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
Roll it there Boy!
A new working group has been formed to highlight housing options for people with disabilities in Cork city. Through the medium of film, it is intended to create a piece of work that will highlight best practice in terms of the
housing needs of people with disabilities.
Members of the group are: Richard O'Leary, Cork CIL; Breeda Murphy, Community and Enterprise, Cork County Council; Liz Donovan, Housing Officer, Cork City Council; Donal Guerin, Social Inclusion Unit; Nichola Meacle, Cork CIL; James Kenneally, HSE Accommodation and Respite project and Donie O'Leary, Cork PwDI Network.
So far two organisations have contributed generously towards the video production. We are grateful to Cork City Partnership and the Social Inclusion Unit, Cork City Council in that regard.
Framework Films have been commissioned to produce the video. Several meetings have already taken place between the working group and members of the production team, Emma Bowles and Eddie Noonan from Framework Films.
Actual filming began during the first week of June. The video will be used as a learning tool and will be widely distributed in due course.
New Network established
A new Limerick PwDI Network was established in early September of last year. The following officers were elected:
Chairperson: Sister Margaret Hogan
Vice-Chairperson: Nancy Cunningham
National Board member: James Galvin
PRO: John Kelleher
Secretary: Ellen Cantillon
Treasurer: John Carroll
Joint Membership Officers:
Tim Hunt and Liam Maher
Youth Officer: Seán O'Mahony
Russel Dante: Physical Disability Rep.
Donal Cooper: Children with Disability Rep.
Louise Grey: Hidden Disability Officer
Sally Howard: Mental Rep.
Theresa O'Brien: Sensory Disability Rep.
John Hogan: Learning Disability Rep.
Tony O'Dwyer: Sensory Disability Rep.
While the Network has just commenced, it has hit the ground running by holding its first Seminar on the Barcelona Declaration. In November 04 when they invited speakers from Limerick County and City Councils to inform members of their implementation plans for compliance. The Seminar was a great success.
Representation
The Network currently has representation on Limerick County Development Committee and with other agencies involved in the process of making Newcastlewest a 'Disability Friendly' town. A number of major initiatives will commence to both improve physical access to seminars and facilities in the town for all people with disabilities. There will also be campaigns
to create awareness among the general public to be mindful of the needs, rights and sensitivities of People with Disabilities which are currently overlooked.
Action Plan
This year, Limerick PwDI published an Action Plan aimed at promoting awareness of disabilities through participating in public promotion. It's an opportunity to make the general public aware of the needs and potential of people with disabilities to employers and to the wider community in the county.
Members' Night
On the 5th of May, Limerick PwDI held a Members' night where all those who had registered were invited to familiarise themselves with the elected Committee and to have an opportunity to make representations to them.
There was a good turnout and the evening was beneficial for all. A further 'New Members' evening is to be scheduled in the autumn.
Premises
Limerick Network hopes to secure a premises shortly which will be available and accessible to all members.
In the meantime, National Board member
James Galvin can be contacted on 087 - 2517080 or Joan Hinchy, Network Support Officer on 087 - 2524985
Verbal Attacks
Is this a regular occurrence?
At a recent meeting of Newbridge Access Group, one of the issues which emerged as quite a common experience, related to various forms of illegal parking. Although the Town of Newbridge recently introduced a new traffic management programme, assisted by paid parking, we are still encountering poor road behaviour and disregard for local by-laws on the part of many car drivers. Vehicles are "abandoned" wherever a vacant space appears.
Two of our registered blind members were making their way to the town centre when they came upon a car parked fully across the pavement. Naturally, as "naggers" they approached the driver to highlight the access problem which he was creating. Guess what? His female companion told them to "mind their own f----ing business. While the driver said that he would move his car off the pavement in the event of a wheelchair user or mum with a buggy coming along, the female still insisted that is was nothing to do with the blind pedestrians, and told them to "F--- off".As this sort of situation is experienced all too often,none of our members was surprised.
Although we continue to promulgate the universal Access ideal, how can we overcome this anti-social behaviour, or should we just develop tougher skins and resign ourselves to accepting that we will always have a deviant segment in our society who will ignore public safety issues?
I would really like to hear the views of other network's on the illegal parking situation in their neck of the woods. I would welcome suggestions on how best to deal with this particular unsocial behaviour, or is it just part of the modern materialistic society in which we live. Please contact Anne Kelly, Newbridge.
Disability Awareness Portfolio
Kildare Network, in conjunction with Newbridge Access Group, has produced a
Disability Awareness Portfolio of drawings with appropriate captions, which depict various scenarios relating to disability access and awareness. You may have seen some examples of these drawings on the 2005 PwdI calendar, which will have given you a sense of the content.
We now have 50 images on a CD which is available free to Networks. All we ask is that the images are used to promote disability awareness and improved access and that the appropriate credits are given.
If you would like a copy of the CD, the printed version or both, would you please contact me, giving the address the material is to be sent to.
My details are: Anne Kelly, Tel: 045-433909, or e-mail: anneandmartinkelly@eircom.net
Kilkenny Network recently hosted a very successful outreach night for young disabled adults between 18-30 yrs.
