Newsletter June/July 2012

Issued on July 7 2012

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Developments within DFI

In the current climate, all disability organisations are under pressure to change and adapt. This equally applies to DFI, and I would like to take this opportunity to update you on some changes that are taking place within DFI.

DFI have very recently been accepted as the Irish representative to the European Disability Forum (EDF). The EDF represents the interests of 80 million Europeans with disabilities. Working with the EDF will strengthen our knowledge and ability to progress issues for people with disabilities.

We have also recently launched ‘Listening and Changing: Resources and Supports’, which aim to improve how our members listen to people with disabilities. We are pleased also to announce that the Cert in Quality for Community and Voluntary Organizations with University of Limerick will be offered as a Diploma from September, this course re-enforces that the person assessing a service is central to assessing the quality of that service.

We are continuing to strengthen how we engage with the growing HSE consultation mechanisms. We will also be continuing to hold our workshops to improve representation into mainstream services at county level and to expand our network of contacts with local government decision making mechanisms.

Internally DFI continues to implement PQASSO and develop an Outcomes approach to our work. We are currently investigating improving the meeting space we offer to members in our main office. Improvements in information technology have resulted in our development of a Customer Relations Management system which will improve our interaction with our members.

The DFI Strategic Plan 2011-16 has been invaluable in guiding us on these and other changes and developments and I hope this brief snapshot gives you an insight into the types of changes we are making for ourselves and in relation to the services and supports we offer.

John Dolan, CEO

DFI Announces New Board of Directors

The new Board of DFI held its first meeting In June, at which the Officers were elected. Board Members and Officers are:

Board Members, management and staff of DFI would like to thankretiring Board Members, Anne Winslow, MS Ireland, Paul Ledwidge, St Michael's House, and Des Kenny, NCBI for their service and support to DFI Board of DFI.

Important Information

Digital Switchover Outreach Programme

Make sure that nobody is Left Behind on 24th October!

Do you work with people who have limited mobility, are older, live in rural areas, are socially disadvantaged or who have small social circles? If so, you should be aware that they may be affected by the switchover from analogue to digital television on 24th October.

Anyone who is using an aerial to receive their television signal will have to take action before this date to continue receiving television broadcasts. While most people will make the switch themselves, some people may need a helping hand from those who understand their needs.

We encourage you to get involved by making sure that the people that use your services are informed of their options. A team of 26 Digital Outreach Champions have been deployed across the country to assist you in this effort.

The Champions are responsible for implementing the Community Outreach Digital Switchover Programme, a national initiative coordinated by The Wheel, in conjunction with Irish Rural Link, with funding from the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.

Your local Digital Outreach Champion will provide you with impartial information on the Digital Switchover, how it may affect the people you work with and what their options are. Your Champion can help you to build a ‘digital switchover’ dimension into your events from now to October.

You will find your local Champion’s contact details online at www.goo.gl/oaBfS or contact DónallGeoghegan at donallg@wheel.ie . For more on the Community Outreach Digital Switchover Programme visit www.wheel.ie/digitalswitchover.

Contact your local Champion today to help make sure that nobody is left behind on 24th October!

ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

HR & Employment Law Update

Adare Human Resource Management provides HR and Employment Law Support Services to a large number of Organisations within the Community and Voluntary Sector. Adare Human Resource Management aims to enable Organisations to focus on their core operations, by providing management with the knowledge and support to assist them to deal effectively with people management and Organisational change. We support Organisations through minimising the risk of exposure to legal challenges by ensuring legal compliance for Organisations in their practices as well as policies and procedures.

Disability Federation of Ireland, in conjunction with Adare Human Resource Management, has in place a support structure for member Organisations to avail of discounted Human Resource and Employment Law Support Services exclusively for DFI members.

