t drive or purchase alcohol or cigarettes

DISABILITY POSITIVE EFFECTS ON WELL-BEING (CREATES ACCESS) Disability pension Parking permits – closer to shops and facilities Special provisions eg HSC exams Support groups eg riding for the disabled Disabled olympics NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON WELL-BEING (LIMITS ACCESS) Can’t access some buildings, public transport Fewer employment opportunities/earning capacities Limited sporting opportunities Lack of mobility May not be able to drive – lose independence

EDUCATION POSITIVE EFFECTS ON WELL-BEING (CREATES ACCESS) Higher education – higher paid jobs Free access to literacy and numeracy courses Access to further education Higher education tendency to have higher knowledge of resources available Public education is free More skilled you are – higher the fee you can charge NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON WELL-BEING (LIMITS ACCESS) Poorer paid jobs if limited access to education Can’t access information Costly to access – transport, internet

ETHNICITY/CULTURE POSITIVE EFFECTS ON WELL-BEING (CREATES ACCESS) Multi cultural centre and support groups Interpreter service and ESL support Understanding of another culture and language Religion – spiritual support NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON WELL-BEING (LIMITS ACCESS) Negative attitudes – may be excluded Cultural norms, may prohibit access to health or education resources Lack of awareness and language to communicate effectively Problems in finding support available Religion – may lead to conflicts Clustering of groups inhibits their interaction with the rest of society – limits their understanding of resources available

GENDER POSITIVE EFFECTS ON WELL-BEING (CREATES ACCESS) SUPPORT GROUPS FOR SPECIFIC GENDERS EG “Hey Dad” a male parenting course. Especially in areas of health and work eg female health clinics and gyms. Single sex schools, sporting teams etc NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON WELL-BEING (LIMITS ACCESS) Workplace stereotypes may limit employment opportunities eg midwife, childcare workers Communication barriers stop people seeking assistance especially males Leadership positions may be limited Disadvantage for women in terms of income and promotion if they choose to leave to have children

LOCATION POSITIVE EFFECTS ON WELL-BEING (CREATES ACCESS) Greater public transport, health, education and employment available in urban areas Better space in less populated areas due to more space, less pollution etc In rural areas – remote area allowance, farm help, boarding area allowance NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON WELL-BEING (LIMITS ACCESS) Fewer services in rural areas Overcrowding and greater demand for resources in urban areas Distance / time to access Everyone knows each other in a small town – little privacy Higher living costs for petrol, food etc in rural areas as the market is less competitive.

SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS POSITIVE EFFECTS ON WELL-BEING (CREATES ACCESS) High SES (socio economic standard) – private health care, schools etc, own transport – able to access resources more readily, often have more power Low SES – availability of benefits – health care card, child care benefits, pensions NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON WELL-BEING (LIMITS ACCESS) Rely on public transport, public resources Lack of power and independence Lack of choice