Dáil debates

Wednesday, 8 February 2012

 

Public Attitudes to Disability

4:00 pm

Photo of Dan NevilleDan Neville (Limerick, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for providing me with the opportunity to raise this matter. I recognise the work of the National Disability Authority in the context of the national survey of public attitudes to disability in Ireland. That survey is quite disturbing in many ways. There has been a drive on the part of many NGOs, Government organisations and others to remove the stigma relating to and encourage a better understanding of disability and create opportunities and promote equality for people with disabilities. Unfortunately, the survey to which I refer indicates that our attitudes in respect of these matters is not good.

We must be concerned in respect of this survey, particularly as it shows that negative attitudes towards disability are actually hardening and that there has been a deterioration in attitudes towards people with physical and intellectual disabilities in the past five years. Among the survey's main findings are that 34% of people with disabilities face restrictions in socialising and that almost 24% of people in general would object if children with mental health problems were in the same classes as their child. In addition, some 21% stated that they would object if a child with an intellectual disability or autism was placed in a class with their child. The survey further indicates that only 37% of people agreed that adults with intellectual disability or autism should have children if they wish. This is down very significantly from a figure of 64% in 2006. In addition, only 56% agreed that people with mental health difficulties had the same right to have sexual relationships as those without disabilities.

The Government should take immediate action in respect of the findings contained in the survey in order that we might stop people with intellectual disabilities slipping further away from mainstream society. The entire objective in respect of destigmatising the area of disability was to ensure people would reach their full potential and play a full role in society. It can be inferred from the survey that the will to achieve this objective is slipping.

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