Investigations

The scenarios which can give rise to the need for an investigation are most commonly bullying, harassment and sexual harassment allegations. The Labour Relations Commission (LRC) have in place a Code of Practice on Harassment and Sexual Harassment in the Workplace and along with the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) they have a Code of Practice on Bullying in the Workplace. The purpose of these Codes of Practice is to set out guidance for Employers and Employees on effective procedures for addressing allegations of Workplace Bullying, Harassment or Sexual Harassment. The Codes of Practice outline what should be contained in an Organisation’s policy procedure for dealing with Bullying, Harassment or Sexual Harassment at Work. It is critical that an Organisation has distributed and rolled out their policies on Anti-Bullying and Anti-Harassment and Sexual Harassment in the workplace.

In our experience, carrying out thorough investigations, without bias can be the difference between a mutually agreeable resolution and an employment case resulting in an award and adverse publicity for an Organisation.

More and more employers are turning to external sources for Independent Investigators to carry out investigations in their Organisations in order to ensure that the investigation has no bias and that they are procedurally fair.

We have found that the parties of an investigation are more willing to participate in an investigation conducted by an independent party. It enables them to open up without feeling that there will be negative consequences stemming from their honesty.

Our approach to investigation ensures that everyone gets the opportunity to give their evidence and be heard.

In the unfortunate event that the situation does end up in a Tribunal the Organisation has a firm defence that they have conducted a fair and independent investigation.

If you would like further information on the Independent Investigation service provided by Adare Human Resource Management, do not hesitate to contact us.
For further information on the HR Support Services provided click on the link below:
http://www.disability-federation.ie/index.php?uniqueID=50

The Employer Resources - Best Practice for Irish Non-profits

The ‘Employment Resources’ is a collaborative initiative between the Community Sector Employers' Forum (CFES), the Carmichael Centre and The Wheel.The participants in the initiative are publishing a newsletter the aim of which is to provide employers, managers and HR-professionals working in the Irish community and voluntary sector with the latest news and information about employment law, policies, practices and procedures.

The newsletter and other information on this project are available here www.csef.ie/

The JobBridge Scheme Now Open to Recipients of Disability Allowance

JobBridge is the National Internship Scheme that provides work experience placements for interns on a six or nine month basis. Interns receive an allowance of €50 per week on top of their social welfare payment. JobBridge aims to help jobseekers get practical work experience. The Scheme was launched in July 2011 and 6,000 places are available on the Scheme. The eligibility criterion was extended to include those in receipt of One Parent Family Payment and Disability Allowance from 28th May.

See www.jobbridge.ie for more information.

HEALTH

HSE National Consultative Fora

The National Consultative Fora (NCF), developed by the HSE to engage with the voluntary disability sector, is addressing the issues involved in implementing the major changes recommended for disability services, for example, in reports on congregated settings, day services, and the forthcoming Value for Money and Policy Review. DFI is a member of the NCF.

The first working group established by the NCF is tasked with gathering evidence, examples of good practice, and information on the challenges experienced by disability service providers in seeking to achieve increased efficiencies. The efficiencies could occur in financial and operational activities, through structural integration, human resources management, and/ or service provision.

Several DFI member organisations participated in a DFI round table on 18th June to discuss experience in the physical and sensory, including neurological, area. Amongst the issues considered were the costs implicit in existing contract arrangements with the HSE that for many organisations mean administering many different schedules, inefficiencies caused by the imposition of inflexible across-the-board funding cuts, distortions generated by applying a simplistic front / back office distinction to activities, and the importance of respecting the independent living ethos to encourage sharing across agencies.

Examples of efficiencies achieved or of efficiency potential that would facilitate better supports and greater independence for people with disabilities would be very welcome. Please contact lillianbuchanan@disability-federation.ie

Department of Health Consultations

Consultation: National Rare Disease Plan

The Department of Health is consulting the public about the first national rare disease plan for Ireland to be developed. The deadline for submissions is 13 July.

