Report recommends independent living for disabled

Independent Living provides the best possible quality of life for people with disabilities, according to a new report.

Extending the Boundaries, compiled from interviews with people from 26 centres for Independent Living across the country, also found that access to personal assistance provides opportunities to gain employment, education and an active social life.

The report, which examines the progress of the Independent Living concept since it began in Ireland in 1992, was unveiled at the launch of The National Advisory Group on Independent Living.

The group, which is drawn from a number of experienced statutory and voluntary agencies, aims to provide a unified and strategic approach to the further development of the Independent Living movement in Ireland.

Speaking at the launch, The Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Mr Eamon O’Cuiv TD, said the group would bring about real change in the lives of people with disabilities.

Ann Marie Flanagan, of the National Advisory Group said: “Independent Living is defined as the right of all persons regardless of age, type or extent of disability to live in the community, with all the privileges that this entails.

“This is the preferred alternative, for the vast majority of people with disabilities, to living in institutions or having to live with their immediate family, which at one time were the only choices available.”

The report states that the optimum experience of Independent Living is one which combines access to transport, technology, accessible housing and good working relationship with a Personal Assistant (PA) and recommends that employment support services need to be put in place for people working as Pas.

While a number of centres are successfully combining elements for an holistic approach to Independent Living, there is still a huge disparity in how services can be provided in different parts of the country.

Highlighting the National Advisory Group’s commitment to improving the options available to people with disabilities, Ms Flanagan added: “It is the element of choice which underpins the Independent Living approach, and the group is committed to that concept.

“We will provide a forum to share skills and knowledge with other relevant agencies in order to ensure that the needs of people with disabilities are met.”

Responding to the launch, Mairead McGuinness MEP, a member of the European Parliament’s Inter Group on Disability, added: “While independent living for people with disabilities can provide the best quality of life, as evidenced by people with disabilities themselves, the real challenge lies in the ability of the state sector to foster and provide a wholesome level of supports at local level to make that objective a reality.”