Mr Flanagan,
It is with anger and sadness that Disabled Women Ireland learned of the imminent closure of the National Platform of Self Advocates. It is entirely unacceptable that a state which spends a significant amount on “disability issues” fails to find and adapt funding for the sole organisation which is led by people with intellectual disabilities themselves.
From our own perspective, the Platform were one of the first organisations to reach out to us when we started. We are grateful for their solidarity, and we will support them always. We were to look at meeting to discuss our work once the pressing issue of their funding was sorted out. We have been in operation for nearly two years, and the Platform have been diligently working towards securing funding since. They should have been able to focus on their advocacy work in that time.
As a disabled persons organisation, we understand and appreciate the importance of self-advocacy. As disabled people, we have faced parents groups, medical staff and service providers speaking for us. As disabled women, trans and non-binary people we have experienced cis disabled men speaking for us. We know there is no replacement for advocating for yourself. People with intellectual disabilities have been spoken over for decades – and the platform have become a powerful voice in advocating for themselves and their peers.
In the event the platform are left to drown, without the promised life ring,
It will be difficult to avoid the perception that Ireland is hostile towards DPOs in the event that the National Platform is let cease to exist, and a poor reflection on our elected representatives that they fail to understand the importance of maintaining DPOs.
Disabled people are more than a photo opportunity on December 3rd or election time. Disability Rights can’t be realised if our voices aren’t heard.
Yours
Disabled Women Ireland
Mairead Boland-Brabazon CEO /Leader L’Arche Ireland
Letter to Minister Flangan re National Platform from Mairead Boland-Brabazon
Donna McNamara
Dear Minister Flanagan, I am writing to you as a former constituent to express my deep concern at the news that The National Platform of Self Advocates is being forced to close due to lack of funding. I implore you to consider urgent action in this regard as the...
Tony Gapper
Dear Minister Flanagan, The closure of the National Platform of Self Advocates in January 2020 is simply an outrage, due to alleged funding concerns; which is run by individuals with intellectual disabilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities. For those...
Jyrki Pinomaa – President Inclusion Europe
To Minister for Justice, Mr. Charlie Flanagan The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) clearly states that all people with disabilities have the right to be included in the community. The motto of the international disability...
Karen O’Shea
Dear Mr Flanagan From its very beginning the National Platform of Self- Advocates has sought to be an independent voice for people with disabilities and is unique in what it offers in this country. The Platform have researched, campaigned and offered their experience...
Richard Patterson
Dear Minister Flanagan, I am writing in relation to the recent announcement on the day referred to by social model of disability advocates and activists as International Day of Disabled People that the National Platform of Self Advocates “will be closing down [its]...
Inclusion Ireland
Letter from Inclusion Ireland to the Minister for Justice and Equality
Charlotte May-Simera
Dear Ministers, I am writing to express my serious concern about the recent announcement of the National Platform that they must cease their activities due to a lack of funding. This is the only independent advocacy organization, established over the last 8 years,...
Edel McSharry
Dear Minister Flanagan, I am writing to you with regard to the National Platform of Self Advocates. As I’m sure you are aware, the National Platform is having to make the decision to close in the New Year, due to a lack of funding. It is essential that this does not...
Emma Burns
Dear Minister Flanagan, I’m writing to protest the imminent closure of the National Platform of Self-Advocates and to ask you to intervene to prevent the blow to disability rights in Ireland that this loss represents. Ireland was one of the last state parties to...
Mark Kealy
Dear Minister, I am dismayed to learn that the National Platform of Self-Advocates have been forced to announce they are ceasing operations from January due to an absence of funding and support for their work. I have been involved with advocacy groups since the 1980's...
Centre for Disability Law and Policy
Centre for Disability Law and Policy, Institute for Lifecourse and Society, Dangan, North Campus NUI Galway. info.cdlp@nuigalway.ie 6th December 2019 FAO: Minister Charlie Flanagan CC: Minister Finian McGrath RE: Letter of support NPSA The Centre for Disability Law...
Adrian Carroll
Dear Minister Flanagan, I am writing to you to express my concerns regarding the impending closure of the National Platform of Self-Advocates, a national organisation led by people with intellectual disabilities to represent the voice of people with intellectual...
Maria Walls
Dear Minister Flanagan, I am deeply disappointed at the lack of on-going funding to support the extremely important work of the National Platform of Self Advocates. Similar groups exist in all other jurisdictions some called People First. They need adequate on-going...
Paula Brennan
Dear Minister Flanagan, I am writing to you with regard to the National Platform of Self Advocates. As I’m sure you are aware, the National Platform is having to make the decision to close in the New Year, due to a lack of funding. It is essential that this does not...
Shelley Gaynor -ILMI
Dear Minster I am writing to you in relation to closure of National advocacy Platform. As the Former chairperson of Independent Living Movement ILMI. I know firsthand of the importance of having a disabled persons organisation to hear the true authentic voice of...
Desmond Aston – INHEF
This is a pdf of the letter written by Des Aston, chairperson of the Inclusive National Higher Education Forum.
Helen McGloin
Dear Minister Flanagan, I am urging you to engage with the stakeholders in the true spirit of partnership as suggested below by my colleague Susan Carton and ensure that this service and the valuable network and support is not lost. Best wishes Helen McGloin PhD...
Carmel Jennings
Dear Minister Flanagan, I am writing to let you know of my huge disappointment at the closing down of the National Platform of Self Advocates due to lack of funding. How can you justify this decision? Functioning democracy depends on citizens having equal rights and...
Fiona Walsh
Dear Minister McGrath, I am writing to you to raise awareness of the importance of funding Disabled Peoples Organisations (DPO’s) and especially regarding the position of the National Platform of Self Advocates (http://hsv.digitalclare.com/) which has stated it cannot...
Catherine O’Leary
Dear Minister Flanagan, I write to express my disappointment at the announced closure of the National Platform of Self Advocates, Ireland's only Disabled Persons Organization (DPO) operated by those with intellectual disability. The consultation and involvement of...
Susan Carton
Dear Minister Flanagan, I am writing to you with regard to the National Platform of Self Advocates. As I’m sure you are aware, the National Platform is having to make the decision to close in the New Year, due to a lack of funding. It is essential that this does not...
Sarah Lennon
Dear Minister Flanagan, I am writing to you with dismay at the news that the National Platform of Self Advocates is to close after almost 9 years due to a lack of funding. The Platform has been a critical voice for people with intellectual disabilities in Ireland, a...
Letter from the Clare Public Participation Network
The Clare Public Participation Network sent a letter calling for urgent support for the National Platform of Self Advocates to Minister Charlie Flanagan. This is a pdf of the letter.
Inclusion Europe – Irish self-advocacy organisation closing down for lack of funding: “This is truly unacceptable!“
Yesterday, the Irish “National Platform of Self Advocates“, an independent self-advocacy organisation, announced they will be closing down due to a lack of funding. According to the platform, after having received financial aid by a philanthropic organisation, the...