The Right to Ordinary with Inclusion Ireland

The Cost of Exclusion: Why Does Being Disabled Cost More?

Inclusion Ireland — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 03:00:00 +0000

Why should it cost more to live an ordinary life simply because you are disabled?
Disabled people often face additional costs for things that non-disabled people can take for granted – from transport, heating and housing to medication, therapies, equipment and taking part in everyday life.

But are these really the costs of disability? Or are many of them the costs of exclusion – created by inaccessible services, systems and communities?

In this episode of The Right to Ordinary, Derval McDonagh explores the real impact these additional costs have on disabled people and their families, and why this is about much more than money.

We hear about the difficult choices people can be forced to make when there isn't enough money to meet basic needs, and how additional costs can lead to poverty, loneliness, isolation and exclusion from community life.

The conversation also looks at the bigger picture: inaccessible transport and housing, barriers to employment, gaps in disability supports and a social welfare system that can restrict people's choices and independence.

Derval is joined by disability advocate Amy Hassett, co-founder and co-chairperson of Disabled Women Ireland, who explains why the cost of exclusion is fundamentally a human rights and equality issue.

We also hear from our resident Human Rights Advocate Fiachra O'Connor, who discusses the structural inequalities facing people with intellectual disabilities and what needs to change.

With Budget 2027 approaching, the episode asks what Government must do next – including introducing a permanent payment that reflects the real additional costs disabled people face, while also tackling the systems and barriers that create those costs in the first place.

Because the goal shouldn't simply be to help disabled people pay for exclusion. It should be to remove the barriers that create it.

In this episode

We discuss:

What we mean by the cost of exclusion
The additional everyday costs disabled people can face
How inaccessible housing, transport, services and workplaces create additional costs
The link between disability, poverty and social exclusion
Why this is a human rights and equality issue
The impact of current social welfare rules and supports
What a permanent Cost of Disability payment should look like
Why any new payment must be designed with disabled people
What Government and wider society need to change
How people can make their voices heard ahead of Budget 2027

Take action

Budget 2027 is an opportunity for Government to take meaningful action on the cost of exclusion.
Inclusion Ireland is calling for a permanent Cost of Disability payment that reflects the real additional costs disabled people face. This must be part of wider action to remove the barriers that prevent disabled people from participating equally in everyday life.
You can help by contacting your local TD and asking them to support action on the cost of exclusion in Budget 2027.

Follow The Right to Ordinary wherever you get your podcasts to hear future episodes, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear this conversation.

Resources

Our Rights, Our Voices – Inclusion Ireland’s Pre-Budget Submission for 2027
Our Rights, Our Voices – Easy-to-Read Version
Have Your Say on Budget 2027 campaign resources
Find your local TD’s details at ContactMyTD.ie

Inclusion Ireland’s submission to the Department of Social Protection’s public consultation on the Cost of Disability

Cost of Disability public consultation submission – Video Explainer

Benefits for people who are sick or have a disability – Citizens Information
Factsheet: Cost of Disability – Disability Federation of Ireland
Adjusting Estimates for the Cost of Disability report – Economic and Social Research Institute and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission
National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025–2030 – Department of Children, Disability and Equality
Article 28: Adequate Standard of Living and Social Protection – United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Understanding Supported Decision-Making

Inclusion Ireland — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 02:00:00 +0000

Making decisions is something we all do every day, but for many people with intellectual disabilities, having their choices heard and respected has not always been guaranteed. In this episode, we explore the Assisted Decision-Making Act, what it means in practice, and why supported decision-making is about empowering people to lead their own lives - not taking families out of the picture.

Derval is joined by Molly O'Keefe, founder of Positive Pathways and a long-time advocate for family leadership and inclusion. Drawing on both her professional experience and her family's journey, Molly shares practical examples of how people can be supported to make decisions in ways that reflect their own wishes, preferences and relationships.

