Prices are higher while disability allowances and salaries diminish or stay the same. Assistive technologies have become more expensive, pushing persons with disabilities deeper into poverty. Elevated energy costs limit the use of heating, aggravating chronic pain and health issues.
These were some of the issues raised during our meeting with other European NGOs on 6 October regarding the rising cost of electricity (and goods and services in general). It is especially worrying for persons with disabilities, which already experience higher poverty rates. Moreover, they also have to face extra costs related to living in an inaccessible world.
Less income
Participants brought out the topic of diminishing income:
- Many persons relying on disability allowances will not have them adjusted for the increased cost of living. Some governments are reducing them and redirecting the money. This is sending people deeper into poverty.
- The “benefits” trap compounds this effect. The “benefits trap” refers to the fact that governments often drastically reduce or eliminate disability allowances when people get into employment. It means that some persons with disabilities in employment may earn less income than when receiving allowances, and, hence, they are discouraged from joining the labour market.
More expenses
In addition to diminishing revenues, the extra costs of living in an inaccessible world are higher:
- Assistive technologies (powered wheelchairs, breathing machines, hearing aids) are becoming more expensive;
- These technologies also rely heavily on electricity, so people with disabilities risk giving up life-saving devices such as breathing machines, powered wheelchairs, hearing aids, and others.
Cost of heating (and cooling)
Reduced use of heating will also bring problems to persons with disabilities. For some, it will aggravate chronic pain and other health issues. For others, it will reduce mobility and increase functional limitations. Reduced heating in schools, workplaces and public services may stop persons with disabilities from attending mainstream education, limit their employment and make them avoid necessary services.
Our requests
Participants formulated two requests for the EU and its countries:
- Countries should create specific measures to support persons with disabilities during this period – including increasing allowances and access to discounted tariffs.
- The EU should re-orient funds to support persons with disabilities, and Member States should use these possibilities as soon as possible.
Participants also committed themselves to work more on this topic, which will be discussed at our board meeting. If you wish to help, consider filling out our survey.
EDF Resolution
Subsequent to this article, in its November Board meeting EDF adopted a resolution on prioritising persons with disabilities in the action against inflation and energy costs.
Prioritising persons with disabilities in the action against inflation and energy costs