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This article was first published on August 22nd, 2008. Advocacy service for people with disabilities in Co. Monaghan The advocacy service for people with disabilities in Co. Monaghan provides one to one advocacy support for people of all ages and all disabilities in Co. Monaghan. The service is free, confidential and independent of all other service providers. The purpose of this service is to empower people with disabilities in the county to have their voices heard in all matters concerning their welfare and well-being. In the past 6 months a total of 59 people have accessed the advocacy service for people with disabilities. No two cases are ever the same and everyone’s needs and wishes are addressed on a case by case basis. Examples of how the advocacy service can support you. The nature of advocacy support provision ranges from support filling in appropriate forms/applications that may be causing stress to the person with the disability or their family/carer. The role of the advocate in this instance is to provide reassurance and guidance with this procedure. The advocate will also provide (at the person’s request) a letter of support to strengthen their application for whatever welfare or entitlement for which they are applying. Where a person with a disability has made an unsuccessful application, the advocate will provide support with the appeals procedure (support with letter writing, provision of supporting letter, attendance with the person at the appeals hearing etc.). The advocacy service is also available to provide support to people with disabilities to live in accommodation that is suitable for their needs. This may involve support with grant applications through the County Council/HSE or may involve negotiations with service providers to provide appropriate supported accommodation for people with disabilities wanting to return to live in the community. The service also deals with any situation whereby a person with a disability feels that they are being discriminated against on the grounds of disability. This may be in relation to physical access to services, employment, education, health, transport etc. In the past 6 months the most common form of support (38 people) provided has been in relation to welfare and entitlements. A further 34 people required support in relation to their housing needs. Health service provision (e.g. support with accessing Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy etc.) was a query for 16 people accessing the advocacy service. The role of the disability advocate is extremely diverse. As stated previously, no two cases are the same, and all queries are listened to and referred to appropriate services or supported by the disability advocate. For more information please contact:
Pauline McKenna (Disability Advocate) |
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