TINA LOWE | Candidate for NUI Seanad 2007 Election | Home

Read Tina at Blogger

Tina talks about losing her sight in the July issue of Woman's Way.
Download PDF of Tina's story in Woman's Way.

Tina has written about disabilities in ‘Different Voices’.
Read an extract from Tina Lowe's ‘Different Voices’ Chapter

Tina has been interviewed by Roisin Ingle for The Irish Times.
Read Tina Lowe's Irish Times interview


Contact Tina

Tina Lowe
AHEAD

www.tinalowe.ie

Candidate For NUI Seanad 2007 Election

NUI graduates have a long history of electing highly principled representatives to the Seanad. This year NUI graduates will again be asked to elect three Senators to the constituency by postal vote.

Who am I and why vote for me?

I lost my sight in 1993 due to a viral meningitis and have since undergone re-training, re-education and re-employment. Coming from the so called “normal” world I have been constantly struck by the inequities and injustices which surround me and which I encounter on a daily basis in the form of the discrimination and ignorance demonstrated by some members of our society.

This marginalisation has meant that I have had to battle for my rights. I have worked for my rights and for others by campaigning with potential employers and educationalists to enable more and more disabled people to access both employment and education.

If elected to the Seanad I will not only fight for the rights of my fellow disabled but for the rights of other marginalised groups who also encounter discrimination, alienation and economic disadvantage (for some people the Celtic Tiger has not roared nor even purred).

Tina Lowe will make a great impact as your representative of the graduates of the National University of Ireland in Seanad Eireann and I urge all graduates to give her your support. But it should be appreciated that Tina’s interests extend beyond those of the disabled and in the Seanad, she will be a powerful advocate for all the marginalised sectors of our Irish society. There can be no finer voice for the graduates of the National University than Tina Lowe and I recommend her to you without any qualification.

Dr. John Kelly, Professor Emeritus and former Registrar
University College Dublin

I believe that our society can become more equitable and more just. In order to get basic human rights it is necessary to gain a political voice. As an independent candidate I believe that I can address the issues mentioned above with a real personal insight, honesty and with no hidden agenda.

I will harness all my energy, commitment and drive to secure change and get justice and equality for those who have been marginalized and who are forced to live on the fringes of our society. In order to do this I need your vote.

Ms Lowe represents a constituency of Irish citizens which is poorly represented in civil society. Our colleges and universities are places welcoming of people with disabilities but they have some way to travel in the journey towards full acceptance of our right to be allowed and assisted to study what we like. Please support Tina. She is a fine lady and will make a fine senator.

Desmond Kenny, CEO
NCBI: Working For People With Sight Loss

How to vote

NUI graduates – other than honorary graduates – who are citizens of Ireland, and who are registered, may vote in Seanad Éireann elections (NUI constituency).

Registration Claim Forms are issued to graduates at the time of conferring; however any NUI graduate may request a Registration Form at any time. NUI graduates (who are otherwise eligible to vote) who return completed Registration Claim Forms to the NUI office by 26th February in any given year, will be listed in the NUI Seanad Éireann Register to be published on the 1st June in that same year. In addition, NUI graduates may, at any time, inform the Registration Officer of a change of address at records@nui.ie.

Registration Claim Forms can be downloaded from the www.nui.ie or by contacting the NUI Office at records@nui.ie

National University of Ireland, 49 Merrion Square, Dublin 2
 Tel: 01-4392424

Through her work, she has been an energetic and effective advocate for disability equality and she has demonstrated her commitment to this not only in education but also in the wider social system. Today, more than ever, a disability presence is required in Irish politics. Tina has the knowledge, ability and commitment to make a real difference for disabled people in Ireland.

Patrick McDonnell, Co-Ordinator,
Equality Studies Centre, UCD