Twelve months ago, more than half of those people registered on the National Physical and Sensory Disability Database were awaiting assessment for various therapeutic interventions and rehabilitation services. Some help had been provided for the 14,000 people concerned, but waiting lists of up to two years remained for comprehensive assessments. Their situation may worsen in the short term, now that the Disability Act has become law.
That long-awaited legislation will improve the situation for children under five years of age. This group has been accorded priority for assessment under the Act. And the Health Service Executive (HSE) hopes to cut the waiting list to three months for such children. But, in the absence of sufficient resources and staff, people on existing lists may have to wait longer. And when assessments have been completed, there is no guarantee the recommended specialist services will be provided.
These citizens have been shamefully neglected. Limited progress was made in recent years as a result of the anger and determination of parents and the commitment of some professionals. Minister for Finance Brian Cowen provided a generous three-year funding package in 2004, but resources still fall short of what is required and services are inadequate. Fewer than 26,000 people are registered. The vast majority receive some basic help. But one in eight requires day services or activities while a further one in six needs additional supports. The fact that information about the numbers involved, their needs and specialist services can only be found on a voluntary database says it all.
Back in 2002, a public outcry forced this Government to withdraw its first Disability Bill. The success of the Special Olympics in the following year caused Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to promise the most progressive legislation in the world. But the Disability Act falls far short of that ideal. As the legislation was being prepared, the Human Rights Commission urged that services for people with physical or sensory disabilities should be based on "a progressive realisation of rights". But this was rejected in favour of the traditional "as resources permit" approach.
Commitments to improve specialist services were made during the election campaign. For some young children, the provision of intensive therapies could make the difference between leading a fairly normal life and long-term care. The quality of life for people with physical disabilities could also be transformed through modification of their environment and other services. They all need help. But it will take political commitment and an increase in funding to make it happen.