Annual Report 2005 - The National Disability Authority
Annual Report 2005 - The National Disability Authority
Annual Report 2005 - The National Disability Authority
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<strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2005</strong><br />
Childhood and <strong>Disability</strong>: Inclusion in the mainstream<br />
This conference in November considered various aspects of childhood, including<br />
children with disabilities in education and in leisure activities. Speakers from Ireland<br />
(North and South), Scotland, England and Wales outlined how each country provides<br />
for the education of children with special educational needs. Aspects of the inclusion of<br />
children with disabilities in games and leisure reading activities were also considered.<br />
<strong>The</strong> conference was opened by Minister Brian Lenihan, T.D. Mary Davis, CEO of Special<br />
Olympics, Ireland, spoke about the benefits of physical education and sport for children<br />
with a disability. <strong>The</strong> conference attracted almost three hundred delegates, among them<br />
service providers, policy makers and parents and carers of persons with a disability.<br />
Proceedings of the 2004 conference were launched under the title “Student Journeys:<br />
<strong>The</strong> Special Education Routes” at the event.<br />
Women and Mental Health Conference<br />
<strong>The</strong> NDA co-hosted a conference on women and mental health with the Women’s<br />
Health Council in February, resulting in the Council’s publication Women and Mental<br />
Health: Promoting a Gendered Approach to Policy and Service Provision. <strong>The</strong><br />
conference proceedings included keynote addresses by Dr Mary Seeman and Professor<br />
Emerita, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Ms Mary O’Shea, and Ms Brid<br />
Clarke, Mental Health Commission.<br />
Supporting the Development of European<br />
Guidelines for the use of Assistive Technology<br />
(AT) Applications.<br />
Technology and, more importantly, assistive technology, plays a crucial role in helping<br />
people with disabilities achieve their full potential, overcome barriers and achieve equal<br />
opportunities.<br />
<strong>The</strong> NDA, together with the Central Remedial Clinic are partners in a European<br />
project (Keeping Pace with Assistive Technology) that aims to improve the current<br />
situation as regards the training of professionals in assistive technology. Training has<br />
long been identified as a key area for action in order to tackle the relative weaknesses<br />
in the provision and planning of assistive technology. Professionals in health, social<br />
and educational services are expected to play a key role in responding to the needs of<br />
people with disabilities.<br />
Guidelines for involvement of people with<br />
disabilities<br />
Strategic Partnership Guide: Good Practice in Working with People<br />
with Experience of Mental Health Difficulties<br />
<strong>The</strong> Strategic Partnership Guide, launched in June <strong>2005</strong>, builds on the NDA’s earlier<br />
guidance in its Ask Me: Guidelines for Effective Consultation with People with<br />
Disabilities, and advice from the NDA’s Mental Health Advisory Committee. <strong>The</strong> NDA<br />
commissioned the Guide from the University of Teeside, England, and the Institute for<br />
Mental Health Recovery. <strong>The</strong> Guide includes 12 principles for effective partnership,<br />
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