Over the last five years, the Kerry Network of People with Disabilities has found that the lack of real data and information about the needs and concerns of people with disabilities locally has hindered progress in terms of local development and participation by and for people with disabilities. This experience is not unique in Kerry. The Report of the Commission for the Status of People with Disabilities, A Strategy for Equality (1996), stated that:
"…there are a number of important gaps in the Irish data …which limit the effectiveness of public policy in this area. Statistical information is needed in order to plan and evaluate the provision of special services for people with disability and, where appropriate, their carers; and strategies to increase the opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in generally available services and opportunities."
Based on this experience we identified the urgent need for comprehensive information about the extent and nature of the needs of people with disabilities living in Kerry. Together with Brian Dillon, Research Director, Nexus Research Co-operative, we built on the capacity of the Network itself to design the research, to undertake the needs assessment, input and interpret the data collected and most importantly to develop the recommendations for future action. A number of Network members, with the help of training, were centrally involved in the field-work, analysis and interpretation of the research results.
The research process itself was very important to us. The entire process, from initial training, to administering the questionnaires, to understanding the implications of results, to following through on addressing the needs identified have and will continue to centrally involve Network members.
We firmly believe that both the model and process we used for designing and doing the research will encourage other Networks and organisations to actively involve people with disabilities and build their capacity to assess their own needs and develop their own appropriate responses.
The recommendations arising from our research presented in this summary document are, we believe, practical, feasible and should be considered as effective strategies for immediate action. The Kerry Network looks forward to developing real equal opportunities for people with disabilities locally. We can now do so, by continuing our work, on an informed basis with the local statutory, community, voluntary and development agencies.
As Chairperson of the Kerry Network of People with Disabilities, I would to like thank most sincerely each and every person who took part in Visualising Inclusion, especially the 104 people we interviewed. I would also like to acknowledge the huge commitment and enthusiasm of each and every member of the Kerry Network Research Team, our office administration and support staff, Brian Dillon of Nexus Research Co-operative and all the agencies and organisations who funded Visualising Inclusion.
Jacqui Browne, Chairperson, Kerry Network of People with Disabilities in Ireland
Table of Contents of Newsletter 10