2003 Annual Review

Issued on June 1 2004

Summary

View summary

Download

Word Format 4428.8k

''Outcomes through Partnership'' - Annual Report 2003

Chairpersons''s Report 2003

The Annual Report and Accounts of the Disability Federation of Ireland for 2003 presents an opportunity to highlight the activities of the organisation through what has proved to be quite a difficult year. After a period of unprecedented growth the Irish economy experienced a dip, and in that context it was predictable that Government would argue that the good times had passed and that there no longer were sufficient funds to provide essential services for people with disabilities. This argument was reflected in the Budget for 2003, which lacked any real commitment to additional funding for service enhancement.

This was in stark contrast to the ethos surrounding the hosting of the World Special Olympics 2003, which highlighted the positive role that people with disabilities can play in society. The Olympics provided an opportunity for enhancing the public image of people with disabilities. Unfortunately the message did not get through to those charged with the allocation of resources, and at the end of the day, despite all the rhetoric, there was no significant increase in the resource allocations to people with disabilities.

What the nation participated in, and what we witnessed, is not indicative of the reality for many people with disabilities in Ireland. Amongst other issues, DFI campaigned during the year to ensure that people:

Have adequate living accommodation
Do not remain long-term in hospitals or nursing homes instead of living in the community
Do not remain in mental hospitals when there is no clinical reason

In the context of national legislation, the Government produced the long awaited Education for People with Disabilities Bill, which is still going through the Oireachtas. The Bill was fundamentally flawed on two points. Firstly, the definition of disability used is a distinctive one, based on the medical model, and secondly, the Bill does not concern itself with education for people over 18 years of age, yet disabling conditions often impact on educational progression.

There was much background activity on the consultation and preparation of the long awaited Disability Legislation which is due to be published in 2004. This Bill presents an opportunity to give legislative effect to the constitutional rights of people with disabilities, and to further underpin the responsibility of our society to ensure that those rights are fulfilled.

As a national organisation representing organisations in the field of disability, DFI has had a very active and fruitful year. It continued to highlight the issues of the day and to provide much needed practical support to its member organisations around the country. A number of new members joined DFI, and I am confident that in years to come there will be continued growth in membership.

Having campaigned on the issue for a number of years DFI was invited by the Department of The Taoiseach to represent the disability interest in the Community and Voluntary Pillar of the Social Partnership process. This is a major milestone in the recognition of DFI as the national cross-disability federation with the capacity to represent, alongside the other social partners, business, trade unions and farming, the major issues that concern people with disabilities and their families.

DFI''s organisational review continued during the year. This was an internal process which identified the key factors and issues affecting the organisation and its members. This review has now been completed and will lead the way for the development of a new strategic plan for the coming years. I would like to thank all members of staff and member organisations who participated in this review. Such a review is a valuable tool in ensuring that the organisation remains focused on its core objectives. The review document, ''Disability Federation of Ireland - Key Strategic Components'', was unanimously adopted by the National Council in December, and in doing so the Council endorsed DFI''s Vision and Mission Statement:

"Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI) works to ensure that Irish society is fully inclusive of people with disabilities and disabling conditions so that they can exercise fully their civil, social and human rights.
In pursuit of this vision:-
DFI acts as an advocate for the voluntary disability sector
Supports organisations to further enable people with disabilities

I would like to express my appreciation to the National Council, which met three times during the year, in February, May (AGM) and December.

Finally I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the Board who have contributed to the governance of the organisation. I would also like to thank our Chief Executive, John Dolan, and staff members, for their continued dedication to ensuring that the objectives of the Disability Federation of Ireland are achieved.

John Saunders
Chairperson

CEO''S Introduction

At the beginning of 2002 DFI''s staff complement was ten. By the end of 2003 this number had increased to eighteen. This increase in staff numbers is an indication of the growth experienced by DFI during this period. The significant achievement in this growth was the deployment of a full time Regional Support Officer (RSO) in each of the ten Health Board areas. This development was not without its logistical problems, and DFI continued to work to ensure that the team was well supported, and much was achieved in this area.

As we entered 2003 there were major concerns in relation to the fall out from Budget 2003, and the Board decided to engage in a year long campaign for Budget 2004. We challenged ourselves to improve in a number of areas: information and research, engagement of our member organisations and the members of the Oireachtas, and informing public opinion. Unlike previous years where our Budget Campaign had largely revolved around the pre-Budget submission launch, in 2003 we had three major national events, Croke Park Seminar in May, Oireachtas Members Briefing in July, and Pre-Budget Launch in October. In addition numerous regional activities and actions took place.

