REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE ON HER VISIT TO TULLYARVAN MILL ADULT TRAINING CENTRE, BUNCRANA
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE ON HER VISIT TO TULLYARVAN MILL ADULT TRAINING CENTRE, BUNCRANA, MONDAY, 2 NOVEMBER 1998
I am very happy to have been invited here today to visit Tullyarvan Mill – the training centre which is a very good example of a community based service actively promoting social inclusion - and where twelve people are receiving a range of training courses including life skills, social and recreational skills, craftwork and computer training. It is a very welcome opportunity for me to acknowledge the efforts of those who provide the services including the Inishowen Disability Network, the NEST group - which I understand stands for Nurture, Educate, Social and Training - and the North Western Health Board - along with a number of creative arts groups, including the Crana Artists Network, Artlink, and Simply Music, who hold workshops for the trainees here.
Since coming into office, I have had many opportunities to visit groups who provide services to people with learning disabilities. I have to say that I have been most impressed by the dedication, commitment and compassion of everybody involved in this area and I am particularly struck by the degree of partnership between the voluntary groups and the statutory agencies which has led to a fundamental change in the manner in which services are being provided.
Thankfully, in recent years there is a growing realisation of the problems of social exclusion and marginalisation – where some people can be effectively excluded from fully entering into the economic, social, political and cultural activities of society. That growing awareness has led to a determination to work towards a more inclusive society and this can be clearly seen in the work of the many groups who have contributed to the development of services here at Tullyarvan Mill.
The social and vocational skills which are given to people here enable them to avail of the same opportunities for social interaction which most of us take for granted. Like most societies, we place great importance on employment as a part of our core identity and as a measure of self-worth – and the provision of options for supported employment is an important part of the service in giving people the confidence to participate in the workforce and to realise their capabilities.
For all of us, access to the arts adds another, enriching, dimension to our lives. For many people with learning disabilities, problems with communication can lead to frustration, anger and alienation. Access to creative pursuits such as art and music, which you provide at Tullyarvan, are an important and immensely fulfilling way to explore feelings, attitudes and ambitions, and to communicate those emotions to a wider audience.
The provision of localised services such as these, enables people with disabilities to remain within their family circle and their wider community. Thankfully as a society, we are moving away from traditional models of services for people with disabilities.
While in previous years the emphasis was on institutional care, with large groups of people with disabilities living and working together, today the emphasis is very much on community based, personalised services, which have become much more sensitive to the needs of the individual.
Social integration is a two way process. It requires a willingness on the part of people with disabilities to reach out into the community with adequate support and encouragement. It also demands that the community becomes more conscious of the needs associated with disabilities and involves a commitment on their part to undertake the necessary changes.
Community consciousness, in relation to the needs of people with disabilities, has been increasing over the years through the ongoing work of organisations such as the Inishowen Disability Network, NEST, the many parents and friends organisations, and of course, people with disabilities themselves.
Earlier I spoke of my visits to other groups who, like yourselves, are involved in the provision of learning disability services. All of these groups share a belief in the unique dignity and potential of the individual. This belief is central, and promotes services which enable people with a learning disability to participate fully in the community.
The services at Tullyarvan Mill are a fine example of how this belief manifests itself. They provide people who have a learning disability with the opportunity to meet people and to share experiences, to build self-confidence, to develop their creative talents, and to live as independently as possible.
The hard work and dedication shown by all those who have built up the facilities here has enriched the lives of many people since 1989. It only remains for me to congratulate you on your achievements to date, and to wish you every success with your future plans.