Copy
View this email in your browser


ILMI eBulletin December 6th 2019
We are delighted to welcome you to the 52nd Edition of our E-Bulletin


Don't forget to hit share if you like what you read!

Should you require a plain text version please get in touch with info@ilmi.ie

 

ILMI Dates for Your Diary
  • December 10th, CDLP NUIG will host a Shadow Report meeting, 10am to 4pm.
  • ILMI Offices will be closed for Christmas holidays from Monday December 23rd. Full details will be available in our next issue.
Please call the office on 01 8730455 for more information or email info@ilmi.ie 

ILMI Team News
 
International Day of Disabled People 2019

Tuesday December 3rd marked International Day of Disabled People 2019. The theme of this year's event was 'The Future is Accessible', which provided us with an opportunity to unite and celebrate all that is unique about our community. ILMI embraced that opportunity and looked at what an accessible future would really mean for us - a future where we didn't have to look to the medical or charity model but where we are seen as equal citizens.

Clare


Photo shows members of the Clare Leader Forum celebrating IDPwD 2019. 
 

The Clare Leader Forum (CLF) ran an event based upon equal access to education. For the CLF true equality means having an equal opportunity to access education.  CLF LIT student Noel Kearney explained "Disability rights are human rights and my right to access education are just as important as yours. The support I need to do so shouldn't even be an issue. I don't want charity I want you to respect my rights".
Delegates were also given the opportunity to listen to how they can access a wide range of support services offered by colleges in the area and how those skills can be utilised to secure employment. Presentations were made by UL, LIT, Intreo and Employability with the lived experience demonstrated by individuals who had returned to education with the appropriate supports. 
A packed room in the Temple Gate Hotel ensured that IDPwd 2019 was respected in Clare with strong plans in place to continue the tremendous work of the CLF into 2020.
If you would like to learn more about the CLF or how you can get involved do please contact Susan who will be happy to help. 
Galway


Photo shows Galway City Councillors Martina O'Connor, Pauline O'Reilly and Alan Cheevers with Galway Activism members.

Galway Activism celebrated IDPwD by hosting a 'Future is Accessible event, which focused on the issue of Personal Assistance Services (PAS). Presentations were provided by Cliona DeBhailis, from the Centre for Disability Law and Policy in NUIG, and real life testimonies provided by individuals in receipt of PAS.
As part of the evening celebration ILMI and Galway Activism presented a Motion to Galway City Local Authority, which supported our right to access PAS. Mayor Cllr. Mike Cubbard and Cllr. Colette Connolly explained the background to the Motion and why it is so important to us.The night culminated with ten sitting Galway City Councillors agreeing to support the Motion for #PASNOW and have it tabled at the next Galway City Council meeting on December 9th. 
Galway are delighted to pave the way on this vital issue and if you would like support to contact your local Councillors about the #PASNOW campaign then do let Susan know.
Dublin


Photo shows the audience at 'Smashing Barriers' on December 3rd.

In collaboration with Kate Harris, Theatre Maker, members of Smashing Barriers: Drama Collective created and scripted a play called ‘Dead or Alive’ that tells the story of disabled people in a different way and from a Social Model of Disability perspective. The play first performed our play to a packed audience in Ballyfermot last December and recently took a tour to Tallaght and Ballymun.
ILMI were delighted to participate in panel discussions in both locations and ILMI's ONSIDE coordinator Peter Kearns facilitated a disability equality workshop before the performance in Ballymun.
The play was a huge success and is unique in being developed, scripted and acted by disabled activists and hopefully the group will secure funding to bring the play to more venues in 2020. 
British Embassy


Photo shows British Ambassador to Ireland Robin Barnett with ILMI Staff members Peter Kearns and James Cawley.

ILMI were delighted to be represented at the British Embassy in Dublin. James Cawley and Peter Kearns attended an event hosted by the British Ambassador to Ireland Robin Barnett to mark International Day of Disabled People 2019.

ILMI Key Policy Submissions in November 2019 

As a national representative Disabled Person's Organisation, one of the roles of ILMI is to bring together from facilitated member discussions collective ILMI submissions to influence the development of policy, practice and legislation.
Based on this, ILMI made two submissions last month. ILMI made a submission to the Cost of Disability research which can be accessed as a PDF here or as Word document here 
ILMI also made a submission to the midterm review of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) and a PDF can be accessed here or a as a Word document here. If you are interested in participating in any ILMI policy discussions, please email James Cawley.