Having campaigned for a number of years to achieve participation for the voluntary disability sector in the Social Partnership process, we were successful when, in April, we were invited by Government to represent the disability strand of a reformed Community and Voluntary Pillar. This coincided with the appointment of a Policy and Research Officer whose main role since then has been to support and develop our Social Partnership engagement.

Midway through the year we faced the challenge of engaging with health service reform in order to ensure that our sector is fully included and consulted within the programme to bring about change.

Although we were unsuccessful in our funding application under the Federations and Networks Grant Scheme, operated by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, we were successful in the second scheme for Training and Supports. This gives us funding for three years to develop supports for our member organisations. Through an increased allocation from the Department of Health and Children at the end of 2003 we are now in a position to put in place a person to manage and support the ten strong regional team. These funding achievements will increase our capacity to support our growing membership. Throughout the year we welcomed a further seventeen organisations into membership.

The year was also significant in that we concluded work on the DFI review with the adoption by the National Council in December of the ''Disability Federation of Ireland - Key Strategic Statements'' document. This document sets out the three key areas around which DFI will develop in the years ahead, namely:

Developing and providing a range of support services to organisations working with people with disabilities;
Influencing and contributing to Government policy in respect of people with disabilities;
Providing a platform for articulating the needs and contribution of people with disabilities in Ireland.

As you read through the many and varied areas of work which we engaged in during the year, it is important to acknowledge the work and effort of a number of distinct groups within DFI. The National Council and Board provide our Governance, and the growing staff team work to further the objectives of DFI. Members of the Council and Board all operate on a voluntary basis. Board members, who meet on a monthly basis, are often called upon to give additional time and expertise. For this I am grateful. Board officers have particular roles and responsibilities. In particular, I wish to pay tribute to Niall Keane who resigned as Chairperson in June after three years in the Chair, and to acknowledge the work and contribution of his successor, John Saunders. We also have other volunteers who represent DFI''s interests on a range of working groups and committees. They too play an important role on behalf of our membership.

The success of DFI is due to its team, staff and volunteers (Council, Board and others). Your co-operation and work has greatly assisted the management team and myself throughout the year.

Thank you.

John Dolan
Chief Executive

ADVOCATE FOR THE SECTOR AND POLICY DEVELOPMENT

NATIONAL VOICE FOR THE SECTOR

DFI recognises the vital importance of its continued contribution to the development of policies that support the work of the sector. Given the relentless daily grind within all voluntary organisations to ensure that people with disabilities and their families have access to appropriate services, and because many organisations have been at the forefront of developing and funding services, it is sometimes easily assumed that the sector is simply a collection of service providers. Our member organisations are and always have been the first advocate for people with disabilities and their families. The provision of direct services is part of the response.

DFI has continued in the past year to develop and promote policy and change while acting as an advocate for the sector at local, regional, national and international levels. Some of the organisations, groups and structures through which this was promoted in 2003 are listed in the appendix.

In this area of work there were two major constants throughout the year, namely, Social Partnership and the Budget 2004 Campaign.

Social Partnership

Our capacity in this area was substantially increased as a result of the recruitment of a Policy and Research Officer. The post was filled in June. This addition to the DFI team allowed us to give a strong focus to our participation in Social Partnership as the organisation representing the disability interest.

Our campaign for the inclusion of disability as a specific area in Social Partnership goes back a number of years. In April DFI was invited into Social Partnership as part of the Community and Voluntary Pillar, and DFI has been an active member of the Pillar throughout the year. A process was put in place to involve DFI members and the wider voluntary disability sector in the policy making process of Social Partnership. DFI has provided submissions and papers on an ongoing basis throughout the year to the Pillar, Department of The Taoiseach and the various line departments, and generally has succeeded in progressing the disability agenda within the Social Partnership process.

