People with Disabilities in Ireland
4th Floor Jervis House
Jervis Street
Dublin 1
Telephone: 01 87 21 74 4
Fax: 01 87 21 77 1
Email: info@pwdi.ie
PwDI is currently running a series of Capacity Training Programmes aimed at Officers of the Networks. The programmes outline the role of the elected officers and the role f individual members. It also offers suggestions how to be a more active and effective member of the Network.
Part of the programme is a meeting of all present to discuss a short agenda and an exercise in how to arrive at effective conclusions. These meetings have provided very useful information on what individual networks believed to be the critical issues of concern to PwDI in the recent Budget and over the coming year.
Below is a summary of the Training Programme at the Great Southern Hotel, Dublin on November 9 compiled by Dublin Board member Cepta Dowling. PwDI intends through its PR activities to highlight these issues in the months ahead through a variety of means.
(a) Issues members would like to have seen included in Budget
1. An office for each PwDI Network.
2. Awareness training for public servants from Ministers down to local town councillors.
3. Funding for over 65’s who need Personal Assistants.
4. Accessibility to buildings and enforcement of the law regarding buildings and accessibility to areas where building work is ongoing (e.g.Ballymun).
5. Disabled Parking spaces to be painted blue.
6. Awareness-raising of people with Learning Disabilities (eg ADHD) – not just physical disabilities or those disabilities which are visible.
7. A Personal Assistant ‘as a right’, also every child who needs special education should get it ‘as a right’.
8. The cost of disability – a direct payment to be made through HSE. Also, line rental for standard telephone to be free. Mobile phone costs and the cost of directory enquiries. The cost of providing aids for people with disabilities who need them is considered very expensive.
9. An appeals mechanism where an application for a carer or home help is refused.
10. a free Doctor’s Certificate to register to vote as a person with a disability.
11. An explanation as to why County Councils paid back €97million to the Exchequer.
12. Access Officers, as promised by Government, to be appointed.
13. A dedicated person(s) in each county responsible for co-ordinating the needs of a disabled person in their own home.
(b) Suggested PwDI Activities for 2006
1. Survey schools to assess accessibility. Consideration of whether teachers should train in disability awareness during school holidays.
2. Lobby Local Councillors regarding transport accessibility and availability especially buses.
3. Lobby Local Councillors regarding the maintenance and up-grading of local authority housing.
4. Examine the availability of courses eg An Grianán. Consider attendance with information stands at trade shows.
5. A traffic warden should be appointed specifically to implement the law regarding disabled parking bays.
6. Publish lists locally of Public Service vehicles which are accessible to people with disabilities e.g. local taxis etc.
7. Lobby for Wheelchair accessible transport in rural areas.
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