Newsletter September 2010

Issued on September 1 2010

If measures are not in place to ensure that the Budget is disability proofed, there will be unintended and unsustainable cuts to vital services for disabled people and their families.

The Government has committed to developing a Recession Implementation Plan (The Revised Programme for Government 2009). The Plan has yet to be developed, but now Ministers and their officials are working away on preparing cuts designed to save €2bn in public spending next year, and there are further cuts planned for the years beyond.

If measures are not in place to ensure that the Budget is disability proofed there will be unintended and unsustainable cuts to vital services for disabled people and their families. This is without reference to the amount of unmet needs that also require attention. We have a disability strategy because there was, and still is, a significant level of unmet needs which prevents the full participation of disabled people.

Disabled people, their families and voluntary disability organisations will continue to do all that is possible to make services more effective and efficient. However, we need to know that there is serious intent across Government to reflect their commitment to the NDS in the decisions that are now being made in preparation for the Budget.

At the same time our own sector has challenges that go beyond funding issues. The NDS brought to the fore the long awaited human desire for full participation by disabled people in all aspects of Irish life. Each organisation needs to be critical of it”s own established practices so that it is directing it”s efforts and resources in a way that is fully compatible with maximising the independence, choice and autonomy of those that it was set up to serve. We are now in an environment where the expectation has gone beyond “protection” and “care” to one where full participation is the base line that should determine the way in which organisations operate, plan and strategise. DFI has been focusing strongly over the past years on organisational development and governance issues to assist in bringing the necessary change of focus at the corporate level and many organisations have started down that road. Continuing with the approach that “We have always done things this way” prevents progress towards activation and participation for those that we are committed to serving.

Yes, our Government has a way to go, but we can”t assume that we too don”t have serious challenges, challenges that would be here even without the recession.

John Dolan
Chief Executive Officer

Reminder to DFI National Council Members

A meeting of the National Council of DFI has been arranged for Thursday 9th September 2010 at 9.30a.m. The purpose of the meeting is for the Board can report on the DFI Annual Plan 2010. It is anticipated that the meeting will conclude by 11.00a.m. The Annual Plan and the 2nd Quarter Review are available to download on our website by following these links:

The DFI Annual Plan is framed within the context of the Operational Plan 2008-2010. You will recall that the last meeting of the National Council March 2010 considered the Annual Plan 2010, as agreed by the Board at their February meeting.

This upcoming meeting is part of the annual sequence of meetings of the National Council at which the Board reports on progress within the context of the Strategic Plan.

We will also be presenting an update on the development of the DFI Strategic Plan. Discussion document and Background Paper are available on our website by following this link: http://www.disability-federation.ie/index.php?uniqueID=10149

Please confirm your attendance or otherwise by contacting Mary Redmond on 01 4250129 or maryredmond@disability-federation.ie by Friday the 3rd September.

A further meeting has been arranged for Thursday 11th November 2010

Developing DFI”s Strategic Plan 2011 - 2016

DFI is currently in the process of producing its next Strategic Plan. This Strategic Plan will cover the period from 2011 to 2016. The strategic plan process will build upon the regular reviews which have been presented to the DFI National Council, and will involve consultations with external stakeholders such as Government Departments and other umbrella organisations. The Board of DFI has already given some consideration to the future roles and priorities of DFI over the next six year period. This analysis has involved the completion of questionnaires and participation in a one-day review and planning meeting.

DFI is also anxious to have the views and ideas of other DFI member organisations about the future roles and priorities of DFI over the next six year period (from 2011 through to 2016). We would encourage organisations to complete the questionnaire sent to them on 3rd August. The questionnaire can be completed online using this link. Questionnaire for Members.doc

The questionnaire provides opportunities for member organisations to comment on the work and activities of DFI, and to make their views known about future focuses and priorities. Completed questionnaires will then feed into a strategic planning process which will culminate in the presentation of a draft Strategic Plan to the Board and National Council of DFI.

