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
With the publication of Frances Fitzgerald's report, 'Advocacy in Ireland: Feedback from five PwDI Regional Workshops' we have moved one step closer to achieving the independent advocacy service promised by the State in 2002.
Advocacy in Ireland is still in its infancy. We have a long way to go to catch up with advocacy services internationally. However, we are in the advantageous position where we can learn from the experiences and practices of other countries, countries such as England, Wales, New Zealand, the United States and Canada where we can take what is working well and apply it to our own circumstances.
Working with members and invited guests throughout the course of the five regional seminars was, for Lottie McClure, our Vice-Chair and myself an absolute joy. It was wonderful to see so many people participate in such a practical way and articulate their views with great passion. And, as usual, members gave some very insightful contributions, contributions that we must continue the work to ensure will influence the shape of things to come.
Strong views were expressed on the need for high standards, a good complaints system and a user friendly information service. People feel that the service must be accessible and it must operate at all levels - local, regional and national. Many said that the shape of the service would depend on funding, the level of democracy, what is already in place, as well as initiatives coming from the voluntary and community sectors. The need for training was highlighted as was the need for confidentiality.
Summing up the importance of advocacy, one contributor said that people with disabilities had often lost touch with their own power; advocacy was about getting in touch with power, your own power, as well as political power.
However, as many also pointed out during the regional seminars, on its' own, advocacy doesn't change attitudes. It is but one element in achieving an equal society.
Let's continue to work together, because together we are stronger.
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