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PARTICIPATION

PARTICIPATION IN EDUCATION

Having a disability can impact on educational opportunities and participation. In 2012, less than half (44.2%) of all people living in households aged 15 years and over with psychological disability had completed Year 12 (or equivalent) or higher, compared with 70.9% of people without a disability. As expected, this differed depending on level of limitation.

Of all people with psychological disability, 36.1% of those with a profound or severe core activity limitation had completed Year 12 (or equivalent) or higher, while proportionately more people with a moderate or mild core activity limitation or a schooling or employment restriction only had completed this level (49.4% and 58.1%, respectively).

Of all people aged five years and over with psychological disability living in households, 16.6% reported they were currently studying. This compared with 11.5% of people of a similar age with a disability other than psychological, and 30.1% of people with no disability.

More than two-thirds (69.8%) of all people with psychological disability who were currently studying reported experiencing difficulties at their school or educational institution due to their condition. This compared with 38.9% of people currently studying with a disability other than psychological. The main difficulties reported by those with psychological disability were difficulty fitting in socially (49.5%) and learning difficulties (41.4%).

The majority of students with psychological disability reported that they did receive educational support or special arrangements (58.1%) with three in ten (30.7%) receiving special tuition and five in ten (51.2%) receiving other support, such as special assessment procedures, special equipment, special access or transport arrangements and/or a counsellor or disability support person.

PARTICIPATION IN EMPLOYMENT (persons aged 15 to 64 years)

Disability can impact on a person’s opportunities to participate in the labour force. In 2012, around one in four (23.2%) people aged 15 to 64 years living in households with psychological disability were employed, compared with just over half (54.5%) of people in this age group with a disability other than psychological, and 78.5% of people without a disability.

The rate of unemployment for people with psychological disability was not significantly different from that for people with a disability other than psychological (5.9% compared with 4.7%), however was significantly higher than the rate for people with no disability (4.0%).

The majority (87.2%) of people aged 15 to 64 years with psychological disability reported having an employment restriction, a significantly higher rate than that for people with a disability other than psychological (62.7%).

In 2012, the most common occupations for people with psychological disability were Labourers (28.6%) and Professionals (16.7%).