This programme is resourced through the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) which is co-funded by the Irish Government, through the Department of Rural and Community Development, and the European Social Fund Plus under the Employment, Inclusion, Skills and Training (EIST) Programme 2021 -2027. www.eufunds.ie
Our Disability Network provides a forum for people from local disability groups to:
- Network, discuss common issues, support one another and work together more effectively
- Identify local service gaps and policy issues that need addressing
- Take joint action to promote the full and equal participation of people with disabilities in the local community
The work of the Network is supported by BNWAP staff under our SICAP programme. Over the years the Network has taken a range of positive actions - from policy work and research on important issues at local and national level to addressing gaps in local services and initiating the setup of new services and projects. Recent issues highlighted by the Network include lack of Changing Places facilities in our towns, barriers to getting onto the housing list and accessing housing, beach accessibility and employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Highlighting local issues has also led to action at a national level. An example of this is when research carried out by the Network on the placement of young people with disabilities in nursing homes in the Bray & North Wicklow area was picked up by the Disability Federation of Ireland. They then rolled out this research nationwide, publishing a report, The situation of younger people with disabilities living in nursing homes in Ireland, in 2018. This issue has since been taken up by the Ombudsman, who published a report, Wasted Lives, in May 2021, with a range of recommendations.
Disability Network Case Study
Previous Actions
- Fun interactive Disability Awareness workshops in local schools, delivered by Network members and young people with disabilities;
- Collaborative work to re-develop and support the Disability Bray website;
- Disability Speed Lobbies of Local and General Election candidates by people with disabilities who are members and service-users of local groups and services.
- Events such as our Big Chat With Councillors, where presentations on different issues for people with disabilities were given to councillors.
- A meeting of people with disabilities with Wicklow County Council Housing staff to find solutions to barriers to getting onto the housing list and accessing social housing.
- A collaboration with Wicklow Tourism where local young people who are wheelchair users made a video of their visit to accessible venues for a Wicklow Tourism vlog.
- A breakfast briefing for local employers on how to become a more disability confident and accessible employer and ongoing work to build on connections made with local employers.
- Supporting initiatives such as Green Ribbon Time to Talk Day and the DFI's Make Way Day.
- Working with local disability activists on local accessibility issues - for example, in the case of beach accessibility this led to substantial funding being allocated by councillors for a feasibility study on how to make Bray beach more accessible for people with disabilities.
- Input of local issues into the new Wicklow County Council Disability and Inclusion Steering Committee.
Current DN members are: Cairdeas Clubhouse; Disability Federation of Ireland; EmployAbility Bray; Festina Lente; IMPACT WorkAbility; Lakers Social and Recreational Club; National Learning Network, Bray; New Court School; RehabCare Bray; St. Margaret's Donnybrook, Sunbeam House Services.
For more information about the work of this group contact Michelle Phillips on 01 286 8266 or email michellephillips@bnwap.ie.