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Access Louth 2011

The Disability Forum of the County Louth Community & Voluntary Forum held its second annual Access Louth presentation on Wednesday 16^th November 2011 in the D Hotel, Drogheda. The initiative encourages people experiencing access issues to nominate those businesses/premises they found most accessible in each of sixteen categories. The guest speaker was Senator Mary Moran, Labour Seanad Spokesperson on Disability, Education, Mental Health and Equality.

Other speakers at the event included Councillor Oliver Tully, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, Councillor Marianne Butler, Chairperson Dundalk Town Council, Ciaran McLoughlin (Irish Wheelchair Association), Peter Landy (Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland) and Alan Maguire (PWDI and chairperson of the Louth Community & Voluntary Forum).

The various speakers reflected on the improvements that have taken place in recent years by shops offices and business premises for ease of access for customers with a disability, wheelchair users, the elderly and parents with prams and pushchairs. Access no longer means a just ramp outside a building but now refers to “Access for all”.

Senator Moran acknowledged how the awards are an excellent way to highlight the hard work, good practices and consideration that many businesses and organisations in the county have adopted in order to improve the standards of accessibility. They also highlight awareness of the issues that face people with any kind of mobility issue on a day to day basis.

Senator Moran recounted personal experience as a mother with five young children and the frustration of her double buggy not fitting into some shop entrances, or being unable to enter buildings with steps. “Sometimes it doesn’t need involve a lot of expense or work to improve access but just common sense and communication with the right people to make for easier access”.

As Seanad spokesperson for disability she vowed to continue to raise these issues in the Seanad and is “fully committed to do all I can to raise awareness for every area of disability”.

A recent ESRI study on people with a disability in Ireland shows that one in five of the population has a disability but that the majority of people, rather than being born with it acquire the disability in the course of their lives. It also shows that people with a disability are most likely to experience access difficulties in public venues.

Senator Moran also welcomed the recent Government announcement that a grant of €192,000 has been allocated to Aura Swimming pool in Dundalk to further improve access facilities.

The event concluded with the winners in each category being presented with a certificate containing the endorsement of the various disability groups in the County.

The full list of 2011 winners is;

Accessible Transport	Sherry’s Cab and Minibus Hire, Ardee
Chemist	O’Flynns, Ardee
Chiropodist	Hayes & Associates, Drogheda
Dental Surgery	Hollywood’s, Dundalk
Doctor’s Surgery	John Street Medical Centre, Ardee
Financial Institution	Ardee Credit Union
Hotel	The D Hotel, Drogheda
Optician	Leavys, Dundalk
Playground	The Fair Green, Ardee
Post Office Building	An Post, West Street, Drogheda
Public Building	The Tholsel, Drogheda
Restaurant & Pub	The Hillside, Ardee
Supermarket	O’Gorman’s Centra, Ardee
Shopping Centre	Marshes Shopping Centre, Dundalk
School / College	DKIT
Sports Facility	St Marys, GAC, Ardee

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Access Louth - Launch

Friday 23^rd September 2011 marked the launch of the second Access Louth Initiative in the Irish Wheelchair Association, Ardee, where the guest speaker was Mairead McGuinness MEP.

In launching the event Ms McGuinness told those assembled how happy she was to be involved with such an initiative in her home town. She praised the proactive nature of Access Louth and how it highlighted those businesses that provide access rather than criticising those who do not. Ms McGuinness also spoke of access issues from a European perspective and the importance of the European Union to Ireland. She praised the collaborative nature of all the various groups involved especially during these tough economic times.

Bridget Boyle, North East Access Officer for the Irish Wheelchair Association, told the assembled group that access extends beyond those with a physical disability to include access for all. She hoped that the initiative could be extended to neighbouring counties in the North East.

George Kennedy, CEO of Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland spoke of the success of last year’s event and the positive energy was generated as a result.

Alan Maguire of PWDI praised the work of those involved last year who got the event up and running. He spoke of the relationships built with various businesses and congratulated them individually on the improvements they have made as a result.

Anne Moonan a member of Ardee Active Retirement spoke of the Louth Age Friendly initiative and of the improvements that have been beneficial to older people in the area.

Also present at the event was Ardee Town Council Cathaoirleach Michael Farrelly, representatives of the Ardee Traders Association, various business representatives throughout the county as well as members of the Louth Community & Voluntary Forum.

For further information on Access Louth, please contact Adrian O’Sullivan, Social Inclusion Unit, Louth County Council, at 042-9324355 or e-mail dce@louthcoco.ie

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Access Louth 2011

Access Louth - Launch

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