Disability: key points

• Disability is difficult to define and, therefore, the prevalence of disability is difficult to measure; however, it is critical to do both for reasons of policy, service provision and planning.

• It is important to understand the different definitions, and perceptions, of disability. 'Individual' definitions focus on the person and their impairment and functioning, whereas 'social' definitions emphasise the restriction imposed upon the person by their social and physical environment.

• In 2007/08, it was estimated that 22% of adults (aged 16 years and over) in Scotland had a long-standing illness, health problem or disability. The 2001 census gave a similar figure (20%).

• In the last quarter of 2008, 9% of the working age population of Scotland (males aged 16-64 years; females aged 16-59 years) were classed as unable to work due to illness/disability (in receipt of Employment Support Allowance which replaced Incapacity Benefit and Income Support paid on incapacity grounds in October 2008).

 

 

Section updates: The last major update of this section was completed in January 2010.   The next major update is due to be carried out by end January 2011.