IWA's Access: It's No Joke campaign gains momentum with Mayo event

THE Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) welcomed Minister Dara Callery to Belmullet to shine a spotlight on access issues for people with disabilities.

This event followed the successful launch of IWA's Access: It's No Joke campaign on April Fools’ Day.

During the visit, several local community groups highlighted different access challenges to the minster.

Edith Geraghty, IWA member and chairperson of the Local Access Group, shared her personal experiences with barriers to public transport. Sarah Paradise from the Western Care Association discussed the challenges of inaccessible footpaths, and Mary Deane and Ethne Dixon from Erris Youth Disability Network addressed beach access issues.

Teresa Gaughan, an IWA tenant and member, emphasised the need for more accessible housing in the community.

Eva Lynsey from Belmullet Autism Friendly Town and Rosemarie Mangan from Erris Workability also spoke about the importance of inclusion and barriers to employment faced by people with disabilities.

Rosaleen Lally, national access programme manager for IWA, told the event: “We are asking the local authorities to consult with people with disabilities when they are planning so that we can get access right from the beginning. We are willing to work with the authorities to promote better accessibility across parking, changing places or toilet facilities, footpaths and transport, to name a few areas.

“Families with people with disabilities have to pre-plan their journeys well in advance as there are so many barriers in society preventing people with disabilities from living independently.

“For example, a huge effort has been put into making the busses that service Belmullet accessible, but the bus stops themselves are not accessible, leaving IWA members with no other option but to rely on IWA’s accessible bus to get them around.”

The event concluded with the outlining of IWA’s campaign asks, which include the demand for full-time, fully resourced access officers in every county council and meaningful consultation with people with disabilities and representative organisations like IWA to ensure true accessibility without the need for costly retrofitting.

IWA extended thanks to SICAP Mayo North East LEADER Partnership Company and Erris Workability for supporting the event.

The Irish Wheelchair Association is committed to advocating for the rights and accessibility of people with disabilities, and they continue to push for positive changes in the community to ensure equal opportunities for all.

For more information, visit www.iwa.ie.