Groups in Context - People with Disabilities
Note:
Four types of Disabilities = (PIPS)
Physical
Intellectual
Psychological
Sensory
Four types of Disabilities = (PIPS)
Physical
Intellectual
Psychological
Sensory
Exploring the Four Specific Groups within the Community
Prevalence of each group within the community
The proportion of people with disabilities is goring due to the aging population. According to the ABS in 2009 there were four million people with a disability. This has fallen from 20% in 2003 to 18.5% in 2009. As expected, disability increases with age, with 6.6% of 15-24 year old having a disability compared with 18% 45-54 year olds and 40% of 65-69 year olds.
Individual diversity within each group
They may suffer from one or multiple disabilities. Disabilities can be temporary or permanent, can range from mild to severe. Many people with disabilities are able to complete a university education and have productivity working lives. Some have relationships, marry and have children. Others may participate in a sheltered workshop and require more assistance with the activities of daily living.
Terminology used by the community to describe the group
Positive:
- Person with a Disability - Brave - Special - Courageous - Strong |
Negative:
- Retard - Spastic - Imbecile - Crippled - Lunatic |
Impact This Terminology Might Have On Disabled
While there are ‘positive’ terms to refer to individuals with a disability, these can also be classed as negatives depending on their use, only adding to the negativity directed towards this group in society. This means that, as an overall attitude, there is a negative vibe towards these people. The need for ‘political correctness’ in referring to these people is further evidence there was a vast amount of negativity that needed correcting and informing of the proper terminology for referring to disabilities. Using words such as ‘brave, special or courageous’ to describe a person with a disability can be seen as patronising. Referring to those without disability as normal and healthy can be offensive. Additionally, we need to use the word ‘accessible’ rather than ‘disabled’ when referring to parking spots, accommodation or bathrooms. Derogatory and insensitive terms impact on a person’s sense of security and wellbeing. Individuals may feel unsafe or unwelcome, and unjustified social taunting further impacts on their ability or desire to participate socially and economically in their community.
While there are ‘positive’ terms to refer to individuals with a disability, these can also be classed as negatives depending on their use, only adding to the negativity directed towards this group in society. This means that, as an overall attitude, there is a negative vibe towards these people. The need for ‘political correctness’ in referring to these people is further evidence there was a vast amount of negativity that needed correcting and informing of the proper terminology for referring to disabilities. Using words such as ‘brave, special or courageous’ to describe a person with a disability can be seen as patronising. Referring to those without disability as normal and healthy can be offensive. Additionally, we need to use the word ‘accessible’ rather than ‘disabled’ when referring to parking spots, accommodation or bathrooms. Derogatory and insensitive terms impact on a person’s sense of security and wellbeing. Individuals may feel unsafe or unwelcome, and unjustified social taunting further impacts on their ability or desire to participate socially and economically in their community.
Issues of Concern for the Four Specific Groups within the Community
Satisfaction of Needs
Note:
Specific Needs = (SHESEA)
Safety and Security (S)
Health (H)
Education (E)
Sense of Identity (S)
Employment (E)
Adequate Standard of Living (A)
Specific Needs = (SHESEA)
Safety and Security (S)
Health (H)
Education (E)
Sense of Identity (S)
Employment (E)
Adequate Standard of Living (A)
Specific needs of each group
Safety and security
Why is this need an issue of concern?
An individual needs to feel safe and secure within their environment and with their standard of living to enable them to do all they can for themselves to lead as best a life possible |
Implications if this need is not met
If they are not safe and secure, individuals with disabilities are more vulnerable to abuse and exploitation by more insensitive and ignorant members of the community, leading to a sense of abandonment or loneliness, affecting their emotional wellbeing |
Health
Why is this need an issue of concern?
Despite the various health problems people with disabilities have, they can still be, aside from their disability, physically and/or mentally healthy, which can prolong their life if it has been shortened by their handicap. |
Implications if this need is not met
Without looking after whatever areas of health that they can, the individual’s perhaps already shortened lifespan will be further cut short and their quality of life will rapidly decline, adversely affecting all areas of wellbeing |
Education
Why is this need an issue of concern?
Education is the primary path through which any individual is able to go on to gain employment which is particularly vital for individuals living with a disability as their job range may already be limited by their handicap |
Implications if this need is not met
Education is a means of improving social, emotional and future economic wellbeing and, without this, an individual whose physical health may also be poor, will have little happiness in their life and so their emotional wellbeing in particular will suffer greatly |
Sense of identity
Why is this need an issue of concern?
