The number of people using disability support services in
Australia has increased by 24% over the past four years, according
to a report released today by the Australian Institute of Health
and Welfare (AIHW).
The report, Disability Support Services 2006-07, showed
that 232,000 people used disability support services in 2006-07, up
from 188,000 in 2003-04.
'This is an average annual growth rate of 7%,' said Tim Beard of
the AIHW's Functioning and Disability Unit.
'The largest increases over the past four years were seen in
respite care (46%), community support (25%) and employment services
(25%),' he said.
Community support services, such as therapy, early intervention
and case management, were the most commonly used services over the
last four years.
Most of the growth in employment services occurred in open
employment services, which tend to be used by people with less
severe disability than those who use supported employment
services.
Accommodation support services accounted for 16% of all service
users in 2006-07.
'Almost half of all people using services four years ago
continued to receive support in 2006-07, making it a very stable
service user group, Mr Beard said.
Intellectual disability was the most common primary disability
(accounting for around 1 in 3 service users), followed by
psychiatric disability then physical disability.
The proportion of disability service users who always need help
with basic activities such as mobility, self-care and communication
has remained stable over the past four years.
'However, there are now more people who need help in areas such
as learning, household chores, and fostering social interactions,'
Mr Beard said.
In 2006-07, about 68% of service users report needing help with
activities of independent living, 63% with work, education and
community living and almost 60% with daily living activities.
The Commonwealth State/Territory Disability Agreement (CSTDA)
aims to improve the quality of life of people with disability by
providing a wide array of services such as accommodation support,
community support, community access, respite, and employment
services
Wednesday 29 October 2008
Further information: Mr Tim Beard, AIHW, 02
6244 1270, mob. 0418 271 395
For media copies of the report: Publications
Officer, AIHW, tel. 61 2 6244 1032.
Availability: Check the AIHW Publications
Catalogue for the availability of Disability Support
Services 2006-07.