The Cork Deaf Association launched its Strategic Plan 2023-2028 during one of the most significant weeks of the year for the global Deaf Community. The launch was just one of the many events taking place throughout Ireland and the rest of the world during International Week of Deaf People from 18th – 24th September. This annual initiative aims to recognise and celebrate the Deaf Community and Deaf Culture.
CDA chose this special week for its Strategic Plan launch to underline its commitment to people who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Cork. The desperate need for increased supports and services has become clearer than ever this year with the publication of the National Disability Authority Report on the operation of the Irish Sign Language (ISL) Act 2017. The Report highlighted that not much has changed for Irish Sign Language Users since this landmark piece of equality legislation. There continues to be shocking failures in the provision of access to essential public services, including healthcare and education.
The CDA Strategic Plan sets out the organisation priorities for the next five years, with an emphasis on promoting awareness of the legal rights of Irish Sign Language users and supporting the empowerment of Deaf and Hard of Hearing people in Cork. CDA Chairperson, Marian Healy welcomed the opportunity to share the organisation’s Strategic Plan during such a notable week for the worldwide Deaf Community, ‘Our Strategic Plan is a milestone for the organisation and for Deaf and Hard of Hearing people in Cork. Our partners are our service users who have worked with us to plot a course for the next few years. We are excited to share our plans for the future and we can think of no better time to begin our journey than during International Week of Deaf People’.
PDF Version – Strategic Plan 2023-2028
Full English Language Transcript of ISL Summary Video is available here.
Follow
