CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING

Carmichael House
 

Text Box: National Advisory Group Strategic Plan! Much work has been done since the last e-letter update on the National Advisory Group (NAG). The volume of feedback to the draft plans received from CILs and other stakeholders (including Government Departments, Statutory & Disability organisations), prompted the NAG to pospone a March completion deadline. Instead, two NAG sub-groups formed, developing a range of recommendations, and at meetings over the past two months, the Strategic and Operational Plans were finalised. At present the process of identifying and approaching prospective members to the permanent NAG committee has begun, working from the vote on preferred Statutory and Disability Agency members which was taken at the February CIL Network Meeting. It is planned to have the new NAG formed by late July, and to launch both the NAG and the Strategic and Operational plans in September.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Articles

 

 


*        National CIL Network Meeting

The next National CIL Network Meeting will take place on Saturday, June 25th in the Landmark Hotel, Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim. The meeting will open at 11.00am and will provide an opportunity for discussion around the main developments taking place throughout the National CIL Network, including implications of the National Advisory Group Strategic and Operational plans. For the days agenda, registration details (by June 20th please) and further information, contact the CIL, Carmichael House office.

 

*        National Leader Forum - NLF

Following the March 7-9 support and training event for Leader Co-ordinators in Clarenbridge (click here for some photos!), at which an overview of the NLF draft report was outlined, participants were asked to return any further comments/feedback to CIL, Carmichael House to ensure their inclusion in the next development stage. In a further follow up, an NLF teleconference was held on April 21st, involving representatives from CILs nationally (Mary Gaffney (West Limerick CIL), Pat Hallinan (Mayo CIL), Sean Rickard (Offaly CIL), Catherine Gorman (Carmichael Centre CIL). The teleconference was about gathering further feedback from these representatives who had recently communicated with the larger group in relation to the NLF training, on what was learned and what was frustrating and importantly, where to from here. Click here for more details, or contact the CIL Carmichael House Office.

 

*         Training for Managers course

A further ‘extra’ module in the CIL ‘Training for Managers’ course, aimed specifically at the managers was held in Kilcuan, Galway from Mon-Wed, April 4-6 2005. All participants assignments have been submitted to CIL Carmichael House, collated and forwarded for assessment. Best of luck everyone!

 

*        Disability Legislation 2004… continued

The last couple of months have been very busy in terms of campaigns to ensure that the Government was in NO doubt about the flaws in this legislation while it was still in its second stage in the Dáil. We ran our own e-mail advocacy campaign over the CIL Carmichael House website, while Disability Federation Ireland made a briefing paper and lobby pack available from their website, and raised concerns in relation to the Bill at a senior level with Government. The Irish Wheelchair Association organised a public demonstration to the Dáil on 26th May last to protest against the Bill in its current form, which many different organisations, including CILs took part in.

The Disability Legislation Consultation Group (DLCG) met the Taoiseach on 25th May last in order to impress upon him the need for movement on 5 key points regarding issues with this legislation, following on from the 10 Fundamental Flaws in the legislation which they had outlined to the Government shortly after the publication of this legislation last year. The Taoiseach communicated to the DLCG that he would facilitate meetings with each of the relevant Ministers in relation to the Sectoral Plans.  The Disability Bill has since been debated in Report stage in the Dail and moved to the Seanad on 31st May. Click here for more information on the Legislation or go to the Oireachtais website for the latest progress on the Bill.

 

*        Disability Bill Campaign

CIL, Carmichael House’s Advocacy campaign around the Disability Bill, which was launched on 11 April, drew to a close shortly after the Bill entered Committee Stage in the Dail, on 19 April. We would like to thank all of you for your support – we successfully achieved our aim of refreshing legislators memories with regard to the many issues and concerns about this legislation raised over the last number of months. The many mails sent through this site, and the actions taken by CILs around the country to highlight these issues were reflected on 13 April - with mention of the work of CILs, and reading of the Disability Bill Campaign letter in the Dail.

