Persisting for Change with Alan Fay

The Citizens Now Podcast

In the final conversation of the season, I speak with Alan Fay from Dublin who is a disability campaigner and was a valued member of the Youth Council of EPIC Ireland for 5 years championing care awareness. EPIC stands for ‘Empowering People in Care’ and it is an advocacy organisation for children and young people in the care system in Ireland. Alan and I met through a piece of research I conducted on behalf of EPIC, and we speak a little bit about it in the interview.
Alan’s passion for ensuring that young people with disabilities are seen in terms of their abilities rather than their disabilities shines throughout our conversation, and he provides valuable insight into the experiences of care-experienced young people with disabilities underlining just how important it is that they are listened to.
This is a timely conversation because it comes just a few days after #CareDay24 on 16th February, an annual day to celebrate the contribution and successes of children and young people in care. The 2024 theme for Care Day is 'I am what I choose to become'.
Show links:
EPIC Ireland
EPIC has an excellent podcast called The Care Experience Podcast - it's also on Spotify
Disability & the Care System – EPIC’s Care Day 2021 webinar on where the care system insects with the disabilities sector.
‘Headphones, Odd Shoes & A Second Chance at Life: An Exploration of the Experience of Children in Care & Care-leavers with Disabilities’
Alan on X (formerly Twitter)
Alan’s Facebook page, ‘Life with a Disability’

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Credits:

Created, produced, and hosted by: Debs Erwin

Music: GlowCity

Artwork: Rachel Brady

Sound Editing & Mixing: Stu Reid, Stunt Double Music