Back to Top

Transport -Taxi!


Photo shows a screenshot of 'No Driver Found' information on a taxi app.

Hands up who orders an accessible taxi and watches the app go round and round until “no driver found appears”?
According to the NTA the number of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs) in the Small Public Service Vehicles (SPSV) fleet has increased significantly. SPSVs include taxis, hackneys and limousines. Transport for Ireland report that in In July 2014, a grant scheme and training were introduced to assist licence holders in the purchase and use of wheelchair accessible vehicles. The scheme has been running on an annual basis since then to increase WAV vehicles in the fleet.  As we know transport is essential to aid independent living. Lots of disabled people rely on accessible taxis as their mode of transport.
Earlier this year our Policy Officer James Cawley was appointed to the Taxi advisory committee in which ILMI attend monthly meetings in the National Transport Authority. The committee gives us a unique position to represent from lived experience how consumers experience SPSV’s. Some key information from past meetings includes:

  • WAVs now constitute 14.3 percent of the SPSV fleet which has exceeded the NTA target percentage of 10% by 2020. The NTA’s intention is to reach 15 percent by 2021 which looks extremely achievable. However, we know that disabled people face significant challenges in securing accessible taxis – low or no acceptance rates, cancellations or being late. It’s difficult to be spontaneous when you need an accessible taxi in Ireland.
  • Currently 4.5 million has been spent on WAV grants. Very soon the NTA is going to list all the WAV registered SPSV on their website. (We will update you when this is live).
  • The importance of lived experience in all WAV training is imperative. The NTA has confirmed they will factor lived experience going forward into the training drivers have to take to be awarded WAV grants.
  • The NTA confirms that successful WAV applicants are of good geographical spread and the NTA will introduce electric WAVs into the fleet in the future.
  • The NTA strongly encourages reporting of non-compliance within the fleets. So if you are experiencing difficulty with accessible taxis or other SPSVs let them know! You can do this on the NTA website.

In the New Year ILMI will pull together a zoom around SPSV’s in particular so you can voice your collective opinion which will be brought up at the next Taxi advisory committee meeting.
Watch this space!

Back to Top

Donegal


Photo shows some of the Donegal participants with ILMI team member Orla Beirne

Letterkenny third ONSIDE workshop took place on the 28th November. The guest speakers for this workshop included Siobhan from the Citizens Information Centre, Michael from Letterkenny Congress Resource Centre and John from the Donegal Volunteer Centre. This workshop included information on rights and entitlements, the supports available for job preparation (CV and interview prep) and local volunteer opportunities. If you would like more information then please contact Orla to find out how you can get involved.

Donegal Hi!

Photo shows Fiona Stapleton of Donegal Hi! with ILMI team members Orla Beirne and Peter Kearns.

Donegal Hi! is a new Sight Seeing Geotourism Company based in Inishowen Donegal, set up by local geologist and Entrepreneur Fiona Stapleton. From Start-Up the company aims to provide a tour service that is accessible to everyone. Research is underway to provide bus tours for people who are often left out of mainstream services by not being adequately catered for, such as people with visual, sensory, physical or intellectual impairments.
The company is in its formative stages, with tours commencing April 2020, but it invites all guidance and suggestions from individuals and experts alike, on how to best provide a tour which would suit themselves or people that they care about.
Donegal Hi! were delighted to have met with ILMI’s Peter Kearns and Orla Beirne and undertook a very informative Disability Equality Training Workshop a couple of weeks ago. ILMI and Donegal Hi! aim to work together to document the process in how to set up an Accessible Business, in order to lead the way in best practice and encourage others to consider everyone in their business models.

Back to Top

Monaghan


Photo shows the CPC Money Skills booklet.

