Mr. Peter Kearns:

I thank Mr. McGrath.

I will continue the presentation by mentioning disability equality training for statutory bodies. DPOs tend to talk about disability equality training, not disability awareness training. This training is based on the social model of disability and on equality and human rights for and with disabled people. It aims to inform policy and practices and embed approaches to ensure the active participation of disabled people in society. From the DPO Network perspective, disability equality training should be delivered by a disabled person who has the professional and lived experiences in a paid capacity. Ideally it is a disabled activist who is actively involved in a DPO that can provide follow-on support to a statutory body.

I will finish by speaking about investing in DPOs to ensure implementation of the UNCRPD. Ireland’s obligations under the UNCRPD are to ensure the State invests in policies, practices, and supports to include disabled people in society as equals. Central to the effective implementation of the UNCRPD in Ireland will be the full and effective participation of disabled people in the design, delivery and monitoring of policy at a local, regional and national level. The Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has made clear that State parties have broad responsibilities relating to funding and building capacity of DPOs, including disabled women and children, to enable them to fulfil their consultative and monitoring roles under the convention. This can only be done through strategic, multi-annual investment in DPOs. It would allow us to create spaces for disabled people to work collectively together; to identify what structures to engage in that maximise our time and effort - sometimes voluntary time; and to bring collective policies to influence structures such as the PPNs. Investing in DPOs would also allow us to lead consultations with disabled people and to nominate our representatives to bring our voice to the table. The UNCRPD cannot be implemented locally, regionally, or nationally without investment. It is time to ensure disabled people are resourced collectively to have our voices heard. It is time for “nothing about us without us” to become a reality.

I thank the committee. Mr. McGrath and I will be glad to answer any questions.