Disability Access and Public Transport Among Election Issues at Carlow Event

Ahead of the Carlow local elections 2024 issues facing disabled people in Carlow were heard by local election candidates.

Issues that people with disabilities are facing in the greater Carlow area around access, public transport, housing and employment were highlighted at a Local Election Husting, hosted by Irish Wheelchair Association at their premises in the Co. Carlow last Friday.

Attended by nine local election candidates, the event allowed IWA members to have their say on the issues that matter to them, and to let those running for election on June 7th to be made aware of them.

According to the latest census, 23% of the population of Carlow are living with a disability, equating to 14,333 people so it’s imperative that plans are put in place to ensure that the needs and rights of people with disabilities are met. All candidates were presented with a copy of IWA’s Election Manifesto, which includes many local issues relevant to Carlow and the surrounding areas.

The candidates who attended were to Ben Ward (FG), Annette McDonnell (IND), Adrienne Wallace (PBP), Eoin Baily (FG) Daeln Murphy (NP), Fintan Phelan (FF), Molly Aylesbury (GP), John Cassin (SF), and Nicoleta Chiorean (ISF)

IWA’s National Advocacy Manger Joan Carthy, who is leading the nationwide hustings initiative said:
“It’s important that people with disabilities are part of the conversation during this election campaign. This platform gives candidates the chance to outline what they will do to improve lives for people with disabilities if elected but also gives our members the opportunity to highlight the issues that really affect them”.

Candidates heard that footpaths, shops, and other public infrastructure within the town centre are not accessible. They learned that the newly installed cobblestones in the town centre, which were put in place within the past year, are also inaccessible. This clearly indicates that there was no consultation with people with disabilities before this work was undertake

Irish Wheelchair Association member Dymphna spoke about the need for wider paths as there is no option for herself or another pedestrian to put their lives at risk when travelling to the local town. She also pointed out how there was a substantial investment in the infrastructure in the town centre yet residential areas like the one she lives in are severely inaccessible. She said “If I can't get out of the residential area to the town centre, why put all the money into it? I can’t get off the footpath at my house, they are either too high or have no slops, and if there is a slow there is a car parked on the footpath."

Members also emphasized the inadequacy of accessible transport in the area. Public transport in the smaller towns around Co. Carlow is virtually non-existent for people with disabilities. Even when buses are available, they are often inaccessible, unreliable, and staffed by individuals untrained to support passengers with disabilities. Accessible public transport is a fundamental right that facilitates community participation, yet people with disabilities are being systematically excluded.

Additionally, the scarcity of accessible taxis and the necessity to prearrange trips with trained drivers hinder spontaneous travel for people with disabilities. Like everyone else, people with disabilities wish to travel spontaneously, including taking a taxi at a moment's notice.

The Irish Wheelchair Association in Carlow thanked those candidates who took time out form their busy schedules to attend.

Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) is Ireland’s leading representative organisation and service provider for people with physical disabilities. The Association works with, and on behalf of, people with physical disabilities to drive positive change in Ireland through the influencing of public policy, the provision of quality services and enabling accessibility in all aspects of society.

IWA is holding a series of hustings around the country so that the voices and concerns of people with disabilities are heard by local election candidates.