SPORT AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN BY PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
One in five people (20%) in Australia had a disability in 2003 according to the latest ABS survey on Disability, Ageing and Carers, a rate which remains virtually unchanged from 1998 when the survey was previously conducted.
What has this got to do with culture and recreation? It may not be well known that, in addition to providing comprehensive information on such issues as the nature of disabilities, assistance needed and received, and relationship to the main carer, the survey also provides some information about leisure activities undertaken by people with disabilities both away from home and at home.
The rate at which people with a disability and aged 5 years and over participated in cultural and sporting activities away from their homes in 2003 has remained broadly similar to 1998, with almost three quarters (72%) participating in at least one of the specified activities during the 12 months prior to the survey being conducted.
The cultural or sporting activities with the highest participation rates were attending the cinema (43%), visiting a library (34%), taking part in sport or physical recreation (29%) and attending a sporting event as a spectator (29%).
For at-home activities, in the 3 months before the survey about 15% of people with a disability and aged 5 years and over undertook art or craftwork for or with other people.
Further details are available in Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia, 2003: Summary of Findings (cat. no. 4430.0).