It's the 25th anniversary of the Disability Discrimination Act. As a disabled woman I am thankful to those who protested & campaigned for this act. There is a long way to go as disabled people face daily discrimination & suffer disproportionately at the hands of austerity #DDA25

Disabled single mothers have been horrifically targeted by discriminatory government austerity policies losing 21% of their net income and 32% if they also have a disabled child. Disabled women also earn 22.1% less than able-bodied men, and 11.8% less than disabled men #DDA25

Disabled women in total were predicted to lose 13% of net income due to welfare reform, austerity and the shift to universal credit. Spending cuts to adult social care and housing support worsened this impact - this is all likely to have been worsened further with COVID-19 #DDA25

Disabled people also experience domestic violence at twice the rate of non-disabled people - and it is estimated that ONE in TWO disabled women experience domestic violence. This, with additional barriers to accessing support, needs addressed immediately #DDA25

In NI, there is a failure to record all section 75 characteristics of domestic violence victims, particularly disabled people. Without the data, it is difficult for changes to be made. #DDA25

I did a blog last year on some of the discrimination disabled women face for @WRDA_team. It's likely that all of the stats referenced have worsened due to COVID-19. Increased poverty, less support, months of isolation, increased barriers etc. #DDA25
https://wrda.net/2019/11/18/disabled-women-and-discrimination-facts-we-need-you-to-know/

We've seen a lot of discussions on "oh they had underlying conditions" as a justification for deaths alongside calls for "herd immunity/make the vulnerable stay at home". This is eugenics and evidence of the disregard society has for the lives of disabled people. #DDA25

COVID-19 has exposed the cracks in our society after the UK governments chose austerity again and again. We need total reform of our health and social care systems, and for care to be seen as essential infrastructure. The undervaluing of disabled lives needs to stop NOW. #DDA25

Disabled people are some of the most marginalised & we face some of the biggest barriers to getting our voices heard. I find it extremely difficult to manage full time work with my disabilities. When society actively dismisses disability discrimination, it is even harder #DDA25

COVID-19 has been extremely difficult for disabled people. We have been isolated, lost support, face longer term impacts on our health, had our treatments cancelled, all while people call for us to be forced to stay at home and dismiss the deaths in our community. #DDA25

Disabled activists achieved so much in getting the #DDA25 but our society and governments have failed to fully implement it & instead actively discriminate against disabled people regularly. We need this to change now. Please learn more about our barriers & become allies #DDA25

Universal Credit is not fit for purpose, PIP assessments are cruel and inhumane, waiting lists need addressed, workplace discrimination is rife & we're seeing eugenics promoted on the daily. On the 25th anniversary of DDA, educate yourself on our barriers and advocate for us #DDA

I have struggled immensely this year with my conditions worsening, no access to the specialist healthcare I need and managing my caring responsibilities. To my fellow disabled friends & family - this has been an incredibly tough year and I'm sending you all love #DDA25

And for those who aren't aware - in GB they now have the Equality Act 2010. In Northern Ireland, we are still using 25 year old legislation that needs urgently updated. We deserve so much more. #DDA25

https://www.equalityni.org/ECNI/media/ECNI/Publications/Individuals/DisabilityDiscrimShortGuide2011.pdf