Fewer support marriage rights for those with disabilities

THERE has been a fall in public support for the rights of people with intellectual disabilities to marry and have children, according to research to be launched next month.

The survey of more than 1,000 people, was carried out by the National Disability Authority (NDA). It described the study as showing a “profound” change of attitude.

The research, conducted every five years, is understood to show serious falls in support for greater rights for those with an intellectual disability, with the NDA claiming the recession may be one factor influencing this shift.

Yesterday, Mary van Lieshout, the NDA’s head of research and standards development, said the only area which did not see a huge drop in public support was towards people with a mental health issue.

Speaking at a Law Reform Commission conference on sexual offences and capacity, Ms van Lieshout said the fall in support in this area was “not as significant” as elsewhere, which she said were a reversal of the “huge gains” in public support between 2001 and 2006, when similar surveys were conducted.

“We have a public backdrop, possibly informed by the recession. It is very profound.”

She said public attitudes reflected not just on those with intellectual or learning disabilities, but those with physical, visual or hearing disabilities.

When the last NDA public attitudes survey was conducted in 2006, 90% of respondents agreed that people with visual or hearing disabilities should have sexual relationships and 87% agreed for people with physical disabilities.

Three quarters agreed that people with intellectual or learning disabilities should have sexual relationships and 61% agreed for people with mental health difficulties.

Only 64% agreed those with intellectual or learning disabilities should have children, while just 41% agreed for those with mental health difficulties.