History
Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland
An Organisation of Disabled People, for Disabled People, by Disabled People
- The Beginning
- Getting Together
- DDAI is Founded
- The 1970′s
- The 1980′s
- End of an Era
- The 1990′s
- DDAI Present
In the Ireland of the nineteen forties, fifties and sixties, persons with disabilities were not recognised as full members of society; they were not encouraged to participate in main stream education or to take up employment. It was in these circumstances that a group of disabled people came together to create an organisation to work for and on behalf of persons with disabilities.
The Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland was founded in 1970, but the story of this unique organisation goes back much further; to the births of three remarkable people, in three different counties, drawn together by fate.
Martin Donoghue was born in Cloonrane, Ballindine, Co. Mayo in 1923. He was born into a family of eight and was severely disabled, arms and legs being equally affected. The first six years of his life were spent visiting doctors, specialists and hospitals; all agreed that nothing could be done for him and that he would always require constant care. Nevertheless, he was taught to play the accordion by his family at the age of 4½ years and was educated at home to a high standard. He later studied music, accountancy and business. As there were no opportunities for disabled people in open employment, he earned a living by giving music lessons. He then formed a dance band and again had difficulty convincing musicians that he could make the grade as a band leader; but once again he succeeded and toured Ireland and Britain extensively for several years with his Paramount Showband.
Patrick Grogan was born in Co. Cavan in 1924, one of a family of ten. When very young his family moved to Hollymount Co. Mayo and later to Ballindine. Nobody could have forseen at that time the great impact he was to have on the fortunes of physically disabled people in Ireland and how this man in later life would become a symbol and pioneer in the cause of the underprivileged in society. Pat had been a steward at Knock Shrine for many years and it was there he learned at first hand the problems faced by the disabled; he vowed that given the opportunity he would help in some organised manner. He did not realise that he himself would become disabled, but fate ordained otherwise and he was to devote the rest of his life to a cause to which he was totally dedicated. Patrick was also a musician.
Ann Moroney was born in Renahamona, Flagmount, Co. Clare in 1932. Ann had cerebral palsy, a condition which affected her lower limbs and left arm and she spent many years in and out of hospital. Medical science could do little for Ann, so she was also educated at home. There was no work for disabled people but Ann was not content to sit at home doing nothing and eventually got a job as a machinist and cutter in a garment factory. The wages were not high, but she was doing a useful job and was independent at last.
Now, the parts of the jig-saw began to fit together. Martin Donoghue and Patrick Grogan had become good friends. Martin was a member of the Chip-Up Club in London, a disabled persons club, and he wrote the correspondence page in their bi-monthly magazine. As a result of this he was requested to write a monthly article for a similar magazine in Texas, called the Buckboard Review. This magazine had a worldwide circulation and was aimed a physically disabled people, bringing news of the latest medical discoveries, new appliances, stories of triumph over disabilities etc., Martin learned how other countries coped with the problems of the disabled and how far behind Ireland was lagging in this field.
Irish daily newspapers gave Martin’s achievements considerable cover and one such article attracted the attention of Ann Moroney, who wrote to him. They discovered they had much in common, began to correspond regularly and arranged to meet.
By this time Martin had passed his driving test (this was in the late fifties and only physically disabled people or persons driving public service vehicles had to take a test). Ann and Martin were married at Knock Shrine on Easter Monday 1964. Because it was the first wedding of its kind in Ireland, it received much publicity in the newspapers and was featured in the news programmes on radio and television. They were guests on the Late Late Show the following Saturday night.
Prior to this, Patrick Grogan and Martin Donoghue had left their respective jobs to work for an organisation catering for physically disabled persons and now Ann Donoghue became involved in the work. They had discussions with many disabled people living in various parts of Ireland, and it became evident that there was a great need for an organisation which would be controlled by physically disabled people. What had surprised all three was that nobody had made an effort to start such an organisation. When they put this to some people who were high up in charitable organisations they were told that such an organisation would not work, because it would be necessary to have the brains and brawn of ablebodied people. This was regarded by all three as an insult to disabled people everywhere, and it made it abundantly clear why disabled people were not promoted to high office in their own associations.
The formation of an organisation which would be operated and controlled by physically disabled people became an urgent priority with Martin, Ann and Pat. They invited a number of people; Kevin Regan (Gort, Co. Galway), Harold Grimes (Ballinrobe), Martin Forde (Galway), Richard McDonnell (Castlebar), Paddy McHale (Ballycastle, Ballina) and Pat Flannery (Castlerea) to assist in the formation of such an organisation.
In 1968 Mr. Jarleth Ruane, Solicitor, Claremorris, was requested to draw up the Articles of Association for the new Association so that it could be registered with the Department of Industry and Commerce as a charitable organisation. The stage was now set for the founding of the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland. The seven subscribers to the Memorandum of Association were: Martin Donohue, Patrick Grogan, Martin Forde, Patrick Flannery, Kevin Regan and Kathleen Lally. Witness to the signatures was Maire bean de Burca. All were physically disabled.
