namhi becomes INCLUSION IRELAND

Throughout a long and distinguished history, namhi played a proud role in representing people with an intellectual disability. Over nearly 45 years, namhi grew to become the largest and most genuinely nationally representative organisation for people with an intellectual disability, with 160 affiliated organisations throughout the country and hundreds of individual members.

namhi is, however, no more. No, it has not disappeared, or suddenly decided to give up the fight. Instead, namhi has changed its name to INCLUSION IRELAND. The name namhi was for many years an acronym for an out-of-date concept. The letters stand for “National Association for the Mentally Handicapped of Ireland”. The term “mental handicap” is completely old-fashioned and offends a great many people, especially self-advocates.

It is not easy to change the name of an organisation, especially since it has been in existence for over 40 years. However, after many suggested names and much debate we succeeded, and the members of INCLUSION IRELAND were able to arrive at a democratic decision that will steer us into the future.

There are no labels in the name INCLUSION IRELAND. The name speaks for itself.
INCLUSION IRELAND was decided on because there is a European organisation for people with an intellectual disability known as Inclusion Europe. The world-wide organisation is known as Inclusion International, and we are affiliated to both.

Our aims in INCLUSION IRELAND will be the same as they have always been to fight for the rights of people with an intellectual disability.

Side by side with the name change, INCLUSION IRELAND has moved offices to an accessible and modern building close to the LUAS, Dart and railway station at Connolly. The new office is a place for all to be welcomed. There is space for monthly Board meetings, quarterly member meetings as well other training events that all took place off site previously.

The new address is:

Unit C2, The Steelworks,
Foley Street,
Dublin 1.

Our new contact details are:

T: 01 8559891
F: 01 8559904
E: info@inclusionireland.ie