Budget Campaign

In response to the Budget delivered in December 2002, the DFI Board made the decision to plan a year long campaign to highlight the needs and issues of our sector. Little had been delivered on these needs and issues, and as a result they remained similar to those of the previous year. These are as follows:

Disabled Persons Housing Grant
Adults with Significant Disabilities (Young Chronic Sick)
Community Employment
Children as Carers
Cost of Disability/Income for People with Disabilities
Accommodation for People with Mental Illness
Funding for Voluntary Organisations

At the DFI Seminar, "We Do It Better When We Do It Together" in Croke Park in May, attendees committed themselves to highlighting specific issues through their own organisations. On 1st July in Buswells DFI invited members of the Oireachtas to meet with representatives from disability organisations to hear, at first hand, the need for Government to invest in people with disabilities. Over 60 disability organisations and 50 members of the Oireachtas attended the event. To further raise the profile of our issues DFI invited representatives from each of the political parties to respond to our Pre-Budget Submission ''Re-Start the Investment''. This document was launched in the Mansion House on 21st October, and once again a large number of members of the Oireachtas and disability organisations attended the event.

Social Policy Content of the Sector''s Work

Primarily through participation in Social Partnership, the Budget Campaign and Disability Legislation related work, DFI greatly contributed to social policy issues within the voluntary sector. In this regard, a range of issues have been raised:

The connection between the level and extent of service provision and the need for a rights based approach, backed up by legislation.
Ageing and disability
Implications of mainstreaming and crosscutting issues
Voluntary disability organisations as a vital part of democratic
participation.
Need for a national disability housing strategy.

DFI has continued to contribute towards public policy on various national committees:

An Bord Altranais Prescribing Committee
White Paper on ''Supporting Voluntary Activity'': Implementation and Advisory Group (IAG) and Community and Voluntary 12 Group (CV12)
Health Board Regional Physical and Sensory Disability Co-Ordinating Committees
National Physical & Sensory Disability Database Committee
DoHC Working Group on the Funding of Voluntary Organisations Providing Services to People with Physical and/or Sensory Disabilities
Centre for Early Childhood Education and Development (CECDE) Consultative Committee
DoHC Working Group on the Code of Practice for Sheltered Occupational Services
Disability Legislation Consultation Group (DLCG)
Barcelona Declaration National Project
''Workway'' - Joint ICTU/ IBEC initiative to promote employment of people with disabilities
DoHC Working Group on Personal Assistance and Home Supports
Community and Voluntary Pillar of Social Partnership
National Working Group on Disability Performance Indicators
National Economic and Social Forum
Wheel Health Spoke
Equality Authority - Equal Status Act Advisory Committee on Disability
European Year of People with Disabilities( EYPD): National Co-Ordinating Committee and Rights, Responsibilities and Partnership Sub-Committee
FÁS - National Advisory Committee on Disability to the Board
Comhairle Research Advisory Group
Irish Charity Tax Research Group (ICTRG)
National Economic and Social Council (NESC)
Women''s Health Council National Planning Forum for Women''s Health

DFI Conference

''We Do It Better When We Do It Together''

The purpose of the Seminar, which took place on 29th May in Croke Park, was to provide organisations with information on Social Partnership and to launch the next phase of DFI''s Budget Campaign 2004.

Six issues were chosen as the focus of the campaign:

Mental Health
Community Employment
Young Chronic Sick
Disabled Person''s Housing Grant
Children as Carers
Cost of Disability/Income for People with Disabilities

Organisations came together at the Seminar to plan their individual campaign strategies.

DFI has also contributed to public policy in other key areas:

Community Employment / Social Economy
Local Government Reform
Accessible Public Transport
Disability Legal Resource
Mental Health
Mainstreaming and crosscutting nature of disability
Education for Persons with Disabilities Bill
County Development Boards and Local Government
Disability and Ageing
Development of NDA / DoHC National Standards
DoHC National Health Strategy Consultative Forum
Legislative and regulatory reform for the sector
Social Partnership
Health Service Reform
Rural Development Forum

National Media

Features relating to the work of DFI appeared in the national newspapers and national radio and television broadcasts at regular intervals throughout the year.

Extensive radio and television coverage on programmes such as ''Morning Ireland'', 6.1 News, 9 O''Clock News, and Outside the Box, was given to various DFI events and issues throughout the year.

In the print media, the launch of the DFI Budget 2004 Campaign in May was comprehensively covered. The Irish Examiner quoted DFI as saying that:

''Budget 2003 increased the risk of people with disabilities living in poverty and has restricted the availability of already limited services to people with disabilities''.

In relation to disability legislation, The Irish Examiner also quoted DFI as saying that

''It is the absence of a rights-based approach, underpinned by legislation, which is causing the basic needs of people with disabilities to remain unmet.''

