Sofia Brizio, a 27-year-old PhD student from Cardiff, spends four hours a day on “disability admin”. Although her work in academia allows for flexibility, she still encounters everyday tasks such as planning a train journey or booking a medical appointment that “can take half an hour”. Brizio, who has cerebral palsy, says that “the world is not accessible” and that it can often feel like her disability is a full-time job. Martino Brizio, Sofia’s brother and a para swimmer from Italy, recently calculated that he also spends four hours a day on such tasks.
According to Disability Wales, disabled people often endure an “immense and often daunting” amount of administration, which can include applying for welfare benefits, researching equipment to assist independence, navigating healthcare services, and finding accessible transport options. Miranda Evans, a representative from the organisation, emphasises that many disabled people “confront multiple barriers throughout this journey, necessitating relentless perseverance to access the vital resources and support they deserve.”
Prof Debbie Foster, a Cardiff University researcher and co-chair of the Welsh government disability rights task force, comments that the embedded ableism in everyday design often exacerbates the struggle of those with disabilities. She calls for a shift towards accessible design, rather than treating disability admin as an individual problem.
The Welsh government has committed to supporting the rights of all disabled people and creating an inclusive society. A spokesperson declared that they will release a disability rights action plan in Spring 2025 that aims to eliminate barriers and enhance participation for all disabled people in Wales
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