Clare Leader Forum will host a panel discussion “UNCRPD – reality or fallacy?”
The Clare Leader Forum, a local Disabled People’s Organisation is hosting a critical panel discussion via zoom this Friday 7th October at 12:30pm. Don't miss it!
On the face of it Budget 2023 seemed to offer financial relief to Disabled People. However, it has not offered the structural reform and investment needed to materialise independent living rights contained in the UNCRPD. A lump sum payment of €500 in November 2022, as well as a €12 weekly increase, while welcomed, will not even meet the current inflation levels. An additional cost of disability payment was recommended back in 1996 with numerous state sponsored reports repeating this, and a means of calculating same.
Ann Marie Flanagan, Advocacy and Communication's officer said, “Disappointingly, the budget announcements will not offset unprecedented levels of inflation, never mind the unacceptable poverty experienced by so many Disabled People. Too many continue to be disproportionately disadvantaged with a lack of housing, fuel poverty, low employment and insufficient educational supports".
She continues, “It is, however, no great surprise considering the focus of the Disability Capacity Review, a 10 year service roadmap, released last year, which pretty much sets in stone the States intention on continued investment is institutionalising and segregating Disabled People, despite the States' legal obligation to support people's full inclusion in society. The Convention enshrines our human rights, yet we continue to live in a country where the Government has an unquestioning loyalty to traditional service providers, regardless of what we want, which in our opinion is ableist, paternalistic, discriminatory, undemocratic and places our citizens under significant threat! We are still processing the HSE cover-up of the Brandon report and the atrocities bestowed on women, supposed to be protected by the state."
Dermot Hayes, adds, “Shockingly, our Government still refuses to actively listen to DPOs and human rights bodies such as IHREC when it comes to Disabled People’s rights.
On Friday, the Clare Leader Forum will host a panel discussion on the implementation of the CRPD, whether it is actually possible in our lifetime or whether it is a fallacy.
The panels includes Dr. Liz Brosnan, Peter Kearns (ONSIDE project manager, ILMI member), Elaine Grehan (Head of Advocacy, Irish Deaf Society), Emilie Conway (Disabled Artists and Disabled Academics), Sarah Clancy (Clare PPN, ally), Ber Hoban, Human Rights & Aging, Nem Kearns, Disabled Women Ireland, among others.
Email clareleaderforum@gmail.com to register for the event.
For more information contact us: 065 7071455, Whatsapp 087 2740079