Grant-Funded Member to work with other funded organisations to steer and support the 100+ member Disability Participation and Consultation Network in enhancing the voices of people with disabilities in policy making.

The Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Disability, Anne Rabbitte T.D., today announced an Expressions of Interest process to identify and fund an additional Disabled Persons’ Organisation pillar within the Disability Participation and Consultation Network. The Network provides a channel for involving people with disabilities and disability organisations in the development of policy and legislation in line with the requirements of the UNCRPD.

The Disability Participation and Consultation Network was established in late 2020 and it has since then engaged its membership to ensure people with a disability are involved in the development of policy and legislation, and that their voices are heard in government decision-making processes.

Funding of up to €20,000 is available for a Disabled Persons’ Organisation (DPO) to join three existing grant-funded members and an Organising Member to advance the aims and goals of the Network in 2022. The DPO to be awarded funding will be required to work closely and collaboratively with other grant funded members to support and activate the membership of the Network and enhance the voices of persons with disabilities in policy-making processes.

Minister Rabbitte announced that funding is available for an organisation which is led by and comprised of a majority of disabled people with relevant experience to contribute to and drive the work of the Network in 2022. It is envisaged that such work would include developing capacity amongst disabled people to engage and participate in the development of law and policy, the provision of training regarding self-advocacy or engagement with consultation processes, and running or assisting with consultations on behalf of the Network. 

Launching the call for Expressions of Interest Minister Rabbitte said:

"Implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is a priority for the Government.  The Disability Consultation and Participation Network has already provided valuable inputs and opportunities for people with disabilities to engage and participate in the development of law and policy. The contribution of the Network to consultations on the first State Report to the UN Committee on CRPD was particularly insightful.

It is crucial that we hear the voices of persons with disabilities when developing policy on issues that affect them, and that we support self-advocacy from persons with disabilities. That is the essence of “nothing about us without us”. Lived experience provides vital information and expertise that will enable the Government and its agencies to develop policies and programmes that directly address real needs in an effective and appropriate manner".

The Application Form to submit an Expression of Interest can be found here and an Easy to Read information document about the form can be accessed here. Additional details of the call can be found in an Information Note here and in easy to Read format here.

Any questions about the Expression of Interest call can be sent to Disability_Policy@equality.gov.ie under the subject line ‘DPCN Grant Funded Member Enquiry’. The deadline for receipt of applications to the above email address is 11 a.m on Friday, 28^th January 2022.