Module: Social Studies Unit: Equality 2

1. Module: Social StudiesUnit: Equality 2 By Ned Rispin

2. Disability “There are few families who have not been, are not, or will not be, affected by disability to some extent or other at some time in their lives” (People with Disabilities Ireland (PWDI) A Strategy for Equality P3) Peoples understanding of disability is varied and personal, based on their experiences in life, and how they deal with it can depend on their understanding of the person or the disability.

3. People with disabilities in society “their right to participate in society on an equal basis is denied through low income, physical exclusion and the lack of access to independent advocacy” Forum of People with Disabilities, 2001; The disability Federation of Ireland 2001, cited in Health in Ireland-an unequal state, p41 debate - Mental health handout vs physical and sensory Who is discriminated in society

4. Disability Access In the domain of Respect and Recognition people with disability can be left feeling deflated with no real sense of identity, for example people with disabilities attend the swimming pool or go bowling at different times than anybody else. It’s as if they are being segregated and excluded by a well meaning organisation instead of putting the correct supports in place so they can access and be included in these places at the same time as anybody else. What types of access are people discriminated against? Is the person or the system/society at fault? Youtube Nick Vujicic

5. Disability and Power “The most important tool in tackling inequality is to enable those experiencing it to remedy the power relationships to take some control. This is a concept of rights that requires those furthest from the cabinet table to own the right that inheres to them by virtue of their humanity. Ownership of this kind enables them to describe their condition, then to challenge it, and then to ensure that any decisions taken their lives are ‘by and with’ them not ‘about and for’ them” Robinson, M, WHO, 2002b cited in Health in Ireland-an unequal state p17 See handout Power

6. Disability and Social life claims that social and emotional relations are more likely to stem from prejudice, ignorance and discrimination than from individual conditions(Barnes and Mercer, 2003 cited in Dr. McDonnell, P. 2007) Sometimes parents / guardians want to deny people with disabilities these basic rights e.g. rights to get married. Of course one has to protect people with disability from abusive relationships. There can be a stigma associated with perceived impairment. See handout MDAG Video in the face of disability

7. Disability and work It is a fact that unemployment figures among people with disabilities are significantly higher than in the population as a whole. In addition people with disabilities are poorly paid and of a low status. In 2002 only 40% of those with disabilities were in employment compared to 65%of the population of the same age. Conroy, P. Cited in Quinn, S. Et al, 2003, p47 Youtube – disability interview

8. Discrimination “Discrimination is defined as the treatment of a person in a less favourable way than another person is, has been or would be treated in a comparable situation on any of the nine grounds” The Equality Authority information booklet on the Equal Status Act p7

9. Discrimination terms Direct Discrimination This happens if one person is treated less favourably than another based on one of the nine grounds. Harassment Takes place where a person subjects the victim to any unwelcome act, request or conduct including spoken words, gestures or the production, display or circulation of written words, pictures or other material which is based on any discriminatory ground and could reasonably be regarded as offensive, humiliating or intimidation to the victim. • – see handout men and women

10. Discrimination terms Victimisation Victimisation occurs where the dismissal or other adverse treatment of an employee is a reaction by the employer to the employee taking action It is unlawful for an employer to penalise an employee for taking action around the enforcement of the Employment Equality Acts 1998 - 2004 and the Equal Status Acts 2000 -2004.

11. Equality Authority • Set up as resulting from the Employment Equality Act 1998. • Advocate on behalf of people who are discriminated against based on one of the nine grounds. • 40% reduction of budget in 2009.

12. Example of Case • Joan has epilepsy which is controlled by medication. She works for a computer company in the administration section. She is on a probationary period for 2 years in which time is superior deems her work to be excellent and that she is more than capable in doing the job. • After 2 years management consider her position to be made permanent and request that she take a medical. The report is furnished to management on the Thursday, which details her condition. She is dismissed the following day.

13. Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous talented and fabulous Actually who are you not to be. You are a child of God your playing small doesn’t serve the world There’s nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us It’s not just in some of us it’s in everyone as we let our light shine We unconsciously give other people permission to do the same As we are liberated from our fear our presence automatically liberates others (From Nelson Mandela’s Inaugural Speech)