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News Archive 2005
The Presentation of Awards Ceremony for students of the NUIM Certificate in Disability Studies course 2004/05, took place on Saturday December 3rd 2005. The ceremony began with Professor Anne Ryan (Head of Dept. of Adult & Community Education) welcoming the group, followed by some words from Josephine Finn (Programme Co-ordinator) , and Eileen Daly (CIL Board Member) . Following the ceremony, the group gathered for lunch at the Straffan Court Hotel. Click here for some photos of the days events !
The final National CIL Network Meeting for 2005 took place on Saturday 22 October, in Chief O'Neills Hotel, Dublin. The meeting began with a progress report - including details on the inaugural meeting of the National Advisory Group, as well as Carlow CILs progress with their Comhairle Advocacy Project. Developments around the CIL model were also discussed, as the meeting was informed of the first two development meetings for groups within the model, taking place before the end of 2005. All CILs were asked to network according to the model in 2006, The afternoon was primarily about the CIL Network Council - ammendments to its draft constitution, and election of officers. It is planned to carry out the initial election to the Council by postal vote - click here for the latest information on this and the Network Council. For a full report on the network meeting, click here, and for any further details please contact the CIL Carmichael House office.
The inaugural meeting of the new National Advisory Group (NAG) took place on Oct 12th in the offices of the Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI). Represented at the meeting were three of the four CIL Regions, the National Leader Forum, Comhairle, DFI, FAS, Department of Social and Family Affairs, PWDI and the Forum of People with Disabilities. This informal initial meeting looked at NAG, its background, Mission and Goals, as well as providing members with an opportunity to introduce themselves. One of the actions to come from the meeting was to decide on a Feb 2006 launch for the group and its Strategic and Operational plans. The next NAG meeting is scheduled for Friday 18th November.
CIL Carmichael House is embarking on Independent Living (IL) research, comprising of a number of case studies derived from, and based on experiences by and with CIL members. The research is supported by a grant from the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, and is being carried out by social science research company Ralaheen Ltd and CIL Carmichael House. The researchers now invite paragraphs on Independent Living for inclusion in the study, to complement the case studies and provide a wider picture. Paragraphs should be approx 250-300 words (click here for a detailed list of topics). Replies should be sent to Niamh Murphy at Ralaheen by post or e-mail. You may also call Niamh and give your response over the phone. It is hoped that the research will produce an easy to read, well-edited research report of value to policy making - completion and launch is planned for Feb '06. Contact Niamh on (01)6973400 or niamh@ralaheen.ie, or at Ralaheen Research and Design Ltd, Unit 21 Central Hotel Chambers, 7/9 Dame Court, Dublin 2.
Sept 5-8 saw many people with disabilities across Europe travel to Strasbourg, to meet their MEPs, the Court of Human Rights, the Disability Intergroup, and to hold a rally at the European Parliament itself. An ENIL initiative, Strasbourg 2005 follows the 2003 Freedom Drive Campaign,when eight key demands were presented to the EU Parliament amid much fanfare and commitment to deliver mainstream opportunities for disabled people in the then European Year of the Disabled. Two years on with little change prompted the Freedom Drivers '05 three key demands around the ‘Right to Independent Living in Europe'; the ‘Portability of Personal Assistance'; and ‘Recognition of the principles of Independent Living in all overseas aid from the EU'. They also asked a key question - just how committed are the EU and its institutions to the citizenship and participation of disabled people? Read more about Strasbourg 05.
To support the Freedom Drivers CIL Carmichael House ran an Email campaign aimed at the EU Disability Intergroup - a cross party group of EU MEPs from all countries and major political groups working within the EU Parliament on disability policy. Through this campaign, individuals and organisations across Europe asked Intergroup members what quantifiable support they, and the entire EU Parliament are bringing to ensure real freedom for disabled people within the EU. Read more about the campaign here.
Since the last CIL National Network meeting on June 25 in Leitrim, much progress has been made regarding recruitment of non-CIL representatives to the National Advisory Group (NAG) as well as further development of the CIL National Network Model. The identification of CIL representatives to the NAG is now a priority. To this end, all CILs have been contacted to ask for anyone interested in a CIL position on the National Advisory Group to put themselves forward for consideration by August 22. Click here for more details and an outline of the function of a CIL representative to the NAG, or for the latest on the NAG. For any more information contact CIL Carmichael House.
