People with Disabilities in Ireland
4th Floor Jervis House
Jervis Street
Dublin 1
Telephone: 01 87 21 74 4
Fax: 01 87 21 77 1
Email: info@pwdi.ie
Kildare Network was selected as one of the host towns for the special bus which is currently touring the EU Member States to celebrate the European Year of People with Disabilities. Given that the Bus was visiting Newbridge on Independence Day, we decided to make Access the theme for the visit. A small but dedicated sub-committee set about its work which would ensure that the visit was a great success.
The first task after planning our strategy was to encourage others to 'Come on board', and make a pledge to 'make a difference'. We contacted as many of the disability groups in the County as we could and had a very good response. We decided against having bands or seminars because we wanted to do something which have a lasting effect on the community. This was where the 'Make a Pledge' and 'What to Say' quiz were put into operation on the day.
As a result of a tentative enquiry, we were pleased when Kildare county council agreed to host the press launch for the Bus which proved very successful. The launch was held in the River Bank Arts Centre, a week prior to the arrival of the Bus. Coincidentally, the Arts Centre Is currently featuring in the Office of Public Works (OPW) Universal Design exhibition which is touring the Country, several Kildare Network committee members had an input into the building at the design stage. While some small imperfections remain, the theatre is accessible to all patrons.
At the Press Launch, there were a number of speakers from the County Council, outlining how they would try to improve general access for people with disabilities. Members of the Kildare Network committee spoke on different aspects of access: Mary Hodgins on access to Mental Health Services, Anne Kelly on access to Information Niall McDonnell on access to the Built Environment. Claire Kinneavy, bus visit coordinator outlined the programme for the bus visit. The Network chairperson Mary Walsh presided over the evening.
On July 4th, the day of the bus visit, the representatives of the disability groups and others who had committed to come along set up information stalls in the bus, including: Citizens Information Centre, National Council for the Blind of Ireland, Schizophrenia Ireland and Kare, whose representation included a number of medal winners fresh from the Special Olympics. There was an interpreter for any visitors, who were deaf.
A number of local politicians were present for the official opening of the Bus and the Mayor of Newbridge, opened proceedings. The Mayor made a pledge to go round the town with members of the disability community, to experience for himself the difficulties confronting us on a daily basis.
We also had entertainment which included Emus, and the tallest Long Cane User in Ireland. Not surprisingly, the face painting and the helium balloons were a great hit with the kids.
On board, for the morning were Network committee members along with Nigel Brander, our National Chairman. A video was showing, which related the inattentive attitudes of people to the needs of people with disabilities. Our PC (politically correct) Language Quiz, which gave multiple choice questions relating to the correct language to use around people with disabilities. Although it was relatively straight forward, it created problems for many people and served to highlight the need to promote awareness at every opportunity.
However, the attraction which nearly caused a "Logue Jam" was our large print Pledge Book. Visitors to the bus were encouraged to make a pledge to do something which would make a significant difference to the lives of people with disabilities. A list of suggested pledges was hung on the wall, to give visitors an idea of the simple changes which could make a difference.
We were extremely pleased with the large turn out, but just when we were on a role, the Gardai escort arrived to whisk the bus away to Kilkenny to fulfil the next visit that afternoon.
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