Consultation: Review of Nursing Home Support Scheme

There also is a consultation underway on the Review of the Nursing Home Support Scheme, ‘Fair Deal’, which is closing on 16 July.
Information is available at www.doh.ie

Interim Report: Review of the Mental Health Act 2001

Kathleen Lynch TD, Minister for Disability, Equality, Mental Health, and Older People published, on 21 June 2012, the Interim Report of the Steering Group on the Review of the Mental Health Act 2001. The Minister said that this review is a commitment in the Programme for Government, and is one to which the Government attaches great importance.

In welcoming the completion of the Interim Report, the Minister said that,

“The 2001 Act, the key parts of which came into operation in 2006, was a major advance in how we legislated for those individuals who required detention in approved centres. That said, with the publication since 2001 of the Government policy on mental health, A Vision for Change, and the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, it is timely to have a comprehensive review of this important legislation.”

A Steering Group, chaired by the Department, was tasked with providing an Interim Report, which would initially consult with service users, carers and other stakeholders and identify the key areas of the Act to be examined in the second and substantial phase of the review.

The Minister went on to say, “I fully endorse the recommendation of the Steering Group that a rights based approach to mental health law should be adopted. A move away from the paternalistic approach of the 2001 Act was a strong feature of the views expressed in the consultation process. It is important that each person should have a right to determine and participate as much as they possibly can in their own care and treatment. The imminent publication of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Bill 2012 will also be a significant improvement in this regard”.

It was reported that the Interim Report also emphasises the need for revised mental health legislation to support the objectives of A Vision for Change especially in relation to the promotion of community based mental health services. A number of changes are also recommended, which aim to improve procedures regarding the detention of individuals and the necessary safeguards proposed to ensure that they receive the maximum appropriate protection in this regard.

Furthermore, it is recommended that provisions relating to children should be included in a standalone Part of the Act and that children should be given a greater say in their care and treatment are also to be welcomed.

The Minister noted "Having now received the Interim Report, it is my intention to put in place an Expert Group to carry out the second and substantive phase of the review. I would expect that this group can begin its work in the coming weeks and that it would conclude its deliberations in early 2013.”
Please click the link to Read the Report

Arrangements for Review of Domiciliary Care Allowance Scheme

On27th June 2012 the Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton TD, announced that a review of the Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) Scheme, signalled by her in May, will get underway in early July.

Commenting on the forthcoming review, the Minister said:

"I am very pleased to announce that the review of the Scheme will commence shortly and that Ms Sylda Langford, retired Director General in the former Office of the Minister for Children, will be chairing the working group that is being established".

The working group will include representatives from the Departments of Social Protection, Health, Children & Youth Affairs and Public Expenditure, as well as the National Disability Authority. It will also include three representatives from key NGO organisations representing parents/guardians of children who are in receipt of the allowance. It will include other members with relevant expertise.

The review will examine the policy objectives and legal provisions underpinning the Scheme. In addition, it will review the Scheme’s current administrative, medical assessment and appeals processes, including an examination of the duration of review periods for the Scheme. As part of its work, the Group will research best practice in other countries and will have the Medical Guidelines and the Report of the Expert Medical Group, which underpin the operation of the Scheme, reviewed by a suitably qualified medical expert. As part of the review, a consultation process with parents and representative groups will be undertaken to ensure that parents and their representatives have an opportunity to make their concerns known in relation to the administration of the Scheme.

The Minister also said that, as a separate piece of work, the availability of supports and services for children with disabilities would be mapped to see if there is any opportunity for greater linkage and consistency in the assessment for such supports and services. This work will be led by officials in Minister Burtons Department, in conjunction with other relevant Departments and is expected to be completed in the autumn.

Minister Burton concluded :

"I am aware of the heroic efforts of parents to support their children. I am well aware of the vital role played by the income supports paid by the Department of Social Protection in enabling people to live with dignity and to support their children and it remains my primary concern to ensure that parents of children who continue to meet the qualifying conditions continue to receive the Allowance".

