Ireland praised for raising awareness of disabilities
Last year was designated EYPD by the European Union (EU) to increase awareness of the 37 million people with disabilities in Europe. The year was also to find ways of overcoming the difficulties and barriers people with disabilities face every day.
Genesis Strategic Management Consultants found that the year achieved all of its objectives in Ireland.
Ireland went well ahead of the other 15 EU member states in raising awareness.
By year-end, 73% of people in Ireland were aware that 2003 was EYPD, compared to an average of 33% for the other member states.
The report found it was impossible, however, to separate the influence of the Special Olympics World Summer Games and EYPD in building the high levels of awareness.
The year’s coordinating committee had set out to ensure that the two events complemented each other and the report agreed that this was achieved.
The report also found that the year proved conclusively that the disability sector was at its best when the many groups and individuals working in it came together in partnership to achieve common objectives.
Chairperson of the year’s national coordinating committee, Angela Kerins, was delighted with the report’s findings. She warned, however, that increased awareness levels also brought increased expectations and demands for fairness, respect and equality of opportunity.
Ms Kerins said EYPD had to be viewed as a benchmark upon which Ireland must build. “We must build upon it to ensure that not only are the issues of concern to people with disabilities highlighted and addressed but that the abilities, skills and ambitions of people with disabilities are promoted throughout Irish society,” she said.
The report also underlined the need to maintain the leadership and co-ordination roles within the disability sector.
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