Understanding Disability - a new video series from DFI

Understanding Disability is the title of a new video series from the Disability Federation of Ireland. 

Understanding Disability features disabled people speaking about their likes, hopes and dreams. They also share why they feel the world is not built for them as persons with disabilities and what they would like people to understand about their disability.

There are five videos in the series featuring Shannon O'Farrell-Molloy from Wexford; Majella O’Keefe from Naas, Co Kildare; Michael Meere from Co Clare; Róisín Lenehan from Co Mayo; and, Dympna Minaguchi from Mullingar Co Westmeath. 

Shannon O'Farrell-Molloy from Wexford speaks about her love for her job in a leisure centre, her motivation to reach for the stars after leaving school and what she would like people to know about cerebral palsy. She also shares the backstory about the challenge it was for her to get her dream tattoo. Click here for Shannon's video. 

Majella O’Keefe from Naas, Co Kildare speaks about her love of jigsaws and crochet. She also highlights issues of rudeness and everyday carelessness which cause problems for disabled people. She speaks about her dream of seeing more of the world. She also shares what she would like people to know about living with vision impairment. Click here for Majella's video. 

Michael Meere from Co Clare speaks about his love of vintage car signs, his hopes to see his children grow on and up in life. He also shares his dream to be able to return to cycling someday and how there needs to be much more of a focus on equality for disabled people. Michael shares what he would like people to know about his acquired disability. Click here for Michael's video. 

Róisín Lenehan is from Co Mayo and she shares her love of The Good Doctor and books. She also shares her dream of one day working in an airport as she loves meeting and helping people. She also highlights issues with ATMs for disabled people. She shares what she would like people to know about what it’s like to be (in her own words) "completely blind". Click here for Róisín's video. 

Dympna Minaguchi from Mullingar Co Westmeath shares her love of art and the pride she has in her gorgeous children. She talks about her life before and after disability. She also shares her frustration at public transport and sometimes an app telling you that you are in Kinnegad when you are still in Lucan. She shares what she would like people to know about vision impairment. Click here for Dympna's video. 

Commenting on the video project DFI's Community Development Manager, PJ Cleere, said: "These five stories are honest and candid sharing by disabled people about their hopes and dreams in life. They also go on to share what they would like people to know about their disability. We are very grateful to Shannon, Michael, Majella, Dympna and Róisín for their honest sharing which we hope will lead to a better understanding of disability. 

"While these videos will form part of our new e-Learning platform and will also be used in our Disability Equality Training, we also wanted to make them available to a wider audience so as people can really listen and learn about everyday casual ableism in our society which causes serious issues for disabled people."

PJ went on to say, "I would like to thank my colleagues Áine and Pierce in DFI for their work in bringing this project to life. The videos were produced and directed by our Communications Manager, Brenda Drumm who has captured in just a few moments the essence of what disabled people want you to know about disability in a very raw and honest way. We invite you to watch the videos and to share them across your networks."

To find out more about our e-Learning and Disability Equality Training email us here. 

ENDS