Sir, – As talks of forming a new government dominate print and airwaves, I’m struck by the language being thrown around by politicians when it comes to me and thousands more disabled people. It’s careless, objectifying, and frankly insulting.
A statement like, “There’s a lot to be done in disability,” is empty and offensive. It perpetuates tired stereotypes, propping up a system that normalises segregation and discrimination. The word “disability” is tossed about with alarming regularity, but where’s the word “person”? Where’s the acknowledgment that we are real people: constituents, students, taxpayers, parents, homeowners, in need of a home, athletes, artists, and members of society?
And then there’s the “disabled people and their carers”, which cropped up during the election campaign and was parroted in the media. Let’s get one thing straight: staff who work in services are not our carers; they are employees doing a professional job. And while we’re at it, disabled people aren’t all in “care relationships.” Most of us need support, yes, but many of us also provide care to others. This lazy lumping together does nothing but erase our rights and diminish our lives.
The Carer’s Allowance is another thorn in this debate. Politicians are quick to talk about removing means testing, but families are still forced to jump through hoops, handing over intimate medical and financial details, to access what is often a desperately needed lifeline. It’s degrading and needs fixing now, not over the “lifetime” of the government.
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As a disabled person, I rely on personal assistants to live my life. They work for me, following my direction. They’re not my carers, and conflating these roles strips disabled people of our agency. It needs to stop.
This isn’t about being pedantic; language matters. It reflects deep-rooted ableism. – Yours etc,
Ann Marie Flanagan
Ennistymon
Co Clare
