WRDA Responds to NI Executive Disability Strategy 2025-2035 Consultation

20 March 2026 - The Women’s Resource and Development Agency (WRDA), a regional feminist organisation, has submitted its response to the Northern Ireland Executive’s Disability Strategy 2025-2035 consultation. While unable to address the full consultation document due to capacity constraints, WRDA has outlined four key concerns that must be addressed to ensure the strategy is effective, inclusive, and impactful. ​

1. Production and Design of the Disability Strategy ​ WRDA shares the concerns raised by Disabled People Against the Cuts Northern Ireland (DPAC) and other organisations regarding the lack of genuine engagement with deaf and disabled people in the development of the draft strategy. ​ Co-production must be embedded at every stage of policy development and delivery to ensure relevance and effectiveness. ​ Additionally, the absence of SMART targets and a fully costed action plan raises concerns about how progress will be measured and achieved. ​

2. Disability and Poverty ​ WRDA highlights the significant financial pressures faced by disabled people, including higher living costs for essentials such as food, heating, transport, and medical needs—estimated to exceed £1,000 per month. ​ Combined with inadequate social security support, these challenges leave many disabled individuals at risk of destitution. ​ WRDA calls for the strategy to place greater emphasis on addressing poverty, with clear actions, targets, and funding commitments.

3. Disability and Employment ​ Disabled people face multiple barriers to entering and remaining in employment, including limited access to training, inadequate health condition support, and a lack of flexible working opportunities. ​ Women are disproportionately affected, often due to illness or disability. ​ WRDA urges the Executive to outline targeted, properly resourced interventions to address employment and pay gaps for disabled people. ​

4. Disability and Gender ​ WRDA stresses the importance of integrating gender considerations into the Disability Strategy. ​ The organisation’s research has shown that deaf and disabled women face disproportionate impacts in areas such as poverty, workplace access, and violence. ​ WRDA calls for dedicated workstreams, resources, and SMART goals to address these inequalities and ensure the strategy is fit for purpose. ​

WRDA believes that the Disability Strategy must work alongside other social inclusion strategies to address the structural barriers faced by disabled people, women, and other marginalised groups. ​ The organisation remains committed to advocating for a strategy that empowers disabled people and addresses the intersectional challenges they face. ​

-ENDS-

For further information, please contact:
Elaine Crory, Women’s Sector Lobbyist, WRDA – elaine.crory@wrda.net
Meghan Hoyt, Policy Assistant, WRDA – meghan.hoyt@wrda.net