“A Day in the Life” A national cross-disability and mental health public event

There was over-whelming support for the national cross-disability and mental health public event “A Day in the Life”, which took place in Dublin city centre on Monday 19^th April 2010. It is the first time that 16 key organisations from across the disability and mental health sectors in Ireland have joined forces to express solidarity for the transition to individualised supports for people with disabilities and mental health difficulties in Ireland.

Delegates had the opportunity to learn first-hand from the lived experiences of people with disabilities and mental health difficulties who spoke in-person at the event and also through video footage screened during the day.

This was complemented by presentations from individuals and organisations providing perspectives on the strategic and implementation challenges involved in transitioning from group or institutional settings to individualised supports.

Minister John Moloney T.D. addressed the audience on the day and spoke compellingly of the government’s commitment to driving innovation and progress in support of the transition from traditional institutional settings to supported living within local communities.

The event also featured experience from abroad, with a presentation from Thorkil Sonne, a native of Copenhagen and founder of Specialist People Foundation, who spoke about his work in developing meaningful job opportunities, which harness the unique skills of people with autism.

Madeleine Clarke, Executive Director of Genio says, “The success of this event highlights the commitment of individuals and organisations throughout the country towards self-directed, individualised supports for people with disabilities and mental health difficulties in Ireland. It’s important now to build on this momentum and accelerate the availability of these opportunities.”

This event was facilitated by Genio and supported by Atlantic Philanthropies.

www.genio.ie