Community Employment

DFI has been actively campaigning for the appropriate funding of health and personal social services that are provided through Community Employment. The postponement, or indeed cancellation, of the mainstreaming of health related Community Employment places, and the three year cap, has meant that the campaigning has been targeted at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and FÁS , to seek to ensure the ring fencing of the Community Employment places together with a pragmatic and reasonable approach to the application of the three year cap. On the other hand DFI campaigned for recognition by the Department of Health and Children that the majority of these schemes have been providing health and personal social services for many years past. We urged the Department to impress on Government the absolute need for the mainstreaming of these Community Employment places.

DFI has also worked very closely with member and other organisations affected by the tightening Community Employment market to ensure that, as far as possible, the most current information is available in relation to services that are being affected in each region.

Rights Based Disability Legislation

There was continued DFI representation on the Disability Legislation Consultation Group (DLCG) throughout 2003. Discussions within the DLCG, and a wider process of consultation, including written submissions and various meetings, helped to inform the content, focus and shape of the draft document, ''Equal Citizens: Core Elements of Disability Legislation'', which was produced by the DLCG in February 2003. This document proposes the inclusion of fifteen core elements of disability legislation.

At its January meeting the Board of DFI unanimously agreed to recommend the approach being taken by the DLCG. At a Special Meeting of DFI''s National Council in February, the Council also unanimously endorsed the approach being set out in the core elements framework document.

In September 2003 the DLCG organised, and DFI participated in, a series of media and capacity building support training programmes which were held in Dublin, Cork, Galway and the Midlands.

Education for persons with disabilities bill

As part of our ongoing commitment to developing policy, DFI prepared a submission to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education and Science on the Education for Persons with Disabilities Bill 2003. This process involved a period of consultation with our member organisations as well as offering feedback on the process through the monthly newsletter.

European Year of People with Disabilities

2003 was designated European Year of People with Disabilities (EYPD) by the European Union. The aim of the year was to address disability within a citizenship framework and to promote equal opportunities for people with disabilities. The year provided an opportunity to highlight the diverse nature of disability and to recognise the particular issues around multiple discrimination. DFI was represented on the National Co-Ordinating Committee and on the Rights, Responsibilities and Partnership Sub-Committee of the EYPD, and was also involved in a number of EYPD projects, namely:

''100 Days, 100 Ways to Make the Difference'' Campaign
''Towards an Accessible Taxi Service for All'' - EYPD Funded Research Project
Legal rights training events for people with disabilities (Midland, North East and North West Regions) organised by DFI and Disability Legal Resource
Disability and Equal Opportunities training project in partnership with DESSA and the Mid-West Support Agency for Community Development

European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities

The European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD) promotes the equalisation of opportunities for people with disabilities through effective and high quality service systems in Europe. EASPD represents more than 6,000 service provider organisations in twenty-two European countries.

DFI, as a member of EASPD, was involved in various activities during the year, including attendance at General Assembly, Board and Project Group Meetings, and at Conferences in Brussels and Lisbon.

European union workshops

A series of eight European Union Workshops took place throughout Ireland from June through August 2003. These EU Workshops, which were funded by the Communicating Europe Initiative (CEI), were run by the Centre for Independent Living (CIL) in partnership with the Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI). Each workshop specifically targeted people with disabilities in addition to other individuals seeking an overview of the European Union (EU) and how it operates, particularly in relation to disabilities.

White Paper: Supporting Voluntary Activity

John Dolan (DFI nominee) continued his membership of the Implementation and Advisory Group (IAG) of the White Paper "Supporting Voluntary Activity'' during 2003. The Community and Voluntary Sector representatives (CV 12) of the IAG pursued the Government to make a decision on the distribution of the Federations and Networks and Training and Supports Grant Schemes, which were originally due to be announced and distributed in 2002. Allocations under the grant schemes were finally announced in September 2003, with a 53% reduction in the funding originally intended.

DFI was successful in its application for a grant under the Funding Scheme for Training and Supports in the Community and Voluntary Sector and has been awarded €40,000 per annum over a three year period to include organisation and administration of the scheme. The funding has been committed to the partial funding of training courses, development of Boardmatch, CEO fora, mentoring projects, and to advising organisations about the implications of the developments associated with the Health Service Reform Programme.

The IAG welcomed the publication of a consultation document on charities legislation and regulatory reform and also agreed a consultation process to begin in early 2004. Other issues addressed by the IAG during 2003 were best practise principles, voluntary activity units and follow up to "Tipping the Balance" report. The CV12 also commissioned Brian Harvey to review progress on implementation of the White Paper. There is a general disappointment with the progress of the IAG in implementing the White Paper commitments and the CV12 has focused attention on this situation.