Stephen Rourke will be assisting DFI in the process of producing the 2011 – 2016 Strategic Plan. Stephen has much of experience of supporting voluntary disability organisations and other groups to carry out evaluations and to compile Strategic Plans. We would encourage you to complete the questionnaire and to return it to Stephen Rourke as soon as possible. Any information contained in the completed questionnaires will be treated with absolute confidentiality by Stephen Rourke. Stephen”s contact details are as follows: 21 Lindsay Road, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Tel: 01 – 8307645 Mobile 087 – 2743414 srourke5@gmail.com

Thank you for considering this request to participate in the production of the new Strategic Plan for DFI. The involvement of your organisation in the strategic planning process will help to ensure that the final Strategic Plan is a strong, robust and credible mechanism for DFI to plan its activities over the next six year period.

Survey of DFI Organisations

At the beginning of August DFI contacted member organisations asking them to participate in a survey to provide information for a campaigning against further cuts to disability services in Budget 2011. A small number of questions were posed, focussing on the financial situation of organisations in 2010 compared with 2009. The objective is to measure the reduction in resources available to provide services in the face of ever-increasing demand. The information obtained will build on the findings from the 2009 DFI Survey of Member Organisations.

Of course additional issues will feature in DFI”s campaigning during the autumn. But to limit the burden on organisations, and to keep the survey short, this set of questions focuses on funding.
The strength of DFI”s campaign depends on the hard evidence which our members can supply. The higher the survey participation rate, the more significant will be the message about the harm imposed on people with disabilities

The questionnaire / survey can be found on the following link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GTDKYR6

If any organisation has not yet completed the questionnaire, or is struggling to complete it, please contact Louise McCann at louisemccann@disability-federation.ie .

ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Autumn Course: Chairing the Organisation Free Places Available to DFI Members

10 free places are being offered to DFI members on this autumn course, “Chairing the Organisation”, sponsored by DFI.

The course runs over two nights in Dublin – Tuesday 21 September and Thursday 23 September 2010, from 7pm to 9.30pm in the Richmond Room, Carmichael House, Carmichael Centre, North Brunswick Street, Dublin 7 and tea/coffee will be served on arrival. The venue is fully accessible. You can book online at http://www.carmichaelcentre.ie/trpath/chairing-organisation . Please mention you are a DFI member beside the name of your organisation. First come, first served. This offer is limited to one place per organisation.

For a list of all other courses offered by the Carmichael Centre, please see http://www.carmichaelcentre.ie/training-program

For further information, call Caroline Gobe on 01-8735285 or email tssinfo@carmichaelcentre.ie

DFI and HIQA Seminars

Standards and Regulation of Disability Services Seminars

DFI and HIQA will host two seminars on Standards and Regulation of Disability Services:
As we all know the rollout of standards and regulations for disability services is just down the road now. 2012 is only just over a year away.

The coming standards and regulation will provide a great opportunity for organisations to have a benchmark against which to measure the work they”re doing, enabling organisations to deliver their services to the kind of quality and standard that they would like, and that their clients have a right to expect.

Given the current economic climate and its pursuant cutbacks, preparing for the implementation of these standards and regulations will be difficult, and service providers will need to be doing their planning with the regulations and standards in mind. Many organisations struggle with understanding how to measure the standard of services they deliver. The standards will provide a minimum benchmark framework from which they can improve.

Standards may bring up governance issues, data & information management problems, service delivery or training shortcomings, or any one of a number of operational issues for service providers. But one way or the other, they are likely to change the way that some organisations deliver services and reorganise themselves.
The seminars will include

  • Workshops
  • A presentation from HIQA: Standards and the Regulatory Framework within which they work
  • A presentation from a Residential Services Provider which has gone through the process of having standards applied in their sector, how they approached it, and issues that arose for them.

While residential services are very different to those provided within a community setting there will be substantial areas in common.
These Seminars will be an opportunity for line managers and other decision-makers to discover what they need to know and how they should best plan for what changes they may need to make. Resources will no doubt be a problem, and it will be useful to be able to discuss this and find ways to work with what we have. Many organisations already deliver services well up to the standards that will be required, but they also will need to understand how the standards will work and how to monitor and report.

