Generally disability is more common in rural and remote areas than in urban areas537 however people with disability living outside major cities are significantly less likely to access disability support services than those living within major cities.538
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians
It has been estimated that in 2002 the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with a disability was approximately twice that of the general population.539 Aboriginal Australians face significant barriers to accessing disability support services due to insufficient services in metropolitan and regional areas, social marginalisation, cultural attitudes towards disability and culturally inappropriate services.540
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons living in remote communities, access issues similar to those outlined under Article 25 exist. There is a lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate information about available community services and aids and appliances. Few disability services are specifically designed for or staffed by Aboriginal Australians541and there is a shortage of appropriate aids and equipment.542 (See also Article 20)
