Issues - Irish Wheelchair Association

Advocacy Issues

The IWA has prioritised the following Advocacy issues:

Core funding of all current health services being provided by Community Employment schemes

Irish Wheelchair Association relies on Community Employment Schemes to provide care and driving staff for core and essential services in IWA’s Resource and Outreach Centres. Despite the government’s commitment under the Disability Act 2005 to protect and develop services for people with disabilities there has been no move to address this untenable situation.

Core funding of staff for Resource & Outreach Centres for People with physical and sensory disabilities

In order to continue to deliver services in the Resource and Outreach Centres the provision of core staff is required. These services in the community are often the only lifeline or contact with support services for people with disabilities. Core funding is required for these vital staff positions in order to be able to continue to deliver services at an acceptable standard.

Personal Assistance Services

Personal Assistance Services provide people with the opportunity to exercise control and choice in their lives. In so doing it enables people to be active participants within their families, communities and society. Analysis of the need for Personal Assistance Services was carried out by the IWA which indicated that there was an excess of 1000 people on the waiting lists for this vital service. IWA have prioritised the waiting lists for Personal Assistance Services as an issue that needs to be addressed.

Housing

Accessible housing for people with disabilities is vital to living in the community and remaining independent. However, there is a lack of supply and availability of appropriate accessible housing across all counties. Additionally, inadequate funding for house adaptation schemes leave people with disabilities trapped in inaccessible homes. The IWA has prioritised the housing needs of people with disabilities as a basic requirement to social inclusion and maintaining independence.

It is important to Sign onto the local social Housing List before the end of March ’08 if you require housing.

Cost of Disability payment

The Cost of Disability can be defined as the amount it costs a disabled person to achieve the same standard of living as a non-disabled person. It is recognised nationally and internationally that people with disabilities incur many extra living costs as a result of their disability such as; heating, disability aids & equipment, above average medical and drug costs, care costs and above average transport costs. The Cost of Disability payments would offset these extra costs and go some way to alleviate the poverty experienced by many people with disabilities.

Employment for people with disabilities

Despite sustained economic and jobs growth over the last decade in Ireland, in 2006 fewer people with disabilities were employed than in previous years. People with disabilities are clearly not benefiting from the extraordinary reduction in unemployment; they remain excluded from the labour market. IWA advocates on the issue of employment so people with disabilities can equally contribute and benefit from the economic growth and development of the country.

Transport Advocacy

Parking Cards

The IWA has over a number of years campaigned for a comprehensive review of the current process of issuing Parking Cards. Of particular concern is the level of increase in the number of Parking Cards being issued without any corresponding increase in accessible spaces. In 2002, just over 3,000 Parking Permits were issued. While in 2007, it is estimated that this figure will have increased to 14,000. It is estimated that there is over 30,000 Parking Permits currently in circulation The IWA recently presented to the Minister Noel Dempsey, Minister of Transport, a report carried out by the association which looked at the current system for issuing parking permits and made recommendations to address the difficulties highlighted in the report. Click to see the full report.

Accessible Taxis

IWA are aware that it is extremely difficult to get an accessible taxi in Ireland today with many areas of the country not having any service at all. The Commission for Taxi Regulation was established in 2004, the IWA in conjunction with other Disability Organisations, produced a report entitled "Towards an Accessible Taxi Service for All". The purpose of the report was to support and influence the Commission for Taxi Regulator in its role to design and implement an accessible Taxi service. Regrettably progress has not been at the pace we would have hope for; our advocacy team will be prioritising this issue for 2008.

Air Travel

Air Travel frequently causes considerable difficulties to passengers with disabilities. In 2008, new legislation is to be implemented which hopefully will ease some of these difficulties. Click to see IWA's submission to the Dublin Cork and Shannon Airport Authority’s in relation to new Regulation EC 1107/2006: concerning the Rights of the Disabled Persons and Persons with Reduced Mobility when Travelling by Air.

Public Transport

Having an accessible Public Transport system is vitally important for people with disabilities to live and commute independently. The IWA is in constant communication with the departments that manage Public Transport services in Ireland as well as participating on many of the disability user groups. These include: