Thursday, 18th July 2024

Wicklow County Council was represented on a five-person panel discussion at a national disability symposium held back in June. The symposium was hosted by the Department of Expenditure and Public Reform and took place in Trinity College, Dublin.

Laura O’Callaghan, a staff member from the Disability Federation of Ireland who works on loan with Wicklow County Council, represented the council at the event. She was joined on the panel by Colm O’Conaill - Assistant Secretary of the Disability Division in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Dr Aideen Hartney - Director of the National Disability Authority, Akriti Brady -  Assistant Principal at the Department of Transport and Robyn Cunneen - Research and Policy Officer at the Irish Deaf Society.

The panel discussed disability policy and how it is integrated into the everyday lives of persons with disabilities. Laura spoke about her role within the council and the responsibility she has for facilitating the Disability and Inclusion Steering Committee, DISC. The importance of ensuring disabled people had an opportunity to be involved in making the decisions that affect their lives was stressed throughout the panel discussion.

Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr. Paul O’Brien said, “Disability impacts every community and the Council are proud to have a group dedicated to making Wicklow more accessible and inclusive to all”.

Wicklow County Council’s Chief Executive, Emer O’Gorman explained that, “Wicklow County Council were invited to participate in the event, as they continue to be the only local authority in the country who fund a role dedicated exclusively to disability and access related issues. We thank Laura for all her hard work to date”.

At the event, Laura encouraged the Department to use Wicklow as a case study for what could be achieved nationally and commended the council for their leadership in the area. DISC is always open to new members with an interest in access and inclusion, particularly people with a lived experience of disability.

Anyone who would like to get involved is encouraged to email disability@wicklowcoco.ie.