We are now into our fourth week of our Social Inclusion Workshops in Monaghan.  Karl Kelly from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) delivered an informative 'Money Skills For Life' talk to our ONSIDE participants. The CCPC is an independent statutory body that enforces consumer and competition protection law in Ireland. Another part of their role is to provide personal finance information and education to help consumers stay in control of their money. In the photo is Karl Kelly from the CCPC with some of the ONSIDE Monaghan participants with their take home 'Money Skills for Life' handbooks. Thanks so much Karl and the CCPC for the important and invaluable workshop! For more information on the ONSIDE project in Co. Monaghan please contact Edel or 0871009425.

Back to Top

Leitrim

Photo shows Strategic Planning Workshop participants with our ONSIDE Co-Ordinator Peter Kearns.

ILMI's Leitrim based ONSIDE Coordinator Peter Kearns is pictured above at the Certificate awarding for completion of Strategic Planning Workshops for voluntary and community groups at Leitrim Development Company offices Drumshambo. The certificate was awarded to ILMI on ONSIDE involvement with strategic planning workshops for community bodies who wish to develop the process of long term planning for their participant target group. The Drumshambo evening training tutorials were delivered by Liam Scollan, the former CEO of Knock Airport. 
Peter will continue to liaise with Liam around potential employment and enterprise opportunities for disabled adults in county Leitrim participating on the upcoming 8-Week ONSIDE programmes at Mohill LAPWD, Carrick-on-Shannon Breffni Family Resource Centre (FRC) and Sligo Town The Mall FRC. For more information on our 'FREE' ILMI Leitrim & Sligo Social Inclusion programmes contact Leitrim ONSIDE Disability Equality Officer James or call him on 0877198521.

Back to Top

 
Press Release: The role of Disabled People’s Organisations needs to be recognized and resourced in order to meet State commitments under UNCRPD

Independent Living Movement Ireland (ILMI) notes with regret that the National Platform of Self Advocates has been forced to close down due to the lack of long-term core funding for it to carry out its work. ILMI recognized the work of the Platform as a fellow Disabled Person’s Organisation (DPO), directed, managed and run by people with intellectual disabilities.
“The UNCRPD makes specific references to State party commitments to ensure disabled people are effectively involved in all policy forums. That commitment needs to be resourced to ensure Disabled People’s voices are heard. The most effective way to have our voices head is to provide sustainable, long-term funding to Disabled Person’s Organisations”, said Des Kenny, ILMI Chairperson.
“Article 4.3 of the UNCRP states that in the development and implementation of legislation and policies to implement the present Convention, and in other decision-making processes concerning issues relating to disabled people, Ireland needs to consult with and actively us “through their representative organizations”. The National Platform of Self Advocates have made a massive contribution to the discourse on disability rights and inclusion since 2011 and the their closure is hugely disappointing and a real lack of commitment to the spirit of the CRPD” added Mr Kenny.
“Article 29 of the Convention says that State Parties shall guarantee us “political rights” including the right to form organisations to represent us at local, regional and national levels. If the State is serious about its commitments under the UN Convention, then genuine Disabled Person’s Organisations (DPOs) which are led and managed by disabled people need to be resourced to have our voices heard” added Mr Kenny.

Back to Top

Inclusion Ireland launch 'The Lack of Supports for Independent Living'

Photo shows the cover of the Inclusion Ireland paper 'The Lack of Supports for Independent Living'

On International Day of Disabled People 2019 our Policy Officer James Cawley attended Inclusion Irelands launch of their housing paper “The lack of supports for independent living”. It was a full day conference with all presenters delivering on their journeys to housing. It was fantastic to see real authentic voices and people with lived experience speaking out on the issue.

Back to Top

 
Share Your Independent Living News
 

CDLP to Host Open Meeting to Discuss Shadow Report
Following Ireland's ratification of the UNCRPD in 2018, the Centre for Disability Law & Policy (CDLP) would like to invite you to an open meeting in advance of the first State Report to the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2020. The purpose of the meeting will be to facilitate civil society groups and individuals to meet and discuss the possibility of contributing to a shadow report. If you are interested in attending please email cdlp.events@nuigalway.ie .  

END Back to Top of this Issue

Copyright © 2019. Independent Living Movement Ireland All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
info@ilmi.ie

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

ILMI will never pass on your personal data to any third party.






This email was sent to <<Email Address>>
why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences
ILMI · Carmichael House, · North Brunswick Street, · Dublin, D D07 RHA8 · Ireland

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp