Accessibility In Ireland In The 21st Century.

national | health / disability issues | feature

Sunday April 09, 2006 21:46

by Indymedia Ireland Editorial Group - Indymedia Ireland Editorial Group

Indymedia Contributers Share Their Experiences.

Protesting The Disablity Bill, June 2005 (See analysis).

John Aherne: "I always had strong will power but never acted upon it, so I thought it’s now or never. I am no different to many spinal injuries who took the bull by the horns, so I dusted myself off and got on with life, no self pity, no chip on my shoulder, no “why me?”. The way I look it is “why not me” it can happen to anyone in a heart beat, and it doesn’t discriminate between rich or poor, male or female, young or old. You just got to play the cards you were dealt and make the most of it. I am also of the view which some people find harsh is that some people with disabilities really irritate me, now of course if I was able to walk on shoe leather, to make a statement like that I would be classed as some form of a bigot, I on the other hand have seen it first hand as to how much whining someone can do purely because they think society in general should stand up and take notice. I got news for ye lads; society doesn’t give two fiddlers, so get your balls back and move on."

"I’ve heard it all over the years, even from the mouth of an MEP who while on his visit to the rehab said and I quote “want anything done lads regarding any disability issue, then don’t come to me” so, you see whether you are in a chair or not, it doesn’t give you an automatic right to be a self righteous pain in the rectum. Yes people with disabilities have rights, as does anyone else in this god forsaken country. But what is the point in having all these rights. It reminds me of when I was given my free travel pass, what a load of good that was, I wasn’t able to get on a bus, to try and gain access to a train was like Bertie Ahern trying to get a sentence out without sticking both feet in his mouth."
Account continues here..

Also from the newswire: Garry Toner, an Equality Studies student in UCD is trying to organise an awareness campaign at a national level in relation to the rights of people with disabilities after an incident that occurred last weekend.

"It was obvious risks were being taken with the make shift ramp. Before the wheelchair went down the ramp one of the staff accidentally pulled at the bar on my wheelchair, nearly breaking it. My wheelchair shot down the ramp, I lost control of it and nearly went over the curb into the traffic. Fortunately, I was able to somehow regain control of my wheelchair; narrowly preventing what could have been a very serious accident...
Account continues here.. " (also reported by a friend of Gary on UCDSU.net

More from Indymedia: Holiday Homes For People With Disabilities | New Campaign To Secure Disablity Rights | Challenge to the Disability Act 2005 gathers momentum | Disability Bill - A Betrayal | Archive of Indymedia's Disability Coverage

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Accessibility In Ireland In The 21st Century.