When people have poor prospects for earning a liveable income it has a big impact on health. Those limited by a disability are particularly vulnerable to having low incomes and fall into risk of poor health because of poverty. Within this group women may be especially vulnerable due to their precarious attachment to the labour market and experiences of chronic conditions.
Women Living with Long Term Disabilities in Ontario is a pilot study of 15 women across the Greater Toronto Area who were receiving disability income supports from a government program or private long-term disability.
“Women were clear about the challenges they experience in accessing and maintain disability support in Ontario. The processes for accessing public or private disability support are not easy to navigate, and can be disempowering for people with long-term disabilities” says Dr. Brenda Roche, Director of Research at Wellesley Institute. “The division of programs and requirements for support show that binaries exist in the way that these support programs define disability. The rigidity doesn’t reflect the realities that people living with long-term disabilities face.”
While there are many programs for people living with long-term disabilities, the programs are poorly coordinated with each other. The result is a disconnected system that can be difficult to navigate and doesn’t always support people with long-term disabilities. Access to these supports and improved income security can improve the quality of life for those with long-term disabilities.