No Exit? A comparative study of material deprivation in households supporting disabled persons across thirty-two European countries during the last decade

This study was motivated by the persistent and ubiquitous link between disability and poverty, guided by the research question: ‘What is the impact of living with a limiting long-term impairment, health problem, or illness, on a household’s experience of material deprivation across different EU countries, and what household, regional and country factors contribute to deprivation in these households?’

Using a mixed methods research strategy, and employing a secondary analysis design of EU-SILC cross-sectional data and United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) compliance reports by Disabled Persons’ Organisations (DPOs), the material deprivation reality of disabled persons and their households were examined in a European comparative study.

Past research reveals a concrete and conceptual link between disability and poverty emanating from decreased employment income potential and increased disability related costs. This reality bears on the capability of those concerned to live an active citizenship.

Using a broad material deprivation conceptualisation of poverty, a composite index comprising 25 EU-SILC deprivation measures was developed to compare households comprising or not comprising an adult member living with a limiting long-term impairment, health problem or illness, in 32 countries between 2013-2019. Sixty-six UNCRPD compliance reports by DPOs from 26 countries were also analysed focusing on Articles 28, 19, and 27 covering 2015-2021.

In all countries throughout the seven years examined, households supporting disabled persons experienced higher unwavering material deprivation compared to other households, across all the income spectrum. Households identifying their housing costs as a heavy burden were associated with higher levels of deprivation. The DPOs’ reports identify the availability of suitable affordable housing as a key issue to their capability to participate as active citizens in society, in addition to adequate social protection benefits compensating for their reduced employment income potential and increased costs, and sufficient, personalised and flexible personal assistance services.