Identifying barriers to participation for Disability Support Pension (DSP) 008-03090020

Some of the factors which may create barriers to participation for a DSP customer are:

• Personal perceptions of their medical condition: What may be a relatively minor issue to others may have significant impact on the customer, for example, changes to appearance, such as scars
• Lifestyle changes: Medical conditions may cause significant changes to a customer's lifestyle, for example, financial cost (medication, reduced income) or loss of mobility
• Psychological impact: Emotional reactions, self-esteem and confidence could be affected
• Trauma: Some customers are incapacitated through a traumatic event (for example a car accident) or may be experiencing painful or extensive treatment

Stigmas and misunderstandings are major barriers for people with disability undertaking or seeking work. Terminology such as 'disorder' and 'handicapped' to describe people with disabilities are likely to cause offence, and should be avoided.

It is important the person's impairment is seen as only one characteristic of the individual and does not imply any general lack of ability. Using positive language is a powerful tool which helps to break down barriers.

The customer’s own perceptions may also be a barrier. The customer may have unrealistic expectations about the impacts of their condition, their prospects for recovery, and their physical or mental abilities. Customers will often focus on what they cannot do, rather than on what they can do.

A DSP customer's barriers to participation may not be immediately evident. Just because a condition is not physically evident (for example mental health condition), it does not mean its impacts are less debilitating than conditions that may be physically obvious (for example loss of limb).

For DSP customers, Job Capacity Assessment (JCA) reports and Employment Services Assessment (ESAt) reports provide valuable information about the nature of their medical condition, barriers to participation, work capacity, and suitable referrals and interventions. For more information, see Understanding Job Capacity Assessment (JCA) reports.

For DSP customers who are interested in volunteering for employment services, referral for an ESAt is generally a helpful first step, to:

• assess the impacts of conditions on their capacity to work
• assess barriers and interventions, and
• recommend suitable services that are most likely to help them build capacity, prepare for work and re-engage with the workforce

For more information, see Referring a Disability Support Pension (DSP) customer volunteering for employment assistance for an Employment Services Assessment (ESAt).

DSP customers can also directly register with Disability Employment Services or other providers, who will talk to them about the types of services they can offer. If required, the DES provider can also refer the customer for an ESAt to assess suitable services. For more information, see Direct registration with a provider for disability employment assistance services.