People from the 2SLGBTQ+ communities with disabilities often questioned whether their queer identity intensified the problems that they were experiencing. Women with disabilities shared their feelings of powerlessness when dealing with their male, non-disabled ex-spouses in child custody cases and with male landlords. Racism was identified as the core problem for Indigenous and racialized people with disabilities when dealing with law enforcement and child welfare, and in the workplace. There was a notable difference in experiences for people with disabilities who were also Indigenous, racialized, immigrant, women, and/or those who belong to a 2SLGBTQ+ community. For example, preparing for a court case or filing an insurance claim required them to compile extensive paperwork – a task that is often difficult for people with cognitive, intellectual, and some mental health disabilities. There was also a demonstrated lack of understanding of their disability and consequent denial of the disability supports they needed to take action. When participants attempted to resolve their problems, they experienced the same negative treatment as they had during their problems, i.e., discriminatory treatment, not being believed or seen as credible by, for example, law enforcement or in the courts. Dealing directly with the organization where the problem occurred.Research participants attempted to resolve their problems by: A significant number indicated that they were denied the disability accommodation that they sought and many people were reluctant to disclose their disability for fear of, for example, being disqualified for an insurance claim. The majority of research participants described feeling that their adversaries lacked an understanding of their disability, did not see them as credible, and felt that they were being exploited and/or taken advantage of due to their disability. People felt forced to comply with discriminatory systems for fear of, for example, not receiving the disability income support they need or losing their job. Regardless of the problem, participants described experiencing discriminatory, rude, and dismissive treatment, with the majority not challenging this mistreatment. Problems with legal authorities managing trust funds.Lack of access to disability and income supports.Problems when trying to access health, social, and educational services.Problems experienced were categorized as follows: The findings illustrate that people with disabilities experience serious problems when they attempt to access the basic things all of us strive for to live a safe, secure, and meaningful life, i.e., earning a decent income, living in a safe place, raising our own children, and being free from violence. People living with intellectual, cognitive, and/or mental health disabilities were also over-represented in this study given their experiences of acute marginalization. Compared with the general population, there was an intentional over-representation of marginalized populations, i.e., women, Indigenous, racialized, immigrant, and 2SLGBTQ+ peoples. These included: women, men, a variety of ages, and racialized, immigrant, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQ+, and low- to middle-income people. The outreach process achieved a diverse intersection of study participants living with a wide range of physical and mental disabilities. In total, 30 people with disabilities living throughout Western Canada participated in this study through 25 interviews and one focus group for people with intellectual and cognitive disabilities. The primary purpose of this qualitative study is to obtain information from diverse people with disabilities about the kinds of serious problems they experienced in the last three years, the avenues they took to address these problems, and the outcome and effect on their lives. This report presents the results of research conducted with people with disabilities living in Canada’s western provinces, i.e., British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Serious Problems Experienced by Diverse People with Disabilities: Western Canada
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