Health service reform

DFI has been proactive in ensuring the voice of the voluntary disability sector is at the forefront of planning considerations in the reform of the Health Services. Staff were involved in a liaison persons'' meeting in June 2003 and as a result of this DFI agreed to assist the Department of Health and Children to disseminate information and to gather feedback from constituent organisations regarding the reform programme. As a result of this feedback, DFI made a submission to the Office for Health Management, and in December the Department of Health and Children made a presentation to the National Council of DFI on the proposed changes and progress to date.

Submissions and Presentations

Written Submission to the National Disability Authority Draft National Standards for Disability Services - March 2003
Written Submission to the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform regarding the Consultation Progress relating to their ''Review of Local and Community Development Programmes with a view to delivering the most practical and effective support possible to communities'' - May 2003
Written and Oral Submissions on the Reform of Seanad Eireann setting out the case for the inclusion of the interests of the voluntary disability sector within a reformed Seanad on the basis that such a development is in keeping with developing and deepening democratic participation - June 2003
Written Response to the National Disability Authority Irish National Survey of Disability Pilot - July 2003
Written Response to the Final Draft of the Code of Practice for Sheltered Occupational Services, July 2003
''Looking After Those with Special Needs'' - Presentation to the Patrick MacGill Summer School 2003, "Building a More Civilised Society in Ireland'', Donegal, July, 2003. Subsequently published in ''Why Not? Building a Better Ireland'', published by the Patrick MacGill Summer School in November 2003
Written Submission to the Office for Health Management on the Health Service Reform Programme - September 2003
Oral and Written Submissions to Department of Education and Science on Education for Persons with Disabilities Bill 2003, September 2003
Written Pre-Budget Submission 2004 - ''Re-Start the Investment'' - October 2003
Written Submission on the Action Plan on Homelessness in Dublin 2003 - 2006: ''Homes Not Beds: The case for a rights based approach'' - October, 2003
''Homes not Beds: The Case for a Rights Based Approach'' - Presentation to the Inaugural Conference of the Association of Occupational Therapy Special Interest Group on Housing in Ireland, Dublin, October 2003.
Written Response to ''Sustaining Progress'' Special Initiatives - November 2003
''Promoting Equality in Health Service Provision'' - Presented to the ERHA Conference, November, 2003.
''''Rural Ireland and Disability - Opportunities and Challenges'' - Presentation to the Rural Development Forum, Cashel, November 2003.
''Restart the Investment - Presentation to the Fine Gael Conference, Galway, November, 2003.
Written Submission to the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy, December 2003
Employers Making a Difference'' - Presentation to the People with Disabilities in Ireland Employers'' Luncheon Briefing, Kells, December, 2003

Supporting Organisations to enable People with Disabilities

Disability Groupings and Cross Disability

While DFI works at the broader level to ensure that voluntary disability organisations operate in an environment which understands and respects their voluntary role within society, and which enables their optimum participation, it is also necessary to work both collectively and individually with organisations in order to assist them in advancing their aims and objectives. This is done by supporting organisations not only in their disability related work but also by providing any other supports necessary for overall effective functioning.

The policy of mainstreaming disability issues across all Government departments and public services is actively pursued through our work. It is no longer adequate to push disability issues over to just one agency or organisation. This poses a major challenge for all who work in the sector.

Disability is not a straightforward and clear issue. Not only is there a wide range of disabilities, but the effects on each individual may be different. Initiatives and programmes must accommodate this difference and not presume that benefit will accrue in equal measure to each person with a disability. Services which assist people who have a physical disability may be of no assistance to people who have epilepsy, are deaf or have a mental illness. There must be an understanding of the need for different approaches and measures for different disability groups, to ensure that developments are equitable and balanced.

Set out below is a range of work which was undertaken in particular disability sectors and across disabilities.

Cross Disability

There are a number of general issues which are common across all disabilities. It is important to keep in mind that people with a recognised disability may acquire another disability or disabling condition during their lifetime, and there must, therefore, be a particular emphasis across disabilities. Throughout the year DFI has engaged with organisations on a number of cross-disability issues:

Expanding the capacity of voluntary organisations
Liaison and networking
Disability and Employment
Disability and Ageing
Community Employment
Disability Legislation
Education for Persons with Disabilities Bill
Health Service Reform
Social Partnership
Budget Campaign
Benchmarking

National Council Meetings

''Equal Citizens - Core Elements of Disability Legislation'' was published by the Disability Legislation Consultation Group in January 2003. The Board of DFI unanimously agreed to recommend the approach being taken by the DLCG and a Special Meeting of the National Council of DFI took place in February for the purpose of seeking the Council''s views and endorsement for the core elements framework.

