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February 2017 Speak Out 19
Policy & advocacy
The 2015 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers by the
Australian Bureau of Statistics presents key information about
disability in Australia as well as data about older Australians (those
aged more than 65).
Here are some of the key facts and figures from the 2015 survey:
• There were 4.3 million Australians with disability - nearly one in
five people.
• Reported rates of social participation for people with disability
declined with age.
• Almost 1/3 of people with disability had a profound or
severe disability.
• Around 3 in 5 people with disability (living in households)
needed assistance with at least one activity of daily life.
• Around half of people with disability used aids or equipment to
help with their disability.
How is communication defined?
The SDAC describes communication as comprising of:
• understanding family or friends
• being understood by family or friends
• understanding strangers
• being understood by strangers.
The 2015 Survey of
Disability, Ageing and
Carers
1.1 million
Australians
with disability use
communication aids
including hearing
aids.
Electronic communication aids
Reading or writing aids 45.9
Speaking aids 10.5
Email or internet 310.0
Non-electronic communication
aids
Reading or writing aids 50.2
Speaking aids 21.1
Reading, writing or speaking aid
not specified
108.1
Hearing aid 701.6
Cochlear implant 10.2
Other hearing aids 48.9
Estimate by ‘000
1 in 5 Australians have a disability
Where do people with
disability live?
18.1%
18.5%
18.3%
22.9%
14.6%
25.8%
11.7%
16.2%
ACT
Service use
Generally, the need for communication assistance increases
with age. To read the full survey results visit the ABS webpage.
What type of communication
aids are used?