Aims & Objectives

The main aim of the group is to empower people with disabilities to achieve independence, self-determination, choice and control over their own lives. The primary objective of the group is the provision of a Personal Assistant Service for people with significant physical and sensory disabilities through the operation of an Independent Living Project and through this to provide meaningful work, training and development to the unemployed in the county.

The main issue for LAPWD is its need to secure ongoing core funding to continue and expand the PA service. The PA services operated through LAPWD shows that national schemes do not always take into account the different lifestyles and requirements of urban and rural living. Lack of suitably priced private transport is a major problem in the operation of a PA service in rural areas. Most people who are eligible for employment as a PA in the current FAS scheme would need remuneration of travel costs which is not possible in a scheme which has no built-in travel costs.

PA services in both rural and urban areas have been greeted by people with disabilities as a genuine step forward in enabling them to live independent lives. As the schemes continue to expand, the expectations of people with physical disabilities will rise to include access to training and employment and to recreation facilities. Transport which is accessible to people with physical disabilities is a requirement for their inclusion in the rural community.