For further information please contact the Department of Social Protection http://www.welfare.ie/EN/ContactUs/Pages/default.aspx

New Approved Service Providers in Home Care Services

From the 1st July, newly approved service providers will be available locally for clients requiring home care services under the Home Care Package Scheme. This service will be available for all new applicants approved for a home care package. Arrangements for clients currently receiving home care services will not be affected.

The HSE has recently concluded a comprehensive procurement process for the provision of new Home Care Packages. The 26 approved providers, appointed under the tender process, meet anew uniform level of national standards.

Noel Mulvihill, Assistant National Director, Older Persons, HSE,noted that: “It is important to emphasise that existing arrangements for clients already receiving a Home Care Package will not be affected by these new arrangements. These 11,000 clients will continue to receive services from their current provider.’

‘From the 1st of July, new approved providers will be in place, which is part of the continued effort to raise the standards of home care services. The approved providers will be required to deliver defined standards of care through appropriately trained and qualified staff and to support defined care plans. This is a positive step for those in need of home care services.”

The Service Level Agreements with the approved providers will initially be for a period of one year. Services will be monitored by the HSE through the Service Level Agreement in place with every provider. The HSE will tender for home care services again next year so that all parties will have the opportunity to tender again. In this way it is anticipated that service quality will be improved incrementally.”

It is important to note that all current service providers are also expected to reach minimum standards of care and these are monitored at local level through service audits and reviews of individual care plans. The HSE note the tender process introduces higher standards to improve the quality of care on a consistent and nationwide basis.The procurement process builds on the National Guidelines for the Standardised Implementation of the Home Care Packages Scheme, the implementation of which is on-going.

Local health offices can provide details of local services providers to clients on request.

The procurement process which has now been completed applies to new Home Care Packages (personal and essential domestic care) approved after the commencement date of Service Level Agreements 1st July 2012 and applies only to the elements of enhanced homecare that the HSE is not in a position to provide directly.

See the list of service providers

NATIONAL DISABILITY STRATEGY / TOWARDS 2016

‘Your Voice Your Choice’

Kathleen Lynch TD, Minister for Disability, Older People, Equality& Mental Health launched ‘ Your Voice Your Choice’ on 19th June 2012, in the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin.

The Minister noted that:

‘It is very important that we clearly hear the voice of people with disabilities in developing any policy or services that impact on their lives’. ‘This event is about genuinely listening to the voices of people who often don’t get an opportunity to have their voice heard and air their concerns and experiences.’

She addedthat:

“This event today ensures that the perspective of service users can inform the development and implementation plan for the National Disability Strategy’.

‘Your Voice Your Choice’ is about facilitating people with disabilities to have their say about issues that matter most to them in living with a disability. This is the first time this event was held and included people from around the country, drawn from a range of ages and from across the disability and mental health spectrum.

‘Today’s event is unique in that it captures, at first hand, the lived experiences of individuals with disabilities. I have no doubt this will enrich our understanding of what needs to be continued and build on the progress to date,

’ said Peter McKevitt, Chairperson, NationalDisability Authority .

“We hope to make this an annual event’, he added.

If you would like to have your say through‘Your Voice Your Choice’ you can do so online at www.nda.ie

For more information contact: Cathleen Mulholland/Donie O’Shea

National Disability Authority – 01 608 0400/085 7329547 or cmmulholland@nda.ie/dposhea@nda.ie

NDA Conference: Accesibility of Public Services and Employment of People with Disabilities

The conference, “Making Public Services Accessible and Employing People with Disabilities”, reminded practitioners across the Government about their legal obligations, and also showcased examples of good practice within the public service.

Brendan Howlin TD, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, spoke of his concern about the quality of public services and how the Comprehensive Spending Review, that now drives the budget process, puts the “citizen” at the centre of everything Government does. He emphasised that the public services have a responsibility to lead the way in ensuring accessibility.

A number of local authorities, including Waterford County Council and Dublin City Council, as well as Revenue and Teagasc, explained how they managed to make their services and employment more inclusive. Several voluntary disability organisations were mentioned in these case studies as important partners in achieving good outcomes.

