Irish Wheelchair Association marks its 63rd Birthday
November 10 2023
The Acting Chief Executive of the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA), Chris Hoey, has today issued a message to mark the 63rd Anniversary of Irish Wheelchair Association which was formed by Dr. Oliver Murphy and the founding members in the Pillar Room of the Mater Hospital in Dublin.
The organisation has grown from these humble beginnings to a national organisation with a presence in all 26 counties and 2,500 employees delivering and supporting over 2.2 million hours of vital services each year.
Chris Hoey said, "On behalf of everyone in IWA, I would like to say “Happy Birthday” to IWA and to Dr. Oliver Murphy. I am hugely proud that our wonderful organisation has gained the respect and recognition of the professionalism of our employees for the quality of the services we deliver. This is not just internal recognition. Externally, IWA has been recognised in the Top 10 of Ireland’s Top 150 Employers for the past three years, the recipient of numerous external awards and the Association has been awarded the Level 3 QMark accreditation, the highest possible recognition. I feel that IWA is still a place that will make Oliver and all who work within the organisation, very proud.
"The current year has been one of many challenges, with the reopening of services in a post-COVID19 world, recruitment and retention posing huge difficulties and the continued absence of pay parity for IWA employees which resulted in Strike notification last month. The response of everyone in IWA has been immense and has surpassed what could have been realistically expected. IWA employees demonstrated the highest personal and professional level of integrity. On behalf of the senior management team, thank you to each and every employee, member, volunteer, funder and supporter. As these challenges have arrived, we always find a way forward, and this is what makes IWA a very special place to work.
"Therefore, on the occasion of IWA’s 63rd Anniversary, I leave you with a message from our founding member Oliver Murphy which you can watch below. Please take some time to reflect on who we are and why we exist. People are at the heart of everything we do, and this includes you. Thank you again, and please join us in celebrating our anniversary today."
Click here to watch the video message from Oliver Murphy.
Happy Birthday IWA from all of us at the Disability Federation of Ireland!
ENDS