ENIL Youth Network Board Elections 2017

APPLICATION FORM

  1. Name: Stephanie
  1. Surname: Skeffington
  1. Country of residence: Ireland
  1. Why do you think you should be elected to be part of the ENIL Youth Network Board? (max. 150 words)

I have over twenty years experience of living with a disability. Within the last twenty years I’ve seen the landscape change dramatically for people with disabilities in a positive way and would like to aid to the continuation of this. As a previous participant in an ENIL youth study session I have seen firsthand the excellent work the ENIL YouthNetwork do and believe I can contribute greatly to this.I have strong leadership skills and am able to communicate ideas and information to others in a clear and concise way.

  1. Tell us about your past experience in the disability and/or youth field.

(max. 150 words)

Living with a disability for 20 years has led to me having to face challenges almost every day. Due to this I volunteer for three organisations as a way to change these challenges for the next generation. I’m currently helping develop a workshop which is to aid those with juvenile arthritis for the various transitions in life. This includes changing from pediatric to adult health services, education, employment and overcoming their own emotional barriers as result of living with the disease. I’m also a mentor in this organisation. I’m on a patient representative panel for focus groups for the state health service (HSE). I’m also trained to facilitate a self management course for those with arthritis and fibromyalgia. As well as attending a recent ENIL study session, I’ve also been a patient representativegiving the patient voice at a weeklong ehealth summer school for PhD students from all across Europe.

  1. List three things you want the ENIL Youth Network to achieve in the next three years. (max 100 words)
  • For Ireland to ratify the UNCRPD.
  • To further the actual implementation of the UNCRPD in countries who have ratified it focusing on such topics as employment, education and independent living.
  • To help to create and trainings and study sessions including more mixed ability sessions.
  1. How would you contribute to achieving these goals, if you are elected in the ENIL Youth Network Board? (max. 100 words)

Contact our newly appointed Prime Minister to see where ratification stands onhis priority lists. Liaise with NGO’s/activists in Ireland to set about creating a clear plan of action of how we can work together and with ENIL in order to achieve ratification.Mediacoverage isessential here.

Further and promote ENILs work here.

The Youth Network successfully completed a mixed ability study session. They would’ve worked out issues and identified new potential ones. This would be a useful start when planning a new one. Establishing a creative, experienced and committed team to develop the training would be essentialwithboth ability voices present.

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