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The Active Community: Living Local Engagement

The Active Community: Living Local Engagement. Maureen Browne and Deborah Hickey, Step Forward Disability Group, Hospital Family Resource Centre (FRC), County Limerick. . Step Forward. Why the group exists.

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The Active Community: Living Local Engagement

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  1. The Active Community: Living Local Engagement Maureen Browne and Deborah Hickey, Step Forward Disability Group, Hospital Family Resource Centre (FRC), County Limerick. DFI National Conference 2014: Citizen Engagement - Local Government for Local People

  2. Step Forward • Why the group exists. All of the group either have a disability, care for a family member with a disability or have an interest in disability issues; Step Forward Disability Group has being active in the community for over 11 years. DFI National Conference 2014: Citizen Engagement - Local Government for Local People

  3. Step Forward The group meets twice a month and is most grateful to • Hospital Family Resource Centre • Rural Bus for Transport • HSE West for funding DFI National Conference 2014: Citizen Engagement - Local Government for Local People

  4. Why Step Forward Group Disability Group came together • To be involved with others who have a disability to share experiences and access supports. • All live in rural communities in Limerick and Cork and have experienced the unique isolation that people with disabilities encounter living in small towns & rural areas. DFI National Conference 2014: Citizen Engagement - Local Government for Local People

  5. Step Forward The aims of the group are: • To create a greater awareness in general of the existence and needs of those with disabilities. • To change attitudes to disability & raise accessibility to an acceptable standard for all. • To raise awareness of the issues impacting people with disabilities at local, regional and national level to influence change. • Access support & learn from each other. DFI National Conference 2014: Citizen Engagement - Local Government for Local People

  6. Step Forward – Values • We believe all people should be treated equally and with respect and unconditional acceptance. DFI National Conference 2014: Citizen Engagement - Local Government for Local People

  7. Step Forward – Strategy • To train ourselves • To share information • To lobby national governing bodies • To raise awareness of the issues that impact people with disabilities in the community. • To network with other groups at a local, regional and national level. DFI National Conference 2014: Citizen Engagement - Local Government for Local People

  8. Step Forward – Committee Involvement • Management committee of Hospital Family Resource Centre. • DFI & HSE Mid West Regional Disability Sub Committee. • Ballyhoura Development Ltd. • Mobile IT. • Rainbows Volunteer. • Disability Advocacy Steering committee. DFI National Conference 2014: Citizen Engagement - Local Government for Local People

  9. Work completed by the group over the last 11 years…. • Ongoing capacity building within the group. • Campaign to raise awareness on access issues with footpaths and parking. • Election Manifesto - Local & National. • Community access audits. • Presentation to Limerick County Council. • National VISPA Award for accessible community services. DFI National Conference 2014: Citizen Engagement - Local Government for Local People

  10. Work to date continued. • Work with local TY Students to share learning around disabilities. • Position Papers: Rural Transport, HSE cutbacks, need for more Trust and Accountability in the Disability Sector. • Social Events, Day Trips etc. • Information events: mental health, disability advocacy, citizen’s information. DFI National Conference 2014: Citizen Engagement - Local Government for Local People

  11. Step Forward – The Future • To support existing members of the group and welcome new members as the needs arise. • To continue to raise awareness on issues which impact on people with disabilities: cut backs to services, closure of post offices, banks, shops, rural transport etc. • To continue to access supports from Hospital Family Resource Centre, Rural Bus and HSE West. • To work to ensure the group is maintained and developed going forward so that it grows stronger in the future. DFI National Conference 2014: Citizen Engagement - Local Government for Local People

  12. Step Forward Disability Group Thank you Any Questions?

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