Overview
The population of Western Australia at last count was 1,964,100. An estimated 405,500 West Australians have disabilities (20.6 per cent of the population) and 246,800 West Australians are carers for people with disability (12.6 per cent of the population).
A disability is recognised as a condition which:
- is attributable to an intellectual, psychiatric, cognitive, neurological, sensory or physical impairment, or a combination of those impairments
- is permanent or likely to be permanent
- may or may not be of a chronic or episodic nature.
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Disabilities can result in a person having a substantially reduced capacity for communication, social interaction, learning or mobility and a need for continuing support services in daily life. With the assistance of appropriate aids and services, the restrictions experienced by many people with disability may be overcome.
Types of disability
The main categories of disability are physical, sensory, physiological and intellectual. A physical disability is the most common, followed by mental/behavioural and sensory. Physical disabilities generally relate to disorders of the musculoskeletal, circulatory, respiratory and nervous systems. Sensory disabilities involve impairments in hearing and vision. Mental/behavioural disorders include intellectual and developmental disabilities which relate to difficulties with thought processes, learning, communicating, remembering information and using it appropriately, making judgments and problem solving. They also include anxiety disorders, phobias, depression and many other types of mental illnesses.
Communicating with people with disability
When communicating with a person with disability, rely on your common sense. Ask yourself how you would want to be treated and always be willing to adapt to a person's individual preference. The basic principle is to put the person before the disability. Communication skills are vital in developing relationships with people with and without disability. Common sense and courtesy tells us to treat people with respect – be patient and listen attentively, speak directly to a person with disability (even if accompanied by an interpreter or companion), never make assumptions about what people can do, don't attempt to speak or finish a sentence for the person you're speaking to and never ask "What happened to you?"
