Sligo public reminded small changes can make a big difference ahead of ‘make way day’
The Sligo ChampionA motion put forward by Cllr Declan Bree at the September meeting of Sligo County Council reiterating the Council’s support for Make Way Day on September 26 received widespread support from his fellow Councillors.
“Make Way Day” is a campaign that brings the disability and wider community together to consider the needs of people with disabilities in the public spaces we all share. It is led by the Disability Federation of Ireland and is a unique collaboration across Ireland and the voluntary and local government sectors. But most of all it’s about people with disabilities.
Addressing the meeting Cllr Bree encouraged the wider public to get involved in ‘Make Way Day’ saying, “It is a campaign everyone can get involved in. And everyone should get involved because it is clear that thoughtlessness is the big issue.
“Every day disabled people find themselves having to risk their safety by going out onto busy roads to avoid barriers on pavements.”
Cllr Bree told the meeting the top three obstacles that create difficulties for people with disabilities are: Cars parked on footpaths; bicycles illegally parked and wheelie bins left on footpaths. Disability organisations say that thoughtlessness and genuine lack of awareness is behind most instances like those I have referred to.
“The whole point of the day is making the public aware of an issue which is fully within their power to change. If we can help raise awareness of the need to remove physical barriers to participation, we are demonstrating our commitment to creating a more equal society for people with disabilities. By making small changes people can make a big difference to the lives of their fellow citizens,” added Cllr Bree.
Cllr Gino O’Boyle expressed his support for the motion saying, “This is a chance for us to look at the challenges faced by people with disabilities every day. Together we can build a Sligo that is accessible for everyone.”