Objective: There is limited understanding of the views of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal workers about the factors that influence the participation of Aboriginal people in disability services. This inquiry identified and explored the factors that influence the participation of Aboriginal people in disability services, as described from the experiences of a sample of paid non-government disability service workers in New South Wales, Australia.
Methods: Interviews and focus groups were conducted with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal paid employees of an Aboriginal community controlled organisation and a generic disability organisation.
Results: Twelve factors that influenced the participation of Aboriginal people in disability services were identified from the data. These factors are inter-related historically, socially and institutionally.
Conclusions: The study has both identified issues relevant to the participation of Aboriginal people in disability services and has provided indicators of strategies that could ensure greater and more appropriate participation by Aboriginal people. It is imperative that service access barriers are addressed for Aboriginal peoples during the current national government reforms to the disability services sector (NDIS).
Implications: The findings from this study have significant implications for disability service policy and practice relating to Aboriginal people with disability, their families and carers.