spokeout
Lifestyle magazine for people with limited mobility published by the Irish Wheelchair Association
€4.00
Spring 2007
Putting
yourself
first
ADVICE ON CAREER OPTIONS
AND HOW TO ACHIEVE A
WORK-LIFE BALANCE
Sailing into the
New Year in
Antigua
The car market for drivers in wheelchairs
Anger at Irish hotel standards
Contents 22
CAREERS SPECIAL
4
Putting yourself first
Garreth Greene tells us how
setting up his own business
gave him work-life balance
6
NOTICE OF IWA’S AGM
AND ANNUAL CONFERENCE
2007 EMPLOYMENT –
CREATING OPPORTUNITIES.
BOOKING FORMS ON
CENTRE PAGES!
9
Making your office work for
you
What’s on the market in terms of
workplace technology
12 Break’s over… back to work
Tips for getting back to work
after acquiring a disability
FEATURES
15 Ask before you vote
Key questions to put to
canvassing politicians
YOUTH
17 The educated unemployed
Why so many graduates with
disabilities can’t find a job
ACCESS
21 Missing the action
Poor visibility is spoiling the
game at Croke Park. Liam
Lynch takes up the issue with
the GAA
22 Room with a shower
Anger at the shoddy standard of
bathrooms in Irish hotels
25 Growing concern over
Parking Permit scheme
Mounting frustration with
disabled parking is reflected in
IWA review
37 26
TRAVEL
26 Accessible hotspots
First hand reviews of popular
sun destinations
28 Sail away with me
The holiday of a lifetime sailing in
Antigua
LIVING
55 News round up
News mix including update on
developments in IWA
37 Native style
How to draw on local inspiration
for your garden
60 Regional snapshots
What’s going on around the
regions
MOTORING
REGULARS
41 Driving from a wheelchair
What’s on the market for drivers
using powered wheelchairs
45 My Mustang and me
Niall McDonnell tells us about his
favourite car
63 Small ads
Buy and sell, plus personal
adverts
64 Your views
Letters to the editor
FOOD
47 Classic Northern Cuisine
Sally McKenna’s choice of
places to eat in the north of the
country
49 Recipe
Yes, a cheesecake for weight
watchers!
4
NEWS
51 Sports news
A round-up of sports news
spokeout 01
introduction
I
n this issue, we look at the
many factors behind the high
unemployment rates amongst
people with disabilities. Recent
graduate Kiara Lynch sees the
search for a suitable job as a
near impossible juggling act. To succeed you
have to get all the elements of your life – job,
housing, support network and social life – together in one place.
It is helpful to know where you stand when you
begin your job search. Dan Jensen offers advice
on practical issues such as the application
process and entitlements.
Once you find a position you are happy with, it’s
important not to forget about maintaining a worklife balance. In our cover story, web designer
Garreth Greene tells us how he found himself "living to work rather than working to live" and ignoring his health problems. When he eventually
sought help, the health system seemed to have
little regard for his time (and the implications for
his job). Thankfully, Garreth was able to turn a
negative into a positive by starting his own business.
All these employment-related issues will be discussed at IWA’s 2007 Annual Conference and
AGM entitled Employment – Creating
Opportunities. See the centre pages for details.
Many thanks to everyone who contributed to
this issue.
Editor
Joanna Marsden
Cover Photo
Joyce Murphy
Editorial Assistance
Colette Molloy, John Graham
Illustrations
Johnny Connaughton
Editorial Design Manager
Layla Hogan
Joint Managing Directors, Dyflin
Karen Hesse, Philip McGaley
Advertising and Marketing
Design Manager
Diarmuid O’Connor
Editorial enquiries to:
The Editor, Spokeout, Irish
Wheelchair Association,
Blackheath Drive, Clontarf,
Dublin 3. Tel: (00 353) 1 8186455
Email: [email protected]
Design
Naomi Edwards
Advertising Production
Co-ordinator
Michael Murphy
Advertising Production
Colm Geoghegan,
Ciaran McBride
Advertising Executive
Dara Gallagher
Printing
Lithographic Web Press Ltd
Distribution
Shanahan Direct
recycle
When you have finished with
this magazine please recycle it.
02
Advertising enquiries to:
Dyflin Publications Ltd
Cunningham House
130 Francis Street, Dublin 8
Tel: (00 353) 1 4167930
Spokeout is published by Dyflin
Publications on behalf of I.W.A.
Limited. The copyright rests with
IWA and no material may be
reproduced without the
permission of IWA. The views
expressed in the publication do
not necessarily represent the
views of IWA.
Spokeout is distributed quarterly
by post to 17,000 IWA members
and to Government bodies and
other disability interest groups.
ISSN NO: 1393-8517
MEET SOME OF
…
OUR CONTRIBUTORS
Dan Jensen
Dan works in a Waterford based advertising agency called Passion For
Creative. When left to his own devices,
he enjoys listening to world music,
watching foreign films, chatting up pretty
women and drinking cold beer. Dan
offers some sensible advice about getting back to work
after acquiring a disability.
Moira Fraser
Moira Fraser works in the Citizens’
Information Board on the Assist Ireland
website providing information to the
public on aids and appliances and assistive technology. This issue, she reviews
products and software that can make
the workplace more accessible. This is Maura’s first and
last article for this year as she will be taking a break to
have her second child!
Kiara Lynch
Kiara lynch is 23 and lives in Longford.
Kiara is an intrepid adventurer and spent
Christmas and New Year sailing a Tall
Ship in Antigua. Her wonderful, evocative account of her trip will make you
want to experience it for yourself. On a
more serious note, she also writes about how hard it is for
young people to find a job that matches their skills and
education. Kiara’s other interests include music, films, web
design, GAA and socialising.
Robbie Cousins
Robbie Cousins is from Kilkenny but
lives in Dublin. Robbie’s interests include
football and vegetarian cooking (a somewhat atypical mix!). This issue, Robbie
begins a series of profiles on enthusiastic motorists and their relationships with
their cars. If there are any car fanatics out there, let us
know and we’ll pass your details on!
Emma Philbin Bowman
Emma Philbin Bowman is a journalist
specialising in gardening and writes for
many publications including The Sunday
Times. In her feature, she recommends
re-discovering the charms of the ‘home
grown’ and incorporating more native
plants into your garden.
SUBSCRIBE NOW
Please send your name, the name of your organisation (if applicable),
address and telephone number, with a cheque or postal order for €15.00
(payable to IWA) to: Spokeout subscriptions, Irish Wheelchair Association,
Blackheath Drive, Clontarf, Dublin 3.
putting
YOURSELF FIRST
Garreth Greene set up his own graphic design and web
development business last year. He tells Joanna Marsden how he
built up the confidence and experience to go it alone
G
arreth Greene had his mind set on becoming a
graphic designer from the age of twelve. “As
soon as I started secondary school, I knew I
wanted to do something in graphic design or
programming. I was mad into computers – I’d spend hours
on my trusted Commodore 64 just trying to link up a few
dots!”
Garreth was born with a physical disability and has
always used a wheelchair. He began his education at the
Central Remedial Clinic (CRC) but moved to a mainstream
secondary school, Rosmini, in Drumcondra. “Looking back,
one of the best things I ever did was going into mainstream
education. It gets you used to living in the real world and
gives you the same expectations as everyone else.”
Despite having his Leaving Certificate “messed up by
illness”, Garreth got a place on a two year City and Guilds
course in Graphic Design at the CRC. After two years, he
ended up getting a 98 percent result – “Blatant boasting I
know but that’s the highest
result I’ve ever got!” He stayed
on at the CRC for one more year
where he trained in Multi-Media
Authoring & Animation.
At the end of this period, Garreth
started his first job hunt, sending out CVs
and cover letters and practicing his interview
technique with the CRC’s placement officer. In
his applications, Garreth chose not to mention
that he was a wheelchair user, “I just felt it
might change their impression of me. Instead
I’d wait until I got a call and I’d say, “By the
way, are you wheelchair accessible?” If they
weren’t, I’d say, “Cheers, thanks anyway,”
and move on. Garreth consciously tried to
be positive; “Some people with disabilities
have the attitude that the world owes
them something and I think prospective
04
careers
employers pick up on it.”
Garreth admits he may have taken his easy-going
approach a little too far when it came to his first job. “A
job came up in a city centre design studio – the kind of
job I’d always wanted – and I decided I could overlook
the fact that the offices were spread over three floors in a
converted Victorian house.” The owner of the company
was prepared to offer me the job and I was so delighted
to get a chance that I just went for it!”
After four months there, reality set in. “Each morning,
I’d have to be carried up the stairs to the office and then,
when I needed the loo, I’d have to wait for two
colleagues to have the time to give me a lift upstairs.”
Talking to Garreth now it seems crazy that he would
have agreed to work under such conditions: “Yep, I
admit I was young and stupid! What can I say? I wanted
the job so much and I was 20 years-old and drunk on
success!” It is testimony to Garreth’s positive approach
The homepage of Garreth’s new business Creativenergy
and creative talent that he left the job on good terms
with everyone and has continued to do freelance work
for them over the years.
of pain, he had refused to seek proper treatment, “I
Garreth’s second job was working in a pre-press film
suppose it was a mixture of self-neglect, laziness and fear
bureau in Drumcondra. While it didn’t have all the
of losing control over my life. I was living to work rather
creativity of a design studio, it gave Garreth an
than working to live – I think a lot of people are like that,
opportunity to learn about the print process and it was “a
disability or not. If I went into hospital, I didn’t know how
hundred percent accessible!” After a year and a half
long I’d be there. I’ve always had this thing that I didn’t
there, Garreth moved to a large, well-established
want to be a burden.” Finally, Garreth came to the
commercial printers in Lucan where he worked for six
realisation that he had to face up to the problem. “The
years. “I got a lot of self-discipline out of that job. I had
bigger fear – that I would get blood poisoning and die –
to be constantly on the ball, paying attention to every
took over. So I went to a consultant to seek help and
detail – I’d wake up in the night worrying. The hours
went on unpaid sick leave from my job.”
were crazy – up to 60 hours a
For Garreth, accepting that he was
week at Christmas – and it was
too unwell to work was clearly a
“A job came up in a
really very stressful.”
momentous decision. Unfortunately
Garreth also found that he had
city centre design studio his hospital consultant did not seem
little opportunity to use his creative
to grasp this. “He told me that he
– the kind of job I’d
skills, “From a graphic design point
would arrange weekly visits from a
of view, I wanted to get each job
District Nurse and advised me to
always wanted – and I
perfect, even if that meant
appointments to see a plastic
decided I could overlook make
spending extra time on it, to the
surgeon and an orthopedic surgeon.
the fact that the offices
frustration of my bosses! I soon
For six months, I waited at home,
learnt that is not what commercial
expecting to hear more about when
were spread over three
printing is about – you allocate a
the District Nurse would start. I made
floors
in
a
converted
set amount of design time to each
the appointments with the other
job and focus on getting it out to
consultants but was given waiting
Victorian house”
print as soon as possible. That’s
times of nearly a year. Eventually, I
how the business survives.”
decided I was going to have to push
At the back of his mind, Garreth kept returning to his
my case in order to get something done. I went back to
original dream of working in a design studio where he
the original consultant and gave out stink. I think he was a
would be challenged creatively on a daily basis. “During
little embarrassed and from then on things started to
this period, I always did a few bits and pieces on the
move. The nurse visits were set up and my appointments
side and constantly toyed with the idea of leaving to set
with the other consultants were fast-tracked.”
up my own design business.”
Garreth encourages others in similar situations not to be
In the end, it was health problems that made Garreth
afraid to put themselves forward, “No one will ever care as
leave his job. Over a number of years, Garreth had been
much about your health as you do so it’s important not to
suffering with pressure sores. Despite the constant level
be afraid to speak up.” Nearly a year later, Garreth
spokeout 05
IMPORTANT NOTICE
IRISH WHEELCHAIR ASSOCIATION
NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF I.W.A. LIMITED
Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of I.W.A. Limited will be held in
The Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry, Dublin 9 at 10.00 a.m. on Sunday 20th May, 2007, when
the following business will be transacted:
ORDINARY RESOLUTIONS
To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following resolutions which will be proposed as ordinary resolutions:
1. To receive and consider the Company’s financial statements for the year ended 31st December 2006 together
with the directors’ report and the auditors’ report thereon.
2. To elect directors.
3. To authorise the directors to fix the remuneration of the
auditors.
SPECIAL RESOLUTION
To consider and, if thought fit, to pass to following resolution as a special resolution:
“That the regulations set forth in the printed document
produced to this meeting and for the purposes of identification signed by the Chairman hereof, be approved and
adopted as the Memorandum and Articles of Association
of the Company in substitution for, and to the exclusion
of, all existing Memoranda and Articles thereof.”
Please note that the audited financial statements of I.W.A.
Limited and the proposed amendments to the Memorandum
and Articles of Association of I.W.A. Limited will be posted to
members on 27th April 2007. Printed copies will also be available from IWA head office, all regional offices and resource and
outreach centres and online at www.iwa.ie. Enquiries to:
Company Secretary, I.W.A. Limited, Blackheath Drive, Clontarf,
Dublin 3.
By order of the Board, Jimmy Byrne, Company Secretary,
I.W.A. Limited, Blackheath Drive, Clontarf, Dublin 3.
5th March, 2007.
Note: Every person who receives Spokeout by post is registered as a member on IWA’s database and is welcome to
attend the AGM.
As a supporter of the Irish Wheelchair Association, you
will know just how much we value your loyalty. There are
numerous ways you can support us, one of those being through
the IWA Platinum Credit Card. In conjunction with MBNA, we are
now offering a unique IWA branded Credit Card.
Show your pride and support by
applying for one today.
The IWA Credit Card has a host of exciting features and benefits, which include:
• Competitive interest rates - 1.9% APR on balance transfers for the first 6 months the
account is opened, 13.9% APR (variable) on card purchases
• 24 hour Customer Satisfaction line
• Exclusive Credit Card cheque book – you can use this highly convenient service to pay
bills or other large transactions
For each account that is opened, a contribution is made to
the Irish Wheelchair Association on your behalf. We also
receive a percentage back on retail transactions made
with the IWA Platinum Credit Card.
