# Disability
This month
January 2023
# accessibility
Complaints as steep temporary ramps at Dún Laoghaire Baths won't be upgraded until later in year
Access For All co-founder Sean O’Kelly told The Journal that the temporary ramps are too steep for independent access.
Last year
2022
# no magic pill
'This is not inspiration porn': Groundbreaking look at life of disability activist Martin Naughton
The play’s writer, Christian O’Reilly, calls Naughton ‘the Michael Collins’ of disability activism.
# Disability
'Left high and dry': Wheelchair users hit out at damage caused while flying
‘What’s not understood by airlines and baggage handlers is that the wheelchair is basically somebody’s legs.’
# no room
Wheelchair user facing homelessness condemns lack of Government support
With few accessible options on the private rental market, little support is available for disabled people who fall outside social housing threshold.
Voices
Opinion: 'I'm vision impaired, so every step I take brings a potential surprise'
Tabitha Kenlon says she feels like she’s in a video game while dodging protruding bicycles, untidy cafe furniture and illegally parked cars.
# Nagaenthran
Singapore executes disabled Malaysian man over drugs conviction
Nagaenthran K Dharmalingam had been on death row for more than a decade after being convicted of trafficking 1.5oz of heroin into the city state.
# IHREC
People refused entry to pubs don't get 'adequate access to justice' under complaints system
Human Rights Commission says current law disproportionately impacts minority groups.
Voices
Opinion: Restrictions may have eased, but the pandemic is far from over for disabled people
A culture of ableism means disabled people were forgotten as Covid restrictions eased, writes Rosie Farrell.
All time
# Education
Therapy services at special school still not restored despite Taoiseach's assurances
One child has been taken out of the school because of the lack of on-site clinicians with the relevant skills.
# Ombudsman
Ombudsman: Personal transport supports for disabled people 'inadequate and unfair'
The Ombudsman has published his report on unequal access to transport schemes for disabled people, an issue first highlighted 20 years ago.
# Disability Services
Parents 'bawling their eyes out' as HSE relocates on-site therapists from special school
The changes were made as part of the roll-out of a new centralised model of disability services.
Voices
Opinion: Low ambition and poor policy keeping people with disabilities out of workplace
Joan O’Donnell writes that it’s time to ditch failing strategies and embrace an inclusive future of work.
# Academic uncertainty
'Doing the housework of academia': Women and minorities hardest hit by third-level working conditions
We look at the impact of insecure work on women, people with disabilities and vulnerable groups in the sector.
# Child Protection
Children's Ombudsman says State must ensure vulnerable children are not be 'left behind' due to Covid
Dr Niall Muldoon said vulnerable children are finding it much more difficult to manage through the pandemic.
Voices
Living with the 'new normal' is extra difficult with a disability - here are some small changes that would help
Carrie Williams, who lives with a debilitating illness outlines the challenges Covid-19 has brought for people with disabilities.
# Out of Order
Campaign group concerned over increasing number of broken lifts at train stations
Over eight stations, on average, had lifts out of action over the past two weeks, according to Access for All campaign group.
# Covid-19
Families 'deeply concerned' about welfare of people with intellectual disabilities amid crisis
Inclusion Ireland has asked to appear before the Oireachtas Covid-19 committee.
Voices
'Lockdown, disability and me': One man shares his thoughts on the Covid-19 shutdown
James Rickard has Cerebral Palsy. He says this shutdown has reminded him of the importance of connection.
# Intellectual Disability
'Deep concerns' about lack of reporting of Covid-19 deaths among people with intellectual disabilities
Inclusion Ireland will meet Health Minister Simon Harris today to discuss the situation.
Voices
Opinion: Stranded on platforms, crawling through faulty lifts: travelling with a disability on public transport
Sean O’Kelly tells of the “hit and miss” service that humiliates and distresses people with disabilities.
# HIQA
Report finds adult residents 'stripped naked' in front of children at Donegal care centre
All staff who spoke with inspectors said residents and children were not safe in this centre.
# inclusion
'We need shows like Fair City to star people with disabilities and reflect the world we live in'
The short film Aretha stars young actress Orla Casey, who has been acting since she was in primary school.
Voices
Opinion: Disabled people in Ireland need the right to personal assistance
Assistance is often the difference between existing and living for many of us, writes James Cawley.
# Irish Rail
Broken lifts at Dart stations 'getting worse', warn disability activists
Several lifts were out of order at Dart stations this morning. Irish Rail said it was working to get them fixed.
Voices
I remember texting my friend: 'Not to scare you, but I think I'm going blind'
Singer NC Grey describes what it was like to lose sight unexpectedly in one eye – and how it has impacted her life.
# july provision
Changes to summer scheme for children with disabilities to be considered after High Court cases
The scheme provides funding towards extra schooling in July for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder or severe learning disability.
# independent living
'Overlooked': Calls for 'housing crisis' among disabled people to be addressed in Budget
Advocates say people with disabilities have been facing a housing crisis of their own.
# HIQA
Life inside Ireland's disability services: Allegations of abusive staff and unexplained bruising
The allegations are contained in documents released to TheJournal.ie under the Freedom of Information Act.
# Confidential recipient
'They feel there's an unreasonable effort to control them': Watchdog concern over HSE treatment of people with disabilities
In 2018, 206 complaints or concerns were received by Confidential Recipient for Vulnerable Persons.
# Recruitment
Call for change in language requirements for garda recruits with dyslexia
Learning additional languages is often very challenging for students with dyslexia.
# Education
HSE accused of 'robbing Peter to pay Paul' by cutting €31.80 allowance for students with disability
Organisations have said young people with a disability will have “a further barrier to equality placed before them”.
# two sides to a story
Dublin's sandwich board wars: A council 'money grab' or a step in the right direction?
The council will begin enforcement from the start of next month. Business owners aren’t happy.
Male who sexually assaulted his teenage cousin, who has a disability, gets suspended sentence
The accused, now aged 24, had delayed his case by five years after skipping court in 2014.
Voices
Opinion: Only the person themselves can decide if they are a 'disabled person' or 'person with a disability'
You might roll your eyes at yet another millennial taking issue over the order in which we put the words – but labels matter, writes Brigid O’Dea.
# Education
High Court grants review of decision not to approve child with Down Syndrome for schooling scheme
The July Provision Scheme provides funding for extended schooling for children with ASD and severe/profound learning disability.
Voices
Column: Why are personalised attacks on children with disabilities, like Greta Thunberg, being tolerated?
We should debate Thunberg’s ideas but comments that focus on the symptoms of her condition are out of order, writes Shane Dunphy.
Voices
We need to change the disabled parking logo - so people stop telling me that I'm not disabled when I am
‘I find these interventions by members of the public quite insulting and extremely embarrassing,’ writes cystic fibrosis advocate, Benat Broderick, 15.
# HSE
'An attack on the most vulnerable': HSE introduces fees for transport to disability day services
One family told their local MEP they were facing a €2,000 annual bill.
Voices
Opinion: 'Sometimes it just takes a little moment of courage to change your life forever'
‘One day I realised I didn’t want to hide my arm anymore. I didn’t want to be ashamed of my body. I wanted to embrace it,’ writes Paralympian Ellen Keane.
Voices
Opinion: 'Inspiration porn' trending on social media is objectification of disabled people
Stop sharing videos of disabled people attempting to walk up the aisle, or stand for their first dance – pretending to be able-bodied is far from inspirational, writes Eileen Daly.
