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
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With the publication of Frances Fitzgerald's report, 'Advocacy - The Future' 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 such 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. We can analyse the strengths and weaknesses of those services, extract the best practices and work to apply what would be most suitable in the Irish context.
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 to 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 that 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, one's own power, as well as political power. How true!
Another way of defining advocacy is that it is the first step in permeating the decision making process with informed, persuasive and influential arguments for change. It's about collective strength.
This report forms the baseline for the next step, the development of a best practice document on advocacy. I want to thank most sincerely all those who participated and gave so generously of their time in our collective interests. I would also like to thank researcher and author of this report, Frances Fitzgerald. To each and every one of you, I want to say thank you and let us continue to work together, because together the future looks a lot brighter.