where to now for the Disability 'Industry' in Ireland ?
Just like the IT, construction and banking industry things have to change. No longer can the 'industry' depend upon corporate sponsorship and government handouts with out some level of accountability. No longer can it have jobs for life, pension plans and protecting the protectors rather than the people it is supposed to protect and serve. It will now have to be accountable for the funds it receives. The annual reports will be trawled through like a rogue politicians. Sure, they will still be able to make a big fuss in the media about the loss of front-line services due to the cuts in Government allocation of funding. Put the sacrificial lambs of the weak and infirm out in front of the gullible media and public. Draw attention to the loss of respite , withdrawal of services, loss of SNA's. Get them onto the streets to protest. Oh, did we mention that we have some philanthropic donations that we can send your way..... Help protect the jobs. Keep the unions happy. Croke Park agreement is intact. Times are tough, we have to cut some funds but keep all the staff and the salary's. Your office close for summer holidays for a month? , even though you are an organisation offering assistance and advice to the disabled. Sure that's way shorter than a politicians holidays.
Well the young man in the wheel-chair who no longer gets to spend two nights a month in respite; giving his family two nights as a 'normal' family, doesn't know what Croke Park is. He won't ever play there. He probably won't ever get to see a game played there but the 'Industry' will have to keep fund-raising. Getting generous donations and supports. Keep the plight of the disabled in front of the media. Hopefully, the 'Industry' won't have to ever become 100% accountable and transparent.
AMEN TO THAT!!!
ReplyDeleteIt is time this all came out into the light of day. Most of the money allocated to disabled and disadvantaged people isn't getting near them, and never has...and the money that does works as much against their best interests as for them.
*raising right fist in salute*
My sentiments exactly! There was an article published in the indo, about how chiefs in the disability industry are cashing in and awarding themselves salaries of up to €176k a year: http://www.independent.ie/health/latest-news/harney-disturbed-by-high-salaries-at-disability-groups-2252125.html
ReplyDeleteBut WHY stop at the disability industry? Plenty of "do-gooders" set up charitable organisations for the sake of "helping a good cause". Nice work if you can get it!
Meanwhile, those disadvantaged people who the charities claim to represent and assist, are repeatedly silenced, intimidated and isolated. The stigma associated with being in a particular marginalised group, especially if it is intellectual or "hidden" disability or some form of mental illness, means that people are often too afraid to speak for themselves.
Problem is the media seems overly biased in favour of these "wonderful" charities. How many journos have actually SPOKEN TO people with disabilities? We can't seriously expect them to, if those that claim to speak and represent OUR best interests continue to define the agenda. They also claim we are incapable of speaking for ourselves and are "perpetual children" or too "judgementally impaired". It is about time the script was changed and the balance of power shifted in favour of more vulnerable and marginalised people.