FOI 24/25-0367 DOCUMENT 17
Physical Disability Snapshot SGP KP Publishing
Exported on 2024-10-18 03:13:20
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FOI 24/25-0367 SGP KP Publishing – Physical Disability Snapshot
Table of Contents
1 Peak body consulted …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 4 2 What is Physical Disability?…………………………………………………………………………………… 5 3 How is Physical Disability diagnosed? …………………………………………………………………… 6 4 Language and terminology ……………………………………………………………………………………. 7 5 Enabling social and economic participation …………………………………………………………… 8 6 Families and carers ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 9 7 How can I tailor a meeting to suit a participant with Physical Disability? ………………. 10 8 What people with Physical Disability want you to remember ………………………………… 11 9 Helpful links ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 12
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FOI 24/25-0367 SGP KP Publishing – Physical Disability Snapshot
This Disability Snapshot provides general information about physical disability to assist you in communicating effectively and supporting the participant in developing their goals. Each person is an individual and will have their own needs, preferences and experiences. This information has been prepared for NDIA staff and partners and is not intended for external distribution.
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1 Peak body consulted
In developing this resource, we consulted with Physical Disability Australia.
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2 What is Physical Disability?
A physical disability refers to an impairment that affects a person’s range of body movements when compared to someone without physical disability. It is important to note many different diagnoses fall under this broad category, and there may be other conditions that can limit a person’s physical capacity.
Generally, physical disability does not affect a person’s mind or ability to sense their environment. It is important to not make assumptions about a person’s cognitive capacity or how their condition may progress as they get older.
This broad category includes the following disabilities in the NDIS Business System:
• cerebral palsy • spinal cord injury • multiple sclerosis • stroke • other neurological • other physical.
People with physical disability experience fewer opportunities for social, economic and cultural participation. They experience more difficulty moving around and interacting with their physical environment compared to people without physical disability. Many people with physical disability use mobility aids (such as wheelchairs, scooters, walking frames, etc.), prosthetic limbs, home and vehicle modifications, and other assistive technology devices.
This information provides a general overview and you should always talk to the participant about their individual experience. Refer to Helpful links for further information on some of the specific physical disabilities identified above.
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3 How is Physical Disability diagnosed?
Physical disability can be diagnosed in many different ways depending on the individual and their circumstances. This may be through physical assessment or further testing. Some physical disabilities are congenital, meaning a person is born with the disability. A congenital physical disability may be obvious when a child is born, or it may develop as the person grows older and be diagnosed later in life.
Other physical disabilities can be caused by injuries or diseases that lead to a significant physical impairment. This results in either a loss of function to part of the body, or a change in the person’s capacity to use their body.
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4 Language and terminology
Person-first language should be used. You should take care not to identify a person with physical disability by their impairment. The person with disability has the right to determine what terminology they prefer and how they identify.
Regardless of their speech or verbal capacity, it is important to approach any discussion with a person with physical disability as you would with a person without a physical impairment.
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5 Enabling social and economic participation
Some people with a physical disability will use mobility aids to enable access to community participation, study, employment and volunteering opportunities. People with different impairments may also benefit from a wide range of assistive technology that supports access the community and to assist daily living activities. These may include communication aides, portable ramps, and devices to assist with turning taps and holding utensils.
Learning from the participant’s lived experience is the best way to understand the type and level of supports a person with physical disability needs. Each individual will have preferred strategies to overcome the barriers that limit their social and economic participation.
Capacity building supports may assist a person with physical disability to participate in social and economic life in their community. For example, physical and occupational therapies can support people with physical disability to maintain or improve mobility, making it easier to engage in an ordinary life.
While capacity building supports are an important part of supporting people with employment goals, the NDIS is also responsible for funding frequent and ongoing supports that assist a person with disability to take part in work. This support includes day-to-day, on the job assistance designed to assist the participant to meaningfully participate in work. Economic participation has a number of benefits for participants including income, confidence, social interaction and networks, and a sense of independence.
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6 Families and carers
People with physical disability live in many different settings and can be receiving support from family members, as well as other informal and formal supports. Sometimes a participant may have limited living options, may not have chosen their current living situation and they may not be happy with these arrangements. It is important not to make assumptions about the informal support they may (or may not) be receiving.
For example, some people with physical disability may have ‘living independently’ as one of their goals. They may want to live outside of the family home and gain more self-independence.. Alternatively, they may want to move out of accommodation run by a service provider and have more choice and control over who they live with, the supports they receive and where they receive them.
Think about whether additional support in the home, support to access the community or short term accommodation, including respite, could offer the participant some independence from family members.
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7 How can I tailor a meeting to suit a participant with Physical Disability?
When organising a meeting with a participant, ask them directly, using their preferred communication method, what they need in terms of access and support to attend meetings. It may be useful to ask open ended questions to understand the participant’s needs, such as:
• ‘How would you like to meet with us?’ Travel can be difficult for some people with physical disability so telephone or video- conference calls may be their preferred option. • ‘Do you have any physical access requirements for our meeting?’ Some people with physical disability have specific access requirements such as mobility aids and you will need to make sure your location is accessible, spacious, level and free of trip hazards. • ‘Will you be bringing anyone with you?’ This may include family members, support workers, communication facilitators and/or advocates. • ‘How do you want to receive information from us?’ Paper can be hard for some people with physical disability to manage so it’s a good idea to discuss alternative formats that are available.
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8 What people with Physical Disability want you to remember
People with physical disability need you to understand they:
• do not (generally) have a cognitive impairment and they can understand the discussion • can express their goals and identify barriers to achieving them • have a good understanding of their disability and level of functional impairment, and what it means in terms of their capacity to lead an ordinary life • can express what supports they need and why they consider them reasonable and necessary.
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9 Helpful links
• Physical Disability Australia • Western Sydney University - Key facts on physical disability • BetterHealth - Physical disabilities • Disability Snapshot – Cerebral Palsy • Disability Snapshot – Multiple Sclerosis
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