The International Short Breaks Association’s seventh biannual conference will take place at NUI Galway from June 9 to 11.
Entitled “A path to inclusion - whose rights, whose needs, what choices?” it is the only international conference focusing on respite care.
It is expected to attract up to 250 delegates from Ireland and all over the world. Previous events were held in Copenhagen, Paris, Florida, Sydney and Ontario.
The local organising committee from Galway is part of a larger Irish and international committee working in organisations for people with disabilities and older people.
A spokesperson for the local organisers says the event will give a significant boost to the hospitality industry in Galway.
“Our international visitors could extend their stay to take in a holiday. The conference is open to the public and there really is something for everyone whether a user of respite services, family members, professionals in the field, health care managers, politicians and academics.
“We do not have any independent sources of funding so are relying on registrations, donations and sponsorship to make this the success that we know it can be.”
Respite is a break for everyone involved in caring, explains Colette Daly of Ability West and the vice chairperson of the International Short Breaks Association.
“It enables carers to recharge their batteries and to continue caring. It provides opportunities for those being cared for to have a break away from their carers and to avail of experiences which are not available to them in their day to day lives. Short breaks postpone or prevent admission into residential care.”
She describes respite/short breaks as an essential service. “However as economic circumstances have forced cut backs in Ireland and abroad, respite is often the first service to be curtailed despite its essential status. Now more than ever before we need to be talking about and challenging each other to find the best ways of providing short breaks and expanding the variety of options that can be made available.”
The conference’s theme is inclusion in communities rather than in segregated settings, she outlines.
“It is inspired by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Article 19 ‘Living independently and being included in the community’; the equal right of all persons with disabilities to live in the community with choices equal to others. It explores rights to respite, balancing the needs of both users and carers and the multitude of choices which are possible.”
Fifty presenters from nine countries around the world will share their knowledge and experiences, at the event. These include parents, carers, policy makers, service providers, academics and researchers.
‘We have secured keynote speakers of international renown, such as Professor Roy McConkey, Queens University Belfast, Professor Robyn Munford, Massey University, New Zealand and Christine Lenehan, director of the Council for Disabled Children, England.
Issues which will be discussed will include Short breaks as a Right (UK ), Opening Doors to Respite Opportunities using existing community resources. (USA ), Providing a Continuum of Innovative supports to Families. (Ireland ), Dream Bus; a short break alternative. (Denmark ), Setting up respite services for people living in isolated rural areas. (Canada ), Balancing rights for aging carers and people with disabilities. (Australia ), and Teenagers right to a break, a parent’s perspective. (Ireland )
The ISBA is a voluntary organisation whose members from many organisations and countries give their time to promote shared learning and high standards in the provision of short break care. Its purpose is to provide an international platform for the exchange of knowledge, experience and working practises within short break care across client-carer lines.
For further information on the conference and to register log onto www.isba2010.com