Programme

  • 11: am Focused workshop (what standards are, what they do and why we need them.)
    11:30 Niall Keane or other from HIQA: Presentation outlining the Standards and Regulation Framework, the expected roll-out and the learning that HIQA have acquired with residential settings.
    12:00 Q & A
    12:15 Case Study: An organisation”s own experience of Standards in Residential Settings.
    12:45 Workshop – What this means for us and how to plan for it.
    1:15 Facilitated Q & A
    2:00 Close

The events will take place as follows:

  • Wednesday 29th September –HSE Merlin Park, Boardroom 11.00 to 2.00
  • Friday 8th October –DFI Boardroom, Fumbally Court, Fumbally Lane, Dub 8.

Guiding Principles for Fundraising

Irish Charities Tax Reform Group (ICTR) will present a series of free online educational seminars (webinars) for the charity sector throughout 2010. These will aim to highlight the contents of the Statement of Guiding Principles for Fundraising . The next webinar will take place in September (date to be confirmed). If you would like to join the webinar and are not on our mailing list please email ictr@ictr.ie .

The following set of resources, including toolkits, templates and a sample complaints procedure have been developed by the Implementation Group as a useful support for putting the Statement of Guiding Principles for Fundraising into practice in your organisation. They can be downloaded from the ICTR website.

Seminar “Is it a Hindrance or a Help?

The Contribution of Inspection to the Quality of Care in Ireland”

This Seminar is organised by the Social Policy and Ageing Research Centre (SPARC) and the Living with Dementia Research Programme (LiD), School of Social Work and Social Policy, Trinity College Dublin.

Substantial reforms of the regulatory system of care homes for older people in England were embodied in the Care Standards Act (CSA) 2000 and the Health and Social Care Act 2008. These were part of a wider Government agenda to modernise and integrate health and social care services.

The Acts established new regulatory bodies for care services and workers and along with the regulations and mandatory National Minimum Standards (NMS) created a framework to ensure greater consistency of quality and to better protect vulnerable children and adults (Engelman and Spencer, 2003; DoH, 2008). The impact of these changes for both inspectors and providers of care services has been significant.

This presentation examines inspection as a mechanism for improving the quality of care standards. It reports on a study conducted in 2004 that sought the views of managers of care homes for older people about the National Minimum Standards and the inspection process at that time. The role of inspectors will be considered in light of the findings and published literature.

The Seminar will take place on Monday 13th September, 2010, from 4:00pm - 5:30 pm. in Room 1.10, School of Nursing, D'Olier Street, Dublin . For bookings please contact ageing.research@tcd.ie . Early booking is advised. Phone: 01 896 2914/2442. For further information and directions, please go to the SPARC website http://sparc.tcd.ie/

Ageing & Dementia Seminar Series 2010

“New Approaches to Nursing Home Care: Implications for Dementia”
This Seminar is organised by the Social Policy and Ageing Research Centre (SPARC) and the Living with Dementia Research Programme (LiD).

Since the 1990s, the traditional 40-bed nursing unit has come into question as overly institutional and inadequately homelike for the long-term residential care of older persons. The Greenhouse Project is among approaches developed in recent years to provide a homelier residence. This paper will describe the Greenhouse Project and consider the potential it offers for long term dementia care.

The Seminar will take place on 29th September 2010 from11:00am - 12:30 pm In the CAPSL Training Room, 3 Foster Place , Dublin. For bookings please contact Caroline at forsytc@tcd.ie or phone 8962914. Limited number of places so early booking is advised.

International Conference on Ageing and Intellectual Disability

“Ageing, Health and Quality of Life of People with Intellectual Disability:
Preparing for Policy and Service Responses in Ireland”

This event, an international conference on Ageing and Intellectual Disability, will include addresses by the Minister for Disability and Mental Health, John Moloney, T.D. and the Minister for Older People and Health Promotion, Aine Brady, T.D.

The purpose of the conference is to bring together people who are interested in the ageing population of people with intellectual disability in Ireland. Building upon a presentation of the findings from the Intellectual Disability Supplement to The Irish Longitudinal Study of Ageing, the programme will be a platform for national and international exchange, and will connect attendees, and help bridge the policy and practice gap between ageing and intellectual disability. The event will take place on Friday, 17th September 2010 in the School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, 24 D'Olier Street, Dublin 2.

