New Fianna Fáil Disability Network a crucial opportunity to ‘develop policy that will help society’
Published on: 16 May 2022
The newly-formed Fianna Fáil Disability Network will allow party members, officials and elected representatives the opportunity to work together to develop policy that will help society, according to founder and chairperson of the network, Sinéad Lucey Brennan.
The first official meeting of the Fianna Fáil Disability Network was hosted on 10th May, where a committee was formed. Amongst items discussed at the forum was an accessibility checklist for the upcoming Árd Fheis for members with disabilities, a White Paper outlining Fianna Fáil disability policy, and proposals for an in-person event focusing on disability matters in 2022.
Commenting on the development, Chairperson of the Disability Network, Sinéad Lucey Brennan said: “I have been working with members to develop this Network and I am delighted that we have the Network up and running and with a committee formed and with the support of Fianna Fáil headquarters.
“I’d like to thank Minister Anne Rabbitte for her continued leadership on disability matters and Fianna Fáil Joint Oireachtas Committee Disability Matters members Michael Moynihan, Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, Fiona O’Loughlin and Erin McGreehan as well as Padraig O’Sullivan, and Joe Flaherty.”
Ms Lucey Brennan concluded: “Disability is something that impacts almost everyone in society in one way or another, and is a crucial issue. This network will allow Fianna Fáil members, officials and elected representatives the opportunity to work together to develop policy that will help society.
About Sinéad
Sinéad can talk about her own personal experience of living with an invisible disability. She acquired a brain injury in adulthood, underwent physical and emotional rehabilitation, lives with chronic fatigue and learned to reshape her life and her reactions to environments such as the workplace, social settings to accommodate her new normal which included sensory challenges and issues with attention and concentration.
She is currently pregnant and is educating healthcare professionals on the accommodations needed for women with disabilities.
She was inspired to found the Fianna Fáil Disability Network based on the lived experience of a family member and her own lived experience of disability. She recently launched an advocacy platform for disabled people called The Disability Designer, is passionate about coaching and mentoring, and encourages everyone to reach their full potential.
