What is Disability Inclusion – An Explainer
What is Disability?
Disability in Ireland has a number of different definitions including in different legislation including the Disability Act 2005, the Equal Status Act and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Some definitions reflect the medical model of disability, which views disability primarily as a problem located within the individual—something to be treated, cured, or managed medically. In contrast, the social model of disability shifts the focus to how societal structures, attitudes, and environments create obstacles that limit the participation and inclusion of people with impairments, effectively disabling them. This model emphasizes removing those barriers to enable full equality and participation.
One definition used by TU Dublin’s Disability Task Group is
“Disability arises when physical, institutional, social, or cultural barriers limit a person's full and equal participation in the workplace. Disability includes a long-term or fluctuating physical, mental, intellectual, sensory condition that may be visible or invisible and which may affect a person's ability to engage in work and daily activities.”
Disability in Ireland
The 2022 Census in Ireland showed that 1 in 5 people have a disability. The most common difficulty people faced was participating in activities such as leisure or using transport, followed by difficulty working or going to college. Disabled people have lower levels of educational attainment in Ireland. In Ireland, people with disabilities are less likely to be employed than those who do not have a disability, and are more likely to be outside the labour market, that is not working and not looking for work. Ireland difference in employment rates between people with disabilities and people who don’t have a disability is the highest in the EU.
A higher percentage of disabilities are acquired during a person's lifetime rather than present from birth. Consequently, older age groups tend to experience higher rates of disability compared to younger populations. As Ireland’s population continues to grow and age, the number of people living with disabilities is expected to rise accordingly.
What is Disability Inclusion?
Disability inclusion means creating an environment where disabled people have equal opportunities to fully engage in all aspects of life — including education, employment, social activities, hobbies, travel, and community living — without barriers or discrimination.
Accessibility – Ensuring that the environment is accessible to all – that there are ramps, easy to open doors, appropriate lighting, and that everything is well signposted. Accessibility also includes web accessibility – which ensures that websites can be used by everyone and that they work with assistive technology, particularly for government and public sector organisation websites.
Assistive Technology (AT) – this refers to a broad range of tools, devices, software, and systems that support people with disabilities in performing functions that might otherwise be difficult or impossible. AT plays a crucial role in promoting independence, improving quality of life, and enabling full participation in education, work, and daily activities.
Assistive technology is not one-size-fits-all; it must be tailored to the individual's specific needs, preferences, and environments. Ongoing support and training are also essential to ensure effective use.
Tackling Stigma and Discrimination – through training and education address the stigma and discrimination that can prevent people with disabilities from full participation
Meaningful Participation – this is about ensuring that disability inclusion is guided and led by disabled people themselves. They should be actively involved in the planning, development, and implementation of any initiatives, policies, or programmes that affect them. Their lived experiences and perspectives are essential to creating effective, inclusive, and equitable solutions.