Donegal Centre for Independent Living (DCIL) has proudly announced the official launch of its new Strategic Plan 2025–2028, marking a significant milestone for the future of independent living supports for people with disabilities across County Donegal. The plan was formally launched at a special event on February 26th, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Letterkenny, bringing together Leaders, Personal Assistants (PA’s), stakeholders, partners, and members of the wider community.DCIL’s new Strategic Plan sets out an ambitious and transformative roadmap for the next three years, responding to the growing demand for services and reaffirming DCIL’s commitment to ensuring people with disabilities can live independently, make their own choices, and direct their own lives. At the heart of the plan is DCIL’s Self-directed Personal Assistant service.. This service enables individuals to take control of everyday life, from personal care and education to work, family, and social participation.
Speaking about the new Strategic Plan, DCIL CEO, Rosaleen Doherty said, “At DCIL, we’re extremely proud of the work we get to do but even more so, we’re committed to never settling but instead continually striving to do and be better in this space. On a daily basis, we see the difference that independent living supports can make in the lives of our leaders, not just in practical ways, but in confidence, freedom, and dignity. With this in mind, we believe that our new Strategic Plan is deeply important because it truly reflects the voices and aspirations of people with disabilities across Donegal. We want every person who avails of our services to feel empowered to live life on their own terms, with the right support beside them. This plan is our commitment to building that future together.”
The Strategic Plan is built around five key priorities:
- Expanding Self-Directed Personal Assistant Services, ensuring more people with disabilities can access the support they need to live independently.
- Strengthening infrastructure, staffing, and funding, recognising the challenges of recruiting and retaining staff and the need for sustainable resources.
- Developing broader Independent Living Supports, including expanded training and programmes from DCIL’s Ballymacool House base, with ambitions for enhanced facilities in the future.
- Demonstrating DCIL’s unique impact, ensuring the organisation continues to meet Ireland’s commitments under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and contributes to national advocacy and collaboration.
- Fostering trust and confidence, ensuring strong governance, accountability, and the highest operational standards.
The plan also outlines DCIL’s commitment to pursuing additional funding and advancing long-term capital development ambitions, including an extension project to support expanded programming and services.This Strategic Plan represents a powerful step forward for the disabled community in Donegal, reinforcing the belief that independent living is not a privilege, but a right.
The official DCIL strategic plan 2025-2028 can be viewed below: