The Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) was founded in 1960 by a small group of wheelchair users committed to improving the lives of people with physical disabilities in Ireland. IWA has gone on to become an important provider of quality services to people with limited mobility throughout the country. Today, their association is made up of a vibrant network of 20,000 members and 2,000 staff, as well as many dedicated volunteers. Together they work to achieve greater independence, freedom and choice for people living with a disability.

Strategy

Irish Wheelchair Association’s Strategic Plan: Driving on - Determining their Future: A Strategy for People 2013 – 2016 was launched during the Association’s AGM and Conference which took place on 18th May 2013, in Sligo. During the conference IWA’s CEO, Kathleen McLoughlin introduced the strategy to delegates emphasising:

‘IWA is one of a number of not-for-profit organisations that work to build a more inclusive society. They have been successful at this because they keep the person at the centre of the process in all that they do. They have also been successful because they listen and respond in a timely manner to their member’s needs.

This has been most evident in the development of their 2013- 2016 strategic plan. The involvement of members at every stage of the planning is a clear testament to the ethos of the Association. IWA’s new strategy Driving On- Determining their Future again sets out a person-centred approach to how the Association will move forward in the coming years and address the issues that have the biggest impact on their members’ lives and ensure that they can remain in control of their lives and shape their own futures’.

The strategic plan has been developed at a time of unprecedented pressure on resources, and against a backdrop of financial uncertainty for the entire economy. Despite this situation, the Association is determined to continue to plan effectively for the future and to ensure that what has been achieved to-date is built upon and improved.

The strategy sets out 6 clear objectives for IWA to achieve over the course of the next three years:

Support independent living an enhanced quality of life
Retain and enhance services
Ensure financial stability and sustainability for the Association
Raise our profile
Continue to develop sport and youth activities
Mobilise support

The plan was developed, shaped and delivered as a strategy for people by IWA members. A sincere thank you is extended to all who participated in the development of the plan.