Axing of disability group will leave 1,500 'without a voice'

A vital lifeline for more than 1,500 Meath people with disabilities is expected to be axed following the announcement of government cuts last week. The People with Disabilities in Ireland (PwDI) office at Claremount Stadium in Navan is expected to close as the organisation will cease to exist, leaving 1,500 people in Meath who avail of its services without a voice. Kells man, Rex Lee, who is a member of the board of PwDI, said the withdrawal of funding will mean the organisation will cease to exist, leaving many Meath residents without vital support services. "We represent over 1,500 people with disabilities in Meath. We run courses on independent living and act as a referral and information service," said Mr Lee. "The service means an awful lot to very many people. I have had a lot of people contacting me over the past few days who are terribly upset. They don't know where to turn. It is very frightening for people. I saw a man break down in tears at the news last week," he added. Mr Lee explained that PwDI advised local authorities, churches and other bodies on access requirements and how to make public buildings disabled-friendly. The body also acted as a voice for many people who had nobody else to turn to. "If a disabled person needed something from the HSE or a local authority, the PwDI would intervene and make their case to that body. This cut will leave 1,500 Meath people without a voice," he claimed. "There is a lot of worry and concern around the county at this decision." It was announced last week that funding to support the work of People with Disabilities in Ireland for 2012 has been withdrawn by the government. According to James McClean, chairperson of People with Disabilities in Ireland, the decision will have a detrimental effect on the lives of so many people with disabilities nationally. "This decision shows a complete disregard for the voluntary work of hundreds of members over the past decade and all that they have achieved and accomplished. Not alone will it end the running of PwDI as an organisation, but it will mean the disempowerment of so many volunteer people with disabilities. "This decision has astonished the board and the members of PwDI countrywide who believe the minister has silenced the acknowledged expert voice of people with disabilities and set back the disability agenda 15 years. PwDI is the only umbrella organisation for so many people where they felt that they had a say and now that voice has been silenced," he said. PwDI has over 8,000 members and affiliated organisations, 26 local network committees across Ireland with many giving their time on a voluntary basis to build the organisation. Until now, it was funded by the Department of Justice and Equality.