Post on 17-Dec-2015
The Mayo Advocacy Service for
People with Disabilities
Advocacy Officer: Clare O’NeillTel: 094 9060371 087 2266023
mayo.disabilityadvocate@citinfo.ie
The Mayo Advocacy Service
for
People with Disabilities
One of 52 projects funded by Citizens Information Board (Comhairle)
Working with people from all disabilities groups living in the community
Based at Citizens Information Centre
Managed by a Steering Committee (Reps from disability service providers, DFI, HSE and Mayo Co Co)
The Advocacy Service
Assists people
to claim their entitlements,
to access services,
be taken seriously
and
have their voices heard
Based on the principals of:
Empowerment (choice and influence)
Respect for the client’s wishes
Act in the clients best interest
Act independently
Confidentiality
Act diligently and competently
The Mayo Advocacy Service is represented locally..
Local Social Policy group (CIS) Mayo Co Co led Disability Forum Mayo Co Co rep - steering Committee Mayo Co Co – Internal Access Committee HSE led Physical and Sensory Planning group Ballina and Castlebar Community Network
Groups Ballinrobe Disability Forum
The Mayo Advocacy Service Experience
The issues that challenge the service, including examples.
How can we work better together
Challenges
Understanding the role
of an Advocate
Challenges Lack of information and clarity
Housing list, points system, scheme of letting priorities
Inflexibility of the system
Challenges
Address the specific needs of the client e.g. Child with autism Disability not always = physical
disability
Challenges
Communication: Volume of written correspondence and calls Personal and family information FOI file - not reflective, calls not recorded 6 weeks to arrange meeting – no decision
makers at the meeting 2.5 years – one meeting with senior decision
maker 6 months of phone calls and correspondence to
the engineer in charge, one of two small jobs completed
Challenges
Language
Delays in delivery of service Time it takes to resolve issues Inflexibility Impact on people with disabilities
Repetition of issues
Reasons to be cheerful… Individuals are very
helpful Positive change for
clients Continuous learning
and improvement Improved working
relationship
Positive examples: Traveller family
with three people with disabilities
Couple with ID Father with
physical disability
How we can work better together Think people not systems Give clients the opportunity to be listened to
and taken seriously The Advocacy service knows the client - asset
to resolve issues Seek solutions Training Joint training between agencies
(Customer service – a social policy issue)
The Mayo Advocacy Service for
People with Disabilities
Advocacy Officer: Clare O’NeillTel: 094 9060371 087 2266023
mayo.disabilityadvocate@citinfo.ie