Mayo Self Advocacy Group’s short film highlights power of technology to connect 

Westport Town Hall welcomed the stars of “I.T. and Me”, a film production by the Mayo Self Advocacy Group on Tuesday. 

The event was hosted by Westport’s Austin Moran and Aughagower’s Teresa Keane, who also had a starring role in the film.

Roving reporter and birthday boy Mark Roache, added to the glitz of the Westport event by interviewing the attendees as they entered the town hall. 

Mark Roache interviewing Cllr Brendan Mulroy and Cllr Peter Flynn

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Mark McDonagh was on hand to make sure everyone got the right ticket and knew where to go and ushered people into their seats. The delicious refreshments were baked in Carrowbeg. 

The Mayo Self Advocacy Group is a group of advocates, who are elected by their peers from local groups. The film’s cast comes from all over county Mayo:

Michael Sayers represents the Belmullet Day Service, Conn Mangan and Danny Vesey represent the Achill Day Service, Triona McEvaddy and John Walsh both represent the Crann Mor Service in Ballinrobe, Bridget Ward represents the Primrose Hill Day Service in Claremorris and Teresa Keane represents the Hub in Carrowbeg in Westport. Farah Hoban is originally from Westport but is now based in Castlebar and Denise Breslin, former chairperson of the group, is based in Ballyhaunis. 

The Mayo Self Advocacy Group is part of the Western Care Association, which is a voluntary organisation dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual and associated disabilities to lead full and satisfying lives as equal citizens. 

The project started with the advocates brainstorming ideas of how technology is useful in their everyday lives. They were later joined by drama facilitator, Lorraine Stack and videographer and editor, Tommy Murphy to turn the ideas into a film. 

The Mayo Self Advocacy Group brainstorming ideas for "I.T. and Me"

This film showcases the advocates as peer educators and is an invaluable resource for shared learning. The structure of very relatable scenes, such as ordering a coffee or killing time in a waiting room, combined with tutorials offer very practical tips on how to use technology in a positive way.

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It is also effective in showing a wide range of methods to communicate such as sign language, using pictures and using apps to turn text into speech. 

Carmel Brady, Advocacy Co-ordinator with Western Care, explains that “what we wanted was that you could show people how to use technology and we want this to be sent around the organisation.”

The importance of funding from the South West Mayo Development was recognised with the presentation of an Oscar to Caroline Healy. She explains that the social inclusion program has been supporting the group for six years and “each time we finish a project, Farah always asks me, 'What money can we have next? What are we going to do next?'”

Indeed, Westport native and advocate Farah Hoban gave a rally cry from the stage when she urged everyone, “Don’t be afraid to speak up.”

The cast of "I.T. and Me" on stage in Westport Town Hall

Fr John Kenny and Cllrs Peter Flynn and Brendan Mulroy were among a packed crowd of family and friends to see the short film.

Speaking after the viewing, John Walsh told The Mayo News that the laptop storyline was his favourite scene. While fellow star Triona McEvaddy’s favourite scene was the scene in the tea shop.

Noreen McGarry, Community Inclusion Co-ordinator with Western Care Association, explains the idea of the film was you have something that you can tour with and the Mayo-wide tour continues in a couple of weeks with a showing in Ballina on July 1. Belmullet is the next stop, with a screening on September 16, before the stars head to Ballinrobe in October. 

Future screenings in Claremorris, Ballyhaunis and Achill are also firmly on the agenda.