SIDO Year 1 Annual Report (March 2008 - February 2009)

ChallengesWhile the SIDO project overall has been very successful, a number of key challengesemerged from the first year of the project. These challenges involve issues which theSIDO has identified in the course of his work, as well as issues which the disabilityorganisations and participants themselves have identified.VolunteersThe recruitment, training and retention of volunteers remains a significant challengedespite the significant progress made in recruiting volunteers in Year One. Due to thenature of the groups and individuals being targeted a large number of suitable andavailable volunteers are required to assist with the delivery of the many programmes andevents organised through the project. In addition people with an intellectual disability andphysical and sensory disabilities often need a personal assistant or one to one support inorder to access programmes successfully.StaffingA number of disability organisations and services have identified reduced staff numbersand restricted timetabling of staff members as a challenge in terms of supporting theirservice users participating in physical activity programmes. Going forward it will beimportant to liaise closely with the various disability services on their staffingarrangements in order to plan activities at times which can be accessed by serviceusers.TransportThis has regularly been cited as a key barrier to participation for all categories ofdisability. Access to transport provides a challenge to all types of disabilities and therural geographics of Sligo increases the issue. The SIDO will continue to work with localservices like the rural transport initiative and the IWA to address this issue.Club/Organisation supportAlthough great strides have been made in forging links with local sports clubs, disabilitysports organistions and National Governing Bodies of sport, increased club andorganistional support is essential to sustain, further develop and expand the SIDOprogramme.Information Provision/DatabasesThe co-ordination and dissemination of information in the areas of sports facilities,training, transport links, programming and links between disability groups and sportsproviders is vital to ensure the continued success of the programme. Maintaining strongand effective links with disability organistions and their service users remains a keycomponent in the sharing of information. However a gap still exits in identifying andsupplying information to individuals who do not avail of disability service and this remainsa difficult challenge for the future. Additionally, the recruitment of new individuals ontothe SIDO database remains a challenge as many people with a disability may be initiallyreluctant to disclose personal information.Future FundingSecuring the sustainability of the project through funding remains the greatest challengeto the future of the project. The CARA Centre are currently working closely with the IrishSports Council to try and access funding for the SIDO programme at National level.Locally, SSRP is exploring opportunities with its partner agencies for future projectfunding.24