Newsletter - January / February 2011

Between Friday 21st and Monday 24th of January so much changed in relation to the date of the election and the party political set up. That said the issues are the same for people with disabilities and mental health needs and their families. You know that very well from your day to day work. With all the talk of the Election date, Finance Bill, the economy and job creation it is easy to forget that, while these are all important issues, what is way more important is ensuring that people are involved in the life of their local community. That is what the work of each of our organisations is about. We are striving to make sure that those whom we serve can fully participate. Over the last decade Government made that commitment, and it did it through the National Disability Strategy (NDS). This Strategy seeks to protect necessary disability specific services such as respite services while also supporting people with disabilities to be able to access mainstream public services, such as housing and education. You might seldom refer to the NDS in your daily work, but your work has the same objective.