The IWA Credit Card is issued by MBNA Europe Bank Limited, which is licensed
by the UK Financial Services Authority, and is registered as a branch in Ireland
under number E3873 at 46 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2. Incorporated in
England and Wales under number 2783251. Registered Office: Stansfield House,
Chester Business Park, Chester CH4 9QQ. Credit is available, subject to status,
to Irish residents aged 18 years or over. Balances cannot be transferred from
another MBNA account at the promotional rate. We monitor and/or record
some telephone calls. There is a stamp duty charged by the Government on all
Irish credit card accounts.
To apply for the IWA
Credit Card please
call: 1800 409 510 and
quote reference no:
32A2Z44V
careers
“I was living to work rather than
working to live – I think a lot of
people are like that, disability or
not. If I went into hospital, I didn’t
know how long I’d be there. I’ve
always had this thing that I didn’t
want to be a burden.”
describes himself as “over half way there” when it comes to
healing his pressure sores.
This period of sick leave gave Garreth the time to reflect
on his career and he decided to take the leap into selfemployment. He quit his job, registered for VAT and started
to develop contacts with business customers and design
agencies that needed freelance support. The main focus of
his company, creativenergy, is the design and development
of a new or existing website to a very high standard, both
graphically and functionally. “I find that this type of work
gives me the right balance of design creativity and
programming/coding.” He also finds web design much less
stressful than designing hard copy publications. “The great
thing about a website is that you can keep making changes
so there is no need to lie awake at night worrying about
what went to print!”
The huge risk he took in entering self-employment is
already paying off financially, with his income for the past
year being easily double that of his last salaried position.
That said, Garreth notices that managing your finances
requires a lot more discipline when you are self-employed: “I
was a bit extravagant with the first big cheque I got in –
now I’m learning to be more cautious so as not to leave
myself open.”
Garreth plans to expand creativenergy steadily over the
next five years but is not sure whether he wants the
responsibility of employees: “I’m already outsourcing some
of the work to other freelancers and I think that’s the way to
go for now.” At the moment, he is working hard to attract
big customers who can ensure a steady income level.
“Naturally, I’m keen to make a good impression, so I have
found myself staying up till 3am on occasion trying to finish
work off.” That said, now Garreth is self-employed, he finds
the flexibility goes both ways, “As long as my customers are
happy, I can go down to the doctor or physio whenever I
need to. At the end of the day it’s only myself to answer to
and I think this is a much healthier way to live.”
SMALLERWORLD.IE
Fed up of the same old places or not knowing
where to go? One of Garreth Greene’s personal
projects in development is a new communitybased portal smallerworld.ie which contains
reviews of accessible places to eat, drink and
stay in Dublin.
One of Garreth’s greatest frustrations has long been
the lack of information on where to go if you want a
drink or a bite to eat. “If you ring ahead to a venue
to find out whether it’s accessible, you inevitably get
one of their bar staff saying ‘yeah, no problem’ just
to get you off the line.”
As a professional web designer, Garreth has
designed, developed and will maintain a website
that enables people who are having problems with
accessibility to find good, reliable information and
recommendations. “This information is not just for
people in wheelchairs,” Garreth points out, “It’s for
anyone with a friend, family member or colleague
with limited mobility.”
As well as covering places to eat, stay and
socialise, Garreth is working to include lists of
accessible banks, ATM’s, wheelchair parking, leisure
activities, travel info and recommended holiday
resorts. The site offers free membership and
features a chat forum for anyone wishing to make a
suggestion or let off steam!
Smallerworld.ie is due to launch shortly. You can go
to www.smallerworld.ie and leave your email
address to be notified when the site goes live.
◆ Garreth Greene’s company is Dublin-based
creativenergy. Garreth offers a professional range of
graphic design & website development options including
consultation, design, flash animation and authoring, multilingual platforms and content management. See
www.creativenergy.ie for more information.
spokeout 07
careers
MAKING
YOUR OFFICE
WORK
FOR YOU
Example of a
height-adjustable
computer desk for
use in an office
environment
The right office set-up in terms of furniture and technology can
make a great deal of difference to comfort and productivity
says Moira Fraser
T
echnology has had a huge impact on how we do
our work. It has been particularly important for people with disabilities as it often represents the only
way they can perform certain jobs.
There are many different types of assistive technologies
and most people with disabilities would qualify for the
Workplace Equipment Adaptation Grant from FÁS. This is
a maximum grant of €6,348.70 and is available towards
the cost of adaptations to premises or equipment.
Examples of workplace or assistive technology include:
ADJUSTABLE FURNITURE
Adjustable workstations can accommodate a wide range
of users, including a person of short stature who may
need to work at a lower level or a person in a power
wheelchair that requires higher leg clearance.
There are different types of adjustable desks available
including those powered using pneumatics, which can be
adjusted with the touch of a button, and those that can be
manually adjusted using a handle or knob. Desks are
available with height-adjustable work surfaces and some
have a surface tilting feature for people who prefer an
alternative seating position. Some desks have a section
cut-out from the worktop which allows a powered wheelchair user with joystick controls to fit comfortably close to
the work area.
Adjustable office chairs which provide back support and
ensure a good seating position can help alleviate muscle
fatigue and accommodate postural changes which occur
throughout the day. The continuous use of equipment
which is placed in an awkward position could result in
strain or injury; an employer must ensure they take the
necessary steps to avoid this.
TELEPHONES
A headset might mean that someone with restricted use of
their arms or hands can use the phone more easily.
ALTERNATIVE KEYBOARDS AND ADAPTATIONS
Alternative keyboards come in diverse shapes and sizes.
Keyboards may be designed for single-handed use, or
they may be contoured, or have an alternative layout to
optimise typing speed. Examples include:
• Small/contracted keyboards that reduce the range of
movement required to reach keys.
• Enlarged/expanded keyboards to provide a larger surface
area for locating and targeting keys. The size of the keys
may be enlarged, or keys may be grouped differently.
• Modified keyboards that reduce user fatigue, facilitate
access to keys and increase typing speed by reorganising keys to suit the users needs.
• Braille keyboards that allow the user to type using Braille
keys instead of standard letters.
• Concept/overlay keyboards that utilise symbols or pictures to supplement standard keyboard access.
• Chording keyboards that consist of five or more keys. A
combination of two or more keys are selected to type
each letter or to carry out keyboard functions. There are
spokeout 09
careers
one-handed and two-handed versions of this keyboard.
• Virtual/on-screen keyboards appear on the screen and
are accessed using a mouse or pointing device.
agreed period to make a selection, or by using an external
switch.
Footmouse
Keyguards
Keyguards are plastic or steel overlays which fit over a
keyboard to facilitate the accurate selection of keys by isolating each key and providing support to the users hand
while typing. Keyguards help the user to avoid unintentional keystrokes increasing the accuracy of typing when it is
limited by tremor or muscle fatigue.
Keyboard gloves
A keyboard glove is a soft plastic, transparent keyboard
cover which can protect the keyboard from spills, dust or
drooling. The keyboard glove is attached using Velcro and
can be easily removed. Unused keys can be blanked out
using stickers and frequently used keys can be highlighted
with high contrast, large print stickers.
Keytops
Keytops offer a simple solution for people who have problems seeing standard keys. These large print, high contrast stickers are stuck on top of the existing keys and are
available in upper and lower case and in different colours.
ALTERNATIVE MICE
For some people, a standard mouse can be difficult or
impossible to use. Alternative pointing devices include the
trackball, joystick, touchpad, headmouse, and even a virtual mouse!