The night began with a workshop, in which we found out what the needs of the young people were. We asked what barriers were blocking the young people from participating in Social and community life, also in Employment and Training. There was great participation and we
ended up with quite an insight. This was followed by some finger food and a disco which went down a treat. We hope to have a follow on later in the summer.
Area Plan
For the first time Kilkenny Local Authority approached the Kilkenny network for a submission regarding the local area plan which we duly submitted. We await the final report.
Margaret Blanchfield RIP
On a sad note we experienced a deep loss in our Kilkenny network on the 28th February last when we lost Margaret Blanchfield.. Margaret was a founder member of PwDI in Kilkenny.
Those who knew her saw how she battled with her own health these past few months but it did not stop her from reaching out to others who needed support. Margaret had a wealth of information and passion regarding rights of people with disabilities. Her involvement in so many areas of disability was evident by the large attendance at her funeral. Her friends from all around the country came to bid her farewell on her journey home. PwDI extends heartfelt sympathy to Margaret's family. Our loss is Heaven's gain.
ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR TOWARDS DISABLED
Louth PwDI Network has labelled the use of sandwich boards and other items of street furniture by businesses in County Louth as a form of anti-social behaviour against people with disabilities.
Malachy Foots, spokesperson for PwDI in Louth explained that the placing of advertising boards by shops, restaurants and pubs on the footpath makes life difficult for people with disabilities, especially those who are blind or visually impaired.
PwDI in Louth has asked that the Louth Local Authorities take note of these concerns and move to legislate for the proper control of street furniture, whether it be advertising boards or tables and chairs.
Just a Minute Syndrome
Louth PwDI Network is concerned at the increase in the 'Just a Minute Syndrome' among able-bodied motorists in Louth.
This 'syndrome', according to spokesperson Malachy Foots, is the repeated use of the excuse by motorists 'I'll be just a minute' as justification for the illegal use of 'Disabled
Only' parking spaces. A minute, on many occasions, denies an approaching vehicle carrying, or driven by, a person with a disability the use of a parking space.
Louth PwDI urges that motorists overcome this 'Just a Minute Syndrome' and instead take a minute to consider the needs of people with disabilities for whom these 'Disabled Only' parking bays have been designated.
MONAGHAN "NEWSBALL" STARTS ROLLING
At a recent meting of our Network, we decided that each member present should have an input into this newsletter! Each member's opinion and aspirations are welcome - hence this coedited news item!
With Gabrielle, our Chairperson at the helm, Sheila started the "News-ball" rolling with a very positive viewpoint that more young blood is necessary to inject enthusiasm and interest into the organisation. Sheila, who operates an annual Summer Camp in Castleblaney for young people with disabilities, was profuse in her praise of young carers and helpers at the camp activities with a sprint of good humour and fun.
Nora, our valued member, is always there making sure that each young person is getting the maximum enjoyment from the camp. Nora also helps at the reading class, sponsored by the VEC, for young people with disabilities every week.
Patricia, a busy nurse also finds time to help in a situation when somebody needs re-assurance at the camp with her nursing expertise.
Mark, who does the secretarial work for Sheila, is an icon for young males, with some admiring glances coming his way from the ladies! Mark is a primary teacher who gives up a few weeks of his summer holidays to help manage the camp. Patricia referred to our planned survey of access to all school buildings, primary, secondary and colleges and hoped that the aforesaid survey would soon be done.
Gabrielle, with her special interest in education, was adamant that the survey should include access to whatever education is required by people with disabilities, to enhance personal development and job acquisition.
While on the subject of education, Gabrielle always emphasises the importance of highlighting the achievements of disabled children in schools. Gabrielle is engaged in remedial education. She adds that praise and recognition help children to blossom and grow at every level. Anne, also in education, stresses the need to lend a sympathetic ear to a child's worries and concerns. 'A trouble shared is a trouble halved'. Support plays an important part in a child's feeling of wellbeing and education.
Jean, who is a nurse with the mentally disabled shares her son William's esteem for Comphill Ballybay. Glowing praise for this Centre is much in evidence. It's strategic position is very important considering that prior to the establishment of Camphill in Ballybay, young people had to go north for this service.
Jimmy is concerned that the new swimming pool in Monaghan will be accessible to the disabled. This access should be available to all public buildings and allow for wheelchairs to move freely.
The Community Centre in Mullinaghmatt is a place we must visit, Jimmy says. It houses many useful services, advice services, children's playroom, crèche, outside garden and is a haven of peace and beauty. This multi-group Centre is fitted with accessible toilets. Rose recommends a visit there as a group.
Rose and Bridget commented on the inadequate A & E services in hospitals. Disabled people who may require these services find the lack of services is most frustrating and demoralising.
Among the projects supported by the Monaghan Network and which are an integral part of its activities are the Castleblanyney Care Association, Croí and the Bloomfield housing Association.
To those members who, through ill-health, could not be with us, we send our greetings to Ann, Hugh, Paddy, Paul and to Garry our member from Armagh. Success in your exams in Queen's!
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