From boom to bust: how the economic crisis renders disabled people to the bottom shelf A qualitative study of the views of adults with physical impairments on the economic crisis in Co. Kerry, Ireland

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore the impact of the economic crisis and governmental expenditures on adults with physical impairments in Co. Kerry, Ireland. Closer examination of the governmental spending on services for adults with physical impairments and cutbacks in the distribution of benefits, allowances and grants and its effects on living conditions will be investigated. Personal views and opinions of adults with physical impairments on the impact of the crisis in terms of their autonomy/independence and the rights based approach will be also examined to answer the research question. Semi structured, qualitative interviews were conducted with ten participants to collect the research data. To analyze the data, the thematic analysis method was employed with the help of the theoretical framework of social model of disability and the rights based approach. These theoretical perspectives give a critical overview of understanding of disability and emphasize the importance of focusing on rights rather than needs in approach to disability. The findings of this study demonstrate that the economic crisis and governmental expenditures impact on adults with physical impairments standard of living, health and wellbeing and access to services. The findings also show that as a result their autonomy has been under threat due to growing dependency and rising decline in choice and control adults with physical impairments have over their lives.