Trackball or rollerball mouse
A trackball is essentially an upside-down mouse. The cursor is controlled by moving a ball located on the upper
surface of the mouse.
Joystick mouse
A joystick mouse allows the user to control the cursor on
screen by moving the joystick. The user can select items
using the 'click' button on the joystick.
Touchpads
A touchpad is a flat surface on which the user moves
his/her finger in order to control the cursor. The user can
select by tapping on the touchpad or using the standard
mouse buttons. Many laptops have built-in touchpads.
Headmouse
A headmouse can be operated using a reflective dot
which is placed on the user's forehead/glasses. When the
user moves his/her head, the movement of the headmouse is recognised by an infrared receiver which translates the head movements into cursor movements on
screen. Mouse selections are made using a dwell facility
where the user pauses on the on-screen target for an
A footmouse allows hands-free mouse operation. Standard
mouse operations can be controlled using one or both feet
instead of using a standard hand-controlled mouse.
LARGE COMPUTER MONITOR
For someone with a mild visual impairment, a large screen
monitor may be a solution. Conventional monitors can be
obtained in sizes up to 37 inches. Larger monitors can be
expensive so magnification software can provide a cheaper more effective solution if the person requires a higher
level of magnification.
MAKING A COMPUTER EASIER TO USE
There is a wide range of computer hardware and
software available which can make a computer easier to use. But most people do not realise that if you
are using Microsoft Windows, you already have a
range of accessibility options available to you – at
no extra expense!
Windows Accessibility Options
You can use the standard Windows Accessibility
Options to adapt how the computer reacts when
you use the keyboard, mouse or screen. For
instance, if you find it difficult to control the mouse
pointer on the screen because it moves too fast,
you can slow it down. If you struggle to see the
blinking cursor or mouse pointer, you can enlarge
them. For many people, alternative hardware or
software is not what is needed, rather a tweaking of
the standard manufacturer's settings.
Ability Net, UK (www.abilitynet.org.uk)
For more information on how you can change your
computer settings, see the Factsheets developed by
AbilityNet available on www.abilitynet.org.uk/athome_resources
You can also visit the AbilityNet website for the
online version of My Computer My Way! – A Guide
to Making Your PC Accessible available on
www.abilitynet.org.uk/myway
Microsoft (www.microsoft.com)
Microsoft also has information on accessibility
options. Visit Microsoft Accessibility – Technology for
Everyone available on www.microsoft.com/enable
spokeout 11
break’s over...
BACK TO WORK
Dan Jensen takes a practical look at the issues involved
in getting back to work after acquiring a disability
F
or anyone with a newly acquired physical disability,
such as a spinal injury, returning to work is no
easy task. For some, it can take a few months.
For others, it can take a few years. In some cases,
it may never happen. That’s because no two people are
the same and personal circumstances vary enormously.
Much depends on related factors such as rehabilitation,
housing and transport. A newly disabled person can only
consider returning to work if they are medically stable and
reasonably fit. They must also be satisfied that their home
is properly adapted and so too their car, if they drive. In
short, until everything else is in place, going back to work
simply isn’t an option.
Much also depends on the nature of the disability and
type of work involved. For instance, a new wheelchair
user will find it easier to return to work if their old job was
in an office block and not a construction site. That’s not to
say it isn’t possible for trades people such as carpenters
and electricians to resume work, far from it, it just takes a
bit more planning.
Employees in the public sector often find it easier to
return to work than those in the private sector. This is
because of positive discrimination and well-established
policies and procedures for dealing with disabled employees. Work practices tend to be more flexible and physical
access to public buildings less of an issue.
Employees in the private sector, especially smaller companies, can find that their supervisors and colleagues
have less experience of dealing with disability. The structures or resources may not exist for a seamless return to
work. And it’s not because the company is deliberately
obstructive, it’s because they don’t have the wherewithal
or know-how.
12
And so, while some people can pick up where they left
off and resume work without retraining, others may need
to look sideways and learn a new skill or trade. Many start
with a computer course such as the ECDL (European
Computer Driving Licence). In today’s world, technology is
a great leveller. When working on a computer, the fact that
one is able-bodied or not is irrelevant.
For some people returning to work, self-employment is
the preferred option, at least at the outset. The advantages are obvious. You can work when and where you
want – early morning, late evening, at home or in an office.
You can manage your own affairs and set your own pace.
Some regard it as an opportunity to start over and try
something new or different. Others see it as a steppingstone to regular employment. It simply gives them time
and space to consider their options and plan for the
future.
Of course, the longer one is out of work the harder it is
to go back. Ask anyone on the live register. It’s easy to
stay at home and do nothing, to wallow in self-pity and
become complacent. It’s also easy to become over protective of financial benefits such as disability allowance
and medical cards.
And this is a major concern. Many people with disabilities fear that if they return to work, not only will they lose
their social welfare entitlements, but they will also forego
such secondary benefits as free telephone rental, television licence and electricity/gas standing charges.
That’s why it’s important to know your rights and where
you stand. So let’s examine some of the allowances to
which disabled people are entitled and some of the initiatives designed to encourage them back to work. Thanks
to the Internet and improved public services, it’s becoming
careers
easier to access such information but the onus remains on
the individual to do their own research.
DISABILITY ALLOWANCE
For a start, anyone on the standard rate of €185.80 per
week is allowed earn an additional €120 through “rehabilitative” work without losing their entitlements. For anyone earning between €120 and €350 more per week, a sliding scale
is introduced and only 50 percent of the income is means
tested.
Furthermore, as of 1st June 2007, the amount allowed in
savings, investments, capital and additional property, without
it affecting a claim, will rise from €20,000 to €50,000.
Notwithstanding the new limits, there comes a point
when it’s no longer feasible to claim disability allowance
and a move from part to full time employment should be
considered. It is for such people that the Back To Work
Allowance was designed.
BACK TO WORK ALLOWANCE
Assuming you’re over 23 years of age and on disability
allowance for 15 months or over, you can return to work,
earn an income and retain 75 percent of your social welfare for the first year, 50 percent for the second and 25
percent for the third. You can also keep your secondary
benefits, including medical card, for the full three years.
The rationale is simple. Coax people back to work by
phasing out their benefits rather than axing them in one foul
swoop. This has the desired effect of cushioning their financial readjustment. It’s more a soft landing than a hard bang.
WAGE SUBSIDY SCHEME
Administered by FÁS, the scheme provides financial incentives to employers, outside the public sector, to employ people with disabilities to work more than 20 hours per week.
A person on this scheme is subject to the same conditions of employment as other workers. These include PRSI
contributions, annual leave, tax deductions and minimum
wage requirements.
The scheme operates under three strands. The first
deals with single employees and is perhaps of most relevance here. Where it is agreed that the disabled worker
has a productivity level between 80 and 50 percent of normal work performance, a maximum subsidy of €7,650 per
annum is provided.
Where it is agreed that the disabled employee has a productivity level below 50 percent of normal work performance, a maximum subsidy of €9,500 per annum is provided. The exact amount depends on the number of hours
per week the person is employed.
WORKPLACE EQUIPMENT ADAPTATION
GRANT
If you’ve been offered a job or already have one but require
a more accessible workplace or adapted equipment, you
or your employer can apply to FÁS for a grant to cover the
cost of making the changes. Examples include minor
building modifications such as wheelchair ramps or disabled toilets. A maximum grant of €6,348.70 is available
and can be used to purchase new equipment or upgrade
existing premises.
