Summary
‘Disability’ is a word used in daily conversation and holding different meanings for different people. Do these different meanings matter? What is there to be gained by trying to define disability more precisely and to attempt to use the word in consistent ways?
This paper attempts to explain why better national information on disability is important, and why it relies on consistent definitions to underpin the gathering of statistical data. The paper describes the current data situation in the disability field in Australia, and outlines national and international developments. A number of nationally significant service and survey definitions are related to key disability concepts. Suggestions are proposed as to how to progress towards the ultimate aim of greater consistency in data definitions, thereby enabling an improved picture of the need for and provision and use of disability services in Australia.
This is a discussion paper, designed to stimulate debate and thought, and to help inform the Institute about community views on terminology and data. The purpose of the paper is to work towards harmonising existing data definitions and to enable statistical collections to be related to each other; it is not designed to change administrative definitions or eligibility criteria. The paper will be revised and re-issued after discussion and comment. Information on how to comment on this paper is given in section 5.6.
Preliminary material (19K PDF): List of tables; List of figures; List of boxes; Acknowledgements
Why are consistent definitions needed? (21K PDF)
- Introduction
- Why define and measure disability?
- Variation in administrative definitions
- The context - disability services in Australia
- The drive towards consistency and relatability in Australia
- Outline of the paper
National developments (24K PDF)
- An important time
- National policy and administrative developments
- Revision of the International Classification of Imparments, Disabilities and Handicaps (ICIDH)
- ABS Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers
- Australian Disability Data Reference and Advisory Group
- National community services information agreement, development plan and model
- Conclusion
International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps (ICIDH) (42K PDF)
- Introduction
- 1980 ICIDH and directions for change
- Revision of the 1980 ICIDH
- Incorporating Australia's perspective
- Beta-1 draft of the ICIDH-2
- Development of qualifiers for the participation dimension: a key area of Australian input
- Where to from here?
Current concepts, terminology and definitions in use in Australia (110K PDF)
- Introduction
- Broad, inclusive definitions
- Generic services
- Income support: social security and insurance
- Disability support services
- Quality of life and health status measures
- Conclusion
Issues for discussion (37K PDF)
- Terminology and definition: the yin and yang of policy and data
- Key concepts and terminology
- Key concepts and data definitions: is the ICIDH a possible cornerstone for Australian data definitions?
- Core questions for disability data?
- How to move towards consistency in Australia
- What next?
Appendixes (76K PDF)
Appendix 1: Disability Data Reference and Advisory Group
Appendix 2: National Community Services Information Model
Appendix 3: One- and two-digit codes of the draft ICIDH-2
Appendix 4: Australian proposals about participation qualifiers (December 1996) - excerpt and adaptation
End matter: Abbreviations (12K PDF); References