New disability directory launches in Tullamore
A new disability directory on local disability supports and services was launched in Tullamore Library today (Thursday.)
The Laois and Offaly Child and Young Person’s Services Committee (CYPSC) have produced a new document called a ‘Guide to supports and services for children and young people with disabilities.' The directory is designed to be used at different stages of a person’s life.
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Pictured are Niamh Dowler, Brian Kehoe, Oaklands Edenderry, Aine Brummel, Offaly County Childcare Committee, Petria Malone, Inclusion Ireland and Angela Locke Reilly,Image 2 of 2
Staff of Laois and Offaly libraries at the launch of the new disability directory in Tullamore Library today.Key to the document's development was collaboration with parents who brought a wealth of their personal experience of navigating the disability sector in the two counties.
Speaking about the launch, Chairperson of the Laois Offaly CYPSC Annette Maguire said: “I am delighted that this Directory is now available to families in Laois and Offaly, and it’s a perfect example of what CYSPC is about: working collaboratively with parents and partner agencies to address gaps in information, and signposting to services.
"Collaborative community engagement helps to bring about better outcomes for children and young people, and this directory was only possible due to the efforts of so many people in the community who offered their time and experience."
“There has been an information gap in supports for disabilities in Laois and Offaly for a long time, and this document will go some way to meet that gap in information, and importantly, empower the reader to be supported as they navigate the stages of life in supporting a child or young person with a disability.”
Researcher Angela Locke Reilly was involved in compiling the directory who has vast experience from an academic and family experience of the disability sector in Ireland.
The launch of this directory is the work of the Learning and Development Subgroup of the Laois Offaly CYPSC. The subgroup is made up of parents and service providers, including Offaly County Childcare Committee, Offaly Library Service, Laois Library Service, Laois and Offaly Sports Partnerships, Laois Partnership, Inclusion Ireland, LOFFA, and IPPN.
The committee hope that this document can act as a guide to explaining and supporting parents on the road to understanding the disability sector.
Hard copies of the directory are available for parents via the network of eight libraires in Laois and eight libraries across Offaly, who will stock this directory for loan copies for staff and students and hard copies for parents.
The directory is also available online on the CYPSC website for Laois and Offaly called www.open-up.ie/resources