The 5th National CIL Network Meeting took place on Saturday, June 25 th in the Landmark Hotel , Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim. The meeting opened at 11.00am (click here for Agenda) and provided an opportunity for discussion around the main developments taking place throughout the National CIL Network. The implications of the National Advisory Group (NAG) Strategic and Operational Plans were also communicated to the network at the meeting, and CIL nominations to the NAG were discussed. Click here for a report on the days events or to view the meeting presentation, and for any further details please contact the CIL Carmichael House office.
There has been much discussion and debate on the Disability Legislation proposed last year, with the Government having heard many experts opinions in response. The CIL network felt it was important that the Bill entered its vital 'Committee' amendment stage with everyones voices and concerns ringing in the legislators ears, showing how every Irish Citizen shares fundamental concerns about this legislation. CIL, Carmichael House ran a short email campaign through its Advocacy section from 11-22 April, briefly highlighting the main fundamental flaws and asking participants to email their local TD and/or MEP to ask for their action . The many mails sent, and the actions taken by CILs nationwide to highlight the issues were reflected on 13 April - with mention of the work of CILs, and reading of the advocacy letter in the Dail.
The second stage of the Bill drew to a close on 19th April last, and as of Tuesday May 3rd, the Bill is in Committee Stage. View the latest progress of the Bill and the various amendments which have been tabled for it on the Oireachtas website.
The Forum of People with Disabillities 'Claiming Our Rights' (COR) programme has an overall aim to transfer knowledge and skills to people with disabilities in order to become effective advocates in their local area and within the National arena. The programme is to operate in four regions in Ireland, with 30 participants in each region. Phase 1 - the first year is about transferring knowledge, culminating in a National Disability Conference on December 3rd. Phase 2 - the second year, will be launched at the conference and is about putting knowledge into action, with a National rollout launch of campaign plans for each region on December 3rd 2006. For more details lo-call 1850 367 867 or email COR@fpd.ie
Roll out of support and training for NLF Leader Co-ordinators began March 7-9, with a three-day meeting and training event in Kilcuan, Clarenbridge, Co.Galway, for 25 participants - Leaders, Leader Co-ordinators and others. Molly O'Duffy from Dublin Inner City Partnership, who has co-written the NLF Report, facilitated the days. It is hoped that the practical focus of the days will provide the tools to foster greater support at local CIL level for the work of the Leader Coordinator in the future months. Click here for the event timetable and here to view some images of the group at work, and at play! For more information contact Catherine Gorman in the CIL, Carmichael House office.
The fourth National CIL Network Meeting took place on Saturday February 26th in the Tullamore Court Hotel. Click here for the days agenda or for a report on the days events.
One of the primary agenda items was to discuss the adoption of the NAG Strategic Plan. The interim NAG members have worked hard to progress the group to implementation stage. At this crucial point in the development process the project can now either rise to new levels or fall. NAG now needs the support of each CIL, their boards, members, leaders, and staff. From the outset the driving force behind this groups establishment has been the collective voice of the CIL network. The network must unite and push the project into it's final development stage. This is your advisory group, it has been established to address your concerns and will only survive with your support.
After an intensive consultation and work process which began a number of months ago, the National Advisory Group (NAG) draft Strategic Plan is now ready and being distributed! Over the coming days all CILs are encouraged to actively discuss the merits of the plan and agree on ways in which the plan may be improved. Feb 26th will then provide an open forum for all CILs to put forward their organisations suggestions and openly discuss these suggestions amongst their colleagues. By March 2 all CILs are encouraged to put this feedback in writing to Meitheal, the group of consultants who are facilitating the writing of the strategic plan. This is the last major opportunity for us all to feed back into the process, and help achieve a new era for all CILs and an opportunity for the Irish Independent Living Movement to strengthen its solidarity.
A February meeting was called for members of the
eight Western CILs now under the new Health Service Executive (HSE) - North
Western Area. Changes are taking place and new HSE standards and guidelines
are being set. CILs need to be prepared and share our experience - one CILs
crisis today could be anothers tomorrow. It is vital that Leaders have a
strong united voice in the Health Services.
Speakers include Toni Gleeson and Michael Corbett (DFI). The meeting location:
Cheshire House, Curragan Green, Merlin Park, Galway (091-771762) from 12-2.30pm.
Please contact Dermot Hayes (DPOC) on 086-3157591 for any further details.