‘May Way’ Day to highlight access for the disabled
SLIGO County Council has thrown its weight behind a campaign by 13 leading disability organisations for an All-Ireland “Make Way Day”.
On one day a year they are asking members of the public to pause and think of people with disabilities in the public spaces we all share.
It was suggested by Independent Councillor Declan Bree that the Council would support the campaign.
“A car parked on a footpath blocking the way, or a sandwich board outside a pub or shop premises, or a bicycle chained to a lamppost; are three prime examples of trip hazards highlighted by people with a disability,” said Cllr Bree.
“Wheelie Bins on footpaths and overgrown hedges have also been highlighted. Disability organisation say that thoughtlessness and genuine lack of awareness is behind most instances like those I have listed,” he told the September meeting of Sligo County Council.
“If this Council can help raise awareness of the need to remove physical barriers to participation, we are demonstrating our commitment to creating a more equal society for people with disabilities.
“A national Make Way Day will send a strong message that we don’t want our towns and villages to be obstacle courses for family, friends and neighbours with disabilities.
Cllr Bree proposed that the Council support an annual national “Make Way Day” on 26 th September, that they write to an Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, and each Government Minister calling on them to support, establish, fund and resource an annual national “Make Way Day” and will annually support and promote a local #MakeWaySligo campaign as part of the wider “Make Way Day”.
Cllr Bree was supported by Independent Cllr Marie Casserly: “This is usually not intentional. When people realise what they’re doing they change their habits,” she told the meeting.