A number of people with disabilities joined Ray D’Arcy in studio this afternoon to talk about the difficulties they have faced when attempting to engage in full-time employment.
Padraic, who has Cerebal Palsy and is a wheelchair user, told Ray that part of the problem is getting employers to see beyond a disability.
“It’s almost down to luck rather than how you're qualified…A person will see the impairment or a cane or a chair, rather than the person.”
Padraic works at Sky Ireland and East Coast FM. He has experienced issues where benefits available to him when out of work may be ended should he take up employment.
“The system seems to think if you get a job, you're suddenly cured and your condition goes away.“
Jess, who joined Ray on the line from a Cork studio, relates to what Padraic is saying. Jess is legally blind and carries a cane. She described the reaction of interviewers upon realising she has a disability.
“When I would have went for job interviews in the past, you know, I would always fit the criteria. I’d get into the interview and then as soon as the cane is seen I’d kind of get a pitiful glance and it’s like, ‘Oh right, okay‘.”
Ray’s final guest, Rachel, uses a wheelchair due to brittle bones and scoliosis. She gave Ray a real-life demonstration of the difficulties she faces trying to get from point A to point B. The studio lift bringing her to the ground level malfunctioned, delaying her from speaking on the show. This is not an unusual occurrence for Rachel.
“The last time that happened to me was Leinster House!”
Padraic, Jess and Rachel are all calling for nationwide support for greater equality when it comes to disability rights, citing transport, employment and medical expenses as topics important to them. Padraic laid out why he is hoping the country will rally behind them and other campaigners.
“There’s almost an air of acceptance that this is okay because as I always say, the Government throw a few crumbs to people with disabilities to keep us happy but the biggest thing is, we’re not a big voting group. So, we’re not seen as a threat.”
Listen back to the whole discussion on The Ray D’Arcy Show here.