Press release
4 June 2026.
Children in Northern Ireland (CiNI) has today launched a major new report highlighting the significant inequalities experienced by disabled children and their families across Northern Ireland.
Based on a representative survey of 1,105 parents and carers, the report reveals a consistent pattern of disadvantage affecting disabled children across access to services and support, healthcare, education, participation, play and leisure, family life and standard of living. The findings also show that disabled children are significantly less likely than their non-disabled peers to have their rights upheld.
Among the report’s key findings:
- More than three-quarters (77%) of parents and carers of disabled children said their child needs more support than they are currently receiving through public services, and 73% said it is a struggle to access public services to support their child’s needs, compared to 39% of parents and carers of non-disabled children.
- Almost two-thirds (65%) report difficulties accessing the healthcare and treatment their child needs, compared with 36% of parents and carers of non-disabled children.
- Parents report lengthy waiting times for assessment, diagnosis and treatment. 68% of parents and carers of disabled children report waiting between 1 and 5 years for assessment or diagnosis, with almost 1 in ten waiting more than 5 years (9%). Of those waiting for treatment, half report waits of 1 to 5 years, and 8% report waiting more than 5 years.
- More than half (53%) report difficulties accessing educational support while almost three quarters (73%) said that their children need more educational support than they currently receive, compared with 23% and 41% of parents and carers of non-disabled children respectively.
- More than four in five (81%) parents and carers of disabled children said it is difficult for their child to participate fully in society and 80% expressed concern about their child’s social isolation, compared with 21% and 37% of parents and carers of non-disabled children respectively.
- Almost two-thirds (62%) parents and carers of disabled children report difficulties accessing play and leisure, and 66% of parents and carers of disabled children said that their child feels lonely because of limited access to leisure opportunities, compared with 18% and 22% of parents and carers of non-disabled children respectively.
- Almost half (48%) of parents and carers of disabled children report increased costs related to their child’s needs, more than a third (38%) report struggling financially to meet those needs and three-quarters (75%) said the financial support available does not reflect the true cost of raising a disabled child.
The research also highlights the impact these challenges are having on families. Almost seven in ten (67%) parents and carers of disabled children report high levels of stress or anxiety linked to caring responsibilities, while 93% report experiencing at least one significant negative impact on their health and wellbeing.
Parents and carers described difficulties accessing support, navigating fragmented services, financial pressures and the emotional toll of continually having to ‘fight’ to access services and support for their children.
Natalie Whelehan, Chief Executive of Children in Northern Ireland (CiNI), said:
“This report paints a deeply concerning picture of the realities facing many disabled children and their families in Northern Ireland. Across every area examined, families told us that their children face barriers and challenges participating fully in everyday life.”
“These issues do not exist in isolation. Difficulties accessing healthcare affect education and wellbeing. Financial pressures limit participation and inclusion. Delays in getting support contribute to stress, anxiety and worsening outcomes. Families are experiencing these challenges simultaneously.”
“Disabled children have the same rights as every other child. Yet too many parents and carers feel that those rights are not being realised in practice. The findings highlight an urgent need for coordinated action across government to improve services, reduce waiting times, strengthen inclusion and ensure disabled children can access the support and opportunities they need to reach their full potential.”
The report identifies significant concerns regarding the extent to which disabled children’s rights are being upheld. More than one-third (36%) of parents and carers of disabled children believed their child’s right to the highest attainable standard of healthcare was not being met. Almost three in ten (29%) believed their child’s right to an effective education was not being met, while more than one-quarter (26%) believed their child’s right to participate in society was not being realised.
CiNI is calling for urgent, coordinated action to address the inequalities identified within the report, including improving access to services, reducing waiting times, strengthening early intervention, addressing the additional costs associated with disability, improving inclusion, increasing investment in support services and strengthening legal protections and accountability mechanisms.
ENDS
For further information, email Noeleen Lynn on noeleen@ci-ni.org.uk or call 028 9040 1290.
