BADIG was formed in 1998.

Ballymun in 1998 was entering a period of great change under Government plans for regeneration. The area had experienced significant disadvantage for decades and people hoped that it would change dramatically for the better. Disabled people living in Ballymun had also experienced disadvantage in many ways. They too were looking to the future with hope but they were also concerned that their needs would not be properly understood or reflected adequately in new designs for homes, public spaces, etc. They were also worried that their regular routes to local shops, surgery, etc., would be blocked during construction work and that they would become isolated at home.

BADIG was formed to address these concerns. BADIG grew out of a group of people who came together in the Ballymun Women’s Resource Centre. From the start, we wanted to be a Group led by people with disability and guided by the experience of the real-life challenges we faced. We also wanted to maintain our strong community roots and links.

One of our first initiatives was to hold a conference – ‘Shifting the Blame’ – in the Regency Hotel. The Conference brought together local people, many with disability, and representatives of local and State bodies. 

It confirmed the need for BADIG to concentrate on two areas of work:

1. Providing information, support, and advice to people with disability and their families, and
2. Influencing policy and key agencies to ensure that the perspectives and needs of people with disability were reflected fully in all decisions.

This is still the focus of our work today.