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The Disability Focus Group

The Disability Focus group was formed in December 2001 as result of a public meeting hosted by the Dublin Community Forum to discuss the inclusion of disability related issues in the preparation of a Development Strategy for Dublin City, subsequently titled “Dublin - A City of Possibilities 2002-2012 ”. The overall aim of the Disability Focus Group is to promote the development of policies, actions and ways of working to seek to ensure the full involvement and inclusion of all people, including people with disabilities, in the roll-out of the Dublin City Development Board's strategy.

Main objectives

• To raise awareness of disability related issues and concerns within Dublin City.

• To promote the development of policies, strategies and ways of working that show best practise in the inclusion of the requirement of all people, including disabled people, in the work of statutory, community and voluntary organisations within Dublin City.

• To develop and maintain membership of the Disability Focus Group.

• To promote consultation with, and involvement of, people with disabilities in the roll out of the Development Strategy for Dublin City.
  

Groups and organisations currently represented on the Disability Focus Group

• The Irish Wheelchair Association
• The Centre for Independent Living
• The National Council for the Blind of Ireland
• The Ballyfermot Advocacy Services
• MS Ireland
• Disability Mainstream Access Project
• BADIG – Ballymun Active Disability Interest Group
• PWDI – People with Disabilities IRL ltd
• NTDI – National Institute for Training and Development
• Ballyfermot /Chapelizod Partnership
• Chapelizod Residents Association
• The Walkinstown Association
• Cheshire Outreach Services
• The Rehab Group
• Individuals who represent themselves
  

Disability Inclusion Protocol 2010

Working Towards Disability Inclusion document  pdf | 769KB Chartpdf | 430KB Bibliography / References pdf | 778KB

Room to Manoeuvre 2009

This short film (20 minutes) was commissioned by the Dublin City Community Forum’s Disability Focus Group to inform planners, designers, and especially policy makers, about issues that arise within the home around the space requirements of wheelchair users.  It was produced by DCTV (Dublin Community Television) in conjunction with the Disability Focus Group of the Dublin Community Forum and the input of relevant professionals.

Room to Manouevrefrom DCTVon Vimeo.

The DVD highlights:
· The implications for a family in a situation where the husband / father has developed a significant disability and where their existing home has to be adapted to suit his reduced mobility so that he can continue in his role as both husband and father.
· The clear connection between the health and well-being of both the person with a disability, their family, and having adequate facilities / space within the home.
· The necessity to take advice from an Occupational Therapist.
· The high cost of adaptation and raises the question of how people with disabilities, being among the majority of population on a low or medium income, can afford adaptations essential to their needs.
· The necessity to plan for long-term need when someone has a progressive condition so that he/she can continue to do the ordinary everyday things with ease.

Our hopes are that the DVD will be both useful to and influence planners, designers, architects, and especially those with responsibility for policy.

We hope that the DVD will also inform discussion:

A) Among both public representatives, policy makers, planners and housing providers around how best to meet the housing needs of people with disabilities which will hopefully lead to appropriate decision making and action.
 
B) That takes account of the relative costs of providing the necessary space and facilities when new housing is being built and also the substantial cost of adapting existing houses at a later stage.

For further information or for a copy of the DVD, please contact the Disability Focus Group, contact details below.

The Reality of the Regulations 2006

The Reality of the Regulations is a short film, which highlights the difficulties encountered by people with disabilities who use electric wheelchairs, when using "regulation" sized Accessible Toilets. The DVD was a visual submission made to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the Review of Part M of the Building Regulations in 2006.

For further information or for a copy of the DVD, please contact the Disability Focus Group, contact details below.

Projects and activities that the Disability Focus Group is and has been involved in

Protocol for Inclusion
The Disability Focus Group is presently working on a design and layout for a Protocol for Inclusion, which will be presented to the Dublin City Development Board later this year (2009) for adoption. This protocol will be distributed throughout the City. 

Access Issues
During 2006 and 2007 the Disability Focus Group continued its focus on access to services and facilities in the City through meetings with the Dublin City Business Association; continued lobbying of various Dublin City Council Departments in relation to access issues on O’Connell Street and Busaras, and the planned introduction of advertising hoardings around the City.

Loos and Doors DVD
"Loos and Doors" was the title of a visual submission to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the Review of Part M of the Building Regulations in 2006.

Presentations and Training
The Disability Focus Group has made several presentations to the Dublin City Development Board on the National Disability Strategy and has hosted several disability awareness/equality training sessions for Dublin City Council staff members.

Best Practise Award
A "Best Practice Award" was initiated by the Disability Focus Group in recognition of services incorporating awareness of disability in their work. Two awards have been presented to date, one to the Dublin Sports and Recreation Council (DSRC), which is a Focus Group of the Dublin Community Forum, for their development of an Inclusion Protocol; and one to "Cluid" Housing Association / DCC Housing & Residential Services Department for their development of an Integrated Housing Project in Chapelizod.

Access Checklist
In 2004 the Disability Focus Group also designed and distributed an Access Checklist, which provided practical advice on why and how groups can improve access to their premises. This checklist was forwarded to over 1000 voluntary groups throughout the City.

Design for All Exhibition
In 2003 a "Design for All Exhibition" was hosted by the Disability Focus Group in partnership with the OPW, demonstrating how consultation and design solutions can achieve inclusive accessibility.