Press release
4 June 2026.
Children in Northern Ireland (CiNI) has today launched a major new report highlighting the significant inequalities experienced by disabled children and their families across Northern Ireland.
Based on a representative survey of 1,105 parents and carers, the report reveals a consistent pattern of disadvantage affecting disabled children across access to services and support, healthcare, education, participation, play and leisure, family life and standard of living. The findings also show that disabled children are significantly less likely than their non-disabled peers to have their rights upheld.
Among the report’s key findings:
- More than three-quarters (77%) of parents and carers of disabled children said their child needs more support than they are currently receiving through public services, and 73% said it is a struggle to access public services to support their child’s needs, compared to 39% of parents and carers of non-disabled children.
- Almost two-thirds (65%) report difficulties accessing the healthcare and treatment their child needs, compared with 36% of parents and carers of non-disabled children.
- Parents report lengthy waiting times for assessment, diagnosis and treatment. 68% of parents and carers of disabled children report waiting between 1 and 5 years for assessment or diagnosis, with almost 1 in ten waiting more than 5 years (9%). Of those waiting for treatment, half report waits of 1 to 5 years, and 8% report waiting more than 5 years.
- More than half (53%) report difficulties accessing educational support while almost three quarters (73%) said that their children need more educational support than they currently receive, compared with 23% and 41% of parents and carers of non-disabled children respectively.
- More than four in five (81%) parents and carers of disabled children said it is difficult for their child to participate fully in society and 80% expressed concern about their child’s social isolation, compared with 21% and 37% of parents and carers of non-disabled children respectively.
- Almost two-thirds (62%) parents and carers of disabled children report difficulties accessing play and leisure, and 66% of parents and carers of disabled children said that their child feels lonely because of limited access to leisure opportunities, compared with 18% and 22% of parents and carers of non-disabled children respectively.
- Almost half (48%) of parents and carers of disabled children report increased costs related to their child’s needs, more than a third (38%) report struggling financially to meet those needs and three-quarters (75%) said the financial support available does not reflect the true cost of raising a disabled child.
The research also highlights the impact these challenges are having on families. Almost seven in ten (67%) parents and carers of disabled children report high levels of stress or anxiety linked to caring responsibilities, while 93% report experiencing at least one significant negative impact on their health and wellbeing.
Parents and carers described difficulties accessing support, navigating fragmented services, financial pressures and the emotional toll of continually having to ‘fight’ to access services and support for their children.
Natalie Whelehan, Chief Executive of Children in Northern Ireland (CiNI), said:
“This report paints a deeply concerning picture of the realities facing many disabled children and their families in Northern Ireland. Across every area examined, families told us that their children face barriers and challenges participating fully in everyday life.”
“These issues do not exist in isolation. Difficulties accessing healthcare affect education and wellbeing. Financial pressures limit participation and inclusion. Delays in getting support contribute to stress, anxiety and worsening outcomes. Families are experiencing these challenges simultaneously.”
“Disabled children have the same rights as every other child. Yet too many parents and carers feel that those rights are not being realised in practice. The findings highlight an urgent need for coordinated action across government to improve services, reduce waiting times, strengthen inclusion and ensure disabled children can access the support and opportunities they need to reach their full potential.”
The report identifies significant concerns regarding the extent to which disabled children’s rights are being upheld. More than one-third (36%) of parents and carers of disabled children believed their child’s right to the highest attainable standard of healthcare was not being met. Almost three in ten (29%) believed their child’s right to an effective education was not being met, while more than one-quarter (26%) believed their child’s right to participate in society was not being realised.
CiNI is calling for urgent, coordinated action to address the inequalities identified within the report, including improving access to services, reducing waiting times, strengthening early intervention, addressing the additional costs associated with disability, improving inclusion, increasing investment in support services and strengthening legal protections and accountability mechanisms.
ENDS
For further information, email Noeleen Lynn on noeleen@ci-ni.org.uk or call 028 9040 1290.
