Highlighting The Dangers Posed By Everyday Obstacles For Disabled People In Wicklow

People with disabilities from across East Wicklow have joined forces to highlight the difficulties they face when trying to navigate the county’s footpaths. The action was part of the national Make Way Day, organised annually by the Disability Federation of Ireland and coordinated locally by Wicklow County Council’s Disability and Inclusion Steering Committee (DISC).

The Irish Wheelchair Association in Arklow, Newtownmountkennedy Tidy towns, a group of activists in Greystones led by Councillor Orla Finn and a group of visually impaired activists in Wicklow town, took to the streets to photograph local problem areas and identify obstacles blocking the way.

The powerful images created encourage everyone to give thought and consideration for people with disabilities when going about their own daily lives.

Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr. Paul O’Brien said, “Make Way Day gives every single one of us an opportunity to be more mindful of the 21% of people in Wicklow who have a disability. Bringing in your bin early in the day, or clipping your hedge might not seem that important, but it’s a small action with a big impact for a neighbour, who otherwise might not be able to get down the street”.

Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, Emer O’Gorman commented, “As a council, we’re committed to making our streets as accessible as possible, but this campaign highlights the need for everyone to play their part. Motorists might not give illegally parking their car on the footpath too much thought, but it has the potential to force a disabled person into a busy road, making it dangerous for everyone”. 

Sadie Doyle, an activist involved in the campaign in Arklow said, “There have been days when I just had to turn around and go home because my wheelchair could not go around a parked car on the footpath. If you come across enough obstacles like these, you eventually don’t want to go out at all, and you become isolated”.

Campaigners believe thoughtlessness and genuine lack of awareness is behind most of the instances they encounter. According to activists, Make Way Day is not about pointing the finger, but rather about making the public aware of an issue that is fully within their power to change.

For more information on how you can give further thought and consideration for people with disabilities, see www.makewayday.com