Dear Minister,

I am dismayed to learn that the National Platform of Self-Advocates have been forced to announce they are ceasing operations from January due to an absence of funding and support for their work.
I have been involved with advocacy groups since the 1980’s and with one of the first groups to be established in 1982 when as a manager of community services I had to bring in a mediator to negotiate between individuals with Intellectual Disability and staff working in group homes for people to choose the time they wished to go to bed at! An example of the rigid structures that were in place at the time in so called modern day ‘community’ services.

The establishment of this platform in 2011 was long overdue and the members have worked tirelessly since then as members of government Taskforce groups, the Disability Advisory Committee that is monitoring the implementation of the UNCRPD, undertaking research into the lives of people with intellectual disabilities in Ireland and advocating for so many whose voice may not be heard otherwise.
People with intellectual disabilities lifestyles and preferences are overshadowed continuously by bureaucracy, funding matters, service providers and their exclusion from everyday matters. The platform was an opportunity to make a significant contribution and to ‘have a voice’.

I know many of the members of the platform and admire their selfless service to bring positive change in the lives of others. They do so without a salary with the support of one facilitator.
Ireland has now ratified the UN convention, it has yet to be implemented. How can we now take away peoples voice?

I urge you to take immediate action to rectify this.

Yours sincerely,
Mary Kealy

Donna McNamara

Dear Minister Flanagan, I am writing to you as a former constituent to express my deep concern at the news that The National Platform of Self Advocates is being forced to close due to lack of funding. I implore you to consider urgent action in this regard as the...

read more

Tony Gapper

Dear Minister Flanagan, The closure of the National Platform of Self Advocates in January 2020 is simply an outrage, due to alleged funding concerns; which is run by individuals with intellectual disabilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities. For those...

read more

Jyrki Pinomaa – President Inclusion Europe

To Minister for Justice, Mr. Charlie Flanagan The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) clearly states that all people with disabilities have the right to be included in the community. The motto of the international disability...

read more

Karen O’Shea

Dear Mr Flanagan From its very beginning the National Platform of Self- Advocates has sought to be an independent voice for people with disabilities and is unique in what it offers in this country. The Platform have researched, campaigned and offered their experience...

read more

Richard Patterson

Dear Minister Flanagan, I am writing in relation to the recent announcement on the day referred to by social model of disability advocates and activists as International Day of Disabled People that the National Platform of Self Advocates “will be closing down [its]...

read more

Charlotte May-Simera

Dear Ministers, I am writing to express my serious concern about the recent announcement of the National Platform that they must cease their activities due to a lack of funding. This is the only independent advocacy organization, established over the last 8 years,...

read more

Edel McSharry

Dear Minister Flanagan, I am writing to you with regard to the National Platform of Self Advocates. As I’m sure you are aware, the National Platform is having to make the decision to close in the New Year, due to a lack of funding. It is essential that this does not...

read more

Emma Burns

Dear Minister Flanagan, I’m writing to protest the imminent closure of the National Platform of Self-Advocates and to ask you to intervene to prevent the blow to disability rights in Ireland that this loss represents. Ireland was one of the last state parties to...

read more

Disabled Women Ireland

Mr Flanagan, It is with anger and sadness that Disabled Women Ireland learned of the imminent closure of the National Platform of Self Advocates. It is entirely unacceptable that a state which spends a significant amount on “disability issues” fails to find and adapt...

read more

Centre for Disability Law and Policy

Centre for Disability Law and Policy, Institute for Lifecourse and Society, Dangan, North Campus NUI Galway. info.cdlp@nuigalway.ie 6th December 2019 FAO: Minister Charlie Flanagan CC: Minister Finian McGrath RE: Letter of support NPSA The Centre for Disability Law...

read more

Adrian Carroll

Dear Minister Flanagan, I am writing to you to express my concerns regarding the impending closure of the National Platform of Self-Advocates, a national organisation led by people with intellectual disabilities to represent the voice of people with intellectual...

read more

Maria Walls

Dear Minister Flanagan, I am deeply disappointed at the lack of on-going funding to support the extremely important work of the National Platform of Self Advocates. Similar groups exist in all other jurisdictions some called People First. They need adequate on-going...

read more

Paula Brennan

Dear Minister Flanagan, I am writing to you with regard to the National Platform of Self Advocates. As I’m sure you are aware, the National Platform is having to make the decision to close in the New Year, due to a lack of funding.  It is essential that this does not...

read more

Shelley Gaynor -ILMI

Dear Minster I am writing to you in relation to closure of National advocacy Platform. As the Former chairperson of Independent Living Movement ILMI. I know firsthand of the importance of having a disabled persons organisation to hear the true authentic voice of...

read more

Helen McGloin

Dear Minister Flanagan, I am urging you to engage with the stakeholders in the true spirit of partnership as suggested below by my colleague Susan Carton and ensure that this service and the valuable network and support is not lost. Best wishes Helen McGloin PhD...

read more

Carmel Jennings

Dear Minister Flanagan, I am writing to let you know of my huge disappointment at the closing down of the National Platform of Self Advocates due to lack of funding. How can you justify this decision? Functioning democracy depends on citizens having equal rights and...

read more

Fiona Walsh

Dear Minister McGrath, I am writing to you to raise awareness of the importance of funding Disabled Peoples Organisations (DPO’s) and especially regarding the position of the National Platform of Self Advocates (http://thenationalplatform.ie/) which has stated it...

read more

Catherine O’Leary

Dear Minister Flanagan, I write to express my disappointment at the announced closure of the National Platform of Self Advocates, Ireland's only Disabled Persons Organization (DPO) operated by those with intellectual disability. The consultation and involvement of...

read more

Susan Carton

Dear Minister Flanagan, I am writing to you with regard to the National Platform of Self Advocates. As I’m sure you are aware, the National Platform is having to make the decision to close in the New Year, due to a lack of funding. It is essential that this does not...

read more

Sarah Lennon

Dear Minister Flanagan, I am writing to you with dismay at the news that the National Platform of Self Advocates is to close after almost 9 years due to a lack of funding. The Platform has been a critical voice for people with intellectual disabilities in Ireland, a...

read more
Skip to content