A presentation was made by Christina Burke, BALLB, an international disability rights lawyer, who has worked extensively in the area of human rights and disability.

The meeting unanimously agreed to endorse the approach being set out in the core elements framework.

The Health Service Reform Programme was the subject of a National Council Meeting held in December. DFI has been proactively engaged in ensuring that the voice of the voluntary disability sector is at the forefront of the planning considerations in the proposed reforms. A Report was produced by the Office for Health Management following submissions from organisations, including DFI and the Health Boards, in relation to the changes. Presentations were made at the National Council Meeting to ensure that members were kept up to date and informed about the proposed changes.

DFI Review - DFI concluded the review stage in 2003 and at the December National Council Meeting there was unanimous agreement that DFI should develop its medium term strategy from the Key Strategic Components Document produced by Review consultants, O''Mahony Browne

Mental Health

DFI continued meetings with a growing number of voluntary mental health organisations. Initially the group sought out common ground on which to work and focused on the need to update ''Planning for the Future'', 1984 Strategy for Mental Health, widely recognised as being out of date. The group met with Minister O''Malley on 14th May 03. DFI, representing the voice of voluntary mental health organisations, made representations to be included in the committee to review mental health policy. DFI has made a submission to the Expert Group, focusing on the value of the role of community and voluntary organisations in future mental health policy.

Intellectual Disability

While providing a range of supports and services to our organisations we continue to recognise the specific work undertaken by namhi and the Federation of Voluntary Bodies in this area. DFI participated on the Department of Health and Children Working Group to prepare a Code of Practice for Sheltered Occupational Services.

Physical and Sensory Disability

Health Board Regional Physical and Sensory Disability Co-Ordinating Committees

DFI is represented on each of the ten Health Board Co-Ordinating Committees. These Committees provide a mechanism for the development of services and for the setting of priorities at regional level. The representatives provide a voice for a range of organisations that do not have direct representation on the committees. They also provide an opportunity to develop services on a partnership basis and to improve local co-ordination among statutory and voluntary organisations.

DFI has increased its capacity to support DFI representatives on the Co-Ordinating Committees. A DFI Protocol regarding the appointment of representatives for these committees was developed.

Supporting National Physical & Sensory Disability Database Development: DFI has continued to support the implementation of the National Physical and Sensory Disability Database. On both regional and national levels DFI assists organisations in the understanding of the Database through its representation on the National and Regional Committees. DFI also assists the Health Boards in encouraging organisations to participate in the Database. DFI also promoted the database to organisations through the Newsletter and through Regional Platforms.
Performance Indicators: DFI became involved in the Working Group for Performance Indicators for Disability Services in January 2003. This is an incremental process which will be enhanced and expanded upon over the coming years. In April DFI sought input from organisations in relation to what they considered appropriate as Performance Indicators for the coming year.
DoHC Working Group on Funding of Voluntary Physical and Sensory Organisations providing Health and Personal Social Services: This Group was set up in June 2000 to consider and make recommendations on the funding of voluntary organisations providing health and personal social services to people with physical and sensory disabilities. DFI and Not for Profit Business Association (NfPBA) provide the voluntary sector representatives on the Committee. The Group last met in early 2003 and along with the NfPBA we have worked jointly to get the work of the Group completed.
DoHC Working Group on Personal Assistance and Home Supports

DFI has two representatives on the Working Group. This Group focused on completing its work on Application and Assessment Procedures and Training for these services during the year and commissioned the NDA to complete research into international experience in the provision of these services.

For the past number of years DFI has been working closely with the Department of Health and Children and with the ten Health Boards to ensure that a strong and mutually supportive partnership develops between the voluntary and statutory sectors in this area. There are significant challenges in this work for all the partners, but equally the opportunities are immense. We welcome and acknowledge the increased engagement and support of the Department of Health and Children, Eastern Regional Health Authority and the Health Boards in these areas.

Information and Awareness

Information services provided by DFI are a key support to organisations. DFI services ongoing queries from organisations and groups and these queries often lead to other information supports being provided. The information may be of direct benefit or may lead to other opportunities. It is important to note that this service not only responds to the voluntary disability sector, but also to the statutory sector. Information gathered by DFI is also crucial in planning and guiding future work.

