4147.4.55.001 - Culture and Recreation News, Mar 2007  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 21/03/2007   
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CULTURAL PARTICIPATION BY PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY AND OLDER PERSONS

In 2003 the ABS conducted a Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC). The CMC SWG report Cultural Participation by Persons with a Disability and Older Persons, 2003 will soon be released on the CMC SWG web site at http://www.culturaldata.gov.au/publications/statistics_working_group. For further information about the report please contact Jenny Dobak on (08) 8237 7317 or email <nccrs@abs.gov.au>. Other information relevant to persons with a disability and older persons is available in the ABS publication, Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia, 2003 (cat. no. 4430.0).

Persons with a disability

In 2003, 4.0 million people in Australia (20% of the population) had a disability which restricted their everyday activities and which had lasted, or was expected to last, for six months or more. The most popular ‘at home’ activities for these people were telephone calls with family or friends, visits from family or friends, and art or craft work. Popular ‘away from home’ activities included visiting family or friends; going to restaurants or clubs; and participating in church, voluntary or special interest group activities.

During the survey year, 43% of people with disabilities attended the cinema, 34% visited libraries, 29% visited animal or marine parks or botanic gardens, 25% attended theatres or concerts, and 20% visited museums or art galleries. In comparison, there were 29% who attended sporting events as spectators, and 28% who took part in sports or physical recreation. However, 26% of people with disabilities did not take part in any of the cultural or sports activities mentioned above.

Older persons (aged 60 years and over)

In 2003, there were 3.4 million people in Australia aged 60 years and over. Of these, 51% had a disability. The most popular community participation activities for older people were catching up with family or friends, going to restaurants or clubs, participating in church, voluntary or special interest group activities, and art or craft work.

During the survey year, 34% of older people attended the cinema, 32% visited libraries, 28% attended theatres or concerts, 24% visited animal or marine parks or botanic gardens, and 21% visited museums or art galleries. One-quarter of older people participated in sports or physical recreation, while 22% attended sporting events as a spectator. Around 30% did not participate in any of these cultural or sports activities.