REAP: ÁT Annual Event 2014

Realising Equality through Active Participation

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3rd December 2014

9.30am to 4.30pm

Davenport Hotel, Merrion Street, Dublin 2

Held to coincide with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, this event from Áiseanna Tacaíochta (ÁT) examined the evolution and lived experience of Independent Living and Direct Payments for people with disabilities in Ireland, and the ways in which society can come together in solidarity to promote equality and active citizenship for all.

Exploring the concepts and context of Independent Living, the event marked a day of great insight and possibility, forging new ways to securing true inclusion and equality for everyone. Minister for Equality, Aodhán O’Ríordáin TD, opened the day, with Sara Burke, well-known journalist, researcher and policy analyst, acting as our chair.

They were joined by an exciting range of speakers from a diverse range of backgrounds and interests; to see the full line-up of speakers and sessions at REAP, just click on the following link to access the event brochure: Realising Equality through Active Participation | Event Brochure

At ÁT, we are challenging society to move towards a more fair, equal and inclusive future for all.  Everything we do is underpinned by the values of human rights and Independent Living, and your attendance at this event represented another step forward to making this the reality for all.

Videos

You can now watch back on all of the presentations and discussions from the event by visiting our Youtube channel, ATfisean, or by clicking here to browse through them.

Presentations

Some of the excellent presentations from the various sessions at the event can be downloaded by clicking on the links below:

Journey to Independent Living: Achieving Equality Through Direct Payments

Mairide Woods – Perspective of an ÁT Board member

Supporting Innovation and change through the ÁT Model

Sheila Marshall – Area Operations Manager, Health Service Executive (HSE) North Dublin

Madeline Clarke – Executive Director of Genio

Michael Doyle – Director of Assisted Living Services, Irish Wheelchair Association 

Afternoon Address

Maria Walls – National Manager at the National Advocacy Service

Building Support Networks and Promoting Active Participation

Jacinta Fortune – ÁT Member

 Helen Lahert – Member of a Circle of Support

The Future: Visions of an Equal and Inclusive Society for All

Patrick Flanagan – Communications Graduate

Lynda Stopford – Director of the School for Social Entrepreneurs Ireland

Martin Naughton and Orlaith Grehan – ÁT

Photos

To take a look at some of what went on at the event, just click here to flick through our photos of the day.

Information

For more information on the event, please contact info@atnetwork.com or call the ÁT office on 01 525 0707.  All media queries should be directed to Orlaith Grehan on 086 183 1502 or by emailing orlaith@theatnetwork.com.

Image by stockimages used with courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net