National Association for People with an Intellectual Disability INCLUSION IRELAND National Association for People with an Intellectual Disability

Formerly NAMHI (National Association for the Mentally Handicapped of Ireland) Founded in 1961 National voluntary organisation Co-ordinating body for over 160 organisations Individual and group membership Dublin based but represent people across the country

Working to promote the rights of people with an intellectual disability in Ireland to ensure their full and equal participation in society

What does Inclusion Ireland do What does Inclusion Ireland do? Provides a central forum for its members to identify priorities Campaigns for changes in services and legislation   Promotes Advocacy for people with an intellectual disability, particularly self-advocacy Provides an information and advice service Publishes information leaflets/booklets Publishes a quarterly newsletter

What does Inclusion Ireland do What does Inclusion Ireland do? (continued) Organises seminars and conferences on intellectual disability Gives information & training talks to a range of groups Represents the intellectual disability sector in Ireland at an international level by its membership of Inclusion International & Inclusion Europe Promotes research into intellectual disability

Disability Act 2005, Part 3: 28.— (3) The head of a public body shall ensure, as far as practicable, that information published by the body, which contains information relevant to persons with intellectual disabilities, is in clear language that is easily understood by those persons.

UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Article 4 - General obligations 1. States Parties undertake to ensure and promote the full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all persons with disabilities without discrimination of any kind on the basis of disability. To this end, States Parties undertake: h) To provide accessible information to persons with disabilities about mobility aids, devices and assistive technologies, including new technologies, as well as other forms of assistance, support services and facilities Article 21 - Freedom of expression and opinion, and access to information States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that persons with disabilities can exercise the right to freedom of expression and opinion, including the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas on an equal basis with others and through all forms of communication of their choice, as defined in article 2 of the present Convention, including by: a) Providing information intended for the general public to persons with disabilities in accessible formats and technologies appropriate to different kinds of disabilities in a timely manner and without additional cost; b) Accepting and facilitating the use of sign languages, Braille, augmentative and alternative communication, and all other accessible means, modes and formats of communication of their choice by persons with disabilities in official interactions; c) Urging private entities that provide services to the general public, including through the Internet, to provide information and services in accessible and usable formats for persons with disabilities; d) Encouraging the mass media, including providers of information through the Internet, to make their services accessible to persons with disabilities; e) Recognizing and promoting the use of sign languages.

Inclusion Ireland Strategic Plan 2007 – 2012: ‘Making Inclusion A Reality’ Strategic Priority 1 Champion legislative reform to enshrine the rights of people with disabilities Strategic Priority 3 Provide an Independent Advocacy Service Strategic Priority 4 Campaign for services based on a holistic assessment of need at various life stages Strategic Priority 5 Promote independent and healthy lives Strategic Priority 6 Promote awareness and a positive image of people with an intellectual disability Strategic Priority 7 Promote the image identity and expertise of Inclusion Ireland as the representative voice of people with intellectual disability and their families

Strategic Priority 2 Promote the availability, accessibility and dissemination of information that is current and relevant

OBJECTIVE 1 Monitor all publications from HSE, Government Departments and public bodies containing information relevant to people with an intellectual disability and their families. Actions Document and feed into sources of public information (HSE, Government Departments and public bodies); Identify and highlight all Government, legislation, policy and strategy documents that are relevant to people with an intellectual disability; Promote easy to read publications with HSE, Government Departments and public bodies;

OBJECTIVE 2 Provide an information service to members and the public Actions • Provide and collate information in response to telephone, written and e-mail queries; • Develop website and provide content that is up to date relevant, accessible and interactive; • Develop an appropriate Information & Communications Technology System that will help to co-ordinate Inclusion Ireland’s information service;

OBJECTIVE 3 Produce relevant publications on intellectual disability Actions • Produce booklets and leaflets on intellectual disability specific issues; • Update all existing publications; • Produce information in easy to read format that is relevant to people with an intellectual disability;

Newsletter – published quarterly

Publications: Leaflets and Books Inclusion Ireland produces a number of books and leaflets, the majority of which are available free of charge. A full list of publications is available online at www.inclusionireland.ie

Self-Advocacy Conference Inclusion Ireland Self-Advocacy Conference - Ballinasloe, June 2008

Most effective ways of reaching the needs of people with disabilities: Ensure people know we are here: going to seminars, conferences, local meetings: Ensure information is available in an appropriate format; Provide and make available information at a grassroots level – through our members; How to identify these needs: An umbrella organisation dealing with members on a daily basis; National organisation, but travel around the country to meet members and hear issues; Maintain good relationship with Government bodies, media etc. to ensure up to date on policy/legislative changes;

Innovations in targeting and communicating with vulnerable groups: One of the first Irish organisations to start developing Easy to Read material: My Voice My Choice published in 2005; Other publications include ‘Making Decisions About Money’, and ‘Making a Will’, published in 2008;

Provide transfer into easy to read for other organisations, including local authorities; Involved in national and European working groups to develop easy to read standards: For example the ‘Pathways Project – European Standards for easy to read and understand Information’: The Pathways to Adult Education Project; Funded by European Council; Facilitated by Inclusion Europe; Aim: make life long learning programmes more accessible for adults with intellectual disabilities by developing instruments and materials for staff and trainers; European standards for easy-to-read adult education material; The following countries are participating: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, Portugal, United Kingdom;

Examples of collaboration with other stakeholders: Disability services and parents groups are members of Inclusion Ireland: All Inclusion Ireland information disseminated to members; Inclusion Ireland staff available to members for talks on many issues; Ongoing work with Government Agencies, particularly Citizens Information Board (CIB): Advocacy and Accessible Information; Accessible Information work includes transferring factsheets on housing etc. into easy to read;

Important to know what rights available; Why information provision is important in the context of prevention of discrimination: Important to know what rights available; Important that information accessible; Example of Inclusion Ireland providing information: European Commission provided funding for several projects under ‘Burning Issues’ scheme; Money Workshops for people with an intellectual disability;

Queries received into Inclusion Ireland Office (excluding cases): The total number of queries received in 2008 was 1,665     COMMON QUERIES: The following is a list of the most common areas of information requests to Inclusion Ireland: Advocacy Allowances/Legislation Capacity & Consent issues Education Health Charges Housing/Transport Inclusion Ireland publications/booklets Information on Inclusion Ireland (including Membership) Information Talks/Stands/Training Media Relationships and Sexuality Socialising Services Standards Training/Employment Voting

Thank you! Contact details: INCLUSION IRELAND Unit C2 the Steelworks, Foley St., Dublin 1 00 353 (0)1 855 9891 info@inclusionireland.ie www.inclusionireland.ie