Cheeverstown service users share experiences with minister

THE Cheeverstown Self-Advocacy Committee met with Minister for Disabilities, Anne Rabbitte, in County Hall, Tallaght, on Tuesday afternoon.

The committee is composed of service users of Cheeverstown, and the meeting gave them the opportunity to share their experiences and raise issues with the minister.

The committee members who attended were chairperson Joe Feehily, and Eddie Kelly, Patricia O’Halloran, John McDermot, Elaine Doran and Emily Healy.

The topics discussed included questions about what is being done to stop people blocking paths and thereby obstructing wheelchair users, and housing for people with disabilities.

In terms of footpaths being blocked, Minister Rabbitte referred to the Make Way Day campaign to raise awareness of the issue and said social media should also be used to raise awareness.

When the issue of housing for people with disabilities, including supported housing and independent living, was raised, Minister Rabbitte agreed that more work needed to be done.

The Minister said moving on from housing people with disabilities in congregated settings was an important move, and referred to Cheeverstown’s self-supported directed living programme.

“The meeting was a success,” advocacy group facilitator Martina Curran told The Echo, “and the advocates were as always very passionate about getting their concerns and issues to the Minister.

“The self-advocacy committee were invited by the Minister to the Dáil for an evening out, and she was very impressed by this strong group of individuals who represent all people with an intellectual disability to strive for their rights and inclusion.”

Also in attendance at the meeting were Deputy Mayor Joanna Tuffy, Cllr Vicki Casserly, Cheeverstown CEO TJ Duggan, staff Mary Dowds, Brendan Kielty, Regina O’Brien and Jennifer Feeney, and board member Sharon Murphy.

To keep up-to-date with the work of the Cheeverstown Self-Advocacy Committee visit their Twitter page @Advocacy1905.