 

*        Independent Living Case Study

CIL are currently undertaking a case study on the emergence of Independent Living in Ireland and the impact it has had on the lives of people with disabilities.

The study will be part-financed by the Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and a number of meetings have been held to examine how the study will be approached. The final study will be published in November 2005.

 

*        Governance Training

In 2004 governance was prioritised as one of the main areas requiring development in 04/05. However it has lagged behind somewhat as a priority until now. Meitheal Consultancy group have been contracted to produce a handbook on governance guidelines for CILs by August. A steering group is being assembled around this project to ensure the handbook covers all relevant areas. Once the handbook is completed training will be rolled out in the four regions around its implementation. The training aims to be dynamic in that CIL staff will be trained to deliver the material to any new board members who should join the network.

The Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI) aim to have some involvement in this project and will take part in the steering group and training for trainers sessions.

 

 

 


Links & Notices

 

 


HELP LINE SERVICE 1890 234 313

“The Irish Wheelchair Association and National Council for the Blind of Ireland offer a Help Line Service to anyone who would like to talk about their disability or visual impairment.   The service is available on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 7.00 to 10.00 p.m.  The number is LoCall 1890 234 313.”

 

 

 


Thanks to Eithne in the CIL Carmichael House office for the excerpts below which are taken from some research she is doing at present on ‘Accessible Travel and Tourism’ for the CIL Carmichael House website. Soon to be published on the site (http://www.dublincil.org/resources/resources.htm)

 

Irish Disabled Sailing Association

(http://www.sailforce.ie/)

The Irish Disabled Sailing Association (IDSA) was established in the early 1980's to introduce and encourage people of all ages with physical disability to take up sailing. Funded by the Irish Sailing Association (ISA) and with the assistance of the Irish Naval Service and a select number of yacht clubs, the Association developed to provide centres in Kinsale, Crosshaven, Monkstown,and Howth. The site gives details of how to contact the IDSA if you are interested in participating!

 

Disabled Holiday Directory

(http://www.disabledholidaydirectory.co.uk/)

This site provides information on accessible places to stay worldwide, including where to stay on safari! The database provides details and photos of accessible hotels and self-catering accommodation and amenities within Ireland and the UK, if you are not in the mood for lion-spotting.

 

Independent Living Institute

(http://www.independentliving.org/links/links-travel-and-leisure.html)

We have already featured part of this great site, however it bears a second visit! This is the disability resources travel and leisure page of the Independent Living Institute and it contains some very interesting links. There is a good deal of information available on the process of travelling and a link to a site where people with disabilities can compare notes and experiences on getting around and holidaying in various countries. There are links to some great holidays designed for wheelchair users as well as to support agencies in different countries. 

On the Accessible Vacation Home Exchange page

(http://www.independentliving.org/vacaswap.html), participants fill out an online form describing their home or apartment, its accessibility features, points of interest in the area and how to get around in town. The database is searchable by country, city and other keywords. Prospective exchange partners contact each other by email and share detailed information before reaching an agreement is the link on this page to home exchanges

 

Cheshire Adventure Motivation Project

(http://www.campeireann.com/)

Founded in 1987, the Cheshire Adventure Motivation Project (C.A.M.P.) is a voluntary organisation, which offers a unique opportunity to people with physical disabilities to gain confidence through the medium of adventure activities. CAMP recently staged ‘No Limits’ in aid of the project – an integrated, inclusive fashion show addressing some issues experienced by people with disabilities in relation to fashion. MC for the event was ‘Off the Rails’ presenter Caroline Morahan.

 

 


Ideas, News and Feedback!

 


Please let us know about events, projects and news in your organisation or your area. Also, any ideas, suggestions, feedback or comments are very welcome.

Contact Derval Sheridan - dervalsheridan@dublincil.org

 

 


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CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING

 

Carmichael House, North Brunswick Street, Dublin 7, Ireland

Tel 8730 455 /8730 986; Fax 8730 998
Web: www.dublincil.org; Email: cildub@iol.ie