Please see the attached programme and registration form for more details. These documents are also available at http://www.tcd.ie/Nursing_Midwifery/events/
Places for this event are limited, so it is advised to book early. Further information from Jeni Ryan on 01-896 3860 or email ryanjen@tcd.ie

Research on Family Carers of People with Parkinson”s Disease Calls for Full Carers Assessment and Adequate Home Care Supports

As part of National Carers Week (June 14th-20th 2010), a report, published by Care Alliance Ireland in association with The Parkinson”s Association of Ireland, paints a picture of inadequate supports for family carers of people with Parkinson”s Disease.

The report makes several distinct recommendations. These include the need for:

  • Adequate home supports that enable family carers to get the rest and breaks from caring that they need.
  • A full assessment of the needs of family carers
  • More collaboration between the state and voluntary sector in the provision of support services
  • Health promotion programme for family carers.
  • More awareness of the valuable contribution made by family carers
  • Specific training for healthcare professionals around the role of family carers, who provide in excess of 80% of care
  • Establishment of an independent 24 hour family carer help-line
  • Supports for Family Carers after their caring has ended

To download a copy of the report, please log on to: www.carealliance.ie .

Update on Family Carer Research Group

The group has been meeting now since 2008 and in that time several major research reports relating to family carers have been produced by members of the group. Most recently three research papers have been presented at the 5th International Carers Conference in Leeds.

Care Alliance is delighted to welcome new members to the group and have trialled (successfully) using Skype for those who cannot attend the meetings in person. The next meeting of the group will take place on 6th September in Coleraine House from 10.30am-12pm. All are welcome in person or via Skype. For information please contact Liam at ndo@carealliance.ie

NATIONAL DISABILITY STRATEGY / TOWARDS 2016

Statements of Strategy by Government Departments

All Government departments are required by law to prepare Statements of Strategy. Government departments are currently preparing their Strategy Statement for 2011-2013. A Statement of Strategy will comprise the Department”s key objectives, outputs and related strategies (including use of resources). In response to a call from Government, DFI made submissions to the Departments.

If the agreed policy objective of people with disabilities being full citizens of Ireland is ever to become reality, DFI argued that the Statements of Strategy must incorporate the disability perspective much more effectively than in the past. Only when a Statement includes disability commitments in a way that affects the Department”s Business Plan, its staff training programme, its funding allocations, the operation of local agencies etc., will the diverse needs and capabilities of people with disabilities be respected. DFI pointed to the long term goals for people at each stage of the life cycle as the drivers for strategic progress.

DFI recommended that the Department of The Taoiseach prepares directions on incorporating into the Statements of Strategy the objectives and person-centred approach inherent in the Government”s the social policy commitments. DFI also recommended that the Minister for Disability and Mental Health reviews draft Statements to verify that each Department”s disability mandate is prioritised.

For further information please contact Lillian Buchanan at the following e-mail address lillianbuchanan@disability-federation.ie

Disability Stakeholders Group

Meeting with Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

The Disability Stakeholders Group (DSG) recently met with representatives of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (DCENR) to discuss issues relating to the department”s Sectoral Plan under the Disability Act 2005.

The DSG was encouraged to hear that the Department now plans to review of the content of the Sectoral Plan, which they have lobbied for for some time. The department acknowledges that issues such as fuel poverty need to be addressed in the Sectoral Plan, and the DSG will be compiling a document to submit to the department to ensure the inclusion of people with disabilities on all issues is dealt with by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.

Digital Terrestrial Television: Other issues discussed at the meeting included the introduction of Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT). Department officials stated that they intend to start the upgrade to digital television to bring Ireland in to line with the rest of Europe, and that by the end of 2012 it will only be possible to view television via DTT. The DSG expressed concern that provisions regarding affordability to update, public information campaign and provision for audio description and subtitling will all be dealt with adequately to ensure that no one is left behind in the change over. The Department responded by saying that they will be looking into the issue in the next number of months and proposals will be developed in relation to an analog switch-off campaign. The Department will also make recommendations in relation to a help scheme to assist people, primarily in rural areas, to make the switch and also on a potential fund or subsidy for those who might need financial support.