All individuals, including those both with and without a disability, need a sense of themselves on some level, though this is perhaps not as significant for those who have disabilities as it is for those without and may even find it difficult to distinguish themselves as an individual on their own |
Implications if this need is not met
This has particularly adverse effects on an individual’s emotional wellbeing as it is closely linked to self-esteem and self-worth and so with no or a poor sense of identity, an individual with a disability is likely to have very poor emotional wellbeing and a poor view of themselves |
Employment
Why is this need an issue of concern? Employment is not necessarily the most important factor of an individual’s life when living with a disability as they are able to live without it, however, this is a contributing factor to individuality, independence and therefore to the sense of identity as well as to economic stability |
Implications if this need is not met
Employment is not necessarily the most important factor of an individual’s life when living with a disability as they are able to live without it, however, this is a contributing factor to individuality, independence and therefore to the sense of identity as well as to economic stability |
Adequate standard of living (food, clothing, shelter)
Why is this need an issue of concern?
If this need is not satisfied well, the individual’s selection of food and clothing will be altered to cater for this lack of need satisfaction, and these may not be of the best quality |
Implications if this need is not met
Having food and clothing items that are not of adequate quality due to the fact the individual is not experiencing an adequate standard of living leads to physical health problems, and therefore a decline in physical wellbeing, by not eating enough, not being adequately clothed in the cold months and so on. |
Access to Services
Types of services, eg financial support, transport, accommodation and housing, health care, counselling, education, employment, legal aid
Note:
Types of Services = (FATLEECH)
Financial (F)
Accommodation (A)
Transport (T)
Legal aid (L)
Education (E)
Employment (E)
Counselling (C)
Healthcare (H)
Types of Services = (FATLEECH)
Financial (F)
Accommodation (A)
Transport (T)
Legal aid (L)
Education (E)
Employment (E)
Counselling (C)
Healthcare (H)
Service
Financial Support Services Accommodation Transport Legal Aid Employment Education Counselling Healthcare |
Importance
Sickness Allowance is for individuals with short-term disability in order to cover some expenses while the individual is unable to work and therefore ensures their economic security Specialty furniture for modifying one’s home to be more suited to an individual’s disability allows them to be more independent within their own home and complete more tasks for themselves Disabled parking spaces can be found in almost every car park and enable individuals, particularly with wheelchairs, to park closer to their destination and to have a wider car space to more easily get in and out of their vehicle. Access to legal aid services such as discounted payment for legal representation in court cases in regards to obtaining, for instance, an AVO against someone else who has been abusing an individual with a disability is important as many disabled people are unable to afford this The services that provide assistance to individuals with disabilities in order to gain employment are one of the only ways for many of these individuals to find work they are both suitable for and the employer is willing to hire and work with them Education services within mainstream schools to enhance upon these individuals’ learning while they are able to socialise with both the general public and other children in the same circumstances while they both accumulate knowledge and grow as people is a vital element of these peoples’ lives For individuals with aggressive forms of autism, for instance, would require access to an anger management service in order to learn how to control their disability and understand what is happening in their brain Having access to physical therapists allows individuals with disabilities, particularly those with down syndrome, assists them in working on fine motor skills and muscle movement |
Positive Wellbeing
This is a positive impact upon the individual, and perhaps their family’s, economic wellbeing and therefore supports their physical wellbeing, as they are still able to purchase food and pay for other basic needs. Not needing constant help and attention from a carer and being able to complete tasks for themselves will improve upon people with disabilities’ self-esteem and therefore their emotional wellbeing This helps to promote social wellbeing as individuals who require such parking spaces are more able to run errands either on their own or with others, depending on their circumstances, enabling them to experience the community first hand This will improve emotional wellbeing for the individual as they will not have to be as worried and stressed about this person abusing or coming after them and this can then improve social wellbeing as they will be more inclined to socialise with other people now their worries are sorted out This is a positive contribution to the individual’s economic wellbeing as they are receiving income, as well as social wellbeing through experiencing a new aspect of the community and emotional wellbeing is improved as they would feel more accepted The people in these education programs at the same time as mainstream schooling will experience a lift in their social wellbeing as they experience a range of social contexts including children with other disabilities and children without any, which can also enhance spiritual and cultural wellbeing through the experiences of these other children This will improve the individual’s social wellbeing as they will be better able to communicate with others without their anger flaring up and being able to control it when it does, therefore also improving emotional wellbeing as they can feel more included This service is beneficial to these individual’s physical wellbeing and therefore their emotional wellbeing is improved as their worry for their own health is lessened |
Implication
