Residents of disability centres tell Hiqa they have the same rights as everyone else

Hiqa found many examples where people felt they were respected as well as assisted in being able to make their own choices, about their home, their community and their own rights. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland

Residents of centre for people with disabilities have told the health watchdog Hiqa: “We have the same rights as everybody else" — even though where they live does not always deliver on that principle.

A new report by the Health Information and Quality Authority is based on the views of 80 people in 22 resident forums about their experiences of living in residential services for people with disabilities.