Representation of Acquired Disabilities in Australian Research, Policy, and Practice: a Scoping Review

Alan Zana (1), Sam Fien (2), Eileen Willis (3), Ashlyn Sahay (4)
(1) Central Queensland University, Australia,
(2) Central Queensland University, Australia,
(3) Central Queensland University, Australia,
(4) Central Queensland University, Australia

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Issue
Vol. 33 No. 4 (2022): Winter
Submitted
October 6, 2022
Published
March 4, 2023
Keywords:
    Acquired disabilities, disability employment, workforce participation rate
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Abstract

Purpose: Emerging data shows that Australia has a significantly higher number of persons who acquired a disability after birth than persons with congenital disabilities. Little is known about the impact of acquired disabilities on employment outcomes to guide employers, disability service providers and policymakers. This scoping review outlines the gaps in knowledge about the impact of acquired disabilities on employment participation and discusses the conflicting positions of disability models.

Method: A review was conducted of academic and grey literature on disability employment research and policy, published between 1990 and 2021. These were synthesised to analyse the representation of acquired disabilities in research and policy.

Results: It was found that the term “acquired disabilities” is not clearly identified and defined in the literature and the application of terms of reference for disability vary between disability peak bodies and service delivery organisations.

Conclusion: Future research on disability studies needs to capture the definition and identification of acquired disabilities and how they impact on employment outcomes, to foster a unified definition of disability and to devise a refined model of disability that would guide research, policy and practice.

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Authors

Alan Zana
Central Queensland University
alan.zana@cqumail.com (Primary Contact)
Sam Fien
Central Queensland University
Eileen Willis
Central Queensland University
Ashlyn Sahay
Central Queensland University
Author Biographies

Alan Zana, Central Queensland University

Alan Zana has worked in Disability Employment since 2009. Alan is a Ph.D. research student with an interest in disability employment, especially around acquired disabilities and closing the employment participation gap. He has a background in social change, development and training.

Sam Fien, Central Queensland University

Dr Samantha Fien is an Early Career Researcher who has an interest in healthy ageing, particularly in the rural and regional areas.

Eileen Willis, Central Queensland University

Professor Willis is a Health Sociologist with an interest in working time and rationed care for health professionals. She has published on missed care in nursing and nurse navigators and is first editor of the textbook 'Understanding the Australian Healthcare system'.

Ashlyn Sahay, Central Queensland University

Dr. Ashlyn Sahay leads the Health Workforce Academy and has an interest in developing the health workforce and service delivery models particularly in the rural and regional areas.
1.
Zana A, Fien S, Willis E, Sahay A. Representation of Acquired Disabilities in Australian Research, Policy, and Practice: a Scoping Review. DCIDJ [Internet]. 2023 Mar. 4 [cited 2025 Feb. 23];33(4):69-88. Available from: https://dcidj.uog.edu.et/index.php/up-j-dcbrid/article/view/652
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