Summer school hears of disabled people’s needs
A STIMULATING debate about disability inclusion in Ireland was held during the Kennedy Summer School.
The debate featured contributions from Pádraig Naughton, Arts & Disability Ireland; Elizabeth Whyte, Wexford Arts Centre and Senator John Dolan. Senator Dolan said: ‘Our National Disability Inclusion Strategy is at best a naive and half-hearted attempt at addressing the most serious issues facing the disability community.’
He said the lived experience of people with disabilities is a rich source for further and deeper exploration of what it is to be human. ‘Someone with a disability is surrounded with many sharp edges that arrest lazy and untested assumptions. They surface the core question as to what is the inherent value of life. How does one hold on to, or develop or lose authenticity in a world where one faces so much misunderstanding or prejudice from others. Others who might be described as more “front than substance”.’
He said the arts often reflect and express truths played out, often unconsciously, in the daily lives of people. Mr Dolan said the new strategy shows no ambition to tackle the extent of core issues. ‘ The strategy sets no targets to reduce the growing poverty levels; it ignores 1,200 young people, under 65, permanently living in nursing homes because the community supports are not provided. It also ignores the glaring fact that social housing needs have increased over the past four years and that employment rates are less than half those of the rest of the population. This strategy fails to recognise that a whole range of public services are not accessible to people with disabilities, such as public transport and broadcasting. Our Government needs to have the imagination to see people with disabilities as truly human.’
He said the minister with responsibility for the Arts, Minister Humphries, needs to smooth the way for artistic endeavour by people with disabilities.