It was a proud occasion for representatives from the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA ) in Athlone as the Minister for Disabilities, Deputy Anne Rabbitte, accompanied by local Minister of State, Deputy Robert Troy, and local dignitaries visited the Clonbrusk Resource Centre on Monday of this week to view the array of services provided to users.
IWA Athlone service co-ordinator, Monica Hughes, noted the aspirations of the representative organisation where those with disabilities can enjoy equal rights, choices and opportunities in how they live their lives in a truly inclusive society.
“We work with, and on behalf of, people with physical disabilities to drive positive change through influencing public policy, providing quality services and enabling accessibility to all aspects of society.
“Athlone Community Centre continues to be an innovative Q-Mark-approved location consisting of three thriving services focusing on different members’ needs. Each person is supported through their Individual Service Plan which is based on their choices and personal goals.
“The day service in Athlone operates three days per week and covers a large catchment area including service users from Roscommon and Offaly. The service caters for 32 service users and offers a social club for children with disabilities on Saturdays. The HSE are the main funding body with a budget of approximately €170,000 per annum,” Ms Hughes remarked.
Ms Hughes stated that the IWA Athlone centre offers users a comprehensive range of services.
School Leaver Service
“Our School Leavers service is a person centre service where young adults design their own service, blending community based, out of hours and centre based activities. The programme supports independence and social inclusion through a person-centred approach with each person having the opportunity to perform a fulfilling role in their wider community. Wherever possible, participants are encouraged to become self-supporting in accessing local facilities, travelling, advocating for themselves and other life skills,” Ms Hughes asserted.
Community Centre Service
“Our Community centre service is a person centred service where our service users work with IWA staff to design their own service. Similar to our school leavers service we blend community based activities, out of hours, centre based, individual and group programmes and activities.
“Both IWA School Leaver services and IWA Community Centre services can operate from a hub providing a platform from which participants can begin to access their local communities and plan the kind of service and activities in which they wish to partake. The service can also operate through an Outreach Model where IWA staff support a person through their own community utilising technology to aid with the process (i.e. Skype, Zoom etc ).
“The IWA model’s have a strong focus on creating links and partnerships with other local community and disability services. People are supported to utilise mainstream supports such as public transport, educational services, vocational training, independent living training, and employment services. The organisation has a motoring school which provides advice on all aspects of driving as well as assessments and driving lessons. Athlone is lucky to have the service manager on site,” Ms Hughes added.
Sunshine Club
“The IWA Sunshine Club Athlone provides activities and opportunities for children and young people from Athlone and surrounding area. It’s a fun, social place that allows children with disabilities to have peer support as well as their families. This service has been in operation for 17years now and relies on the generosity of the local people through various fundraising initiatives to finance same,” Ms Hughes concluded.
