4431.0.55.002 - ABS Sources of Disability Information, 2012 - 2016  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 12/09/2018   
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SUMMARY OF SOURCES OF DISABILITY INFORMATION

CollectionAbout the surveyScopeMeasure of disability
Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC)SDAC is the preferred source of disability data in the ABS as it provides the most accurate disability prevalence rates.The scope of the 2015 SDAC was people in both urban and rural areas in all states and territories, living in private dwellings, self-care retirement villages and establishments providing long-term care accommodation. Excludes persons living in very remote areas and households in the Indigenous Community Frame.Developed specifically to align with international measures of disability as described in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).

Contains 166 questions designed to provide a wealth of detail on the identification of disability and the underlying conditions causing disability.

A large number of these questions are used to establish if a person is restricted by disability (39 questions) and is in need of assistance. This group of questions is designed to exclude people if their need for assistance is not the direct result of disability.

Short Disability ModuleA limited number of questions based on the SDAC. The module was developed to be incorporated into social surveys, so that disability can be investigated alongside other socio-economic factors.

Designed to identify the population with disability within any of the social surveys in which the module has been included.		Scope varies depending on the social survey in which the module has been included.

Some surveys restrict the age to 18 years and over.		The Short Disability Module applies predominantly the same criteria as the SDAC to identify people with disability and determine their level of severity of restriction, but uses only a short question set and a series of prompt cards. The questions used are compatible with the Activities and Participation component of the ICF and are based directly on the questions used in the SDAC.

It first established the presence of effects of any long-term health conditions, limitation or restrictions, and then ascertains the extent to which there require the person to be assisted to carry out various core activities.

Analysis of data collected from a number of surveys using the short disability module indicate there is a tendency for disability prevalence to be overestimated using the short module. The error due to overestimation means the differences between those with and without disabilities are likely to be underestimated. However this module provides useful data as it allows for comparison of the socio-economic situation of people with disability across populations. It also places less of a burden on respondents.
Core activity need for assistance (Census)Census data is available at the small area level and is designed to help service providers and government plan where local facilities, services and supports are required, such as: in-home support, respite care and support to carers.All people in Australia on Census night, except foreign diplomats and their families.The Census uses the responses of four questions to produce 'core activity (mobility, communication or self-care) need for assistance' and is conceptually intended to equate to 'profound or severe' core activity limitation in the SDAC.