We were refused DCA for our daughter who has a visual impairment as well as mild hearing impairment and low muscle tone (hypotonia). She’s a bit delayed in her motor skills and language, probably because of the hypotonia and hearing problems. I think VI is her primary disability. Does anyone else receive DCA with respect to a VI. We’re appealing the decision but I’m not sure whether we’re not entitled to it for a VI or whether there’s been lack of clarity about the rules since it moved from HSE to DSFA?

Hi, we recieve DCM for our 2 VI children however they both have heart conditions also. I dont think there are any hard and fast rules, its a case by case basis. I think you are right to question the decision. I will ask around and let you know if I find out anything more concrete than this.
Good Luck
E

Thanks for getting back to me Greenhillls.
We appealed the decision with a letter outlining the impact of our daughter’s visual problems on her in every day life. They granted us the DCA on review, we didn’t have to attend a meeting or anything. They’re forwarding back pay, respite grant etc so that’s good news. It seems its definitely worth appealing these decisions.

Great to hear that, in my expierence alot of these things take a few attempts before you get what you are entitled to, you have to battle a bit with the system unfortunatly. Keep in touch if you have any other queries as your daughter goes on, espeically around school age. I have found other parents a huge source of info. If you can make it to one of our meetings do come you get alot of this type of support.
Take care,
E

Thanks for the reply. I only just saw the notice for the Marley Park meet up last weekend. I’ll definitely try to get to the next event.

The heavens opened up onus at Marley Park, but we did manage to have a tug of war in the lashing rain. We are meeting Thursday 24th Bewleys Hotel Sandyford, 8:00pm, come if you can, you can ring any of us beforehand if you’ve any queries, our details are on contact page.
Take care
E

Commitee

Thanks for organising Sunday’s picnic in Marlay park - it had all the makings of a really lovely day only for the torrential rain! Ah well.
Catherine & Luke

I know thats Ireland for you. Great you came, hopefully next one we’ll get to the games quicker.
Take care
Eithne

hi,

beeps i have tried to send you a private message and i dont know if it went. my daughter too has been refused dca. her primary disablitity is cataracts. she may have a hearing impairment too but we are awaiting a proper full hearing test to confirm this. i was wondering how you went about your appeal. what letters of back up did you get? how did you word it etc? any help would be great

thanks,

Hi Lala82,
I came across this on another discussion board but it might be of use to you, pasted below…
We appealed the initial decision by writing a letter and going through daily activities - many of the areas mentioned below - and outlining what extra care we need to give our DD because of her low vision. It was a bit tricky as she was so young at the time around 12mths I think, and all children need constant care at that age but I put down things like, helping her to locate food in her bowl at feeding, helping her locate objects orienting her to the room, etc.
This post is too large so I’ll post it in two parts.
——————————————————————————-

DCA - What Dept SW are looking for.

hi all. i taught id post it here for all of us that are currently appealing DCA and waiting on oral hearings. maybe it will be of help to some.

Reply from Dept. of Social Protection Re DCA and advice on completing the application for parents.
By Special Needs Parents Association on Monday, February 21, 2011 at 10:06pm
•Eligibility for DCA is not based primarily on the medical or psychological condition, but on the resulting lack of function of body or mind necessitating the degree of extra care and attention required. Each application is assessed on an individual basis taking account of the evidence submitted.
•The Department uses a set of consistent and objective guidelines in determining the medical eligibility of children for the scheme. These guidelines were drawn up by a Group chaired by the Department’s Chief Medical Advisor comprised of senior medical personnel from the HSE as well as eminent professionals in the areas of physical disabilities which affect children, and child psychiatry/psychology.
•The Group considered that the most appropriate way for the Department to conduct assessments for medical eligibility was by assessing evidence submitted by the claimant rather than by way of individual examination by the Department’s Medical Assessors as they are not involved in advice or treatment of the child. The new process in operation in the department involves the submission of a detailed statement by the parent or guardian of the child; a detailed statement by the child’s General practitioner; and any other relevant evidence from qualified experts who have examined the child. The evidence is assessed by designated departmental Medical Assessors who have received special training in Human Disability Evaluation.
•In the case of an application which is refused on medical grounds, the applicant may submit additional information and/or ask for the case to be reviewed by a different Medical Assessor specially designated for this task. Where a person is not satisfied with the decision of a Deciding Officer they may appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office
So the advice we are giving our families is that they should keep a diary of EXACTLY what the parent has to do for the over the next few days
- detail absolutely everything you have to do with/for her child, literally step by step the more detail the better.
Also -would advise the parent to think under the following heading & then consider the following pointers:
Communication (difficulty speaking or understanding, making his/ her needs known) – Here, you should list examples of the difficulties your child may have communicating at home, It would also be important to list the difficulties they have with communication in their wider community / school environment, - these are going to require you to give them extra care and support in order for them to remain participating. List examples of the aids or structures you put in place to support communication and time and effort it takes to keeps these up to date etc. You should also refer to any interactions you have had with professionals in relation to this.
Learning – Consider the frequent interactions with schools, appointments with therapists, extra supports you have given at home to get your children through, or going to school. Do you spend more time helping your child with AS with their learning needs? Have you had to work with professionals to develop their understanding of AS?
The remainder of the listed support areas, we feel, are aimed at physical disabilities but may be relevant to your individual circumstances. e.g.
Feeding – Any issues with compulsions or fixations around food, list supports you have put in place if it is relevant.
Manual Dexterity - (on the form this refers to difficulty picking up objects or doing and undoing buttons or zips) however you could highlight the supports / routines you have to put in place to facilitate your child getting dressed, organising themselves for school etc.
Toileting – Consider the age appropriateness of the supports you have in place for your child with regards showering /washing. Do you have to engage in a very fixed routine? Does your child have sensitivities around water?
Managing Treatment (medication) – Obviously, if your child is taking medications they should be listed here, and the process you go through to administer them.

part 2
———————
Also set out the details of any other care and attention needed by the child:
Here you can outline the supports you are most likely to have in place around:

* Managing Daily Routines / Structures

* Supports you give your child to enable them to participate in social activities

* Any speech and language or occupational input you are engaging privately

* Any extra tuition you facilitate yourself or courses you have enrolled your child in to work on communication and social interaction skills

* Note any extraordinary behaviour your child engages in, the difficulties these present and the demands they place on you, the carer, and any resulting safety (self and others) issues.

Also - you could give information on how the children life is affected under the following headings -

* Communication
* Social Interaction
* Imagination
* Concentration / Rigid Thinking
* Motivation
* Information Processing
* Anxiety
* Challenging behaviour

beeps thanks for that. i must go through it now and get my appeal done and sent off. just back in work after maternity leave so finding time to get this sort of stuff done is hard.

thanks again

appeal went off last week, fingers crossed we get it.

how long did you find the appeals process took? on average?