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What is your submission about?
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Topic name
The City of Casey agrees with feedback identified by the ABS for the 2021 Census regarding the representation ‘Need for assistance’.
The City of Casey is primarily concerned with the accuracy of results regarding ‘Need for assistance’ and whether this is truly representative of the population with a disability, or whether the responses obtained align with disability as defined by the Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC) where disability is "any limitation, restriction or impairment which restricts everyday activities and has lasted, or is likely to last, for at least six months". Given that 'Need for assistance' is used to understand the proportion of the population with a disability, the City of Casey suggests that questions surrounding this topic should define what is meant by a disability (to separate responses about 'Need for assistance' that are related to ageing, long term health condition, or other) and include options for responses where a person who has a disability, without needing assistance, can provide a response.
Choose your area of interest
Please select one item
(Required)
Population
Sex and gender
Households and families
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Income and work
Unpaid work and care
Education and training
Ticked
Disability and carers
Housing
Location
Transport
Cultural diversity
Religion
Other topic
Topics on Disability and carers
Choose one or more of the following topics that relates to your submission
Please select all that apply
Ticked
Need for assistance
Unpaid care (due to the disability, long term illness or old age of another person)
Other/unknown
If other please specify
Persons with a disability
Assessment Criteria 1
1.
This topic is of current national importance.
National Importance
By understanding Australia’s disabled population, planning and provision of adequate services can be coordinated in a sufficient and inclusive manner. It will inform more intensive research on how to prevent certain disabilities from occurring in the first place.
Assessment Criteria 2
2.
There is a need for data from a Census of the whole population.
For whole population
Enhanced data assists in addressing social inclusion for those with a disability to ensure they have the best opportunities to enjoy life and do well in society, particularly the opportunity to:
- Participate in society through employment and access to services
- Connect with family, friends and the local community
- Deal with personal crises (e.g., ill health), and;
- Be heard (four domains of social inclusion, Australian Government, 2010).
Data is required at small geographic areas to ensure people are provided with these opportunities within their local communities.
Assessment Criteria 3
3.
The topic can be accurately collected in a form which the household completes themselves.
Easy to answer
The City of Casey is concerned that the questions currently included in the Census are not easily understood or answered by respondents in order to accurately determine rates of disability. The City of Casey's recommendations seek to improve the collection of this information, consistent with the recognised definition of disability from the SDAC.
Assessment Criteria 4
4.
The topic would be acceptable to Census respondents.
Acceptable
The proposed changes will provide greater inclusivity and clarity for those with a disability (as defined by the SDAC) to provide a response.
Assessment Criteria 6
6.
There is likely to be a continuing need for data on this topic in the following Census.
Continuing need
Collection of this information is consistent with enabling people with a disability to be socially included.
Assessment Criteria 7
7.
There are no other alternative data sources or solutions that could meet the topic need.
No alternatives
SDAC is a sample survey and there is currently inconsistency on how information is collected between the Census and SDAC survey. In order to understand the population of Australia with a disability to the local level, it is recommended that questions within the Census are refined to gain greater accuracy of results.