Who are we?
We are the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies Providing Services to People with Intellectual Disability - a national umbrella organisation for voluntary/non-statutory agencies who provide direct services to people with intellectual disability in Ireland. Our 61 Member Organisations account for in excess of 85% of this country’s direct service provision to people with an intellectual disability.
The services provided to people with an intellectual disability are founded on the values as set out in the O’Brien (1987) Principles of Inclusion, Choice, Dignity, Respect, Participation and Contribution. They are rooted in the rights based perspective that people with intellectual disability have the right to live full and active lives, and be active participating members of their own community.
Our Mission
We aim to promote the equalisation of opportunities for persons with intellectual disability through the provision and development of high quality, person centred services.
How do we Achieve our Mission
We achieve our mission through information sharing and the development of quality research which provides an evidence base and accords with national and international best practice. We also act as a lobbying agent on a national and international basis and work in co-operation with advocacy organisations on behalf of people with an intellectual disability.
Our Values
We promote and actively pursue four fundamental principles. People with an intellectual disability have:
- The right to live an ordinary life within their own community
- The right to be treated as an individual with dignity and respect
- The right to support in developing their maximum potential
- The right to participate in the decision making process on issues affecting their lives
We support the following internationally agreed statements:
Our Goals and Objectives
While we and our member organisations are constantly open to new challenges and opportunities our goals are:
- The sharing of information relating to the provision, maintenance and development of services
- The development of strategies in areas of common interest
- The provision of information and support to individual members and local groups of members, when required, and supporting member organisations in their advocacy on behalf of individual persons
- Making representations to the Departments of State, other public authorities and national and international bodies on issues agreed by the members
- Entering into negotiations on behalf of National Federation members as required
- Promoting and undertaking public education and information actions, and by issuing public statements on behalf of the members, on matters already agreed
- Appointing or nominating, as appropriate, representatives on deputation’s and as members of other relevant bodies, committees, commissions, working parties and boards
- Undertaking the co-ordination of activities agreed by the members and which are appropriate to the role and functions of the National Federation
- Drawing up codes of good practice or guidelines for the provision of intellectual disability services by its members
- Stimulating the growth of the voluntary sector in areas of need and promoting the interlinking of voluntary agencies to promote the interests of persons with an intellectual disability