Disabled youngsters ‘kept in hospital because of accommodation failure’

HUNDREDS of disabled youngsters are being kept in hospitals because of the Government’s failure to provide accommodation for them, a seminar heard yesterday.

Thousands more disabled people are in need of housing, but the majority of Irish homes are not accessible and many are dangerous, according to the Disability Federation of Ireland.

The crisis facing people with disabilities who are seeking accommodation was highlighted by a number of speakers at the seminar in the Croke Park Conference Centre in Dublin.

The seminar, which saw the launch of the DFI Programme for Local Government entitled Housing The Vital Element, was attended by representatives of over 70 disability groups and organisations.

Addressing the seminar, John Dolan, DFI chief executive, asked: "How is it that the Disabled Person's Grant, some 35 years after its establishment, is still so heavily relied upon? What is the result of all the public and town planning with which this country has been engaged over that time? We have clearly not taken the opportunity to design and build communities and homes around the needs of people with disabilities."

The seminar was told the Government has identified over 900 'young chronic sick' people in acute hospitals. However, Mr Dolan queried why these people "are continually referred to as 'bed blockers' rather than as people in need of accommodation, with the necessary supports in the community."

Mr Dolan said the report of the Inspector of Mental Hospitals had questioned the continuing placement of many people in psychiatric units and hospitals saying "their continued residence in long-stay psychiatric facilities is neither appropriate nor best-suited to their needs".

Representatives of the various political parties also addressed the conference, outlining their party's proposals on issues raised in the DFI Programme, in advance of the next month's local elections.

A number of people with disabilities also spoke of their problems in securing proper accommodation.

Referring to the DFI Programme, chairperson John Saunders said "This document is our basic tool to enable all concerned voluntary and statutory organisations to advocate for what is a basic and vital need, allowing people to live their lives with dignity. It is the absence of a rights-based approach towards the needs of people with disabilities, underpinned by legislation, which is causing such basic needs to go unmet."

Mr Dolan added: "We have no doubt that public services have failed to meet the housing needs of people with disabilities. We need the legislative lever."