Self-Advocacy Success in Portloaise 

Irish Wheelchair Association’s Self-Advocacy course continues to provide training to members who wish to develop, upskill or gain confidence around advocating for themselves.  

Throughout this instalment of the course, seven participants from IWA’s Portlaoise Community Centre gained a deeper understanding of what advocacy is and how it can benefit their lives. They learned about the importance of having your voice, wants and needs heard. 

“The power of IWA’s Self-Advocacy course is supporting people to find their voice.” Says John Fulham, IWA Public Engagement Manager and Self-Advocacy Course Facilitator. 

IWA Members, Evan, Aoife, Alex, James, Michelle, Aideen and Esther all completed the course successfully with a presentation on a subject of their choice to a packed room in the centre on Friday, March 7^th. This final task is a big step for some, having never presented to a full room of people but one that provides an opportunity to put everything they have learned throughout the course into practice.  

Evan, 30, shared his personal journey to independent living. The catalyst for his motivation to advocate for a home of his own was two separate injuries at different times in his life, which led him to spend some time in a nursing home. “Living in  a nursing home is horrible.” Says Evan. “In my home everything is lowered down so I can live independently. It’s the best decision I ever made.” 

Other members shared presentations on their passions across writing, dance, sport, music, pets and beauty. Some of the strongest outcomes from the Self-Advocacy course are members living and contributing independently within their community. Goal setting is another big part of the training and lots have their sights set on securing employment or making decisions about their future. A well done to Esther who couldn’t be there in person on the day to present so pre-recorded her presentation.

 Sowing the seeds of belief, providing knowledge of how and encouraging people with disabilities to use their voice is critical to IWA’s strategic objective of empowering our people. Congratulations to Evan, Aoife, Alex, James, Michelle, Aideen and Esther for embarking on their Self-Advocacy journey.