A new Resource Centre for people with sensory disabilities was officially opened today by President Mary McAleese. The new Centre, which will support the needs of deaf and hard of hearing people and people with vision impairments in the Southeast of the country, is a partnership project organised by the National Association for Deaf People (NAD) and the National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI). The project is financially supported by the South Eastern Health Board.
Speaking at the Opening, President McAleese said that the new Centre is "a real example of the formidable power of partnership and cross institutional collaboration, a witness to what can happen when people start to think outside of their own organisational box."
The two sensory disability organisations have been working together for many years to ensure that people with hearing and vision impairments in Ireland receive quality services, advice, information and support from trained professionals. Sharing facilities and experience further enhances these services. Through this partnership, staff from NAD and NCBI also work together on issues such as awareness training and accessibility as well as lobbying on behalf of the overall sector with other disability groups.
The Sensory Resource Centre in Kilkenny will offer a range of services to people with sensory impairments living in the region. The Centre will also display and supply a wide variety of audio and visual aids and appliances.
Des Kenny, Chief Executive of NCBI highlighted the need for continued regionalisation of services. "NCBI is committed to the provision of services to people in their own home or locality, and hope to continue this trend through the development of further resource centres in the Southeast and nationwide," he said.
According to Bernard Daly, Chairperson of NAD, "the new Centre is yet another milestone in the co-operation between the two main national organisations for people with sensory disabilities in Ireland. We hope this Resource Centre will further our goal of assisting people with disabilities to achieve full and active participation in community life," he stated.
The Sensory Resource Centre, which is located at 44 Friary Street, Kilkenny, has a multi-disciplinary team of professional staff and is open daily from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.