EMPLOYEE RETENTION GRANT SCHEME
Under this scheme, also governed by FÁS, employers are
encouraged to retain employees who acquire an illness,
condition or impairment that may impact on their ability to
do their job. It includes the cost of training or re-training,
job coaching and specialist personnel. Open to any company in the private sector, the scheme funds up to 90 percent of the costs involved in developing and implementing
the retention strategy. Consisting of two stages, the
scheme allows for maximum grant aid of €2,500 and
€12,500 respectively.
Other FÁS programmes include Supported Employment
and Disability Awareness Training. Not all are designed for
people with disabilities themselves but for others in the
organisation. And that’s the whole idea. Education is a
powerful tool. Anything that makes it easier for co-workers
makes it easier for disabled people.
For more information about state allowances and FÁS
initiatives, visit www.citizensinformation.ie
APPLYING FOR A JOB
When applying for a job, I believe it’s better to mention your
disability in your CV. This avoids any potential awkwardness
if called for an interview. As a wheelchair user for instance,
there’s nothing worse than arriving at somebody’s office to
discover it’s on the second floor and there’s no lift. It’s better
to be up front and not leave anything to chance. Besides,
there’s little to be gained by not telling them. They’re going
to find out anyway. It’s not easy to hide a wheelchair!
As for the interview itself, there’s only one rule of thumb
and that’s honesty. Employers, by and large, are increasingly
aware of the disability agenda, but they’re in business to
make money. It’s not that they’re hostile, it’s just they don’t
need the hassle. You need to convince them that you can
add value to their organisation without being high maintenance. But be careful. Do not set unrealistic expectations. If
you have limitations, tell them. They’ll appreciate honesty.
In conclusion, for anyone with a newly acquired physical
disability, returning to work should be, where possible, the
ultimate goal. It gives you a daily routine and sense of purpose. It exercises the mind and pays the bills. But above
all else, it gets you back where you belong alongside
everyone else.
◆ Dan Jensen works in a Waterford based advertising
agency called Passion For Creative. Following a serious
accident in February 2002, he became a wheelchair user.
Thanks to extensive rehabilitation, he regained full independence and started work as a freelance copywriter
before taking up his current position.
spokeout 13
feature
ASK BEFORE YOU VOTE!
The 2007 election campaign is one of the best opportunities to shape future
Government policy. IWA members and staff tell us which issues they’ll be
highlighting when local politicians come knocking on their door
HEATHER
WILLIAMS,
MEMBER
JOHN GRAHAM,
STAFF MEMBER
Governments over the
past decades have not
seen people with disabilities as contributors to society, but rather as takers
and moaners. Ok, but we are entitled
to moan! Just consider some of these
basic issues…
If a politician comes to
my door I will be pointing out the continued
inaccessibility of transport and the
built environment. For me to take a
politician seriously, they have to
demonstrate an awareness of access
issues such as the following:
BUSES
HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION
Dublin Bus is steadily replacing old
buses with new low floor buses.
However, only one wheelchair user can
be accommodated on the bus at any
given time. So, if two people who are
wheelchair users want to go out, to say
the cinema for instance, are they
expected to toss a coin to see who
gets on the bus first?
The lack of accessible accommodation throughout Ireland is a major
problem. Why is more pressure not
being put on hotels and b&bs to provide accessible rooms? Why are the
building regulations not being
enforced? Why does Fáilte Ireland not
conduct mandatory audits of all holiday accommodation and make their
findings easily available to tourists
with a disability?
HEALTH SERVICES
Can you get into your local health clinic? Is your doctor’s surgery accessible?
If there are steps or stairs, does the
doctor make a room available to you
on the ground floor or do a house call?
There are also very few accessible
dentists’ surgeries. What is your local
politician prepared to do to ensure that
basic services are provided in accessible premises?
PUBLIC BUILDINGS
Look around your local area and check
to see if all public buildings are accessible… your local court house, your local
County Council buildings, your local
Town Hall, your local Citizens
Information Centre. And finally, check
out the offices of your local TDs or
Councillors. How interested can they be
in providing equal access if they don’t
even make their offices accessible?
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Accessible public transport is badly
lacking throughout Ireland. Kassel
kerbing (raised kerbing that means
you can move easily from the bus
stop to the bus) needs to be installed
throughout Ireland to enable passengers to board/disembark safely.
Even where improvements are apparently being made, the standards are
not being maintained. I use the bus to
get to and from work every day and
regularly find that I’m faced with an
old bus on what is supposed to be an
accessible low floor route.
ACCESSIBLE PARKING
Finding an accessible parking space
is becoming harder and harder. What
are politicians doing to increase the
number of spaces in your local area?
KATHLEEN
MCLOUGHLIN,
CEO, IWA
As CEO, I am faced each
day with the urgent need
to provide services and at the same
time the limited funding available. I
know from the many individual stories I
hear that it is critically important to have
suitable housing and good support
services. Needless to say, if a politician
calls to my door, he or she will be there
for hours as I go through my long list of
issues! Here are just a few…
HOUSING
There has to be an increased pressure
on local government to provide suitable housing for people with disabilities. Currently, there are long waiting
lists and the greater your accessibility
requirement, the harder it is to find a
suitable home. If each local authority
guaranteed that ten percent of its
affordable and social housing would be
built to accessibility standards, this
would be a major step forward. Will
your local TD support this?
CORE FUNDING FOR CE
After many years of campaigning, IWA
is anxious that core funding is provided
for services currently delivered through
the Community Employment (CE)
scheme. It’s just not acceptable that
IWA members are dependent on CE
schemes for essential services.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Why, when our economy is in need of
skilled workers, are so many people
with disabilities remaining unemployed?
How does each party propose to open
up employment opportunities to this
hugely valuable and able group?
spokeout 15
youth
the educated
unemployed
Third level education is more accessible than ever but what is the
point if it remains as hard as ever for young people to find
employment asks recent graduate Kiara Lynch
A
s Ireland is one of the fastest growing
economies in the world you might think it would
be a simple enough task to acquire a job.
Primary and secondary education has become
more accessible to people with disabilities in the past
number of years; it’s still far from what it should be but
some improvements have been made. Third level education is moving at a much faster rate with new buildings
and extensions flying up – most of which are being built
by the book and offering complete access. New courses
are coming online all the time in both ITs and universities –
these too are becoming more and more accessible for
people with disabilities. So, you manage to get through
school and onto college where you complete your
cert/diploma/degree… excellent! Now you’re ready to find
work. Good luck – that’s where the real challenge begins!
In addition to the whole application and selection
process, there are so many factors someone with a disability has to think about when getting a job. Let’s think
about the basics.
• Where is the job and how do I get there?
• Can I avail of public transport to
get there?
• If I drive, are there
proper parking facilities?
• If I wheel are the footpaths
properly dished in the area?
• Are the premises accessible?
• Can reasonably accessible
accommodation be found
within a manageable distance?
• Is the job near my
family/friends/support network? If something happens,
can someone be with me in a reasonable time?
• If I decide to live near work, is there transport into the local town or city centre? I
will need access to services and facilities such as
banks, pubs, shops etc.
• Where will I be able to build up a social life/social interaction? I only work 40 hours a week – what about the
rest?!!!