The DFI Newsletter continues to be produced monthly and has a circulation in excess of 1,300 copies. It is an important contact and reference point for organisations, both voluntary and statutory and across all kinds of disabilities, making it easier for each to know what the other is doing, helping to identify resources and increasing collaboration.

DFI Review

DFI completed an overall Strategic Review of its role and operation during the year. The Review involved wide-ranging consultation with staff, Board Members, National Council Member Organisations and other key statutory and voluntary /community stakeholders, culminating in the preparation by review consultants, O''Mahony Browne, of the Key Strategic Components Document. At a National Council Meeting held in Fumbally Court on 4th December there was unanimous agreement that DFI should develop its medium term strategy from the Key Strategic Components Document.

DFI Newsletter

Headlines of the DFI Newsletter during the year included the following:

''Budget 2003'' (January 2003)

"Budget 2003 has effectively brought to a halt the development of additional services for people with disabilities and has also increased the risk of people with disabilities living in poverty".

''DFI Council Endorses Core Elements of Disability Legislation'' February/March 2003)

''An agreed core elements approach by the sector puts us all in a strong position to influence development of legislation''.

''DFI Invited into Social Partnership'' (May 2003)

''The recent invitation to us to participate is… an acknowledgement of DFI''s growing capacity and the central importance of the work of our organisations and broad disability sector''.

''Budget 2004'' (September 2003)

"Government Can Deliver Extra Resources in the Next Budget - Will they Make the Necessary Choices?"

''Education for Persons with Disabilities Bill 2003 - A Word to Our Legislators'' (October 2003)

"Our legislators must also satisfy themselves that the Department of Education and Science is well placed to lead and deliver the change that is needed".

''Disability Rights and Public Services'' (November-December 2003)

''Coming to the end of this year we look back on the recent Budget…to find very little progress on resources and supports for people with disabilities''.

Management Resource Service

The DFI Management Resource Service continued to support and facilitate closer co-operation and collaboration within the voluntary sector and between voluntary organisations and the statutory sector. It plays a leading role in the development of best management and organisational practice in the provision of quality services to people with disabilities by organisations affiliated to DFI.

The service is continually being assessed in the light of the constantly changing environment in which its members operate.

Apart from supporting member organisations in areas such as planning, recruitment and organisational development, DFI has been active in seeking to develop a range of other supports for organisations.

Amongst those initiated in 2003 was a research project looking at supports to organisations, both direct and indirect, from a variety of sources. The research identified significant volumes of information that is available to organisations through their various stages of development.

Another development initiated in conjunction with the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants was Boardmatch. This is a service to match willing and enthusiastic individuals with specialist expertise to community and voluntary organisations as potential Board members. The need for professional Governance is now a top priority.

DFI is continually promoting the case for adequate funding of organisations to allow for proper governance and delivery of services. This advocacy for organisations is being conducted through a variety of fora.

Particular areas where the Management Resource Service was utilised by members are as follows:

review of organisations governance and structures with particular emphasis on roles and responsibilities
development of strategic plans
advocating for recognition / funding
making representations to statutory bodies
advice on how an organisation might promote itself
advising organisations on the impact of national policy in the regions
advocating on behalf of organisations in sensitive negotiations
providing an objective view for advancement / development / constructive criticism

Community Employment

Over forty organisations availed of the service during the year, some of them in relation to more than one area.

Regional Support Service Developments

Funding provided in 2002 and 2003 allowed DFI to proceed with Regional Support Officer appointments. During 2003 the complement of Regional Support Officers increased to ten and the induction of the new regional staff to their work and to the DFI team was a priority.

Prior to 2003 DFI had been funded entirely by the Department of Health and Children. This year, however, marked a change in funding arrangements, with part of the funding for the regional posts being provided by the Department of Health and Children through each Health Board. This meant, therefore, that there were now eleven funding streams, and a need to develop relationships with, and an understanding of, personalities, systems, and processes in each region. These developments have greatly assisted the organisation in a range of ways throughout the year.

