Disabled Women’s Experiences of Care and Support
Disabled Women’s Experiences of Care and Support is a project run by Disabled Women Ireland in partnership with the Disability Participation News Hub and funded by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. Between December 2026 and March 2027 we are holding three workshops where disabled women share their experiences of both giving and receiving care and support.
Why are we doing this project?
Care and support are important topics for many disabled people. They are also being talked about a lot right now, in Ireland and around the world.
In Ireland, we had the Care Referendum in 2024. The National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People focuses strongly on independent living and the supports disabled people need to live independently. Because of the Strategy, disability and care services are also being reformed at the moment.
But disabled people are not being asked enough about these topics. This is especially true for disabled women, girls and non-binary people.
This matters because disabled women, girls and non-binary people know a lot about care. Many of us give care and receive care at the same time. But this is not always recognised.
We created this project to fill that gap. It is called Disabled Women’s Experiences of Care and Support.
What is each Workshop About?
When we talk about care and support, we mean any help that makes your life possible or easier. This could be help with everyday tasks like washing, dressing, eating, cooking, cleaning or shopping.
Some care and support is essential to get through the day. Some just makes your day a bit easier. We want to hear about all of it.
This project is not about health care, like treatment from doctors or nurses.We want to hear about care and support in your personal and private life.
Workshop 1: Receiving informal care
Workshop 1 will focus on care and support you get from people who are not paid to give it. We want to talk about the care and support you get from family members, partners, friends and neighbours. This might be help with everyday tasks, help with forms and paperwork, help getting to appointments, or someone to talk things through with. We also want to talk about the ways disabled people support each other, like sharing information, equipment, lifts or money.
Workshop 2: Receiving formal care
Workshop 2 will focus on care and support you get from paid workers or services. We want to talk about the support you get from personal assistants (PAs), home support workers, day services, respite, nursing homes or residential settings. We also want to talk about what it is like to apply for services, wait for them, or be refused them.
Workshop 3: Giving care
Workshop 3 will focus on the care and support you give to other people in your personal life. We want to talk about parenting, and about caring for partners, parents, other family members or friends. This includes practical help, help with decisions and life admin, and emotional support. We also want to talk about how you balance caring with your own access needs, and whether other people and services see you as a carer. This workshop is not about working in a paid caring job.
How can I take part?
You can find more details about the project and how to register over on Eventbrite, or you can email us at disabledwomenireland@gmail.com