A Social Report for Ireland Volume II - the NESC Website

people with disabilities 299In relation to work-related discrimination and discrimination in accessing servicesRussell et al. (2008: 79) found that disability was one of the strongest predictorsof discrimination risk. For instance, people with disabilities were significantlymore likely to perceive discrimination in all but one of the nine work and servicedomains 214 than those without a disability (education was the exception). Disabilityhad the strongest effect in relation to accessing health services and using transportservices, where people with disabilities were over five times more likely to perceiveproblems of discrimination. In using shops/pubs/restaurants and financial services,and in obtaining housing and accessing public services other than education,health and housing people with disabilities were more than twice as likely toperceive discrimination as non-disabled people. Disability also had a strong effecton work-related discrimination with people with disabilities 2.8 times more likelyto perceive discrimination than others.For people with disabilities discrimination was not limited to one-off incidences butwas more a regular part of their lives than for most other groups. For those peoplewith disabilities who had experienced discrimination just over one third said it hada serious impact on their lives. Discrimination can seriously undermine well-being.The study also found that a significant deficit in knowledge of their rights existswith just under one third of disabled respondents having no knowledge of theirrights under the law.Attitudes to People with DisabilitiesThe second indicator in the equality component of the democracy and valuesdomain is attitudes to disability. The information presented is based on a publicattitudes survey undertaken by the National Disability Authority in 2006 (NationalDisability Authority, 2007c). Figures 9.40 shows 45 per cent of respondents tothe survey disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statement that people withdisabilities are treated fairly in Irish society. 39 per cent agreed or strongly agreedwith it. Respondents that knew someone with a disability were more likely todisagree with the statement, but there was no significant difference betweenpeople with and without a disability.When asked if it is society which disables people by creating barriers nearly twothirds of respondents to the survey (62 per cent) agreed or strongly agreed withthis statement, see Figure 9.40. Respondents that had a disability or knew someonewith a disability were more likely to agree with this statement. Disability groups inthe community and voluntary sector play an important democratic and advocacyrole in creating awareness and raising issues around disability.214. The nine work and service domains are: while looking for work; using transport services; in shops, pubs or restaurants; usingservices of banks and insurance; in relation to education; accessing health services; obtaining housing or accommodation; in theworkplace; accessing other public services.