Journey to Independent Living: Achieving Equality through Direct Payments
Máiríde Woods, writer, researcher, AT Board member
Was a parent of a daughter with a disability
Involved in parents’ organisations and with St Michael’s House
Ex Citizens Information Board – Advocacy Section
AT Board member’s perspective
Ideas about Equality
How to treat people equally & fairly:same treatment in some situationssimilar opportunities in most situationssupport in other situations> equality of participation
Equal compared to whom?
Is equal opportunity enough?
Principles of dignity, respect & as much autonomy as possible > managing your own care package
Equality and diversity – on AT’s Board----------------------------Who should be on a Board?
People who think like us?
Accountants? Solicitors? Other specialists? Just people with disabilities? Other minorities?AT’s board has a variety of members who are committed to choice & independence for people with disabilities.
Oversight
Corporate governance
Responsibility
Reports
Grant applications
Meetings
Boards:engine and/or brakes?
Ordered Finances
Keeping to commitments
Encouragement
More meetings…
More reports…
Hard truths & priorities
Reminder of life being the art of the possible…
Getting new concepts to work
Enthusiasm for greater independence
Demonstrating benefits through enablingefficient management of direct payments
Managing direct payments gives the person with disabilities an active role in decisions about priorities within his own company
Individual choices can be catered for – e.g. more PA time for pigeon-fancying, less for cleaning
Person with disabilities becomes a sub-manager rather than a recipient
Role model effect is considerable in changing perceptions
Opportunity to learn in respectful dealings with funders.
Designing models of independent living is a learning experience & one where people need sensitive support. As a support organisation, AT is building greater competence & efficiency in people with disabilities who have started to run their own services, having formed their own small companies.
AT demonstrates the power of peer support services that are respectful of the person’s moves towards independent living & which use natural supports (family, friends).
Services need to be simplified -complexity excludes!
Walking the walk requires changeLots of policy documents wax lyrical about:
• direct payments• participation on an equal
basis
• consultation with people with disabilities
• control & choice
• changing role of service provider
• variety of service provision
…of person with disabilities & of funding bodies
..competence, hard work & judgment on part of person managing own service.
trust & professionalism from funder (HSE) personal support, advice & mentoring from Support body (AT)
high governance standards from Board
Those who do not learn from clichés are destined to repeat them…
By going out & doing it, you are showing that it can be done!