Abstract
The disadvantages experienced by adult persons with disabilities are well documented. However, limited evidence is available on the extent of differences in comparison with the non-disabled population. In this study, selected indicators of social status and mental wellbeing derived from past research, were used with national samples of adult persons in Ireland with a disability (n = 440) and without a disability (n = 880) recruited through household quota sampling. In addition, comparisons were drawn with equivalent data derived from a contemporaneous national census. Although many of the differences were statistically significant, the effect sizes were mostly medium to low. Moreover, when the inter-relationships among the various indicators was taken into account using Discriminant Analysis, persons with disabilities were less likely to be employed; they reported lower levels of social engagement and had poorer emotional wellbeing. They were also older, more likely to be single and have no children. The study illustrates the potential of using comparative data to monitor the impact of national actions taken to reduce the inequalities experienced by persons with disability as well as highlighting the arenas into which professional supports need to be focused.
Highlights
The nations of the world have re-affirmed the rights of persons with disabilities to full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with their non-disabled peers [1].Yet, these aspirations remain unfulfilled in most if not all countries, as a worldwide report of disability has documented [2]
This study involved secondary analyses of social and emotional wellbeing measures of respondents who took part in a broader national survey undertaken in Ireland that was commissioned by the National Disability Authority (NDA) [14]
Age was not the most discriminating characteristic especially for those under 60 years of age. These findings suggest that the impact of ageing could be mitigated by employment creation, enhanced social engagement and better emotional well-being; all of which are amenable to change, even among older persons
Summary
The nations of the world have re-affirmed the rights of persons with disabilities to full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with their non-disabled peers [1].Yet, these aspirations remain unfulfilled in most if not all countries, as a worldwide report of disability has documented [2]. The nations of the world have re-affirmed the rights of persons with disabilities to full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with their non-disabled peers [1]. In Ireland, as in other countries, various high-level initiatives have been published which propose radical reforms in both the disability sector and mainstream provision [4]. These are often fragmented by sector such as education, employment and housing with little attention paid to identifying and responding to the priority inequalities experienced by persons with disability. The effectiveness of these policy initiatives on promoting equality of opportunity are difficult to assess despite the recognition given in the UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities, of the need to collect statistical and research data (Article 31) [5]
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