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Cumhacht Newsletter Vol 1, No 5. Summer 2003

Strategy 2003 - 2006

Strategy 2003 - 2006, PwDI's first ever strategic plan, was launched by the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform, Willie O'Dea TD on 26th of March.

Defined as a "road map for the organisation," by its author Bob Perry of Perry Consultants, the Strategy Document lays out the goals of the PwDI, and explains how the organisation hopes to attain these goals over the next four years.

The document was published after a process of extensive consultation, involving questionnaires, regional meetings, individual consultations, comment period on the final draft, follow- up meetings with networks and, finally, approval by PwDI's National Board.

Lobbying, Communication, Training, Education, Employment, Research, Promotion, and Membership are shown as PwDI's priority areas. The document sets out how PwDI proposes to approach and improve these areas.

In the area of Lobbying Strategy 2003 - 2006 suggests the following objectives:

To have a rights-based Disability Bill approved
To gain increases in Disability Pension and other allowances
To gain better access to public places for people with disabilities
To increase access to housing, education, and employment.

In the area of Communication it suggests:

Designing protocols for the handling and streamlining of information
Establishing a website for information, communication and on-line forums
Facilitating regional meetings

In the area of Training and Education it proposes:

Educating the policy makers
Co-ordinating training for members
Fostering change

In the area of Research the Strategy promotes:

Collaborating on research projects
Gathering Best Practices
Promoting new research in areas of economic and social aspects of disability

Finally, Strategy 2003 - 2006 suggests Promotions and Membership would be improved through:

Promotion of the organisation
Enhancing the image and awareness of PwDI
Enlisting the support and contributions of individuals, their parents, and carers.

In order to implement the overall strategy, the Document states the following steps will need to be taken:

Secure additional resources and competencies
Collaborate with existing organisations that share PwDI's objectives and goals
Reconfigure the staff and structure at National Office to ensure effective and efficient services to networks and Board
Implement a Quality Management System that will allow PwDI to effectively communicate roles, remits, and responsibilities and to measure outputs.

The Strategy Document not only articulates the objectives, which PwDI hopes to achieve, it represents the united front of PwDI.

The support of the organisations members and the strength of their convictions is what lies at the foundations of this document. It is through the combined efforts of the PwDI's members that the objectives, laid out in this document, will come into fruition.

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