Mr. Paul Alford:

Good afternoon and thank you for inviting me to speak here today. I work for Inclusion Ireland. The committee asked me to talk about rights and how they can be supported. I lived in an institution for 32 and a half years, where I was told what do all the time and people thought I would not be able to live on my own. When I started working at Inclusion Ireland, I could not read or write because I left school very young as it was thought I could not learn anything. I asked at work for a course and went to the adult learning centre. By getting support I can now read, use computers and do online banking. My doctor knows how to explain things to me about my health in a way I understand. I have also learned how to keep my house tidy, cook and fix problems.

I tell people my story so others can learn about their rights and how you can change your life if you speak up. People do not see us having a life after school, being able to learn things, get a job or go to college. This needs to change. People should have the same hopes for disabled people as they do for everyone else because with the right support, we can have a good life. Respecting our rights has to start early, when we are children. Disabled people should be able to go to their local school with their siblings, friends and neighbours. This was not the case when I was a child and sadly it is still not the case today. Many children do not go to school with their brothers and sisters and have to go to a school far away from their home. Nearly 90% of teachers in a recent survey by Inclusion Ireland said that some children should not be in their local schools. Only 14% of children said they were enjoying school.

We also need to be seen as experts in our own lives and be listened to by families, professionals, Government, media and all other people.

Too often, we are not invited to events and group discussions and when we are, they are not accessible and we find it hard to take part. Some people have higher support needs. For example, people who are non-speaking will need someone who knows them well to support them and these might be non-disabled people, like a support worker or family member. If we do not accept this, we are excluding them and treating them unfairly. The supporter is as important as any other reasonable accommodation. We need to be listened to, be given the support we need to participate and work together to remove the barriers. All voices matter. Our voices, our choices and nothing about us without us, at the end of the day.