September Open Day for People with Disabilities

Westmeath Community Development in conjunction with the Department of Social and Family Affairs is organising a further services and information Open Day for People with Disabilities on Thursday 10th September 11.00am- 4pm in Shamrock Lodge Hotel Athlone.Following on from the success of the first event in December 2008 held in the Mullingar Park Hotel, it was evident that there was a need to continue the event in 2009 in another location in Westmeath.The events purpose is to bring together service providers and service users to improve networking between providers and provide an opportunity for service users to get as much information as may be available to support them and/or their families.Over 300 people attended the event in Mullingar in 2008 so it is hoped that the Athlone event will draw similar crowds.The event is being co-ordinated by Susan Bray from the Congress Centre in Mullingar on behalf of WCDL and DSFA, who has a track record as an event organiser. The event is being co-funded by the LDSIP and Disability Activation project and is one of the actions being implemented by the WCDL Disability Working Group, which is chaired by Mr Hugh McGuire in 2009.For further information contact Linda-Jo Quinn LDSIP Co-ordinator at Westmeath Community Development 090 64 94555The Disability Activation ProjectIn July 2006 the Department of Social and Family Affairs launched its Sectoral Plan under the Disability Act 2005, which is aimed at developing services that not only give people with disabilities financial security but also encourage maximum participation in society.One of the objectives of the plan is to "engage meaningfully with persons of working age, particularly marginalised groups and provide services directly and in co-operation with other relevant agencies to encourage and support these people in taking up relevant work, training and education or development opportunities".In December 2006 the Department applied for and obtained funding under the European Social Fund, Human Capital Investment Operational Programme 2007-2013. The high level objective of the project entitled "The Disability Activation Project" is to develop and test a comprehensive employment strategy based on individual case management of people on disability/illness welfare payments that will have the capacity to increase their rate of employment.Some of the aims of the Project include ;• Meeting people in receipt of disability/illness related payments to help identify their training and development needs• Sourcing suitable training & education programmes• Helping identify suitable occupations• Assisting the individual in taking steps to improve their employability and quality of life• Helping in the preparation of an individualised Career Development Plan and a Personal Lifeplan based on the person's specific needs.The Project has already run three programmes in Mullingar and two in Longford. It has recently commenced engagement with DSFA illness/disability payment recipients in Athlone, offering comprehensive supports and services through collaborative work with the VEC and other agencies in the area.The Disability Activation Project office is based at the Social Services Centre, Bishopsgate Street Mullingar. Further information on the projects support services can be obtained from the project facilitator at 044 9350510"Investing in your future"