ILMI E-Bulletin June 12th 2020

These platforms are an opportunity for you to stay socially connected and find out information on supports and services in your local community. We have guest speakers from mainstream services that provide information and talk about what is available to you during COVID-19 and beyond.

It is hoped that the community platforms will provide a response to the challenge of social isolation caused by COVID-19, through creating a shared social space for the voices of local disabled adults. If you would like to register to take part in any of these community platforms then please contact any of the ILMI or ONSIDE staff teams through info@ilmi.ie

Minding Your Emotional Wellbeing

Photo Damien O'Reilly receiving his Certificate of Completion following the CBT programme completion.

ONSIDE programme participants have now completed their Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) programme for stress and anxiety. Qualified CBT Therapist Maria Whelan brought a practical approach and holistic view towards emotional wellbeing and physical health n relation to current health crisis. We hope all participants found the course useful.

Yoga Class

Our yoga class with expert Kieran O'Neill continues on Thursday's at 12pm. The focus is on yoga, mobility and toning exercises, which will help focus: the mind, body soul with stretching and breathing exercises; loosening your the body and easing any build of stress the body is holding on to; and building up strength and endurance in the working muscles. If you are interested in taking part please register your interest at info@ilmi.ie

Creative Writing

Photo shows a Creative Writing graphic with the words Read it, write it, share it.

ILMI are delighted to be working with Leitrim Artist Isolde Carmody to bring a series of Creative Writing workshops over the coming weeks. Places will be extremely limited so advance registration is required as soon as possible if you have an interest in taking part please contact info@ilmi.ie or Isolde herself at isoldecarmodyarts@gmail.com for further information.

Nutrition Workshop

Photo shows a registration call for the Nutrition Workshops.

ILMI are delighted to offer a series of 5 Nutrition Workshops via zoom with Alexia Treanor, Co. Monaghan based Nutritional Therapist. These 1 hour workshops will run every Wednesday 12pm-1pm for 5 weeks, starting Wednesday 17th June.
Alexia's mantra is 'Eat Well, Feel Better' which has helped hundreds of clients of all ages improve their health and recover from a variety and ailments and conditions. Alexia's believes it is not simply a matter of telling people to stop eating certain foods but to educate and empower each client and equip them with tailored eating plans to assist them in achieving and maintaining good health.
The series of Nutrition Workshops will explore the importance of a balanced diet, understanding the basic macro nutrients, carbohydrates, fats & proteins, the link between emotional eating and hunger, simple meal planning and much more!
This programme is open to everyone however there are limited spaces available. Please register your interest now by emailing edelmcginley@ilmi.ie.

Media

ILMI submission on Enabling the City to Return to Work Interim Mobility Intervention Programme for Dublin City

Independent Living Movement Ireland made a submission to Dublin City Council and the National Transport Authority in relation to the requirements for social distancing as our cities start to reopen. COVID-19 has changed the world we live in and the requirements for social distancing as a public health measure will be something that everyone must observe for the foreseeable future. As outlined in the “Enabling the City to Return to Work Interim Mobility Intervention Programme for Dublin City” there is concern regarding how people will be able to travel and move around the city. However, we as a Disabled Person’s Organisation (DPO) feel there is a huge concern regarding how disabled people will be impacted in everyday life and travel around Dublin City.
We understand that to safely meet social distancing requirements, a number of changes have been made where additional space for pedestrians is needed. However, this plan must be inclusive and positively impact on disabled people’s lives. Read more on our submission on our website https://ilmi.ie/cil-submissions/

ILMI joins DPO Coalition to develop first shadow report to UNCRPD

ILMI is delighted to announce our membership of a new and exciting development in disability rights in Ireland. A group of Disabled Persons Organisations (DPOs) have formed a coalition to develop Ireland’s first shadow report to the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in Ireland.
The Irish Government is due to submit its first report to the United Nations on its progress implementing the CRPD in Autumn this year. It is usual and expected practice for civil society groups to submit a shadow report or a number of shadow reports to the UN at the same time, outlining areas where the State has failed or needs to do better. The DPO Coalition has come together specifically to lead this work and ILMI is delighted to play a role as a member in this coalition.
DPOs are rights-focused organisations that are led, directed and governed by disabled people .A clear majority of their membership are disabled people. DPOs can be either individual organisations or umbrella/coalition organisations. Their focus can be cross-impairment or on a single impairment.
The decision to create a coalition is based on the following observations:

There is currently no umbrella group or national coalition of DPOs in Ireland.
There is inadequate representation of DPOs in current consultative and participative structures.
There is inadequate funding of DPOs in Ireland.
The State has no strategy for realising DPOs participation in CRPD implementation.
The DPO Coalition is committed to the human and social rights model of disability.

Membership of the DPO Coalition is open to all current rights-based national DPOs in Ireland. The current members
of the DPO Coalition are:

As I Am - Ireland's National Autism Advocacy Organisation.
Independent Living Movement Ireland (ILMI)
Irish Deaf Society (IDS)
National Platform of Self Advocates – Ireland’s only DPO run by people with learning disabilities
Voice of Vision Impairment (VVI)
Dr. Rosaleen McDonagh

The coalition aims to communicate with, include, and invite participation from all current rights-based national DPOs in Ireland. This is an opportunity to raise concerns about how progress is being made on the CRPD. We are committed to full human and civil rights for all citizens including disabled people.
ILMI will work with our members and the membership of the other Coalition members to create processes that are participative and inclusive to ensure that in developing a shadow report, we develop a strong response based not only on policies but primarily on the lived experience of disabled people across the country. This consultation process will likely take place from October onwards but we will keep you all posted via our eBulletin, Facebook and Twitter.

Welcome to our June 12th E-Bulletin