Invisible Disabilities Statistics: Who Are Affected?

Did you know that 13% of people aged 15-64 have some form of disability? This percentage increases as people age, with 9.3% of those between 15 and 24 and 7.6% of children under the age of 14 living with a disability. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics' (ABS) Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC), the prevalence of disability generally increases with age.

While the number of people with disabilities has risen from around 4 million in 2003, the prevalence rate has decreased over this period. In 2018, the age-standardised rate was 16.1%, down from 19.8% in 2003. This means that nearly one-third (32%) of those living with a disability have severe or profound impairments.

The SDAC defines disability as 'sometimes or always needing help with daily self-care, mobility or communication activities, having difficulty understanding or being understood by family or friends, or communicating more easily using sign language or other non-spoken forms of communication.' These statistics are crucial for planning services and building inclusive communities that enable people with disabilities to fully participate in society.

The rate of disability prevalence can be affected by various factors, including changes in social attitudes, government policy, survey methods, age at which a health condition first occurs, remission and rehabilitation rates. Age-specific data on people with disabilities is essential for understanding the impact of these factors.

Disability prevalence refers to the number or proportion of the population living with a disability at any given time. It can be calculated as either age-specific (for a particular age group) or age-standardised (controlling for age, allowing populations with different age profiles to be compared).

In conclusion, understanding the statistics on invisible disabilities is essential for creating a more inclusive society that caters to the needs of people with disabilities. By recognizing the prevalence and characteristics of disability, we can work towards building a more accessible and supportive community for all.

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