REMARKS FOR PRESIDENT McALEESE ON HER VISIT TO THE DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION OF IRELAND
REMARKS FOR PRESIDENT McALEESE ON HER VISIT TO THE DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION OF IRELAND SUNDAY, 6 DECEMBER, 1998
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As a Patron of the Down Syndrome Association of Ireland, may I say how pleased I am to be able to join you today as you celebrate over 25 years of service on behalf of people with Down Syndrome.
I understand that the Association has 23 branches around the country, and that many of those branches are represented here today.
As you look back over the history of the Association, you can feel a justifiable pride in the part that it has played in the development of services to people with intellectual disabilities in Ireland.
People with Down Syndrome form the largest single group in this area, and as such the work of the Association is of great importance. Over the years many parents, families, and people with disabilities have benefited from the advice and information provided by its members. The Association’s activities also include research into the many different aspects of Down Syndrome, from the causes to effective therapeutic approaches. Indeed I understand that many of the insights gained from the study of disability issues ultimately benefit the population as a whole.
For example, the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease among older people with Down Syndrome has stimulated research into the ageing process.
Perhaps one of the most important aims of the Association is to change the public perception of people with Down Syndrome. It is an unfortunate fact that for many years, the attitude of people towards disability was a negative one.
This contributed to a situation where many of our fellow citizens were effectively excluded from participation in the social, economic, political and cultural activities of their communities.
Thankfully, however, there has been a major change in the attitude of society in general in the last two decades. We have now become much more conscious of the rights and needs of the individual, and the necessity for all groups in our society to have an active role in their communities.
Correspondingly, the manner in which services are provided to people with disabilities has changed. Where previously the emphasis was on residential care, today we have moved away from this to a more community based service – a service which is more sensitive to the needs of the individual, which enables and empowers people by providing them with the same opportunities which the rest of us take for granted.
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, of course, the proper support and encouragement.
It also demands that the community becomes more conscious of the needs associated with disability, and involves a commitment to undertake whatever changes are necessary to facilitate integration.
The work of groups such as the Down Syndrome Association has been invaluable in this regard and has led to increased public consciousness of the issues associated with disability.
Since coming to the office of President I have had the opportunity to visit many of the groups involved in this area.
One feature of these groups which I have found especially heartening is the belief, which all of you seem to share, in the unique dignity and potential of the individual.
This belief appears to be central to the activities of all of the organisations I have met with, and this promotes a service which enables people with intellectual disabilities to participate in the community, and to contribute to it.
I know that the Association also works in partnership with other voluntary and statutory agencies in order to further its aims. This type of co-operation is another typical feature of the intellectual disability services. Again, it shows clearly that people are willing to work together in order to best meet the needs and aspirations of those in their care.
The Down Syndrome Association of Ireland has enriched the lives of many people since its foundation in 1971. I wish to congratulate you on your achievements so far and wish you every success in your future endeavours.