Clare disability rights activists are calling for ‘life changing legislation” to be established as a matter of urgency
A large crowd of demonstrators assembled at the Daniel O’Connell monument in Ennis this afternoon, in an effort to see personal assistant devices for those living with disabilities enshrined into Irish Law.
“We won’t let you pass us out , nothing about us without us” was the rallying call from the many disability activists who took to the streets in Ennis demanding equal treatment and full consultation from policy makers on the decisions that affect their daily lives.
The protest was organised by the Clare Leader Forum in a bid to see the right to personal assistance services enshrined into Irish law.
Under article five of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, ratified by Ireland in 2018 , disabled persons are entitled to the services of a personal assistant upon request.
However no directive has yet been implemented to bring the scheme to fruition in this country.
Clare Leader forum member & Ennistymon native Trish McNamara was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 22 years ago , Trish says the lack of essential supports have deprived her of an independent life.
Demonstrators also voiced their concerns over what they described as the knock on effects of the personal assistance shortage.
Just last month a Freedom of Information Request issued by the Disabilities Federation of Ireland showed that 1,200 people under the age of 65 were living in nursing homes across the country.
Meanwhile for the 643,000 persons living with disabilities in Ireland, the unemployment rate within the community currently stands at 26.3%.
Former Confidential recipient with the HSE & Thalidomide survivor, Leigh Gath believes people with disabilities are being denied an equal chance at life.
You can listen to demonstrators speaking at the protest in Ennis below.
