The Independent People with Disabilities organisation, set up in February 2012, is the only democratic, independent, grass roots, cross-disability body to represent and advocate on behalf of all people with disabilities in counties Westmeath, Longford, and Roscommon.
The organisation has a local office in Athlone where people can arrange to meet with their dedicated volunteers to discuss issues affecting them. Membership of the organisation includes all people with disabilities, their parents, partners, carers, and advocates.
There are approximately 600,000 Irish people with disabilities living in the country today, and Independent People with Disabilities is dedicated to giving those people a voice.
The organisation represents people with disabilities by: advocating for their rights and promoting disability awareness within its organisation and in the wider community; promoting self-advocacy and self-determination; striving for equity in education, training and employment; working with other disability organisations for the common good; advising people with disabilities of the benefits they are entitled to; providing advice from its office in Athlone; and working on behalf of individual people with disabilities on specific problems that they are encountering.
Organisers hope that Independent People with Disabilities will grow into a national organisation. If you have a disability, are a parent of a person with a disability, are caring for someone with a disability, or if you speak on behalf of someone with a disability, become a member of Independent People with Disabilities to meet like-minded people with similar life circumstances. Membership of the organisation is completely free of charge.
The Independent People with Disabilities office is located at 96 Seán Costello Street, Athlone. For further information call (090 ) 6470044, email [email protected] or visit www.independentpwd.ie Alternatively, find the organisation on Facebook.