When we consider these questions, we run into the
same negative answers over and over again. It all comes
down to basic access issues. Laws are in place but just
not being enforced with rented accommodation not being
up to standard, ramps too steep, toilet and parking facilities not finished properly, etc.
Another big issue facing people with disabilities looking
for work is employers’ attitudes to employing someone
with a disability – ‘ah it’s too much hassle we’ll have to
get the toilets etc. sorted’. Already you’re marked, not
because you haven’t the qualifications/skills for the job
but because you have a disability. The majority of employer’s have never met someone with a disability so they
automatically assume ‘They wouldn’t be able for this
work’. As many great laws as there are, no employer will
ever admit something like that
to you. In these hyper-sensitive, politically correct days,
there will always be other reasons
given. But at the end of the day it’s the
same thing – lack of awareness.
Dubliner Michael McCann is a wheelchair user in his mid twenties. Michael
has a City and Guilds Cert as well
as a FETAC Cert in web authoring,
graphic design and desktop publishing with distinctions. Despite
these qualifications, he still couldn’t
find a job to help him support his
young daughter. After the constant rejections and feeling
completely let down by society,
Michael decided if he was going
to make it, it was going to be
alone. Michael set up a business
spokeout 17
youth
running an advertising website from home www.missing-pix- raising awareness. Just think of this common scenario. You
els.com. He hopes to own his own home soon and is supare a wheelchair user and someone is leaving the departporting his daughter. Michael has the determination to be a
ment you work in. The department decides to go out for
success and it does prove if you set your mind to somelunch to say goodbye to him/her. As they’re booking the
thing you can come up with a solution. Isn’t it a pity the
restaurant, they ask about wheelchair access and become
Government couldn’t show the same sort of determination
more and more frustrated to find out that the places they
when getting people with disabilities into employment?
usually go are inaccessible.
I’m under no illusion as to how young and inexperienced
These are the kind of situations that need to be happenI am, but so are all college graduates. I don’t want to be
ing, so that able bodied people end up asking themselves
managing director of an international corporation – all I
"Why can’t we go to the same places if we have a colwant is an opportunity, a job that
league who’s a wheelchair user?"
matches my qualifications and
Likewise, if the owner of a pub or
“There are benefits for
skills. My main problem is not getrestaurant knows that he’s going to
ting the job; it’s the location. Most
lose business if the company can’t
both public and private
jobs are in the sprawling bigger
use his place for social events
employers employing
cities and you could end up living
because it’s inaccessible, he’s
miles from work and find it near
going to start thinking about
someone with a disability,
impossible to find transport to get
whether he can improve accessibilso why aren’t more
to work. Or, if you were lucky
ity. If people with disabilities were
people with disabilities in in employment and socialising with
enough to find accommodation
near the job, you find yourself
everyone else, it would get to the
employment?”
miles from shops, social facilities,
stage when most people would
etc and unable to get to them. The
know someone who is a wheelsmaller towns, while less spread out, tend to have poorer
chair user. The pub owner might start thinking ‘if John
access in terms of facilities, as well as fewer jobs.
comes in for a drink he’ll need grab rails in that toilet’ or a
I realise social life shouldn’t be the deciding factor in
shop owner might realise ‘if Kiara comes in, she needs
whether you take a job or not, but I’m 23 and I want a life.
somewhere to try on these clothes’. The difficulties experiI shouldn’t have to apologise for that! Able-bodied people
enced by educated young people like myself in getting a job
factor it in when making decisions about where they work
reflects the general lack of awareness of the barriers facing
so why are people with disabilities expected not to? Young people with disabilities trying to integrate into Irish society.
adults, just out of college, don’t want to be stuck in a boring job that doesn’t challenge them. They want a job in the ◆ Kiara Lynch is 23. Having graduated in 2005 from Carlow
field they studied in, and, reasonable access to
IT with a software engineering degree, she has given up on
social/leisure facilities. Why is this too much to ask?
finding a suitable IT job and is currently completing a web
Of course it’s not an ideal world we’re living in. It’s unredesign course. Her plan is to intertwine her degree skills
alistic to expect that all the factors will fall into place and
with web design skills, allowing her to work independently.
you will find a perfect job. But none the less
more of an effort from the Government is
needed. Now is the time for these considerations with our ever-booming economy.
There are benefits for both public and priYou’re missin’ this
vate employers employing someone with a
Mary, best goin-away
party yet!!
disability, so why aren’t more people with
disabilities in employment? The
Government needs to publicise the incentives available, letting employers know
how easy it is to employ someone with a
FI NE W IN ES
disability.
In my opinion, 60 percent of the wheelchair access problem in Ireland is lack of
awareness – people just don’t think
about how things affect a wheelchair
user because they don’t need to, they
don’t know any. As well as the many
other benefits, employment of people
with disabilities is an important factor in
O ʼB R IE N S P U B
spokeout 19
access
missing the action
Badly designed seating arrangements at Croke Park mean that wheelchair
users miss the best moments of the game says GAA fan Liam Lynch
THE SITUATION
The All-Ireland Hurling final of
September 2006 – not to be missed.
Rebels v Cats. Rebels going for three
in a row. Can The Cats deny them?
The Cats themselves stopped by The
Rebels in 2004 for three in a row.
Tension is high, anticipation is huge.
I had applied directly to Croke Park
for my disabled ticket and was lucky
enough to get two tickets: one wheelchair user and one companion. I was
so happy to get a chance to witness
this spectacle live.
Come the day of the game, off
goes my Da and I. First, where to
park? We found a wheelchair spot off
Iona Road (behind Quinn’s Pub).
Second, put warm clothes on (jacket,
jumpers, etc.) because the disabled
area gets real cold and windy. We
had also packed a flask of tea and
biscuits.
We set off down Clonliffe Road for
the Cusack Stand. The place was
frantic with Red and White, Black and
Amber. We enter Croke Park at the
Cusack Stand and proceed up the lift
to be greeted by a sea of color.
I thought “what an atmosphere”.
not see when the ball went high or
when the crowd stood up. My view
was 20-40 percent. This is totally
unacceptable.
THE ACTION
I wrote to GAA headquarters outlining
my dissatisfaction with the visibility of
the disabled area.
THE OUTCOME
In late January, I received a response
from Peter McKenna, the Stadium
Director. The central body of this letter is quoted below:
“I would agree that the viewing positions for disabled spectators are not
in keeping with the world class standards we espouse in other aspects
of the facility. As a result of representations from you and other fans we
have reviewed the matter and I am
pleased to inform you of the following, recent improvements:
• Installation of windbreaks to mitigate the wind chill experienced by
disabled fans in the level 4 viewing
area.
THE ISSUE
We found our seats at the back
of the first tier of the Canal End.
The disabled viewing area was
on the same level as the back
row of seats. I had no view. I
had to sit on my jacket as well
as our flask of tea to try and
get a good view of the game.
When people stood up with
excitement I had no view at all.
The area is at the back of the
first level of seats and your view
is obstructed by the second
level over your head. I could
What d’you think
of the game so far?
You mean it’s
already started??
• Installation of additional bathroom
facilities dedicated for disabled
patrons again on level 4.
• The development of stewards
specifically trained in special needs
assistance to level 4.
• The installation of plasma screens
in the wheelchair areas, to broadcast live action and therefore to
avoid "view blocking" from ecstatic
fans who jump up after every
score.