The DFI team is committed to the development of the most appropriate and beneficial support services for members within the context of the overall DFI plan. Key to this is access to high quality up-to-date information. Regional Support Officers offered support to members in a number of ways during the year:

Support for DFI representatives on Health Board Regional Physical and Sensory Disability Co-Ordinating Committees
Support for Regional Physical and Sensory Disability Database Development
Co-ordination of a number of activities of voluntary organisations
Developing the relationship between individual organisations, the voluntary disability sector and the Health Boards
Supporting Health Boards in their work with disability groups
Supporting regional and issue based platforms
Direct support and advice to voluntary organisations
Development of, and support for, networks of voluntary organisations
Working with City / County Development Boards and Local Authorities in relation to Local Government Reform
Advising and supporting organisations on the impact of policy developments, e.g. Health Service Reform
Creating links and relationships between statutory agencies and local authorities

Platforms

DFI Regional Platforms have been developed in each of the Health Board regions. These Platforms provide a space for organisations to meet, network, share ideas and views on topics of concern around disability issues and they also explore avenues of collaboration. Regional Platforms are open to all disability interest groups to join and provide opportunities for the voluntary and statutory sectors to interface in a spirit of partnership.

The Platforms also have a crosscutting role. Information that is common to all organisations can be disseminated at Platform Meetings and collective responses to issues and concerns can be formed. The Platforms continued to be a major source of assistance and support to organisations throughout the year. A range of issues were covered at meetings including:

NDA / DoHC Service Standards
DFI Budget Campaign
Aids and Appliances
Advocacy and Representation
Partnership between the Health Board and the Community and Voluntary Sector
Communication and involvement with emergent organisations
Disability Legislation
Funding
Disabled Person''s Housing Grant
Children as Carers
Employment Supports from FÁS

Various topics relating to Regional Platform issues were covered on local radio stations and in regional and local newspapers from time to time throughout the year.

Working Together

In addition, DFI was involved in a number of seminars, conferences, training events and co-operative projects in partnership with other organisations, both statutory and voluntary. Examples include:

Regional legal rights training events, in partnership with Disability Legal Resource, November.
North East Region: ''Together We Can'' Conference with North Eastern Health Board, November.
North East Region: Comhairle information training event, August.
Mid West Region: ''Living in the Mainstream'' seminar, in partnership with Comhairle and the Regional Citizens Information Centres, March.
Regional Disability Awareness Weeks, October.
Mid West Region: Able Access, Newcastle West, group set up accessible website for people with disabilities to access information, social networks and other services independently.
Mid West Region: Working Group to provide anti-discrimination and disability awareness
South East Region: DFI and Comhairle co-operative project - publication of ''Signposts - A Directory to Services for People with Disabilities in the South East region''.
Southern Region: Information and Advocacy Seminar in partnership with Comhairle, November.
Western Region: Standards and Quality Workshops in partnership with Western Care Association.
Mid West Region: Disability and Equal Opportunities Training Project in partnership with DESSA and Mid-West Support Agency for Community Development.

Governance Structure 2003

Board Members

Niall Keane Chairperson National Association for Deaf People (To 12/6/03)
John Saunders Chairperson Schizophrenia Ireland (Appointed 12/6/03) Hon. Treasurer (To 12/6/03)
Michael Dineen Vice-Chairperson Multiple Sclerosis Society (To 12/6/03)
Ann Marie Flanagan Vice-Chairperson Disabled People of Clare (Appointed 12/6/03)
Geraldine Clare Hon. Treasurer AWARE (Appointed 12/6/03)
David Burke Focus Ireland
Paul Daly Down Syndrome Ireland
Anne Hughes Dyslexia Association of Ireland
Niall Keane National Association for Deaf People
Desmond Kenny (Re-elected 29/5/03) National Council for the Blind
Marie Lynch Irish Wheelchair Association
Joe T Mooney (Re-elected 29/5/03) Muscular Dystrophy Ireland
Bernie Murphy Headway Ireland

Member Organisations

National Council Organisations

Each of these organisations has the right to provide two members to sit on the National Council. The Board is elected by and reports to, the National Council

Action for Mobility
AHEAD
Alzheimer Society of Ireland
APT
Arthritis Foundation of Ireland
ASPIRE
Asthma Society of Ireland
AWARE
BIH Housing Association (Irl) Ltd.
Brainwave - The Irish Epilepsy Association
CASA - Caring and Sharing Association
Central Remedial Clinic
*Centre for Independent Living Tipperary
Cheeverstown House Ltd.
Co Roscommon Support Group of People with Disabilities
Cope Foundation
Co. Wicklow Association for the Mentally Handicapped Ltd
Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland
DEBRA Ireland
Disabled D