Components of disability exclusion: Discrimination, avoidance and accessibility in later life

To examine the prevalence and context of disability exclusion reported by people with disability, with and without communication and mobility problems.

The 2015 Survey of Disability Ageing and Carers was used to measure the prevalence of reported exclusion. Tests of proportions were used to examine differences in prevalence rates. Proportional Venn diagrams were used to examine the intersection of measures of exclusion.

Approximately 53% of those with a communication or mobility difficulty reported at least one measure of exclusion. Among this group, 7% reported an instance of discrimination, 44% reported avoidance, and 29% reported an accessibility problem. The levels of discrimination and avoidance for those without communication or mobility difficulties were approximately half this level (16% avoidance and 3% discrimination). Avoidance and discrimination reduced with age, but accessibility was age-invariant. Exclusion measures intersected and occurred in a variety of contexts.

Despite protections provided in Australian law, disability exclusion persists and is high among those with communication and mobility difficulties.