The NDA outlined their role and the supports that they have generated, including “eLearning Disability Equality Training”.

Further information is available of their website, www.nda.ie

EDUCATION, TRAINING and EMPLOYMENT

AHEAD Seminar: Disclosing Disability in the Workplace

A variety of speakers and a question and answer session, at the Willing Able Mentoring (WAM) Programme event in Dublin City’s Mansion House, revealed valuable insights on this issue from the perspective of employees, employers and legal experts. There is no legal obligation to disclose a disability to an employer or potential employer. The advantages and disadvantages of doing so depend on each particular situation. However the protection afforded by the provisions of the Equal Employment Act can depend on disclosure.

At the session employer representatives spelled out some advantages from disclosure, such as their obligation to make reasonable accommodation to enable a worker with disabilities to do the job. But most of the participants agreed about the downside risks of disclosure in a tough labour market, especially for those with mental health conditions.

To reduce the risks of disclosure participants agreed that employers and others need to educate people’s unconscious presumptions, and address their fear of what they are unfamiliar with, continuously challenging ingrained cultural attitudes.

Experience with disclosure in the workplace was the subject of several contributions. A recent graduate employee explained the self -confidence he needed to manage disclosure of a disability as well as to insist on reasonable accommodation. A speaker from Abbott Ireland, a large employer in the health field and winner of a “”Diversity Recruitment Award”, described the various changes the company had to make to recruit people with disabilities, but highlighted the benefits in terms of stronger human resource management in the organisation.

AHEAD has prepared a disclosure framework pamphlet giving useful guidance to employers to facilitate disclosure.

For more information, please click www.ahead.ie

Exciting Developments in Inclusive EducationSt Angela’s College, Sligo

St Angela’s College Sligo, in conjunction with the National Institute for Intellectual Disability (NIID), Trinity College Dublin, is delivering a Certificate in Contemporary Living to eighteen persons with an intellectual disability. The students to date have completed two modules. The first module, which students completed in 2010/2011, was entitled ‘Personal Effectiveness’. This module enabled the students to acquire the interpersonal skills necessary to support their ability to participate in their communities. Students learned about their rights and responsibilities as well as personalised planning and advocacy.

The second module which students completed in 2011/2012 was entitled ‘Mathematics and Financial Management. This module focused on applying mathematical skills to a variety of everyday living skills such as shopping, cooking, managing money, budgeting, and using timetables. On March 28th the eighteen students were awarded with a certificate of attendance for completion of the two modules. This was a wonderful occasion for the students, their families and friends.

This initiative is perceived as a wonderful opportunity for persons with an intellectual disability to experience college life. This development reiterates St. Angela’s College commitment to inclusive education according to the President, Dr. Anne Taheny. The module content is being delivered by lecturers from all of the Departments in the college. Students will be offered a third module in the next academic year called ‘Health and Well Being’. This module will enable students to acquire the skills necessary to maintain positive physical and mental health. It will focus on developing the students understanding of maintaining a healthy lifestyle in all aspects of their daily life. On competition of the three modules, students will receive a Certificate in Contemporary Living from St Angela’s college in 2013.

Assistive Technology: Learning Through a Unified Curriculum

ATLEC (Assistive Technology Learning Through a Unified Curriculum - www.atlec-project.eu ) is currently conducting a European survey on the training and usage of assistive technologies (AT).

ATLEC focuses on training people with disabilities in being aware of and being able to use assistive technologies, whilst also creating the job profile of an ICTAT trainer, therefore giving people with disabilities another route into employment or self-employment.

Recent surveys with AT users and specialists throughout Europe have highlighted and confirmed that the lack of appropriate or sufficient training is the core barrier towards using AT by end-users. This lack of training is subsequently also recognised as the main barrier to securing or maintaining employment within a regular working environment.

A number of training initiatives exist but they mainly address training of the trainers and professionals working with people with disabilities, and not the actual beneficiaries (people with disabilities), who remain largely unaware of the huge range of available ICT-AT or of the potential it provides for them to build their skills, their employability or their independence.

