Today, the NDA hosted a webinar to launch a new research report by researchers from Trinity College Dublin entitled "An Exploration of the Scale and Impact of Physical Disability in People Experiencing Homelessness in Ireland". The research explores the scale and impact of physical disability in people experiencing homelessness in Ireland.
This research was funded by the NDA under its 2023-2024 Research Promotion Scheme, the theme of which was ‘Disability in Marginalised Groups and Communities’.
This research is an important contribution to the evidence base on physical disability and homelessness in Ireland. It was conducted in three phases: a scoping review of literature, a cross-sectional mapping study on physical disability and accessibility in homeless accommodation in Dublin and Cork, and interviews with people experiencing homelessness and other stakeholders about the impact of physical disability and potential solutions.
This study found just over one fifth of their sample of people accessing homeless accommodation had some kind of mobility limitation. Of those, just under half were sleeping in rooms up at least one set of stairs and just under half of these were staying in a hostel without a lift. In addition, one third of those with impacted or restricted mobility did not have access to an accessible bathroom.
Our Senior Research Officer, Dr Carly Cheevers, delivered introductory remarks at today’s webinar. The Principal Investigator, Dr Julie Broderick (UCD – previously TCD), presented an overview of the research. Rosemarie Tobin, Principal Officer at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with responsibility for the homelessness policy, funding and delivery unit, provided a response to the findings from this research.
Read the report: Broderick J, An Exploration of the Scale and Impact of Physical Disability in People Experiencing Homelessness in Ireland