February 2011

Are people with Disabilities lost in Election Campaign?

Inclusion Ireland to compare how Party Manifestos measure up

• Short press event to include discussion on voting rights for people with intellectual disabilities in Election 2011

Date:              Friday 18th February 2011

Time:             10.15am

Venue:           Inclusion Ireland’s office - Unit C2, Foley St, Dublin 1

Political Parties will be called to account for what they’re promising on disability issues on Friday 18th February at 10.15am, before a workshop on voting for people with an intellectual disability.

Inclusion Ireland will hold a short press event at 10.15am (sharp). Inclusion Ireland CEO Deirdre Carroll will outline what Political Parties have promised on disability issues in their manifestos.

A voting workshop for people with an intellectual disability will follow the press event at 11am. Self-Advocates Kathleen Gittens and Paul Crilly will be available to discuss issues around voting for people with an intellectual disability, at the press event (a Self-Advocate is someone who speaks up for their rights).

Inclusion Ireland, as the largest national organisation representing people with an intellectual disability and their families in Ireland, published an election leaflet with six key priorities:

• No further cuts to Education and Social Welfare supports;
• There is currently no inspection of disability services for children and adults. Services must be inspected against standards developed by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA);
• Ireland’s current law on decision-making (capacity) dates back to 1871. Modern capacity legislation that provides for supported decision-making must be introduced;
• 4,000 people with disabilities live in institutions, many in substandard conditions. The HSE Report on Congregated Settings must be published and an implementation plan on closing these institutions drawn up;
• A commitment must be given to the recommendations of the Value for Money Review of Disability Services. This will involve a move towards individualised funding and give people with disabilities and their families more choice and control over what services they receive;
• Key parts of the 2004 National Disability Strategy (NDS) have been halted indefinitely. There must be a commitment to full implementation of the NDS, in line with the agreed ‘NDS Recession Implementation Plan’;