Emergency Call Answering Service (ECAS): The New ECAS System is currently being tested and in response to the consultation on this last year, provisions will be made for people with disabilities. DFI and the DSG were amongst the 15 organisations and groups that made submissions to ensure access for all. The department officials indicated that the Minicom would be maintained for people who are deaf, and that a text based pilot is set to run later in the year with a view to rolling it out in the New Year.

For further information on any of the issues listed above or if you wish to contribute to the DSG document for the revised sectoral plan, please contact Joan O”Donnell, Support Officer. joanodonnell@disability-federation.ie

Office of the Disability Appeals Officer Information Evening

Do you have a child with a disability or are you involved in providing services for children with disabilities?
Is your child, or the children you provide services for under 5 years of age or was he/she under 5 years of age on the 1st June 2007?
Has your child had, or have the children you provide services for had an Assessment of Need under the Disability Act or are they currently going through the Assessment process?
If so you may be interested in attending an information evening to learn about the redress service provided by the Disability Appeals Officer.
The Disability Appeals Officer, Teresa Dykes, is an independent officer appointed by the Minister for Health and Children to provide an appeal service under Section 16 of the Disability Act 2005.
She will be holding 7 information evenings at various venues around the country to explain the services provided by her office. Please see attached list of venues. All are welcome to attend.
For further information please go to the Appeals Officer”s website www.odao.ie

Social Inclusion

2010 The European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion

The European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Inclusion aims to raise public awareness of poverty and social exclusion, and to convey the message that they are obstacles to social and economic development. These objectives are reflected in Ireland”s National Programme for the European Year which involves a range of events and activities that are being organised throughout the country by Government departments, statutory agencies, local authorities, expert organisations, and national and local community and voluntary organisations.

The National Implementing Body for the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion, the Social Inclusion Division of the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs, has produced a newsletter with updates on activities that have taken place to date, as well as news of developments of interest to all our stakeholders. This newsletter can be found at the following link: http://www.welfare.ie/EN/eu2010/Documents/newsletter0710.pdf .

In addition, they have developed a website where further information on upcoming events marking the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion can be found. This can be accessed at: http://www.welfare.ie/EN/eu2010/Pages/eu2010.aspx

If you have any further queries regarding the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion please do not hesitate to contact Pobail on (01) 6473248 or by email at EY2010@pobail.ie

Launch of National Adult Literacy Awareness Week 2010 Adults Count Too

National Adult Literacy Awareness Week 2010 will take place from 6th to 10th September 2010. This event will launch findings from a new adult numeracy survey that should get the nation talking about the importance of literacy and math”s in everyday life. There will be a presentation about the survey and contributions from Minister Sean Haughey, students, tutors and adult numeracy specialists.

The event will take place on Monday 6th September from 11am – 1pm, in the Seminar Room, National Library of Ireland, Dublin 2.

Simply Put: Writing and Editing Workshops
There are times when plain English works best
With an estimated one in four adults having a significant literacy difficulty, agencies dealing with the public face particular challenges in ensuring that people can understand and use their services. One step in the right direction is to use plain English. Using plain English makes sense because clearer information is more likely to save time, money and possible frustration in clarifying misunderstandings.
This September, as part of National Adult Literacy Awareness Week, the National Adult Literacy Agency will launch a campaign to encourage organisations dealing with the public to use plain English. This will include a seminar on removing literacy-related barriers in organisations, followed by free plain English writing workshops for relevant staff in Government departments, public and private sector, and NGOs.

This campaign is being organised to raise awareness of the 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion, and is part funded by the Social Inclusion Division in the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs.

The National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA), would like to extend this invitation to staff and members of your organisation to attend this seminar and avail of this free plain English training. It will take place on Friday 10 September from 9.30am – 12.45pm in Newman House, St. Stephen”s Green, Dublin 2. Please RSVP to info@nala.ie or call 01 855 4332.

Skills for life International Literacy Day Conference

This event will be the high point of NALA”s 30th birthday celebrations, with contributions from the Department of Education and Skills and international literacy and numeracy experts. The conference will be attended by approximately 300 people involved in adult literacy in Ireland, VECs and other key stakeholders in the education and training sector, and will culminate in a huge reception for students and tutors at 4pm. It promises to be a very informative and fun-packed day with something for everyone.

