Disability care as women's work.

Why is disability care a lifelong role and responsibility for some women? How does disability activism and feminism view the role of disability care? This paper starts with an overview of the limited disability and care data we have in New Zealand, and what can be interpreted from the statistics about the gendering of care. Reference is also made to the new controversial 'Funded Family Care' policy for paying family members for caring for a disabled family member, the recent pay equity win for low-paid aged-care workers, and the 'sleepovers' case. To understand the present and to look into the future it helps to know where we have been, so some illustrative examples of current and historical gendering of disability and care are provided including: past eugenic policies; the mid 20th century struggle by mothers of intellectually disabled children; and mother blaming in autism. This is followed by a consideration of some theoretical approaches in helping to understand the situation from feminist and disability perspectives including addressing issues of ableism and power. The paper concludes with suggestions to address the issues of low status and pay for disability care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]