CJRTP

《Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice》 ›› 2021, Vol. 27 ›› Issue (8): 889-899.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2021.08.003

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Policies and Development of Assistive Technology Services for People with Disabilities in Australia

YANG Si-chuang1,2,QIU Fu-bing1,2(),TANG Xiu-qi1,3,LI An-qiao1,2,CHEN Lin4,WANG Shu-yun5   

  1. 1. Center of Physical Education, Sport and Health Sciences, Department of Physical Education, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518060, China
    2. China Academy of ICF, Weifang, Shandong 261000, China
    3. Institute for Sport Science, Department of Physical Education of Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
    4. College of Mechanical Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi 530004, China
    5. Health Policy Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
  • Received:2021-07-12 Revised:2021-07-20 Published:2021-08-25 Online:2021-08-25
  • Contact: QIU Fu-bing E-mail:13902932056@163.com
  • Supported by:
    Central Finance Support Discipline Construction Project of Special Physical Education Department in Local Universities(0000290701)

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Abstract:

Objective To study the prevalence of people with disability, and the demand, service policies and service system for assistive technology (AT) services in Australia. Methods Referring to policy recommendation and indicators in World Health Organizaion's Rehabilitation in Health Systems, Australia's assistive technology service policy framework, services development and trend of development were analyzed by the means of content analysis and development research. Results There are about 4.4 million people with disability in Australia, of which 1.4 million (32%) with severe or profound disabilities. Federal, state and territorial governments have respectively issued legislation, policy and related service project, including the National Disability Strategy, National Disability Agreement, the National Disability Insurance Scheme, National Standards for Disability Services and others assistance programs to support disability services. There are about two million Australians with disabilities received AT services support from the mentioned programme and scheme. Australia provides more than ten thousands kinds of AT appliances per year, covering all kinds of products in WHO's Priority Assistive Products List. Conclusion Australia has developed a federal National Disability Strategy, AT service policies and standards, and established federal and state AT insurance and financial support programs for people with disabilities based on the unmet needs of AT services, and federal and state networks for AT services have been established, and service coordination mechanisms at federal and state levels have been established through the National Disability Agreement, covering all types of people with demand of AT in Australia. It meets the requirements of the policy recommendations and assessment indicators in the WHO's Rehabilitation in Health Systems policy guidelines involving AT services. The future development areas in AT will focus on the fields of policy development, ICF implementation, service delivery system, upgrading of service quality and standard, and new technology application.

Key words: assistive technology, disability, Australia