Those with Care Experience, Academics, Professionals and many others will explore and recommend how we, as a society, can ensure better, more equitable outcomes for the children and young people who come through our care system.

These webinars will seek to provide participants with an overview of the unique issues facing care experienced children and young people in terms of LGBTI+, Ethnicity, Education, Disability, Accommodation and Justice.

Attaining equality through equity for children and young people in care and aftercare with a disability

There are few studies that have focused on the care experiences of children and young people in care with a disability. In this webinar the speakers will examine the issues and challenges facing children and young people with disabilities in the context of the care system, and look examine what can be done to ensure that these children and young adults are not disadvantaged as a result of their disability.

This webinar will close with a live Q&A session that will include EPIC Youth Council member Alan Fay, Activist and Author Tracey McCann and Activist and Sports Journalist Joanne O'Riordan and academic Pat McGarty.

Speaker/Contributor Bios:

Dr Pat McGarty

Dr Pat McGarty is a senior lecturer in public policy at the Institute of Technology Tralee and has developed and lectured on social care education programmes in Tralee, Athlone, and Blanchardstown Institutes of Technology.

He has also served as policy advisor on a number of bodies including the National Standards Committee on Social Care, and he is a founder member of the Irish Association of Social Care Educators (IASCE).

Pat is also one of the drivers behind the proposal for the provision of additional support for 3rd level students with disabilities. The initiative that Pat has been supporting EPIC on (designated support for Care Leavers at 3rd level) has been included on the agenda for the next national meeting of Registrars.

Pat is a recipient of the Social Care Ireland National Award for his contribution to the social care profession.

Joanne O’Riordan

Joanne O’Riordan studied criminology in UCC and is only one of seven people in the world living with a rare physical disability known as Total Amelia. Joanne first gained attention for skipping school to confront then Taoiseach Enda Kenny about his proposed plan to reduce disability funding during his election. In April 2012, she spoke before the UN and challenged the body to create technology to help disabled people such as herself. She was named Young Person of the Year at the People of the Year awards in 2012.

Joanne is an activist for people with disabilities, a motivational speaker and a sports columnist with The Irish Times. She has used technology to enhance her abilities in both her education and through the wider social environment. She has conquered enormous challenges at home, in school and around her local community.

Joanne adapted her life in such a way that it has given her both national and international acclaim. Joanne is now an example to all able bodied and disabled bodies to live very happy, independent, fulfilled lives.

Tracey McCann

Born in Dublin Ireland in 1988, Tracey McCann was a healthy and able-bodied child, who upon birth showed no indications of ever having anything other than a ‘normal’ life. However, when she was 8 years old her life took a massive turn when she was diagnosed with a disability known as Rapid On-Set Muscular Dystonia. This disability rocked both the lives of Tracey and her family as they came to terms with the sudden reality of their situation. Although she has experienced many moments of negativity and social isolation she has also experienced positive moments and is now actively involved in a large network of people who all share the same goal. That goal is to make all of their own lives and everyone who they meet more meaningful and positive. Tracey McCann is a Two Time Best Selling Author, International Motivational Speaker, Life Coach, Disabled Advocate and Ambassador for the Aunua Academy.

Alan Fay

Alan Fay is 22-years old and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. He is a wheelchair user and an active advocate for people with disabilities.

Alan is a member of the EPIC National Youth Council and is passionate about being a strong advocate for young people with care experience and also people with disabilities. He has developed a strong media presence through calls for improvement in Ireland’s infrastructure as a top priority for the Government, in order to make the country accessible for all citizens.

As a wheelchair user Alan has been very vocal on the fact that people with disabilities are forced to stay indoors due to a myriad of accessibility issues and the everyday obstacles that they face - like inaccessible footpaths, cars blocking access and lack of access to public buildings. He feels there are many obstacles that prevent young people with disabilities from living their lives the way we want to.

Alan has overcome many challenges as a young person with a disability, including making the decision to attend a mainstream school to work toward his goal of being able to support himself financially and live an independent life, but describes the lack of job opportunities for people with disabilities as a significant challenge. He is also concerned about housing options for people with a disability and concerned about how he will be able to access housing himself.

Alan wants to see more funding allocated to disability services like the Irish Wheelchair Association, which he has been involved with for the past two and a half years. Alan believes that he would be living a very independent life if the Government would address these issues.

Alan wants Ireland to be a place that is full of inclusion, and a place where you don’t see the person with the disability - you just see a person.

Please note, these webinars are aimed at ages 16+