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RESEARCH Why people with disability get caught in a poverty trap The link between poverty and disability is clear – but it’s far from inevitable, and we don’t have to accept it as so. By AMY HOGAN AND DR REBEKAH GRAHAM, FOR THE SPINOFF to support and talking about circumstances more difficult. Here’s a snapshot of some extra costs for people with disability: Glasses If you require glasses for your vision, and your nose/ears/ face are “non-standard”, you will require specialist fittings and intervention. Stringent criteria must be met. Clothing Poorly fitted clothing can contribute to pressure sores and increased discomfit. Not only do wheelchair users need tailored items for clothing to correctly fit their bodies, but clothing wears quicker. Dentists Extra time is often required to address multiple and In Aotearoa New Zealand, disabled children are more than twice as likely than non- disabled children to be in low income households. One in five disabled children live in material hardship (difficulty meeting day-to-day living costs). People with a disability are doubly vulnerable to poverty: both as children and adults. Disabled youth are twice as likely to leave school with no formal qualifications, and four times as likely to not be in employment, education or training. Disabled people and their families tend to be resilient and resourceful. We don’t give up. We are experts at the “number 8 wire” approach of making do and getting on with it. However, over time, with endless delays, indirect and direct costs, and disappointments, individual resilience can fray. A core challenge is that many people without disability cannot fully comprehend the additional costs associated with disability, or the multiple barriers that people with disability face when accessing support. This double whammy of invisibility makes access We are experts at the “number 8 wire” approach of making do and getting on with it. 16 | THE REVIEW SEP–DEC 2023