Is there evidence that chronically ill/disabled lives will be seen as disposable and devalued?

A Canadian case, cited by Assisted Dying opponents is that of Rose Finlay  in Ontario, who publicly claimed that delays in receiving disability support were longer than if she chose to access MAiD (AD).  While the inference, much reported by Assisted Dying opponents was that she could be driven to apply for MAiD by the lack of disability support, it was a rhetorical device and Rose Finlay is still very much alive.  Supporters of Assisted Dying argue that the answer to a problematic benefits and support system was never to withdraw and deny Assisted Dying support to those who are disabled or chronically ill – the answer is to ensure the overall support system is fit for purpose.  

Citing ‘Nothing About Us Without Us’, the Church of Scotland Joint Report of the Theological Forum and the Faith Action Programme Leadership Team on Assisted Dying note that:

“In Canada when MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying) initially excluded those with disabilities to protect the vulnerable of society, it was disabled people who sued and won the right to be included in MAiD.”

Respecting and enabling personal agency of those who are chronically ill and/or disabled can be achieved within a robustly regulated system of safeguards.  Denying personal agency is increasingly viewed as an act of significant devaluation.  As Christopher Riddle notes: 

“Denying people with disabilities the right to exercise autonomy over their own life and death says powerfully damaging things about the disabled, their abilities, and their need to be protected.”

As part of the campaign of opposition to assisted dying, opponents’ claims have been used to amplify concerns of some disabled and chronically ill individuals and groups.  In addition, the past decade has seen reports of a Westminster government that has encouraged PIP bullying (with attendant deaths), the bedroom tax, the Dash Report into the problems with the Care Quality Commission, and the attendant scandals in care, and on 15th September lat year the new Westminster government announced that 1.6m disabled OAPs were set to lose winter fuel payments.  In March 2025 Labour in Westminster announced potential severe cuts to disability support in England, with a likely knock-on effect on funding in Scotland, which may  further amplify those concerns.  It is with good reason that some in the disabled community would remain suspicious of government-led propositions.  However, the Social Care (Self-directed Support) Act 2013 was put in place in Scotland to ensure that care and support is delivered in a way that supports choice and autonomy in each disabled person’s life, and the recommendations of the Feeley review of adult social care for the Scottish government, which involved direct consultation with the Scottish disabled community, indicates a positive direction of travel in terms of protections and support for Scottish disabled people.

5.1 Opposition and support for Assisted Dying in the disabled community

Despite a justified cynicism towards government, support for assisted dying remains high within the disabled community.  A majority of disabled and chronically ill people support assisted dying.

According to a 2013 Yougov poll for Dignity in Dying only 8% of disabled people surveyed believed that disability rights groups should maintain their opposition to assisted dying, while of the 1,036 disabled people asked, 79% supported a change in the law.

A 2021 survey of 140 disability rights organisations in the UK indicated that only 4% explicitly oppose assisted dying laws. A substantial majority either remain silent (84%) or explicitly endorse neutrality (4%) on assisted dying.  

While a number of disability activists took a stance opposing assisted dying in 2007, “75% of disabled people taking part in the 2007 British Social Attitudes Survey believed that those with a terminal and painful illness should be allowed an assisted death.” 

In a 2015 poll 88% of people who identify as disabled supported a change in the law in at least some circumstances. 

The 2021 University of Glasgow study “Disability and Assisted Dying Laws Policy Briefing” concluded that people with disabilities are not generally opposed to assisted dying laws.  The study also confirmed that assisted-dying laws do not harm or show disrespect for people with disabilities, nor does the introduction of such legislation damage healthcare for people with chronic illness and/or disabilities.

A 2023 YouGov poll in Scotland found that 79% of disabled people support legalising assisted dying.

5.2  Equality

An argument has been made that on the issue of equality, as well as personal autonomy, severely disabled individuals who would seek to end their lives due to unbearable and intractable suffering are disadvantaged by the law as it currently stands, as those who would require a lethal dose to be administered to them would not be supported in their wish.  The inability of any individual to self-administer denies them the right to access assisted dying under the current provisions of the McArthur Bill, which is an issue of inequality.  This remains a common argument for allowing any dosage to be administered when required.