Without this allowance, individuals who have short-term disabilities will enter into a financial slump for a time, perhaps requiring loans which will take years to pay back once they are able to work again Without being able to modify their home with specialty furniture and ramps, the individual will be unable to move around in their own home without another physically assisting them, which can be rather demeaning Without these parking spaces, individuals with disabilities that require them will not only be unable to do many things such as shopping for themselves, but their emotional wellbeing will be damaged as it is a sign of non-acceptance Without this service, these individuals will be constantly worried about being physically attacked by another person, which could worsen their disability given the circumstances, which would be a negative towards their physical wellbeing Without these services, while not impossible, it would become exponentially more difficult for such individuals to gain employment and would therefore either end up on Centrelink and other government payments, struggling to make ends meet, or they could end up homeless Without these services in mainstream schools, children with disabilities will feel less accepted, ostracised and will receive a more restricted standard of education as they do not have these extra experiences of being among other children and learning the same content, though some children with disabilities are not able to do so anyways Without this service, the individual will be unable to control their own emotions and will therefore damage their emotional wellbeing and further so when they become frustrated with themselves for their lack of control, hindering their social wellbeing Without physical therapy, the individual’s social wellbeing may suffer as they may feel separated from others as they may not be able to participate in some activities |
Factors affecting access to services
Characteristics of individuals within the group, eg age, gender, level of education, culture, type of disability, first language spoken, socioeconomic status
Note:
Characteristics = (CALFSTooGood)
Culture (C)
Age (A)
Level of Education (L)
First Language Spoken (F)
Socioeconomic Status (S)
Type of Disability (T)
Gender (G)
Characteristics = (CALFSTooGood)
Culture (C)
Age (A)
Level of Education (L)
First Language Spoken (F)
Socioeconomic Status (S)
Type of Disability (T)
Gender (G)
Culture
Age Level of education First language spoken Socioeconomic status Type of disability Gender |
Legal Aid:
For individuals with a disability from an aboriginal background where there are already specialty legal aid services for their culture group will have further enhanced their access to this service when they need it with the combination of their culture and disability Financial Service: Disabled children rely on their parents to access any financial support they may be entitled to - e.g. funding to help with learning while at school. A kindergarten wouldn’t be able to fill out the paperwork needed to apply for this extra assistance Employment Service: People with disabilities need a high level education to cater for their specific needs to effectively manage their disability - e.g. an intellectually challenged individual may require an electronic device to communicate and express themselves however with a high education, there is a better chance of the individual communicating in the mainstream sense Health Care: For an individual with a foreign language as their first language, their social wellbeing can be negatively impacted as they may not get the same treatment as those who speak english first as the language barrier may produce difficulty when having doctor appointments or expressing themselves. Transport Service: Coming from a higher socioeconomic status would mean having better access to transport whether it be having your own car, if you can drive, or a family car someone can drive for you or even enough money and knowledge to utilise public transport. This knowledge of public transport would be perhaps more extensive with those from a lower socioeconomic status. Financial Support: For individuals with a disability that has widespread awareness and support, such as many aspects of the autism spectrum as opposed to spina bifida that is less well known and has little awareness spread, allowing those with well known disabilities to gain better access to services by way of assistance in finance from petitions to have them jump waiting lists Health care: Because colour blindness is a genetic disease many more men are diagnosed with the disease, this can lead to their being more support and treatment for males instead of equal opportunities for women |
Resources, eg time, money, energy, knowledge
Note:
Resources = (KMET) (Like Kmart)
Knowledge (K)
Money (M)
Energy (E)
Time (T)
Resources = (KMET) (Like Kmart)
Knowledge (K)
Money (M)
Energy (E)
Time (T)
Knowledge
Money Energy Time |
Some disabilities mean individuals are unable to communicate. Sadly, some people mistake this lack of communication for a lack of knowledge. This is not always the case. In face, advancements in technology mean that people with disabilities have even more opportunities to acquire knowledge. Difficulty accessing technology may also make it difficult for people to find out about services available in their area (e.g. if a person with a disability has limited knowledge of surrounding services that would be highly suited for them and their disability, it would negatively impact on their w/b either it being physical or mental depending on their type of disability
People with disabilities may need expensive equipment, so money can be a significant factor. For example, a beach wheelchair allows a person to access the surf and sand. However, it is much more expensive than a regular wheelchair, which cannot be used at a beach. While allowances are given to people with disabilities and their carers, the income may not be comparable to that of full-time employment (e.g. An individual who gains a disability and requires a wheelchair, therefore needing to modify their home which is expensive [and time consuming]) The energy of a person with a disability may vary depending on their age and condition. This may affect a person’s decision to be involved with employment programs or educational courses (e.g. if an individual has low energy, it would impact negatively on all aspects of their w/b with them Individuals and their carers must have the time to be transported to the service. Usually, transporting someone with a disability is relatively time consuming (e.g. An individual who is rendered unable to drive perhaps from partial blindness or other physical disability will require either a driver or public transport, a driver will be able to use transport time more effectively, however, public transport is unreliable and time wasting.) |
How does KNOWLEDGE help people with disabilities access services?