The event will take place on Wednesday 8th September 2010, from10am to 6pm, Main Hall, Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin 8.

Combating Rural Poverty and Social Exclusion Conference

This all Ireland conference, organised by Pobal will be of interest to those who seek to rural poverty and social exclusion both North and South. There is no fee for this conference. The conference is supported through funding from the Social Inclusion Unit in the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs.

The aim of the Conference is to enable key stakeholders to develop a comprehensive understanding of the nature, experience and impact of poverty and social exclusion in rural communities and the factors that have determined or influenced this social exclusion, and to gain a better understanding of the interplay of rural development, regional development and social inclusion policies and explore the possibilities and opportunities for improved interfaces and synergies.

The conference will take place on 21st October 2010, 9am registration in the Boyne Valley Hotel, Drogheda, Co. Louth. More detailed conference information and registration details will be available from the Pobal website www.pobal.ie . Contact Majella Carmody for any other enquiries at euyear2010@pobal.ie phone or 00 353 1 5117159

Housing Seminar A Place to Call Home - Promoting the Benefits of Social Housing

The Cork Social Housing Forum will host a Housing Seminar, the purpose of which is to:

  • Highlight poverty and social exclusion issues relating to housing and homelessness in Cork City
  • Provide information on the services and work of member organisations
  • Present an analysis on the challenges and difficulties experienced by client groups in terms of accessing and retaining housing and accommodation
  • Make recommendations on what can be done to address these challenges and difficulties and to seek as far as possible their implementation.

The goals of the seminar are in keeping with the important objectives and themes of the European Year – dignity, human rights, shared responsibility/participation, cohesion, commitment and practical action. The European Council and the European Commission designated 2010 as the European Year for combating poverty and social exclusion.

The purpose is intended to reaffirm and strengthen the initial political commitment of the EU at the start of the Lisbon strategy, March 2000, to making a decisive impact on the eradication of poverty.
The Seminar will take place on Wednesday 15th September in Cork.

Further Information from www.corksocialhousingforum.com
For more information on the 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion visit- http://www.welfare.ie/EN/eu2010 or www.2010againstpoverty.eu

The National Youth Council of Ireland Conference: Youth Employment and Unemployment

This one day event will allow young jobseekers, people in the youth and community sector, academics and policy makers in Government and state agencies to discuss current experiences, barriers and challenges along with developing proposals for positive action.

The event will consist of a mixture of key inputs, roundtable discussions and a panel Q&A session with representatives of political parties.

The Conference will take place in Croke Park Conference Centre, Jones”s Road, Dublin on Tuesday, 5th October 2010.Young jobseekers can attend free of charge, with a limited number of travel refunds. Community & Voluntary Sector - €40; State bodies, private sector, academics - €80. For further information or to book your place at the conference, please contact Rosie Boyle or Geraldine Mahon on 01-478 4122 or e-mail info@nyci.ie

Conference: National Organisation of the Unemployed

A Major Conference on the need to prioritise work, training and education options for unemployed people is being organised by the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed (INOU) in Dublin
The Conference will be opened by the Minister for Social Protection, Éamon Ó Cuív, and will provide an opportunity to:

  • Examine the barriers that unemployed people experience in accessing work, training and education.
  • Discuss the key aspects underpinning an activation strategy that can most benefit unemployed people.

The Conference is aimed at politicians, labour market analysts, social partners, civil servants, policy makers, unemployed people and representatives from community organisations, and will include:

  • A Panel discussion and Open Forum with key politicians on “Where is the work of the future and how will we ensure that unemployed people will be able to access it”?
  • A Panel discussion and Open Forum with key Civil Servants on “Where activation services are now and what are the major challenges that need to be addressed to provide the most effective supports to unemployed people”?

