At St. Michael’s House, human rights are at the heart of everything we do. They are not abstract principles, but everyday essentials that support people to live meaningful lives, make choices and exercise their rights at every stage of life. As we mark Human Rights Day 2025, we reflect on how a rights-based approach is embedded across our services and brought to life through the voices and experiences of the people we support.
Building a Rights-Based Service
A rights-based service means recognising each person as an individual with their own identity, preferences and goals. It is about listening, responding to changing needs and ensuring the right supports are in place so that people can live the life of their choosing. Across St. Michael’s House, human rights shape everyday practice, from decision-making and participation, to inclusion in communities and access to opportunities.
Betty’s Story | Human Rights in Everyday Life
To mark this year’s theme, Human Rights: Our Everyday Essentials, we are proud to share a video from Betty, who attends Templeogue Day Services. Recently, Betty visited Leinster House with the Templeogue Rights Group and QQI Level 3 Self-Advocacy learners from St. Michael’s House, where she presented a video sharing her life story and reflecting on her changing needs as she grows older.
In her video, Betty speaks about working in Dunnes Stores, being active in her local community and enjoying a busy and independent life. As her needs have changed over time, Betty has also spoke openly about the importance of having the right support when out and about, to enable her to continue living the life she chooses.
Betty’s story highlights a key principle of human rights, while a person’s support needs may change, their identity, value and rights do not. Access to appropriate, responsive supports is an essential part of upholding human rights, enabling people to continue participating in their communities with confidence, dignity and choice.
Human Rights as Everyday Essentials
Human rights are present in everyday moments, being heard, making choices, feeling safe and having access to the support needed to live well. At St. Michael’s House, we are committed to strengthening this approach across all services, ensuring that people are supported to live full, meaningful lives, rooted in respect and inclusion.
On Human Rights Day 2025, we celebrate the voices of self-advocates like Betty and reaffirm our commitment to building services where human rights are everyday essentials.