Summary

This report provides Australian prevalence estimates of five main disability groups: intellectual, psychiatric, sensory/speech, acquired brain injury and physical/diverse. The groups are explained and defined in terms of Australian and international definitions of disability, and of available Australian data. The report updates and expands on three previous reports (on intellectual disability, physical disability and acquired brain injury) to provide a complete picture in terms of the five groups. The report also reviews recent trends (1981 to 1998) in the prevalence of disability and chronic conditions, and analyses changes in population patterns of disability prevalence in Australia.

This report provides Australian prevalence estimates of five main disability groups: intellectual, psychiatric, sensory/speech, acquired brain injury and physical/diverse. The groups are explained and defined in terms of Australian and international definitions of disability, and of available Australian data. The report updates and expands on three previous reports (on intellectual disability, physical disability and acquired brain injury) to provide a complete picture in terms of the five groups. The report also reviews recent trends (1981 to 1998) in the prevalence of disability and chronic conditions, and analyses changes in population patterns of disability prevalence in Australia.