We also hear from Fiachra O'Connor, who explains the Assisted Decision-Making Act in plain language, addresses common misconceptions, and outlines the practical supports available for people and families.

Together, the conversation highlights that good decision-making starts with relationships, trust and listening, ensuring every person has the opportunity to shape their own life and future.

Key topics:

What the Assisted Decision-Making Act means in practice
Common myths and misunderstandings about the legislation
The important role of families and natural supports
Supporting people to express their will and preferences
Everyday and major life decisions
Practical tools, including communication passports and vision planning
How to access information and support through the Decision Support Service (DSS)

Resources:

Inclusion Ireland Resource: The role of family and supporters in supporting decision-making
2024 DSS Annual Report
Decision Support Service
Decision Making Arrangement Checklists
Decision Making Representative Order
The Natural Authority of Families, Summary; Michael Kendrick
Seven Steps To Self Direction, Building Right Relationships, Resourcing Inclusive Communities

QUOTES

Families need to know that their natural authority is acknowledged, because they're the ones that are there because of love. - Molly O'Keeffe

The starting point is not the removal of families - it's how we can enhance the person's voice through their natural relationships. - Molly O'Keeffe

She is seen as the boss, and people acknowledge her capacity in that role. - Molly O'Keeffe

As a family member, you probably don't even realise that you already know all of these things about how the person communicates. - Fiachra O'Connor

Under the Lunacy Act, there was little to no role for family members at all. This law invites family members in. - Fiachra O'Connor

KEYWORDS

#InclusionIreland #TheRightToOrdinary #AssistedDecisionMaking #ADMA #IntellectualDisability #HumanRights #DecisionSupportService #SelfAdvocacy #Inclusion #DisabilityRights #FamilyLeadership #PositivePathways

Your voice matters. Add it to ours.

Our strength comes from the people and communities we partner with and represent.

The more people who add their experiences, knowledge and voices to our movement, the stronger our collective voice becomes.

Become a member of Inclusion Ireland.

https://www.inclusionireland.ie/membership/

The Right to Ordinary Begins Here

Inclusion Ireland — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 01:00:00 +0000

In our first episode, we explore ableism – what it is, where it comes from, and how it continues to shape the lives of people with intellectual disabilities every day. Through honest conversation and powerful lived experience, we look at how discrimination can be built into our attitudes, language and systems, often creating unnecessary barriers to work, education, housing and decision-making.

Self-advocate Lydia Fisher shares her personal journey, from overcoming barriers to employment and learning to drive to regaining her right to make her own decisions after leaving Ward of Court. We also hear from Fiachra O'Connor, who explains how ableism shows up in society, why language matters, and what each of us can do to challenge discrimination.

Together, the conversation highlights why creating an Ireland where everyone can live an ordinary, self-directed life requires both personal reflection and systemic change.

Understanding ableism and how it affects everyday life
The lasting impact of institutionalisation
Employment and equal opportunities
Supported decision-making and leaving Ward of Court
Accessible systems and removing barriers
The power of language and challenging stereotypes
Becoming anti-ableist and creating inclusive communities

Resources

Resource 1: TL's BLOG - TALILA A. LEWIS
Resource 2: Disability Inclusive Language Guidelines
Stella Young: I'm not your inspiration, thank you very much | TED Talk
What is Abelism?

QUOTES

- “You have to keep going to prove them wrong. Because if you just say, okay, you told me I will not do it, you will never know.“ - Lydia Fisher

- “It’s beyond time we reclaim our space and our right to a wonderfully messy, ordinary life.“ - Derval McDonagh

- “Once you have that language and once you understand what it is, you really start to see it everywhere.“ - Fiachra O’Connor

- “It’s not about just being not ableist, but actually being actively anti-ableist and taking those steps to fight and challenge the discrimination.“ - Fiachra O’Connor

- “If you work hard, you can be wherever you like to be in life.“ - Lydia Fisher