To better grasp the problems with current training practices (or the lack of), a survey has been launches that is targeted towards:

• Parent / Carer / Personal Assistant of a person with a disability
• Support Organisation representing people with disabilities
• Educator (Teacher/Further Education or VET Trainer/Higher Education Tutor)
• AT Provider (e.g. manufacturer, distributor, occupational therapist, etc)
• Policy Maker (for education, disability, employment).

The survey focuses on the AT training that is available and aims to gather feedback on the quality of the training. The online survey can be found at:
http://www.phoenixkm.eu/survey//index.php?sid=48879&lang=en

If you are interested in participating, please complete the online survey.

ATLEC Project Team
Oak Field School, Nottingham (UK)
Phoenix KM BVBA (Belgium)
Disability Now (Greece)
Associazione Italiana Assistenza Spastici (AIAS) (Italy)
University Of Athens (Greece)
Greenhat Interactive Ltd (UK)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Your Access Guide to Dublin City

Are you a wheelchair user? Do you use a walking aid or crutches? Are you a parent with young children?If you are a person with a disability or have a short or long term injury, where can you go for a night out or to shop?If you go out, will you be able to get into a pub, restaurant or hotel and use the facilities without help?
To answer these questions Dublin City Council, in association with Dun Laoghaire Rathdown, Fingal and South Dublin County Councils, isdeveloping an Access Guide for the entire Dublin area.

The guide currently outlines the level of accessibility available in over 1000 premises around the Dublin City Council area. You can find out before you leave your home if the restaurant, hotel, shop or cinema you are visiting caters for your needs.

Log onto www.accessdublin.ie andclick on the Accessible Venue Guide to check out the facilities on offer before you go.

The guide provides information on:

• Parking.
• Getting. in the door (width of door, door closing)
• Moving around inside
• Using the toilets (size of toilet cubicle, width of door, colour contrast).

This is just a short summary of the type of information available in the guide.

Would you like to see certain venues in your area on the Access Guide?

If so, please let Dublin City Councilknow by contacting them at

Tel :01 222 2194 / 6706
E-mail: audit@accessdublin.ie
Fax: 01 707 1486
Text: 0879494678
Write to them at: Access Unit, 3 Palace Street, Barnardo Square,Dublin 2.

New Basic Bank Account to be Launched

The Government has an ambitious strategy to address financial exclusion. The Basic Payment Account (BPA) is one piece of this strategy. It is a bank account designed to meet the needs of the financially excluded. A group of key stakeholders has been assembled to drive the development and roll-out of the BPA in Ireland that includes the Department of Finance, Department of Social Protection NGOs, AIB, Band of Ireland and Permanent TSB. It will be launched as a pilot by three banks in June 2012, in Tallaght, Tullamore, and Wexford. Deloitte’s has been employed to play a lead role in the coordination of a stakeholder group to successfully launch the pilot in June 2012 and support the management of the pilot phase.

The Basic Bank Account is aimed at anyone without an active current account who meets the eligibility criteria.It will also target social welfare recipients including:

• Unemployed people
• Ill/disabled people
• One parent families
• Elderly people
• Members of the Traveller community
• Low income families

Deloitte has asked DFI for its views in relation to people with disabilities. We are keen that the expertise of our members, in terms of what is required to make these accounts accessible to people with disabilities, is considered. If you have members or service users who would benefit from such an account, particularly if they live in any of the pilot areas (Tallaght, Tullamore or Wexford) please get in touch with Louise at louisemccann@disability-federation.ie or 01 4250126 and I can give you the details.