The Association was founded at a meeting in the Town Hall, Claremorris, Co. Mayo on Sunday, January 25th 1970. The following officers were elected: Martin Donoghue (Chairman); Patrick McHale (Vice Chairman); Pat Grogan (Treasurer); Kathleen Lally (Secretary); Martin Forde (Public Relations Officer). Committee: Richard McDonnell,
Pat Flannery, Michael McGarry, James Riddell, John Cooley, William Rushe, Kathleen Coffey. The Most Rev Dr Cunnane, Archbishop of Tuam, became patron of the Association.
The Committee decided that the Association must press for full open employment at a proper wage for all physically disabled people who were willing and able to work; (at this time disabled people could not access employment in the normal way, the only employment available to them was “sheltered employment”). In keeping with this decision, it was agreed that only physically disabled people would be employed in the association or in any fundraising. £100 was urgently required to get brochures and stationery and this was offered as a loan by Kevin Regan. A site was purchased by Christopher Grogan, Ballindine, (a brother of Pat) and donated to the Association. Later the Association purchased a further 5½ acres adjoining this site. A fundraising team was set up to collect money to finance the various projects, not least of which was the building of headquarters, workshop and training centre. A newsletter edited by Martin Forde (who would later serve as Chairman for a time) was published to keep members informed of what was happening in the association and of their entitlements.
That first year saw many achievements. The Automobile Association agreed to give members a free breakdown service. The Association Crest was accepted by the Garda Authorities as a symbol of accessibility, allowing the holder to park in an otherwise restricted area in towns and cities; this was the forerunner of the present day European Disabled Person’s Parking Card. A deputation from the Association met with senior officials of the Department of Health and put a number of proposals to them: that all taxes on cars purchased by physically disabled motorists should be recoverable; that the means test in so far as it applied to relatives of disabled people in receipt of disability pensions be abolished; that all disabled people on disability pensions or other low incomes should be entitled to free T.V. licences, free travel on public transport, free electricity and where severely disabled people were residing alone they should be provided with a free telephone . It was also requested that people in receipt of a disability pension should be allowed to earn an amount equal to their pension and that parents of disabled children should get a weekly allowance from infancy, to maintain such children at home. Some of these concessions were conceded within a few months, others over succeeding years.
During that first year the Association also found time to teach members to drive; help and advise members on all aspects of driving and car adaptations; set up social clubs in Galway and Castlebar; set up sports clubs and help many members get into open employment.
With Pat Flannery elected the new Chairman, 1971 was even busier than the previous year. The Association were making plans to erect a building in Ballindine and requested Mr. Jerry McGarry, Architect, Ballyhaunis, to draw up plans. Five and a half acres adjoining the original site were purchased. The directors decided to publish a quarterly magazine which was be called “Steering Wheel”; Martin Forde was again chosen to be editor. The magazine has had many distinguished contributors over the years; John B. Keane, Maeve Binchy, Vincent McDonnell, Donal K. Boyle, Terry Prone, Christy Brown, Paddy Flannery, Dr Eamon Casey, Fr. Michael Golden, Fr. Robert Nash to name but a few.
On January 4th 1972 the Directors decided to appoint Martin Donoghue as General Secretary of the Association, a position he held until his death. Dr Phelim Donnelly MD., FRCPE (Galway) became Medical Adviser. Dr Donnelly was a tremendous asset to the association, not only for his valuable medical advice but also for his efforts on behalf of the association to procure financial aid and for the radio appeals he made on its behalf. He was also instrumental in getting a delegation from the Association address the Medical Union of Ireland Conference on the Physically Disabled which was held in Wexford in 1974.
Fund-raising continued throughout Ireland, spearheaded by Pat Grogan. Kevin Regan was instrumental in the setting up of a fund-raising committee in America. The New York Committee did Trojan work in those uncertain early years with delegations from Ballindine conducting very successful fund-raising tours. Brian Crummy from Sligo who had been very active in the Association, and who was later to become Chairman, was co-opted on to the Board of Directors and led a delegation to the Department of Health in an effort to obtain a grant for the building project. This was not forthcoming and it was decided to complete the project in two stages.
The work on behalf of the disabled continued. Branches were set up in Galway, Sligo, Cork and Dublin. Sheila O’Donoghue was appointed to take charge of the Cork office, a position she holds to this day, where she serves with a diligence above and beyond the call of duty. Stage One of the building was officially opened and blessed by his Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Cunnane DD., Archbishop of Tuam on Sunday 22nd August 1976.
Campaigning for disabled rights, sometimes on a militant basis continued. A “T.V. Campaign” in which a majority of members refused to pay their licences, and quite a number being brought before the courts, proved to be a source of some controversy, however the budget of 1977 proved to be a source of great satisfaction with the introduction of the free T.V. licence.
