The geography of disability and economic disadvantage
Louise O’Rance
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Contact Email:   louise.oranceaihw.gov.au

The Australian government’s Social Inclusion Principles for Australia recognise the importance of using locational approaches to focus efforts on communities at high risk of social exclusion, especially those whose members face multiple disadvantage.

This presentation uses Census disability data, available for the first time, to paint a picture of the geography of severe disability in Australia. It will show that the proportion of people with severe or profound core activity limitations varies considerably between regions, and will investigate the contribution of key demographic and geographic factors to the variability in disability rates.
Special attention will be given to the distribution of severe disability within the state and territory capital cities. Evidence will be presented of a strong social gradient underlying the geography of disability in the cities. The analysis will identify metropolitan communities whose members face significant barriers to social inclusion due to high rates of severe disability as well as high relative socioeconomic disadvantage. Implications for service planning and delivery will be discussed in the light of the facts presented.

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