the active community: living local engagement

The Active Community: Living Local Engagement

Maureen Browne and Deborah Hickey, Step Forward Disability Group, Hospital Family Resource Centre (FRC), County Limerick.

DFI National Conference 2014: Citizen Engagement - Local Government for Local People


Step Forward Why the group exists.

All of the group either have a disability, care for a family member with a disability or have an interest in disability issues; Step Forward Disability Group has being active in the community for over 11 years.


Step ForwardThe group meets twice a month and is most grateful to

Hospital Family Resource Centre Rural Bus for Transport HSE West for funding


Why Step Forward Group Disability Group came together

To be involved with others who have a disability to share experiences and access supports.

All live in rural communities in Limerick and Cork and have experienced the unique isolation that people with disabilities encounter living in small towns & rural areas.


Step ForwardThe aims of the group are: To create a greater awareness in general of the existence and

needs of those with disabilities. To change attitudes to disability & raise accessibility to an

acceptable standard for all. To raise awareness of the issues impacting people with

disabilities at local, regional and national level to influence change.

Access support & learn from each other.


Step Forward – Values We believe all people should be treated equally and with

respect and unconditional acceptance.


Step Forward – Strategy To train ourselves To share information To lobby national governing bodies To raise awareness of the issues that impact people with

disabilities in the community. To network with other groups at a local, regional and

national level.


Step Forward – Committee Involvement Management committee of Hospital Family Resource

Centre. DFI & HSE Mid West Regional Disability Sub Committee. Ballyhoura Development Ltd. Mobile IT. Rainbows Volunteer. Disability Advocacy Steering committee.


Work completed by the group over the last 11 years…. Ongoing capacity building within the group. Campaign to raise awareness on access issues with footpaths and parking. Election Manifesto - Local & National. Community access audits. Presentation to Limerick County Council. National VISPA Award for accessible community services.


Work to date continued. Work with local TY Students to share learning around disabilities. Position Papers: Rural Transport, HSE cutbacks, need for more Trust and Accountability in the Disability Sector. Social Events, Day Trips etc. Information events: mental health, disability advocacy, citizen’s information.


Step Forward – The Future To support existing members of the group and welcome

new members as the needs arise. To continue to raise awareness on issues which impact on

people with disabilities: cut backs to services, closure of post offices, banks, shops, rural transport etc.

To continue to access supports from Hospital Family Resource Centre, Rural Bus and HSE West.

To work to ensure the group is maintained and developed going forward so that it grows stronger in the future.

Step Forward Disability Group

Thank you

Any Questions?

the active community: living local engagement

Documents