At the Ballindine Headquarters work continued to create a learning environment in which the potential of disabled people would be enhanced, an environment that would be educational, practical, informative, innovative, recreational and social. Now established in Ballindine were administrative offices, canteen and residential accommodation. With the founding of Ability Enterprises in 1980 modern workshops were installed. Training was provided in electric motor rewinding and repairs. Among the customers were some of the largest firms in Mayo and neighbouring counties, including Halal, Thermo King, Western Pride and Roadstone. Metal work, wood turning, crafts, and soft toy making was taught and factory shops established. Also manufactured and sold were items of jewellery, handmade rugs, hand painted pictures, basketry, leather goods, hand painted tablecloths, cabinets, coffee tables and standard lamps. A range of disabled aids and appliances were manufactured and sold. The advisory group of the DDAI felt that the study of computer technology should form an integral part of an education programme and a training centre was set up. University College Galway and the Mayo Education Committee came on board and agreed to use the centre as a location for some of their extra mural courses. Ability Enterprises Telework Service Centre was established.
Alongside all of this the driving school continued to go from strength to strength. The fight on behalf of the disabled continued; indeed in 1988 it had to be intensified when the Disabled Drivers’ Scheme was under threat. Martin Donoghue and Brian Crummy were on the road constantly, fighting to retain the scheme introduced by C. J. Haughey in 1968. Martin was like a man inspired, re-invigorated by this latest battle. The campaign culminated in a protest outside the Dail in April 1988, and victory. Brian was to go on to serve as Chairman of the Disabled Drivers Association for 20 years. His background in the public service as a health board official and prominent trade unionist stood him in good stead and he proved to be a safe pair of hands over the years. It seemed as if Martin felt he had achieved as much as he could in his lifetime and that it was time to pass the mantle on to someone else.
The deaths of Ann Donoghue in 1987 and Martin two years later left a void within the Association. They are buried in the grounds of St. Joseph’s Church, Ballindine, in close proximity to the DDAI complex which they sacrificed so much to establish. The Donoghue Memorial Bursary was established in their memory to help disabled students finance third level education.
Mr. Martin Donoghue is shown receiving the “Mayoman of the Year” award in 1980. Mr. Justice Hamilton in his citation described him as “the most unique Irishman of our time.
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Derek Farrell began work in the Dublin office of the DDAI in 1988. A year later following the death of Martin Donoghue he was appointed General Secretary of the organisation. From the beginning Derek’s innovative thinking was evident. His educational background(Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Masters in Business Administration and Diploma in Adult Education) soon manifested itself.
Mr. Derek Farrell (seated) attending a Horizon project meeting in the UK
Derek brought an international dimension to the Association (in 1990 the Disabled Drivers Association became full members of Mobility International(MI), headquartered in Brussels). He looked towards Europe, sourced European Social Funding and made the best possible use of these new resources in developing courses and acquiring equipment which benefited the DDAI and Ability Enterprises. Through Derek the Association hosted a number of MI international projects, Youth Worker Programmes, Information Technology Workshops and Youth Committee and Women’s Group Meetings at the Disabled Drivers Centre in Ballindine. Our Irish students were similarly empowered by attending exchange courses and visits to EU countries. He and the Association were actively involved in Cross Border initiatives promoting peace and reconciliation.
As President of Mobility International he was active in developing MI programmes under the Phare and TACIS EU Initiatives and conducted projects in Hungry, Romania and Russia as well as programmes within the Horizon and Leonardo initiatives and carried out assignments for the United Nations in Asia. In the late 1990′s he was responsible for a series of training programmes for emerging voluntary organisations in Russia and several of the Republics. He was also elected the first President of the Federation of European Motorists with Disabilities (FEMD).
During this time the Association took part in a number of EU research projects including CONSENSUS which developed standards for assessment of people with disabilities in relation to adaptations for driving.
Derek never missed an opportunity to promote The Disabled Drivers Association and Ability Enterprises at home and abroad.
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In 1995 Pat Grogan, co-founder of the Disabled Drivers Association died, Pat had been appointed honorary President of the DDAI on his retirement from the Board.
At the end of 1997 the Association was accredited by the Department of the Environment with the issue of the new European Disabled Person’s Parking Cards and this led to the establishment of a new department at the Ballindine centre.
December 2000 saw the establishment by the DDAI of the first Shopmobility unit in Ireland, at the Liffey Valley Shopping Centre. This service has to-date been extended to Dundrum Town Centre, Mahon Point Centre, Cork and the Whitewater Centre in Newbridge.
The centre in Ballindine continued to be at the forefront of IT training in the region and beyond, with courses run in conjunction with DCU., MAYO VEC., U.C.G.
The driving tuition centre received a boost in 2001, when a static assessment unit was acquired. This was the first of its kind in the country and it has proved to be a valuable addition to the driving school.
Paddy Flannery died in May 2004; one of the original founders, he served as a Director for several years and was a loyal worker on behalf of the Association who contributed greatly over the years. He was a multitalented man, being a writer, poet, musician and raconteur.
With the retirement of Derek Farrell in 2006, Kenneth Fox became the new Chief Executive Officer of the DDAI. In a rapidly changing world, where the environment for people with disabilities is changing, in many ways for the better, the Association continues to respond to the needs of its members and looks forward to providing a voice and support for people with disabilities into a fifth decade.