The Conference will take place in the Ashling Hotel, Parkgate Street, Dublin 8 on Tuesday, 28th September from 9.30am (Registration from 9am) to 1.30pm.
For further information please contact Aaron Kirkham, Policy Assistant, INOU E-mail: akirkham@inou.ie Ph: 01 - 856 0088 - Fax: 01 - 856 0090 http://www.inou.ie

Greater Dublin independent Living (GDIL) Call for volunteers for pilot Independent Living Mentoring Service

The aim of this service is to link people with significant physical or sensory disabilities who are living independently with other people with disabilities, and who need help, advice and support. It is envisaged that the mentors will commit to a certain number of hours each month and share, on a one to one basis, their knowledge, expertise and experience of independent living.
The Greater Dublin Independent Living (GDIL) pilot Independent Living Mentoring Service aims to promote solidarity between people with disabilities. It hopes to foster this by having people who are willing to share their own experiences, victories and difficulties with others who are experiencing them currently, and support them in their decisions and choices. A specifically tailored training course will direct mentors and support and supervision will also be in place.

If you are interested you should apply to Independent Living Mentoring Service, Greater Dublin Independent Living, Macro Resource Centre, 1 Green Street, Dublin 7, for a confidential Application Form, or email sineaddunne@dublincil.org . If you have any queries please do not hesitate to call 01 8728091 and ask to speak with Valerie, Sinead or Suzy. The Closing date for the receipt of applications is 15th September 2010

Louth Age Friendly County Initiative

Louth Age Friendly County is as an exciting initiative that was set up in 2008 to ensure that Louth becomes the first county in Ireland to be considered age friendly. This project is now being rolled out across the North East of the Country before it is rolled out nationally. The project covers 8 specific areas of concern to older people, and this includes people with disabilities. The eight areas are: Outdoor Spaces and Public Buildings, Transport, Respect and Social Inclusion, Social Participation, Communication and Information, Civic Participation and Employment, as well as Community Support and Health Services.

In order to ensure that the interests of older people with disabilities are included and taken account of in the Action Plan arising from the Strategy, Louth Age Friendly County would like to see more representation from the disability sector. There are a number of ways in which you can contribute and be part of this exciting initiative.

SEEKING: Young people and older people with disabilities for video project: Louth Age Friendly County is making a video on how young people and older people perceive each other. This is a great opportunity to get some training and practice skills at either side of the camera. If you or someone you know would like to be involved in this project, please contact Mary Deery at Louth County council mary.deery@louthcoco.ie

Information website: A website is currently being developed to advise older people about services that are available to them in County Louth. If any organisations think that it would be relevant to have their contact details included in the website, please contact Mary Deery for further information: mary.deery@louthcoco.ie or phone her on 042 9324389.

For further information from DFI on how you can become involved in the Older Peoples Forum Executive, please contact DFI Support Officer Joan O”Donnell, joanodonnell@disability-federation.ie

FUNDING

CARDI invests €300,000 in New Research Projects CARDI Announce Call 3 Grant Winners

The Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland (CARDI) has announced funding of almost €300,000 for four new research projects aimed at improving the lives of older people and informing future policy for an ageing population in Ireland, North and South. The four chosen projects include predicting the future needs of long-term care, investigating social isolation in rural areas, examining end of life care for dementia patients and assessing the financial security of older women with particular regard to pension provision.

For more information please contact: Nicola Donnelly, Communications Officer, CARDI. Tel: 00 353(0) 867927684, E: nicola@cardi.ie

TRAINING

Information on training and research programmes can also be found in the Organisational Development section of this Newsletter

Citizens Information Board National Calendar of Training Events September to December 2010

The Citizens Information Board (CIB) Training Programme consists of five separate Regional Training Programmes and Customer Service Training programmes.
New courses include, amongst others:

  • Assisting Clients with Legal Queries during the Economic Downturn
  • Social Welfare Appeals/Advocacy Training Workshop
  • Introduction to Mediation/Advocacy Training Workshop
  • Training and Educational Options
  • Interviewing In Depth for Information Providers
  • Negotiation Skills
  • Communications Skills in an Information Giving Context

Please send applications to the appropriate Regional or Central office. Further information is on the CIB website. http://www.citizensinformationboard.ie/services/training/ or from Gillian Strain, Customer Service and Training, CIB, George's Quay House, 43 Townsend Street, Dublin 2 Tel: 01 605 9020 (direct line) T 01 605 9000 (reception) Fax 01 605 9099
E-mail gillian.strain@ciboard.ie

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

NCBI National Spex Day

The National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI) National Spex Day will be held on 12th October 2010. This is a school campaign to encourage children to wear their prescribed glasses, and aims to provide a fun, interactive and continuous activity that will allow pupils and teachers to experience different aspects of sight loss first hand. Sensory Gardens are the theme of the 2010 campaign. In addition to the Vision Impairment Resource Pack we will provide your school with a Sensory Garden Starter Kit to develop a sensory garden, and a Campaign Pack. NCBI would like to thank its supporters for their generous support of NCBI and Spex Day 2009. The campaign was a great success, raising funds to provide support for our 15,000 service users and in raising awareness about vision impairments.

