Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031 Outcomes Framework: First annual report

People with disability have the right to access public places and to have the same opportunities as others to participate in community life. To achieve this, the services and facilities provided to the community need to accommodate the access requirements of people with disability (Government of Western Australia 2022).

The physical environment can present a barrier to how some people with disability participate in community life. Public spaces, buildings and facilities may have obstacles that make moving around the community and participating in everyday activities difficult (AIHW 2022).

Improving accessibility to the built and natural environment enables everyone, regardless of age or ability, to use buildings, transport, parks and playgrounds without the need for specialised or adapted features (Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031).

Access to government buildings

To ensure that people with disability have the same opportunities as the wider population to access necessary services, government buildings need to be accessible for people with all forms of disability (Government of Western Australia 2022).

The desired key system outcome for this measure is that buildings are accessible.

Results at baseline: 2018

• In 2018, 8.1% of people with disability who need assistance or have difficulty with communication or mobility, aged 5 and over, experienced difficulty accessing government buildings.
• Between 2015 to 2018, there has been no real change in the proportion of people with disability, aged 5 and over, who experienced difficulty accessing government buildings (7.6% and 8.1%, respectively) (Figure 3.6).
• In 2018, 8.1% of both males and females with disability experienced difficulty accessing government buildings.
• By age group, the proportion of people with disability aged 5–24 who experienced difficulty accessing government buildings (3.1%) was less than half that for the older age groups (8.7% for those aged 25–44, 11% for those aged 45–64 and 8.2% for those aged 65 and over).
• A higher proportion of people with severe or profound disability experienced difficulty accessing government buildings (8.8%) than people with other disability (6.1%).

Latest results

Updated data are not yet available for this measure. New data from the 2022 ABS SDAC are expected to be available in the first half of 2024 and included in the 2024 annual report.

Things to consider when interpreting results

• Data are limited to people with disability aged 5 and over living in households who need assistance or have difficulty with communication or mobility and who leave home.

For the latest data and breakdowns of the data, see Australia’s Disability Strategy Outcomes Framework | Access to government buildings.

Accessing buildings and facilities

Buildings and outdoor spaces that are not accessible exclude people with disability from participating in work, education, and social and cultural life (Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031). Avoiding everyday activities – such as going to school or work, attending events, or seeking medical help – increases the risk that people with disability will experience social isolation, which can, in turn, affect their overall health and wellbeing (AIHW 2022).

The desired population outcome for this measure is to see an increase in people with disability being able to access locations.

Results at baseline: 2018

• In 2018, nearly 7 in 10 (69%) people with disability who need assistance or have difficulty with communication or mobility, aged 5 and over, had no difficulty accessing buildings or facilities in the last 12 months.
• This proportion has decreased since 2015, when 72% of people with disability, aged 5 and over, had no access difficulties (Figure 3.7). While there was no difference across years for those aged 5–64, the proportion for those aged 65 and over fell from 68% in 2015 to 63% in 2018.
• A greater proportion of males with disability (72%) had no difficulty accessing buildings or facilities, compared with females with disability (66%).
• Across age groups, the youngest age group (5–14 years) was the group most likely to have had no difficulty accessing buildings or facilities in the previous 12 months (90%), followed by those aged 15–24 (80%).
• A lower proportion of people with severe or profound disability had no difficulty accessing buildings or facilities in the previous 12 months (66%) than people with other disability (79%).

Latest results

Updated data are not yet available for this measure. New data from the 2022 ABS SDAC are expected to be available in the first half of 2024 and included in the 2024 annual report.

Things to consider when interpreting results

• Data are limited to people with disability aged 5 and over living in households who need assistance or have difficulty with communication or mobility and who leave home.

For the latest data and breakdowns of the data, see Australia’s Disability Strategy Outcomes Framework | Accessing buildings and facilities.

References

AIHW (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare) (2022) ‘Disability discrimination’, People with disability in Australia, AIHW, Australian Government, accessed 14 September 2022.

Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031 (2021), Department of Social Services, Australian Government, accessed 2 August 2022.

Government of Western Australia (2022) Disability services, Government of Western Australia, accessed 14 September 2022.