This week, we started attending the NUI Disability Summer School Conference. Ive heard a lot of really interesting presentations from so many speakers!
The first day, we heard from 6 panelists each discussing either climate, conflict, or health in a disability category. Some of the ones that really caught my attention were the discussions on refugee camp disability rights and the covid health crisis of PWD. The refugee camp topic was something that I have never really though of before. The panelist presented how refugee camps are severely inaccessible with long walking distances, unaffordable transportation, no sign language, etc. In RHS 300, we had a discussion about refugee camps where I really felt like I gained a better understanding of the reality of refugee camps, to put it in the perspective of a person with a disability was even more enlightening. For the Covid-19 disability crisis, the speaker provided a lot of interesting statistics about the effects of covid on PWD. They shared that those with learning disabilities have six times the mortality rate of those without, also that in Ireland 56% of nursing home deaths were PWD. It really showed how PWD were less informed about covid protocol and how to protect themselves.
On the second day, my favorite discussions were about Body Autonomy and Women with Disability. The body autonomy presenter was from India, she had started by discussing what body autonomy is and if we all knew who Britney Spears was. She spoke about Britney’s guardianship and how she didn’t have the rights to her own decisions. She made a point to say that we all may be thinking how could she be relating to American pop-star Britney Spears. Well, she talked about how she as a PWD and member of the LGBTQ+ community is also experiencing human rights violations. She explained the importance of identity celebration and how the government should support instead of discriminate. Then, the Women with Disability presentation spoke about how there is an increase in gender based violence. Specifically, 94% of women with disabilities experience more violence. They then spoke about the importance 0f advocating and understanding that PWD have their own ideas about disability.
Overall, I have learned a lot more about disability and the current state of disability within the government, healthcare, etc. and I cant wait to hear from the rest of the panelists!