Women are also disturbed by the unfairness of this burden to their children. The women are finding that the availability and repair of required aids that help them cope with their disabilities have been severely cut back. Women are often required to raise part of the money for wheelchairs or other expensive assistive aids. The women who participated in the focus groups felt that the lives of women with disabilities in institutions have become increasingly difficult. They have noticed that with cuts to staff there are obvious incidents of abuse and neglect.
Women wait for long periods for care.
This problem is most evident for women who have communication difficulties as a result of their disabilities. The women in the focus groups have also noticed that social programs inside the institutions and other programs that get women out into the community have been cut. Staff at community homes with 24-hour supervision are also being cut. In some cases, unqualified people have been hired as support staff. The women have also observed an increase in abuse by staff, as well as a lack of supervision.