GenCare

GenCare: Intergenerational Explorations of Care and Support for Disabled People In Ireland

Researcher: Dr Clíona de Bhailís 

Funding: Wellcome Early Career Award 

About the Project 

Many disabled people will need access to care and support to live their lives including 

personal and intimate care, supported decision making, general healthcare and support 

to navigate community-based services. Until recently the concept of care was rejected 

by the disabled people’s movement due to its positioning of those requiring care as 

passive recipients and dependent. Under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons 

with Disabilities disabled people have a right to live in the community with access to 

care and support on an equal basis to others. States must also provide them with 

access to support to make decisions. In Ireland, a referendum on the family and care, 

legislative developments, and the impact of COVID-19 have re-ignited discussions on 

care. However, many disabled people, particularly young disabled people, have been 

marginalised in this debate. This research will take an innovative approach to address 

this working with young disabled co-researchers to complete an intergenerational, 

cross-disability exploration of care and support with disabled people in Ireland. It seeks 

to document disabled people's experience of care and support and develop guidance 

on how care and support can be defined and situated across law and policy 

frameworks to realise their human rights.