Mayo disability group outlines aims at launch

Ballina has hosted the launch of the Mayo Disabled People's Organisation (DPO), an organisation “led by disabled people, for disabled people” to act as a collective voice for disabled people across the county.

The launch at the Great National Hotel was attended by group members, the wider community, TDs, and councillors.

Avril Greham, chairperson, says she wants to see barriers across society broken down for disabled people.

“It is about removing the real barriers of disability, the invisible barriers, the employment barriers, transport, society... they are the real barriers of disability, not our individual impairments.

“With the rise of DPOs, it is now about taking back the power and adding the lived experiences and disabled voices at the forefront.” 

“The cost of disability payment is a big one for the Government this year. There is also the review of the Disability Act 2005. We are working on a submission for that," said Ms Greham.

“It is coming back to conversations over procreation and predesign."

She added: “The disability community is probably one of the largest communities globally, but it is probably one of the easiest to join. You can become impaired or disabled at any point.” 

Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary confirmed there will be a cost of disability payment in Tuesday's Budget but admitted it will take time to see changes once they are implemented.

“The actual design of the payment and the rollout of the payment will be something I want to do with the organisations and the DPOs to get their input into that," said Deputy Calleary.

He admitted: “We have one of the worst employment disability gaps in the European Union in Ireland. I have worked really hard in trying to address that and trying to take some of the blockages out of that."