NEWSLETTERS

For information please contact the relevant organisation directly

• Ability - Newsletter of the Irish Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, Tel: 01 4572329, E-mail: info@iasbah.ie
• Acquired Brain Injury Ireland Newsletter, Tel 01 2804164 email: cbrack@abiireland.ie , http://www.abiireland.ie/docs/ABII_Newsletter_Spring_2010.pdf
• Arthritis Ireland - Newsletter—Tel: 01 661 8188 E-mail: info@arthritisireland.ie
• Aspire - Asperger Syndrome Association of Ireland. 01-8780027/9, E-mail: admin@aspire-irl.org
• Asthma Society News - Tel: 01-8788511, E-mail: office@asthmasociety.ie
• Brainstorm - Migraine Association of Ireland, Tel: 01-8064121, E-mail: info@migraine.ie
• Brainwave - Quarterly Newsletter, Tel: 01 4557500, E-mail: info@epilepsy.ie
• Care Alliance Ireland - E-mail: ndo@carealliance.ie
• Clar na nÓg - National Youth Council of Ireland Tel: 01-4784122 E-mail: info@nyci.ie
• Cleft Lip and Palate Association of Ireland - www.cleft.ie/newsletter/index.htm , Tel: (01) 2848227, E-mail: georginawade@cleft.ie
• Community Exchange Newsletter, E-mail: info@activelink.ie Tel: +1 667 7326
• Connect - Irish Motor Neuron Disease Association. E-mail: info@imnda.ie Freefone 1800 403 403
• Community Workers’ Co-operative – Community Work News. E-mail: info@cwc.ie Tel: +353 (0) 91 779 030
• Cornerstone - Homeless Agency - http://www.homelessagency.ie/research/cornerstone.asp , Tel: 01 7036100 , E-mail: homeless@dublincity.ie
• Cumhacht - People with Disabilities in Ireland http://www.pwdi.ie/news_events/newsletter/index.htm , E-mail: info@pwdi.ie Tel: 01-8721744
• Debra Ireland Newsletter, Tel: 01 678 5044, E-mail: info@debraireland.org
• Down Syndrome Ireland - Tel: 01-8730999, E-mail: info@downsyndrome.ie
• Enable Ireland - Newsletter—Tel: 1850 204 304 E-mail: communications@enableireland.ie
• Equality News - Tel: 01-4173333, E-mail:: info@equality.ie
• E-Info Deaf Source— E-mail:: info@irishdeafsociety.ie Tel: +353 1860 1878
• Féach - Support to parents of blind and visually impaired children. Tel: 01 493 1896, E-mail: info@feach.ie
• Fighting Blindness - Tel: 01 7093050, E-mail: avril.daly@fightingblindness.ie
• Frontline of Learning Disability -Tel: 01-2862649. E-mail: frontline@indigo.ie
• GROWing - Information on Mental Health, Tel: 1890 474 474, E-mail: info@grow.ie
• Guidelines - Irish Guide Dogs Association. Tel: 021 4878200 E-mail: info@guidedogs.ie
• Headway Ireland - National Association for Acquired Brain Injury -‘Making Headway’, Tel: 01-8102066, E-mail: info@headway.ie
• Heart News: - Newsletter of Irish Heart Foundation. Tel: 01 668 5001 E-mail: info@irishheart.ie
• Heartstrings - Newsletter of Heart Children Ireland, published quarterly, Tel: 1850 217017 E-mail: heartchildren@eircom.net
• Heatwave - Irish Raynauds Scleroderma Society, E-mail: info@irishraynauds.com Tel: 01 2020184
• HOPE - Huntington’s Disease Association of Ireland. Tel: 01-872 1303, E-mail: hdai@indigo.ie
• Inclusion Ireland - Tel: 01 8559891, E-mail: info@inclusionireland.ie
• Irish Deaf News - Irish Deaf Society. Minicom: 01-8601910; 01-8601878; E-mail: info@irishdeafsociety.ie
• Irish Wheelchair Association - ‘Spokeout’, Tel: 01-8186 400, E-mail: Joanna.marsden@iwa.ie
• Kerry Network of People with Disabilities - Network News 066-7180611, E-mail: kerrypwdi@eircom.net
• MS News—Newsletter of MS Ireland. Tel: 01 6781600, E-mail: info@ms-society.ie
• Muscular Dystrophy Ireland - MDI News Update Tel: 01-6236414, or 01- 6236415E-mail: info@mdi.ie
• DeafHear.ie - Link Magazine - Tel: 01 8723800, E-mail: info@deafhear.ie Minicom: (01) 817 5777
• NCBI News - Newsletter of the National Council for the Blind of Ireland, Tel: 01 8307033, E-mail: press@ncbi.ie www.ncbi.ie
• Neuro News - Neurofibromatosis Association of Ireland, Tel: 01-8726338, E-mail: nfaireland@eircom.net
• People First - Central Remedial Clinic Tel: 01-8057400 E-mail: vmmcutch@crc.ie
• Post Polio Support Group - Newsletter, Tel: 071 64791 E-mail: newsletter@ppsg.ie
• Poverty Today - Combat Poverty Agency. Tel:01-670 6746
• Rehab News -Tel: 01-2057200 E-mail: dara.duffy@rehab.ie
• Simon News - Simon Community, Tel: 01-6711606 E-mail: info@simoncommunity.com
• Shine News - Schizophrenia Ireland, Tel: (0)1 8601620 E-mail: info@sirl.ie
• Social Housing - Irish Council for Social Housing Tel: 01-6618334; E-mail: info@icsh.ie
• Sonas aPc – Tel (01) 2608138. www.sonasapc.ie .
• Speaking up for Advocacy – Citizens Information Board Newsletter on advocacy. Tel: 01 6059035, E-mail: mairide.woods@ciboard.ie
• Volunteer Stroke Scheme News- Tel: 01-4559036. E-mail: info@strokescheme.ie
• Wheel E-Bulletin Tel:01- 454 8727, E-mail: info@wheel.ie

