Disability terms

Assistive technology

Assistive technologies are practical solutions to everyday activities for people with disability, people with long or short term injury, and seniors.

Assistive, adaptive and rehabilitative devices allow you to perform tasks that you may be otherwise unable to do, improve quality of life and allow you to remain independent. They range from devices which assist with the use of computers to heavy lifting aids and making general household tasks like turning taps or reaching light bulbs easier.

Carer

A person who provides, in a non-contractual and unpaid capacity, ongoing care or assistance to another person who, because of disability, frailty, chronic illness or pain, requires assistance with everyday tasks.

Disability

There are different definitions for disability. In the Australian Bureau of Statistics' Survey of Disability, 2009, disability is defined as ‘a limitation, restriction or impairment, which has lasted, or is likely to last, for at least 6 months and restricts everyday activities'.

The United Nations and the World Health Organization have other definitions for disability.

HACC

The Commonwealth Home and Community Care program supports frail older people to continue to live in the community. (For people under 65, see Community Care)

NDA

National Disability Agreement (formerly Commonwealth-State/Territory Disability Agreement or CSTDA)

Respite

Temporary care or relief for a person caring for someone with disability.

Service

A support activity provided to a service user in accordance with the NDA.

Service provider

Previously called the ‘funded agency', the service provider is the body funded under the NDA.

Service type

Service type is the support activity provided by the service provider as funded under the NDA. Service types are classified into 7 categories:

• accommodation support
• community support
• community access
• respite
• employment
• advocacy, information and alternative forms of communication
• other support services.

Within each of these categories, there are subcategories.

Service user

A service user is a person with disability who receives an NDA-funded service.