The National Advocacy Service has highlighted financial barriers as one of the most urgent challenges facing people with disabilities. According to its annual report, financial issues made up 12% of the service’s casework last year, as it intervened to assist individuals in financial difficulty. The report reveals that many people with disabilities struggle to assert their rights regarding personal finances, including difficulties in opening bank accounts.
Additionally, they face digital exclusion and a lack of freedom to make financial decisions. Many also experience control and abuse by third parties, particularly in cases where Disability Allowance is managed by others, resulting in individuals receiving “pocket money” instead of having direct access to their funds.
The NAS found that individuals with disabilities encounter numerous challenges with basic banking tasks, which often undermine their ability to manage their own finances independently.
“Equally, the move towards digitalisation in the banking sector has meant that online platforms, complex authentication requirements, a lack of accessible information, such as easy-to-read formats, and automated customer support all contribute to excluding people with disabilities from accessing their finances,” the report stated.
“There is an urgent need to overhaul the systemic barriers people with disabilities across Ireland face in accessing their own finances.”
Advocates have also noted that many people under the age of 65 are still living in, and being placed in, nursing homes.
“They also reported many other issues associated with living in these settings which are continuing to occur, including compatibility issues with other residents, not having autonomy over their own lives and not being able to access their own money and communities.”
They are often the youngest residents by decades and experience very little stimulation. There are reports of them seeing coffins pass by their bedroom doors on a regular basis.
Some of the people placed in nursing homes have virtually no money after expenses relating to Fair Deal and nursing home charges.
The report added: “Housing was another key issue that arose for people. Advocates have worked with people across the spectrum of housing needs.
“There are some consistent trends that appear across the country that impact the people we advocate for. These include a lack of accessible and suitable rental accommodation, lack of accessible and suitable social housing, lack of accessible emergency accommodation and difficulties in accessing personal assistant support.”
People with disabilities also face challenges related to delayed transitions from residential settings, particularly the slow movement from congregated housing to independent living. This is often caused by a lack of accessible housing, especially for those under 65, and long waiting lists.
The NAS reported a 12.5% rise in demand for advocacy services last year, underscoring the crucial role advocacy plays in ensuring that individuals with disabilities have their voices heard.
Click here to read the full NAS Social Policy Paper.