I trust these recent additions will
improve the Croke Park experience
for all our disabled supporters.”
FOLLOW-UP
The proposed changes are generally
positive. But for me personally, I go to
a match to watch it, not to see half
the game on TV because of "view
blocking from ecstatic fans who jump
up after every score". I have written
to Peter McKenna welcoming the
improvements but outlining my continuing concern over real visibility.
I informed him that I had done a small
amount of research on this matter,
including comparing the seating plan
of the Millennium Stadium Cardiff to
Croke Park. It is noticeable that disabled areas of the Millennium
Stadium are spaced equally and on
each tier of the ground, unlike Croke
Park who has them all on the one
level (level 4, back of Cusack and
Davin Stands). I have offered my
services should he require further
constructive advice.
u Liam Lynch lives in Co Longford. If
other fans share his frustration, he
encourages them to write to Peter
McKenna at Croke Park in the hope
that the seating arrangements can be
improved. Liam can be contacted at
[email protected]
spokeout 21
room with a
SHOWER
Forget a room with a view, you will be doing well if you can find a room with
a shower says Domhnall Murphy
H
ave you ever tried to book a room with a level
access shower? Not easy, is it? You call a hotel
with a wheelchair sign in the guide and the conversation goes something like this.
“Do you have wheelchair accessible rooms?”
If the answer is yes, the next question is “Do they have
level access showers?”
The answer will range from “What do
you mean?” to “Well it does have a
ledge” to “No but we do have baths
and the room is wheelchair friendly!”
If you are lucky enough to get a positive reply and there is a level access
shower the next question you might
ask is “Do you have a shower chair?”
This usually leads to another “What
do you mean?”
How difficult is it to understand that
people who cannot walk or stand
need something to sit on in a shower,
22
preferably a shower wheelchair? And how are you supposed to get into a bath when your legs don’t work? And
if you do somehow manage to get in, how are you supposed to get out of the darn thing?
You will go the length and breadth of this country looking for a hotel with both a level access shower and a
shower wheelchair. Over a good number of years, my
wife and I have been promised many
level access showers which do not materalise when we get to the hotel. We
have been offered garden seats to sit on
in the shower and we have been expected mysteriously to provide our own
means of sitting! Recently, after yet
another hotel disappointment, I decided
to find out why the accessible hotel bathroom is such a rare thing in Ireland.
I began by contacting Fáilte Ireland
which administers what it calls the
Validated Accesible Scheme (VAS). This
access
HOW’S THE
SHOWER LOVE?
PERFECT ...
JUST PERFECT!!
voluntary scheme is designed to encourage hotels to be
more accessible to people with disabilities. VAS has four
categories ranging from category one, which is for people
with enough mobility to walk into a room, to category four,
where the guest requires assistance to shower, etc. Fáilte
Ireland informed me that 29 Irish hotels have registered
with this scheme, with only six of those qualifying for category four. The Irish Hotels Federation has a membership
of approximately 800 hotels. By my estimation, this means
that at most 3.6 percent of their hotels are in the scheme
and only 0.75 percent are qualified for category four. I
contacted the Hotels Federation myself and they claim the
VAS uptake is closer to 50 – even if this is correct, just
over 6 percent accessibility is still nothing to be proud of.
When talking about the small number of hotels that do
have fully accessible rooms, you have to remember that
each hotel probably has no more than one or two rooms
which qualify as accessible, meaning that out of the
50,000 hotel rooms in the country, at best a mere couple
of hundred are accessible – an abysmal performance by
our fáilte (welcoming) industry!
Why is the performance not better? Well first of all it’s a
commercial issue. If a hotel doesn’t need to spend what
ever little extra it costs to build a wheelchair friendly room
why should they bother?
“I seem to have stumbled across
one of the great Irish secrets. We
don’t have adequate hotel facilities
for the disabled. We don’t have
enforceable legislation and we do
not have any obligatory inspection
or validation scheme to ensure
tourists are given correct information.
Once again the disabled have to
look after themselves.”
But hold it there – surely we have legislation which
requires hotels to provide specific facilities for the disabled? The answer is a yes and a no. Yes we have legislation providing for a basic level of accessibility – the
Building Regulations 2000 – but it is extremely weak,
open to wide interpretation and lacking in any useful
specifics.It also lacks any real validation through inspection. The provisions of the Building Regulations apply to
the construction of new buildings and to extensions and
material alterations to buildings. There is no provision for
buildings built prior to 2000 which have had no significant
alterations. This means that none of our older hotels, even
those rated five star, have to make any provisions for
accessibility unless they have had substantial alterations.
So, in reality, the legislation applies only to a small number of new or newly renovated/extended hotels. Yet,
astoundingly, many of these are also inaccessible.
This comes down to the lack of enforcement. It is the
responsibility of a local county council to ensure building
regulations are adhered to. However they do not have the
resources to inspect premises and will only act if a complaint is made to them. Understandably, these complaints
are relatively few due to the widespread confusion regarding the responsibility for enforcement and which hotels are
actually governed by the Building Regulations 2000.
I seem to have stumbled across one of the great Irish
secrets. We don’t have adequate hotel facilities for the
disabled. We don’t have enforceable legislation and we do
not have any obligatory inspection or validation scheme to
ensure tourists are given correct information. Once again
the disabled have to look after themselves.
The shame of it is that this so called successful society of
ours simply does not have an interest in catering for people
with disabilities because there isn’t a quick buck in it.
SO WHAT CAN WE DO?
(1) There is an election coming. Lobby as hard as
you can for more specific legislation. Make sure
older hotels will have to comply.
(2) Fáilte Ireland should refuse to grade premises
that will not comply and in all other ways exclude
them from investment including marketing support.
(3) Your local authority will only act if you complain.
So complain.
(4) Local authorities should publicise their role.
Don’t hide it.
(5) Don’t use hotels that refuse a fair deal to the
disabled.
(6) Don’t settle for the garden seat in the shower
and the back door entrance.
(7) To those hoteliers who wholeheartedly welcome
the disabled and provide for them, ‘thank you –
hopefully your goodness will rub off on others!’
spokeout 23
access
Growing concern over
PARKING PERMIT SCHEME
IWA review reflects widespread frustration with the Disabled Person’s Parking
Permit scheme
In October 2006, Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen,
acknowledged these concerns and stated that “the present statutory scheme for grant and use of Parking Permits
is under review in my Department in consultation with the
relevant bodies with a view to strengthening the provisions
further and to ensure that the scheme is confined strictly
to those who meet the restricted mobility criteria.”
In order to assist the Department of Transport's review,
IWA has compiled its own review reflecting many of the
issues and views reported by its members. This review
document is available on the IWA website or through
IWA’s Information Centre on 01 818 6455.
A
nyone holding a Parking Permit (EU blue badge)
knows its value. The entitlement to park in
accessible parking bays gives people independence by enabling them to access their place of
work, shops, bank, social events, etc. Without accessible
parking bays, people with disabilities would find it much
harder to carry out their daily activities.
IWA have been issuing Parking Permits, along with the
Disabled Drivers’ Association, on behalf of the Minister for
Transport since 1997. In recent years concern has been
growing about problems with the Parking Permit scheme.
Many users have informed IWA of their frustration at the
lack of accessible parking bays in towns and cities across
Ireland. Concerns have also been expressed by the general public, GPs, Gardai and local authorities.
