Disability and conflict: exploring how the peace process in Northern Ireland assesses and addresses the needs of persons with disabilities

Marginalized Voices and the Good Friday Agreement: Inclusion and the Northern Ireland Peace Process

“…Disabled people are indeed heterogenous and may have complexities, heightened by violent conflict. For example, bombings of NI's civilians caused disabled people to be stranded while others fled for safety so that violent conflict endangers disabled people and can create more disabilities (Hill & Hansen 2011;Kerr 2013). For example, Hill and Hansen (2011) describe how there were exclusions of disability needs in relief agencies and emergency planning.…”

“…Historically, there are parallels as both groups were disadvantaged, and stereotyped, and suffered from post-traumatic stress as a result of the violence that faces them daily. Little is known on the intersection of disability and the NI conflict (Hill & Hansen 2011;Kerr 2013;Flaherty & Hansen 2015) and similarly, very little is known on LGBTQIA+ perspectives of the NI conflict (Curtis 2014;Hoewer 2014;Livingston 2003). Current efforts in this regard are relatively tokenistic and there is no serious consideration around centralizing disability and LGBTQIA+ issues in structural and social engagement.…”

Searching for the Voice of People with Disabilities in Peace and Conflict Research and Practice

“…36 However, the individualized models of disability have been dismissed by many within the disability community itself. 37 Furthermore, as highlighted by Stephanie Kerr, 38 the individualized understandings of disability found within PACS texts negatively impact peace and conflict-related research and practice. The presence of these uncritical perspectives within PACS literature is problematic, as is the absence of the disability voice and narrative from peer-reviewed PACS academic literature.…”