Project aimed at giving voice to people with disabilities

AN ADVOCACY project aimed at helping people with disabilities claim their entitlements, access services and have their voices heard was launched yesterday in Waterford.

The Disability Equality Specialist Support Agency will provide an advocate to people who need one and will be based at St Brigid’s Family Resource Centre in the city.

The service was opened by Waterford TD and Social Affairs Minister Martin Cullen, whose department was involved in funding the facility.

St Brigid’s Family Resource Centre, established in 1984, provides services within Waterford city including counselling, positive parenting programmes, community development and childcare. The centre houses Waterford Citizens’ Information Centre and the Waterford Befriending Project for people with mental health difficulties.

A total of 46 community and voluntary advocacy projects have been established nationwide since 2004, according to Mr Cullen, to deliver representative advocacy services to people with disabilities.

DESSA is a national organisation funded by the Family Support Agency, the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform to develop and deliver social inclusion initiatives to people with disabilities and their families.

Established in 2001, it supports community organisations in ensuring the active involvement and participation of people with disabilities and their families in local community life.

“Advocacy is the act of speaking on behalf of a person or empowering that person to speak for him or herself,” Mr Cullen said yesterday. He paid tribute to the many organisations and individuals involved in establishing and supporting the Community Advocacy Project, including DESSA, the Family Support Agency, the Family Resource Centres in the southeast — particularly St Brigid’s Family Resource Centre — and the Citizens Information Board.

“This launch demonstrates the cooperation and partnership of statutory and voluntary organisations in delivering an advocacy service to people with disabilities in the southeast. Organisations are working in partnership to maximise resources and build on the expertise available to ensure people with disabilities are supported to give voice to their needs.”