Disabled people want rights — not charity

WE want to tell you how we feel about our needs as people with learning disabilities.

We have a right not to be discriminated against. We should be treated equally, the same as other people.

We would like to be heard. We believe we have a right not to be ignored. We believe that everyone with learning disabilities should have a service that meets their needs.

We believe that the Disability Bill will not meet our needs and rights.

We all should have a right to an independent assessment so we can say what we need and want, and get the services that meet those needs.

We want the right to complain if we are not happy with our assessment.

We want to choose where we live, and who we live with. We don't want to have to share bedrooms if we don't want to.

We want to have the choice to work and be supported in getting and keeping our work, regardless of the level of our disability.

We want everywhere to be accessible and we don't want to wait for years and years before this happens.

We are the experts on our own lives not the Government.

Please listen to us and change the Disability Bill so that we can have rights not charity.

Claire Maher & Dermot Darcy

Joint Chairpersons

Regional Advocacy Council

Brothers of Charity Services

South Eastern Region

c/o Belmont Park

Ferrybank

Waterford