Venue change to accommodate council debate on disability

The irony that the January meeting of Cavan County Council needed to relocate to the Hotel Kilmore in order to appropriately accommodate a presentation by members of the Cavan Disability Network (CDN) on “disability and equality awareness” was not lost on elected members.

The required venue change, from Cavan Courthouse to four kilometres out the Dublin Road, was noted too by the CDN’s representatives - chairperson Bridget Boyle and Lorraine McTeigue of Cavan County Local Development (CCLD).

Established in 2016 by Cavan County Council in conjunction with Breffni Integrated, now CCLD, CDN strives to be a co-ordinated voice for people with disabilities living locally.

They get involved in national awareness campaigns and its members proactively lobby for change and raise awareness. A key suggestion to emerge from the meeting with councillors last Monday, January 8, was that all new staff hired by local businesses are given disability awareness training at induction.

Connected to that also was that businesses become ‘Just. A. Minute’ or JAM Card friendly, an initiative that can be used by people with learning disabilities, autism, or a communication barrier to alert others that they “need a minute” in a discreet way in supermarkets or on public transport.

Ms McTeigue highlighted how, in the 2022 Census, 20% of those who responded reported one long-lasting condition, with eight per cent stating that this affects them to a great extent.

Some 17% of the world’s population has a disability making them the single largest “minority” cohort on the planet, she added.

What CDN and others want is a move from the medical model of disability to a social model, whereby there is a greater acceptance that disability is caused by the way society is organised.

Ms Boyle, a wheelchair user and long-time disability advocate, who in the past ran for local election, told the meeting that the overarching aim is that disabled people “aren’t excluded”.

Everyone, she stated, benefits from “universally accessible design”. Transport was a major point in a rural county like Cavan, outlined Ms Boyle, as well as “attitudinal change”.

While she said that accessibility to buildings is improving but, often, access within is “restricted”.

“Small changes can make a big difference,” she noted. “It’s not just all about ramps and steps.”

More accessible parking is also required, she said, with Fianna Fáil’s Áine Smith recommending that the council conduct an audit of facilities in the county’s towns and villages.

She supported use of the jam card and suggested that CDN also speak with schools, stating that children are our “future adults”.

Sinn Féin’s Paddy McDonald suggested that the council take the lead on implementing better disability services as an organisation.

He agreed that disability awareness should be “embedded” in staff training.

Cllr John Paul Feeley (FF) remarked that much of the changes called for by CDN were similar to the issues highlighted during a presentation with Cavan’s Age Friendly Alliance.

“I think things are improving. It’s been a long road to get to where we are but there is a long road left to travel,” said Fine Gael’s T.P. O’Reilly, who supported calls by Cllr Feeley that all new build properties be equipped with a downstairs bathroom capable of being converted into a wet room. “While not disabled, we’re all getting older.”

There was support too for the work being done by CDN by Winston Bennett (FG).

Ms McTiegue recommended that Ireland follow the UK example of “going above the minimum requirements” in terms of providing supports such as parking or in planning.

“We need to future proof our public spaces,” she warned.

It prompted Ms Boyle to comment in conclusion: “Always ask when looking at design. Can I go where you go?”