More knowledge means people with disabilities will be better able to access services, for instance, knowing about the better support in specialised schools which leads to a higher chance of gaining employment. Increased knowledge may mean their awareness of services available for their condition is better therefore improving their overall wellbeing. Being more mature and having a more mature social awareness allows for individuals to utilise common sense to work through social situations.
What are the implications of not having enough KNOWLEDGE to access services for the disabled?
Limited knowledge based on the geographical location means the individual is less knowledgeable about local services and they can therefore not access them (e.g. moving from Brisbane to Sydney) this will therefore decrease overall wellbeing. If there is a lack of knowledge education and employment prospects decrease.
How does MONEY help people with disabilities access services?
Having good finances and access to finance allows individuals with disabilities to access services more easily as a great number of these services cost an extensive amount of money that many of these individuals do not have, therefore making access easier for those who have money. For instance, an individual who develops a sensory disability, such as blindness, will need to modify their accommodation, perhaps attend therapy, either a guide dog or other form of guide, all of which require some form of payment. The circumstances are similar for individuals who begin to develop a psychological disability where they may also require some kind of therapy or other assistance in order to live with this handicap.
What are the implications of not having enough MONEY to access services for the disabled?
Having too little money or financial access will limit people with disabilities ability to access proper care and services, or, at least they will be unable to access the best quality of the service. Not having enough money to access services has often lead individuals to create a fundraiser of some sort in order to not only cover any financial costs the individual may come across in their care, but it is also a way to spread awareness of the individual’s disability and therefore increase their access to services through this awareness of their caring needs.
How does ENERGY help people with disabilities access services?
People with disabilities who still have energy will be more independent and therefore able to do more on their own without a carer. Having more energy means they are able to get out of the house and access education or employment and enhance their financial circumstances. People who have gone through a temporary disability such as one from a car accident, once they have been rehabilitated and regain their energy, they are able to go and spread awareness of their situation. Having more energy will also increase the amount of time available to them. Having more energy enables individuals to learn how to work with others through situations such as sporting activities, which will therefore increase their social wellbeing.
What are the implications of not having enough ENERGY to access services for the disabled?
These individuals will become more tired easily, therefore they are unable to gain full time employment or perhaps no employment at all. They will rely more on their carers to assist them, which can develop feelings of dependency. The lack of energy will also lead to a lack of physical activity, therefore hindering their physical wellbeing.
How does TIME help people with disabilities access services?
It allows individuals with disabilities to access transport from outside the home such as booking transport for a specific time in order to attend appointments on time and not be late. These individuals are able to get all of their required medications et cetera from the pharmacy if they have the time to go out and get them, alternatively their carer would be able to do this to save them time. In order to save more time for individuals who require therapy they can build an in home therapy room rather than getting transport to and from the service. They are also better able to access the public transport system if they have more time as they do not have a constraint if the bus/train is late.
What are the implications of not having enough TIME to access services for the disabled?
They will be unable to attend social events due to limited transport services and change of times in regards to public transport. If unable to attend an appointment including doctors or specialists, their overall wellbeing will decline as their disability may worsen. Once the disability becomes worse, the individual will have less time and less access to transport in order to access healthcare services or fill prescriptions.
More knowledge means people with disabilities will be better able to access services, for instance, knowing about the better support in specialised schools which leads to a higher chance of gaining employment. Increased knowledge may mean their awareness of services available for their condition is better therefore improving their overall wellbeing. Being more mature and having a more mature social awareness allows for individuals to utilise common sense to work through social situations.
What are the implications of not having enough KNOWLEDGE to access services for the disabled?
Limited knowledge based on the geographical location means the individual is less knowledgeable about local services and they can therefore not access them (e.g. moving from Brisbane to Sydney) this will therefore decrease overall wellbeing. If there is a lack of knowledge education and employment prospects decrease.
How does MONEY help people with disabilities access services?
