Functioning and disability

What is disability?

Disability is conceptualised as a multi-dimensional experience for the person involved. There may be effects on organs or body parts, such as impairment of the mobility of joints or bones, or the function of muscles. There may be effects on certain activities, for instance lifting or gripping objects with the hand. There may be consequences for a person's participation in aspects of life, such as education, work or leisure. Participation can be facilitated in various ways; for instance, by the provision of assistive technology or environmental modifications. Physical and social environmental factors play a significant role in the creation of disability.

Disability is more prevalent in older age groups of the population.

Aspects of disability are indicators of population health.

Disability services

Services of relevance to people with a disability address needs corresponding to any of the three dimensions of disability described above (body function and structure, activity and participation), or may seek to improve aspects of the physical or social environment. Such services and assistance include:

• formal services and assistance, such as income support, specialist disability support, and relevant generic services (e.g. health, education, employment)
• equipment or environmental modifications
• informal support.

More information

For national information on disability and disability services see the introduction to disability and disability services page and FDU publications.

Access to generic services is also important for people with a disability. More information about generic services is available on the following pages:

• Children and Youth
• Housing Assistance
• Ageing and Aged Care