Access issues to be addressed in day of awareness
A NUMBER of organisations based in Wexford’s four towns will take part in Make Way Day on Wednesday morning, with the aim of highlighting how simple moves can make life easier for wheelchair users and those with a disability.
The initiative, which is being jointly coordinated by the Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI) and Wexford County Council, will involve a stickering campaign in each of the four towns, with obstacles that block the path of those with mobility and access difficulties, marked for the owners’ observation.
The same initiative has been tried in Dublin and was successful.
The DFI subsequently to all local councils and asked them to take part in the event this year - Wexford is one of 15 councils taking part.
The stickering will be carried out be groups and organisations associated with mobility and disability, under strict guidelines in terms of what constitutes stickering.
In Wexford, members of the NCBI and Irish Wheelchair Association will be on the town in the morning while in Gorey, the Irish Wheelchair Association and Saoirse Training Access Group will be on patrol. Cumas will take to the streets in New Ross while members of the CWCW will inspect the streets in Enniscorthy.
A spokesperson for Access to All said: ‘The groups will be out and about, and if they see something that provides a barrier to people, they’ll sticker it. The stickers are easily removed and the groups have guidelines on what to sticker and where. It’s really about encouraging people to think about what they’re doing - for example, people leaving wheelie bins on the street, businesses with sandwich boards, bikes chained to railings, etc.’
Wexford County Council Access Officer, Caroline Horan said Make Way Day was an opportunity to overcome the public’s genuine lack of awareness of the needs of persons with a disability, and open their eyes to the extent of the everyday hazards that often greet people with a disability.
‘Make Way Day reminds us that 13% of the Irish population have a disability and their needs must be considered, particularly in the context of shared public spaces. Bringing in your bin early in the day or clipping your hedge might not seem that important, but it’s a small action with a big impact for a neighbour who otherwise might not be able to get down the street.’
Local activist and disability campaigner, Theresa Carley from the Wexford branch of the Irish Wheelchair Association, will be one of the people out stickering on Wednesday morning.
Ms Carley said: ‘There have been days when I just had to turn around and go home because my wheelchair could not go around a parked car on the footpath. If you come across enough obstacles like these you eventually don’t want to go out at all, and that leads to social isolation.’
Wexford County Councillor Mary Farrell worked with the Irish Wheelchair Association for 17 years and welcomed the initiative, saying that while it might seem like a little thing, it would stick in people’s minds.
She felt that there had been a huge improvement in most areas but there was still some way to go.
‘When I worked in the area, I constantly dealt with people who found day-to-day life very difficult. They couldn’t get a bus, or a taxi, or access paths, lots of things that we all take for granted. These all create huge barriers to people trying to live an independent life.’
She remarked: ‘There has been a huge improvement over the last number of years, no doubt, and a lot of it is down to service users and advocacy groups calling for change.’