People with disabilities will have access to a national advocacy service from today which aims to give vulnerable people a stronger voice and a greater opportunity to make positive changes in their quality of life.
The service works by allocating a trained independent advocates to disabled people who can advise or support them to make a claim for services such as welfare or housing, or negotiate on their behalf on issues affecting them.
The network is funded by the Citizens’ Information Board, with teams based around the country at regional offices in Dublin, Westmeath, Offaly, Waterford and Leitrim.
Launching the service today, Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton said the national scope of the support meant it would be available on an equal basis to any individual with a disability who needs it.
“A major function of advocacy is to assist these people by providing an independent guide to services and options, someone to assist them at official proceedings and, in some instances, through the move to living in the community,” Ms Burton said.
“It is particularly important that an independent person is available to them where they are totally dependent on a single service provider.
Essentially the service will level the playing field and provide a voice for the more vulnerable of people with disabilities”.
Advocates will make a particular effort to target disabled people who are isolated in the community or who live in residential institutions and cannot represent themselves.
One person who had benefited from advocacy is Marie Wolfe, a disabled woman who now advocates on behalf of other people with disabilities.
“Life before advocacy wasn’t great,” she said. “I had no opportunity to work, no choices on where I loved, so social life. Sometimes, I felt like I wasn’t listened to.”
Five years ago she moved into independent living, with the assistance of advocates, and says her life has changed dramatically.
“It means I can go out and come home when I want. I can invite friends over for a party. I decide when staff call out to me. I have much more control over my life.”
Tony McQuinn, chief executive of the Citizens Information Board, said that while many people with disabilities are well equipped to make their own decisions, some vulnerable people with disabilities are at a disadvantage when claiming their entitlements or making important decisions.
“The service will protect their rights, help them gain their entitlements and make positive changes in their quality of life” he said.
* The Citizens Information Phone Service is a low-call number available Monday to Friday, from 9am to 9pm. 1890-777121.
* In addition, the National Advocacy Services can be contacted at the following numbers: Dublin Region: Ben North, Clondalkin CIS. Tel: 086 0218778; North East Region: Louise Loughlin, Co Westmeath CIS Tel: 086 4102083; South East Region: Selena Doyle, Co Offaly CIS Tel: 086 0409978; South West Region: Patricia O’Dwyer, Co Waterford CIS Tel: 086 0223984; West/ North West Region: Josephine Keaveney, Co Leitrim CIS Tel: 086 0201095