Accessibility of services and digitalization
People with a disability face unique challenges in accessing healthcare and other services in Australia. Depending on their condition, people with one or more disabilities often require support and care from a range of providers as well as specialist healthcare treatment, which can be costly and have long waiting periods. People with disabilities may also rely upon family members, friends, or other informal carers to provide care and support, or they may be independent and care for themselves. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, digital service use has increased considerably, and the healthcare industry has been highly digitalized in Australia as a result. People with a disability ranked relatively low with 62 points in comparison to other socio-economic groups on the Australian Digital Inclusion Index, which measures digital inclusion across accessibility, affordability, and digital ability to ensure all Australians can access digital technologies and services effectively.Discrimination and stigma
Discrimination is a prevalent issue in the disability community. Hundreds of thousands of people with disabilities in Australia reported experiencing discrimination due to their disability, and only a small share chose to pursue the issue through a formal complaints body such as the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC). The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 makes it unlawful to discriminate against a person due to their disability in various parts of public life, including in the workplace, in schools, or when using public spaces. Since 2014, the number of complaints received from the AHRC regarding the Disability Discrimination Act has increased.While around one-fifth of the Australian population believe people should not expect much from people with a disability, it is evident that there is further work to be done to break down the stigma associated with disability. In Australia, a wide range of dedicated services and organizations operate to support people with a disability and advocate for improved rights, health outcomes, accessibility, and inclusion to ensure everyone is treated equally and can contribute actively to society.
