Dublin Campaign Exposes Neglect of Disabled Women, Calls for Change

A new poster campaign in Dublin aims to draw attention to the ongoing neglect of disabled individuals, particularly older women who experience sexual abuse and coercive control. This initiative, titled More than Money: The Poverty of Exclusion, was launched by the disability rights organization Cothrom, founded by advocates Dr. Margaret Kennedy and Michael O’Dowd. The campaign seeks to highlight the systemic issues that lead to the marginalization of disabled people in society.

At the forefront of this campaign is Gladys O’Neill, a 70-year-old woman who uses a rollator due to spinal damage caused by pernicious anaemia. O’Neill contributed as a researcher to a study on domestic abuse affecting disabled women. She shared her personal experiences of isolation and marginalization, stating, “I spent two years just staring at the walls. Then I had to drag myself up, literally and metaphorically, and start living again.”

O’Neill emphasized that disabled women face compounded challenges due to societal ageism, often being viewed as burdens rather than valued members of the community. She remarked, “Isolation isn’t only being cut off from places; it’s being cut off from participation, recognition and belonging.” The lack of accessibility in public spaces, she noted, fosters this sense of exclusion.

In her remarks, O’Neill proposed several reforms aimed at combating isolation and improving inclusiveness. These included the implementation of universal design, accessible transport and technology, inclusive community spaces, enhanced media representation, and policies that support civic participation. She asserted, “When spaces, communities and systems are designed with disabled people at the centre, and accessibility is standard rather than an exception, isolation begins to lose its grip.”

The campaign’s posters are being displayed in libraries and selected public buildings across Dublin, illustrating the lived realities of disabled individuals. O’Dowd criticized the government’s handling of disability employment, pointing out that public sector targets remain “low and unenforced,” a situation that often leads private employers to follow suit only when the government sets an example. He stated, “For decades, report after report from Leas Cross to the Farrelly Commission has exposed neglect and systemic failure yet little changes, and behind every policy delay is a life on hold.”

Furthermore, O’Dowd highlighted significant gaps in safeguarding legislation, including the lack of a statutory right to personal assistance and the fragmented nature of available services. He described the campaign as a call for meaningful reform, advocating for a statutory right to personal assistance, adult safeguarding legislation, and a revised employment strategy with enforceable public sector targets. He added, “This is about equality, not dependency. Inclusion must mean access to real jobs, education and independent living.”

The campaign received support from the Department of Social Welfare as part of its initiative commemorating the United Nations International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. In addition to local displays, the posters will be distributed nationwide to libraries and secondary schools as part of an educational initiative.

As the campaign progresses, advocates hope to raise awareness and spark essential conversations around the rights and needs of disabled individuals, particularly older women who face unique challenges. The goal is to create a more inclusive society where accessibility is prioritized and all individuals are recognized for their contributions.