Having good finances and access to finance allows individuals with disabilities to access services more easily as a great number of these services cost an extensive amount of money that many of these individuals do not have, therefore making access easier for those who have money. For instance, an individual who develops a sensory disability, such as blindness, will need to modify their accommodation, perhaps attend therapy, either a guide dog or other form of guide, all of which require some form of payment. The circumstances are similar for individuals who begin to develop a psychological disability where they may also require some kind of therapy or other assistance in order to live with this handicap.
What are the implications of not having enough MONEY to access services for the disabled?
Having too little money or financial access will limit people with disabilities ability to access proper care and services, or, at least they will be unable to access the best quality of the service. Not having enough money to access services has often lead individuals to create a fundraiser of some sort in order to not only cover any financial costs the individual may come across in their care, but it is also a way to spread awareness of the individual’s disability and therefore increase their access to services through this awareness of their caring needs.
How does ENERGY help people with disabilities access services?
People with disabilities who still have energy will be more independent and therefore able to do more on their own without a carer. Having more energy means they are able to get out of the house and access education or employment and enhance their financial circumstances. People who have gone through a temporary disability such as one from a car accident, once they have been rehabilitated and regain their energy, they are able to go and spread awareness of their situation. Having more energy will also increase the amount of time available to them. Having more energy enables individuals to learn how to work with others through situations such as sporting activities, which will therefore increase their social wellbeing.
What are the implications of not having enough ENERGY to access services for the disabled?
These individuals will become more tired easily, therefore they are unable to gain full time employment or perhaps no employment at all. They will rely more on their carers to assist them, which can develop feelings of dependency. The lack of energy will also lead to a lack of physical activity, therefore hindering their physical wellbeing.
How does TIME help people with disabilities access services?
It allows individuals with disabilities to access transport from outside the home such as booking transport for a specific time in order to attend appointments on time and not be late. These individuals are able to get all of their required medications et cetera from the pharmacy if they have the time to go out and get them, alternatively their carer would be able to do this to save them time. In order to save more time for individuals who require therapy they can build an in home therapy room rather than getting transport to and from the service. They are also better able to access the public transport system if they have more time as they do not have a constraint if the bus/train is late.
What are the implications of not having enough TIME to access services for the disabled?
They will be unable to attend social events due to limited transport services and change of times in regards to public transport. If unable to attend an appointment including doctors or specialists, their overall wellbeing will decline as their disability may worsen. Once the disability becomes worse, the individual will have less time and less access to transport in order to access healthcare services or fill prescriptions.
Aspects of the service, eg opening hours, confidentiality, location, staffing
Note:
Aspects of the Service = (COLS)
Confidentiality (C)
Opening Hours (O)
Location (L)
Staffing (S)
Aspects of the Service = (COLS)
Confidentiality (C)
Opening Hours (O)
Location (L)
Staffing (S)
Confidentiality Opening Hours Location Staffing |
Explain
The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) states that people with disabilities have the right to access services without having to disclose unnecessary personal information and, if information is provided, they have the right to confidentiality Despite many individuals with disabilities are not working, this does not mean they have any time to access services they need as they often rely on others to transport them and assist in their access to these services and, while some services have 24 hour helplines, not all these individuals have access to a phone People in urban communities have better access to services than those in rural areas when they require travel assistance to access services Staff members not only need to be available to serve clients but also need to be well trained in offering care and support as well as trained in other administrative tasks |
Specific Example
Individuals with a disability who utilise their GP for general health needs and disclosing any of their relationship details, particularly in relation to sexual relations, to their doctor which, as will all individuals, is to be in confidence. Hospital emergency rooms and the 000 emergency line are open 24-7 but not all individuals are able to access a phone nor have someone to transport them to the hospital DisabilityCare Australia, the Newcastle branch was located in a major shopping centre, providing ample access through either personal or public transport Volunteer based services such as small community health centres may lack staff as they are not being paid for their services |
Impact on PwD
If this is not adhered to, individuals with disabilities may find it difficult when seeking work or attempting to access education, training, finding friends or utilising support networks. This may have detrimental affects on the individual’s health and general wellbeing as they may be unable to access a service that is vital in order to survive, which could therefore result in death in a worst case scenario If an individual lives in a rural area and requires assistance to travel, they may be unable to access the services when they are available or, in urban areas, the area may be unequipped to some individuals’ disabilities i.e. the removal of one of the lifts at DisabilityCare Australia Having a lack of staff means that individuals may have to wait up to several hours to be cared for, which could be adverse for their health and wellbeing |