Support Officers

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 (Dublin Office)
Laois, Offaly, Longford, Westmeath
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

Joan O’Connor
Policy and Research Assistant,
Fumbally Lane, Dublin 8
Tel: 01-4250121
E: joanoconnor@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, Dublin West
Mobile: 086 8207196
E: martinnaughton@disability-federation.ie

West
Michael Corbett,
Galway, Mayo, Roscommon
C/O DFI, 8 Acres Grove, Newport, Co. Mayo,
Tel: 098 41919,
Mobile: 086 3804750,
Fax: 098 41065,
E: michaelcorbett@disability-federation.ie

North-West Jennifer Van Aswegen
Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal
Disability Federation of Ireland
Model Niland, The Mall, Sligo
Co Sligo
Mob: 086 3811261
E: jennifervanaswegen@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 .ie

About DFI

The Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI) represents the interests and the expectations of people with disabilities to be fully included in Irish society. It comprises organisations that represent and support people with disabilities and disabling conditions.

The vision of DFI is that Irish society is fully inclusive of people with disabilities and disabling conditions so that they can exercise their full civil, economic, social and human rights and that they are enabled to reach their full potential in life. DFI’s mission is to act as an advocate for the full and equal inclusion of people with disabilities and disabling conditions in all aspects of their lives.

There are over 130 organisations within membership, or as associates, of DFI. DFI also works with a growing number of organisations and groups around the country that have a significant disability interest, mainly from the statutory and voluntary sectors. DFI provides:

• Information
• Training and Support
• Networking
• Advocacy and Representation
• Research and Policy Development / Implementation
• Organisation and Management Development

DFI works on the basis that disability is a societal issue and so works with Government, and across the social and economic strands and interests of society.

For further information go to www.disability-federation.ie

Disability Federation of Ireland, Fumbally Court, Fumbally Lane, Dublin 8
Tel: 01-4547978
Fax: 01-4547981
Email: info@disability-federation.ie
Web: www.disability-federation.ie

Union of Voluntary Organisations of People with Disabilities trading as The Disability Federation of Ireland is a company limited by guarantee not having share capital, registered in Dublin. Registered No. 140948, CHY No 6177