Fianna Fail Senator Fiona O’Loughlin marked Kildare Disability Week in the Senate today. Kildare Disability Week gets underway with a schedule of events which will run until the 3 December 2021. The events scheduled will focus on highlighting and raising awareness of the inclusion of people with disabilities in all areas of our community.
Senator O’Loughlin said, “This week is Kildare Disability week, and it’s really important that we recognize and acknowledge it. It’s imperative that we are always cognoscente of those who may need a little extra help, and Kildare County Council are doing a great job of raising awareness.”
“Actions such as “Lighting County Kildare Purple” where landmark buildings including Maynooth University, Aras Chill Dara and Newbridge Town Hall will go purple to raise awareness are really welcome and important. In addition, the County Kildare Access Network Flag to be flown in prominent locations across the county, with 250 flags being flown in town squares, outside schools and on Garda Stations”
“I also heard of an app being rolled out by Limerick County Council, which will aid those who have wheelchair accessible vehicles to locate suitable and vacant parking spaces in their area. Finding parking can be difficult at the best of times, but it is even more so if you require a specific disabled parking space. This is something that I would hope to see other Councils, including Kildare County Council take up”
Fiona concluded “There are 643,131 people in Ireland, over 13% of the population, who live with a disability. It is vital that we ensure that our public spaces and services are fit for purpose, and that we raise awareness to ensure that everyone can enjoy our public spaces and our society equally”