Support independent living for disabled adults

To:  Irish Government

We believe that disabled adults will be denied the right to live independently through the retrospective charges introduced under the Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) Regulations 2005. These charges will place a huge financial strain on individuals and families affected, and we believe this is unnecessary and morally indefensible. We demand that these changes be rolled back immediately.

We believe that disabled adults should be encouraged and facilitated in trying to live as independently as they, and their families, feel is appropriate. By introducing these charges for those disabled adults in residential settings, our government is acting against the best interests of these its most vulnerable citizens. These are our friends and family members.

Disabled people and elderly people have very different requirements and live their lives in very different circumstances. Most disabled people will never have had the chance to work and establish independent sources of income, to build up savings or accrue assets that might be used to offset the care they require. For most their sole means of income throughout their lives will be their Disabled Person’s Maintenance Allowance.

By charging them half of their DPMA for living in a residential group setting with people who are their friends with professional carers to support them, you will negate the progress made in recent years in bringing people with disabilities out into the community. The introduction of these charges was never highlighted or debated publicly.

We demand that the introduction of these charges be reversed immediately.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Support independent living for disabled adults Petition to Irish Government was created by and written by Daniel Sullivan (daniel_sullivan@ireland.com).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.

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