People with disabilities ‘shouldn’t have to ask for help’ to work Re-turn machines

LABOUR Party Councillor Marie Moloney has said Government and Deposit Return Scheme Ireland (DRS) did not consider people with disabilities when designing ‘Re-Turn’ scheme machines.

The Killarney-based representative said wheelchair users cannot access the slot for inserting the bottles and cans as it is too high. Moreover, she stated that people with impaired vision also have difficulties in operating the machines as there is no braille marking on the machines.

The DRS scheme was introduced in February as part of a new, nationwide money-back scheme for plastic drinks bottles and aluminium cans. The machines are located primarily in supermarkets.

“This was total negligence on behalf of Re-turn and indeed Minister [Ossian] Smyth, who should have issued a directive to make provision for people with disabilities,” Cllr Moloney said.

“Not only are wheelchair users precluded from using the deposit return machines, but people with impaired vision also have difficulties in operating the machines as there is no braille marking,” she added.

Cllr Moloney stressed that many people with disabilities are very independent and lead independent lives, and that returning their used cans and bottles should not be an obstacle for them.

“They should not be forced to ask for help at these machines. Likewise, people with impaired vision should not be put in a position to have to ask someone to operate the machine for them,” she said.

“People with disabilities should be provided with all necessary means to enable them to lead a normal independent life and our Government has failed them miserably on this occasion,” Cllr Moloney said.