For more information or to sign up call 1850 33 43 53, E-mail: spexday@ncbi.ie Web: www.spexday.ie , NCBI website: www.ncbi.ie

GENERAL INFORMATION

LAMH Strategic Review and Business PlanInvitation to Tender:

is a manual sign system designed for children and adults with intellectual disabilities and communication needs in Ireland, in operation since 1982. LÁMH is a limited company and a registered charity. In 2002, ongoing funding was secured from the Dept. of Health & Children (DoHC). In planning for the future of LÁMH, the Board has done an initial review, and now wishes to commission an independent consultant to conduct a Strategic Review and 5 year Business Plan for the company. Full details at www.lamh.org . Submissions by email to info@lamh.org , by 13th Sept 2010. Further information from Mary Cullen, Lámh Development and Liaison Officer, Lámh Development Office, Innovation Centre, Carlow IT, Kilkenny Rd. Carlow, Phone Number: 059 913965

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For information please contact the relevant organisation directly.

Disability Federation of Ireland is a national support and representation mechanism for voluntary disability sector organisations, covering all areas of disability and disabling conditions. There are currently over 100 voluntary disability organisations in the DFI Membership.

National Office
Fumbally Court Fumbally Lane, Dublin 8
Tel: 01 454 7978 Fax: 01 494 7981 E: info@disability-federation.ie

Dublin Mid-Leinster
Anthony Carrick
Dun Laoghaire, Dublin South East, Wicklow (Dublin Office),
Mobile: 086 8206736
E: anthonycarrick@disability-federation.ie

Louise McCann
Dublin South City, Dublin South West, Dublin West, Kildare, West Wicklow (Dublin Office)
Mobile: 086 9189750
E: louisemccann@disability-federation.ie

Jacqueline Grogan
Laois, Offaly, Longford, Westmeath (Dublin Office)
Tel: 01 454 7978 Fax: 01 494 7981 E: jacquelinegrogan@disability-federation.ie

Lillian Buchanan
Support Officer – Policy and Research (Dublin Office)
Tel: 01 424 0127
E: lillianbuchanan@disability-federation.ie

Dermot O”Donnell
Support Officer – Support for Organisations (Dublin Office)
Tel: 01-4250125
E: dermotodonnell@disability-federation.ie

Dublin North-East
Joan O”Donnell
Meath, Louth, Cavan, Monaghan (Dublin Office)
Mobile: 086 3834587
E: joanodonnell@disability-federation.ie

Martin Naughton
Dublin North Central, Dublin North West, Dublin North
Mobile: 086 8207169
E: martinnaughton@disability-federation.ie

West
Michael Corbett,
Galway, Mayo, Roscommon
C/O DFI, Acres, Newport, Co. Mayo,
Tel: 098 41919,
Mobile: 086 3804750,
Fax: 098 41065,
E: michaelcorbett@disability-federation.ie

Marcus Hufsky,
Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal
St. Vincent”s Business Park, Finisklin Road, Sligo
Tel: 071-9150098
Mobile: 086 3811261
E: marcushufsky@disability-federation.ie

Toni Gleeson,
Limerick, North Tipperary, East Limerick, Clare
DFI, The Forge, Croke St. Thurles, Co Tipperary
Mobile: 086 6004526
E: tonigleeson@disability-federation.ie

South
P.J. Cleere
Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford
DFI, Tinryland, Carlow
Tel: 059 9179431
Mobile: 086 3811064
E: pjcleere@disability-federation.ie

Alison Ryan
Cork, Kerry
101 North Main Street, Cork
Tel: 021 4271752 Mobile 086 3816323
E: a.ryan@disability-federation .