Dr. Meredith Raley:

I do not have any detailed case studies regarding the WRC. However, in our original submission on this matter in 2021, we spoke to several people with disabilities. Some of them had tried to access the WRC in the past and told about their experiences and those of their friends. The paperwork to file a complaint is quite complicated and some people had had their cases thrown out because of mistakes in their paperwork that they were unable to correct. Many people also complained that the forms could only be filled out online. There is still a digital divide in Ireland between people who are older and younger and people living in rural and urban areas. Many people, especially older people in a rural area, might not have access to a computer and if they can access one, they might have no idea how to file paperwork on a computer or even how to access the WRC's website. As was said, very little aid is available. People cannot access legal aid for civil matters. Many organisations that would support them are often overwhelmed or cannot access people in isolated areas, who also may not know how to contact NGOs because they may not have computers. The lack of support, the digital divide and having complaints thrown out because of mistakes a person makes because of the first two problems are some of the biggest barriers we have seen.