The MSc in Disability Studies is delighted to host the seminar “De-institutionalisation of People with Disabilities: Current Experiences from the European Union” by Dr. Oliver Lewis and Dr. Fiona Keogh on 22nd February.
Time: 2-4 pm
Venue: Room 3.19 Aras an Phiarsaigh, Trinity College Dublin
De-institutionalisation of people with intellectual disabilities and mental health problems continues to be a hot topic at the centre of policy and practice internationally. Article 19 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN, 2006), enshrines the right to live independently and to be included in the community. In reality, this requirement poses serious implementation challenges to signatory States of this Convention which continue to strongly rely on institutionalisation service provision and culture. In this seminar, Oliver Lewis will discuss de-institutionalisation experiences and challenges in a variety of countries in the European Union, with special emphasis on the role of legal advocacy in addressing this issue. Fiona Keogh will present on current research conducted in Ireland on the experiences of disabled people in relation to de-institutionalisation and transition to the community and some learning from the implementation of this policy.
Dr. Oliver Lewis is an international human rights lawyer with fifteen years’ experience at the interface of mental health, intellectual disability and human rights. He is CEO of the Mental Disability Advocacy Centre in Hungary and served as its Legal Director from the organisation’s inception in 2002 until 2006. He was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 2000, and is an Associate Member of Doughty Street Chambers, London.
Dr. Fiona Keogh is Director of Research and Evidence with Genio. Fiona has over 20 years’ experience in conducting health services research and evaluation in Ireland, in mental health, disability and dementia. Her special interest is supporting and implementing change in complex systems. She has also carried out significant work in health policy, contributing to the Value for Money and Policy Review of Disability Services in Ireland (2012) and writing much of the government’s current mental health policy A Vision for Change (2006). Most recently she was a member of the working group which developed Ireland’s National Dementia Strategy (2014).
To RSVP please contact Noreen O’Sullivan at noosulli@tcd.ie and indicate if you require any access accommodations in your reply.
All are welcome.