This shortage of spaces is a direct consequence of the
growing number of permits in circulation not being aligned
to any increase in the number of designated accessible
parking bays available. Unfortunately, the entitlement to
free parking in prime locations has made Parking Permits
a desirable commodity. Many people, who are interested
in protecting the integrity of the scheme, have expressed
their concern regarding the application criteria and the
misuse of the permits.
“Unfortunately, the entitlement to
free parking in prime locations has
made Parking Permits a desirable
commodity”
SUMMARY OF ISSUES OUTLINED IN THE IWA
REVIEW OF PARKING CARD SCHEME:
• Increase in number of Parking Permits
The significant increase in the number of Parking
Permits being requested by the public.
• Accessible parking spaces
There has been no increase in the number of disabled
spaces to correspond with increased number of Parking
Permits being issued.
• Medical criteria
The current medical criteria’s lack of definable parameters has lead to liberal interpretations by GPs. This has
resulted in people with very minor conditions or disabilities receiving Parking Permits.
• Validation period of a Parking Permit
The validation period of a Parking Permit for a Primary
Medical Certificate holder needs to be reviewed.
• Abuse of the scheme
The current entitlement to free parking for holders of
Parking Permits has led to open abuse of the scheme.
• Fraudulent use of Parking Permits
An increasing lack of credibility has become synonymous with the Parking Permits scheme.
• Lack of enforcement
There is a total lack of enforcement in relation to the
abuse of Parking Permits and illegal parking in accessible spaces.
• Lack of a coordinated approach
Currently no forum is in place with representation from
all relevant parties involved in the Parking Permit
scheme. This has created an un-coordinated approach
in addressing the issues.
spokeout 25
accessible
HOTSPOTS
Looking for a sun holiday? Readers review
what’s on offer in three popular destinations
DUBAI CITY,
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
REVIEWED BY: Dubai has really
taken off as a destination for Irish
travellers. We spoke to two IWA staff
members, Jack Deans and Monica
O’Keeffe, who travelled to different
resorts there recently.
TYPE OF RESORT: There is something for everyone in Dubai City – lots
of activities and entertainment for children and plenty of excursions and
trips to other emirates.
BOOKING DETAILS: Jack stayed
in the Marco Polo Hotel and booked
through Paul Beecher, Dublin
(www.dubai.ie/ 01 810 3710) who he
found very easy to deal with.
Monica spent five days in City
Seasons Hotel, Deire City. She
booked the hotel through
www.ebookers.ie. The flight was
booked direct with Aer Lingus who
now fly direct twice weekly
(Wednesday and Sunday).
CLIMATE: The best
months to go are midOctober to March with
temps in the mid to high
20s. Avoid our summer as
temperatures often go to 50°C.
PRICE RANGE: Jack’s two week
trip cost approx. €2000 for flight and
b&b which he feels represents good
value for money as it is a 4000 mile
journey! Monica’s hotel was 5 star
and very wheelchair friendly. It cost a
whopping €800 per
night which included a
very good buffet
breakfast.
ACCESSIBILITY:
Pros: The Irish
Village is fully accessible. Monica
thought her hotel
was first class in
terms of accessibility. She noticed
some ramps leading into the shopping centres but,
once inside, it was
escalator only. Most of the restaurants are at ground floor
level.
Cons: Some of the pavements were not dished
properly. There were very
few wheelchair taxis and
as taxis are widely used as
a public transport mechanism this could be a prob-
26
lem. The boat taxis were not for the
faint hearted and not wheelchair
friendly. The excellent City Tour Bus
and the Deire Creek Tour could not
take wheelchairs.
COMMENTS/TIPS:
• Crime is virtually non-existent.
There are no offlicences but you
can buy alcohol on
entering the country
at duty free. Some
hotels allow drink in
rooms and some
restaurants (mostly
American, Irish and
British) serve alcohol.
• It is a Muslim country with lots of
mosques and regular
calls to prayer, especially on Friday which is
holy day.
• Exchange your euros
when you get there, €50 at a time.
There is no commission charge and
currency is UAE dirhams.
• Don’t go during Ramadan (midSeptember /mid-October) as all
food outlets are closed between
6am and 6pm.
VERDICT: Well worth the trip if you
want something different!
travel
Cons: None!
GRAN HOTEL
COSTA MELONERAS,
LAS PALOMAS,
GRAN CANARIA
COMMENTS/TIPS:
REVIEWED BY: Rita Woods
TYPE OF RESORT: A family resort
with a relaxed atmosphere. Gran
Canaria is a popular holiday destination for the Irish, catering for every
kind of holiday maker.
BOOKING DETAILS: Foreign
Afares, Cork (Sunway Travel).
CLIMATE: The island of Gran
Canaria lies just north of the African
coast and enjoys a wonderfully warm
climate all year round. Rita found it
very pleasant (18-23°) during her winter break.
PRICE RANGE: Good value for
money, 1/2 board €700 per person
for 1 week.
• The resort offers an outdoor
Jacuzzi and plenty of shade under
the trees.
• It’s possible to book a suite of
rooms in the hotel.
• You can hire a range of aids and
appliances through: Sol Mobility,
Gran Canaria Web: www.solmobility.com Tel: 00 34 928 735 311
VERDICT: A brilliant resort offering
a high level of accessibility.
ACCESSIBILITY:
Pros: Very good, easy access
throughout the resort - everywhere is
ramped. There is an excellent choice
of restaurants on site. One of the five
pools has a chairlift.
CENTRO FERIE
SALVATORE,
SAN FELICE, ITALY
beach offers concrete pathways, different height sun beds, colourful
umbrellas, accessible toilets/showers,
chairs to go in to the sea on and a life
guard to assist.
REVIEWED BY: Miriam
McSharry
TYPE OF RESORT: A fairly quiet
family-type resort about two hours
drive south of Rome.
BOOKING DETAILS: Our reviewer booked direct: Centro Ferie
Salvatore, Via Manzoni 20, 04017
San Felice, Circeo (LT), Italy. Tel: +39
0773 544254/+39 0773 543363.
Fax: +39 0773 544254.
CLIMATE: A typical Mediterranean
climate – ideal for breaks anytime
from spring to autumn.
PRICE RANGE: About €350 for
one week half board. This included
good a continental breakfast with the
facility to make up lunch rolls if
required, an evening meal with bottled water plus wine, room cleaning,
and transport to the beach, town and
restaurants within the local area.
There is also a festival/barbeque held
about once a week which is included
in the price. The only extra charges
are for transport to/from the airport
and one or two day trips e.g. Rome,
Capri etc.
ACCESSIBILITY:
Pros: The availability and flexibility of
transport is outstanding.
Miriam loved the homely atmosphere
and helpful staff. It’s a good place to
meet and talk to people (if you make
the effort). Miriam found the other holiday makers very friendly and noticed
a lot of repeat visitors. The bedrooms
are cleaned on a daily basis and are
spotless. There is great Italian food
✔ priced!
and a bar – all very reasonably
Lunch provided on wet days at no
extra charge. The wheelchair friendly
Cons: The bedrooms are basic with
no TV or telephone. There is no
swimming pool and not a lot to do if
it rains (unless you have a car).
COMMENTS/TIPS:
• It can be quiet in the
evenings and there is
probably not enough variety of activity for younger
people or older children.
Night life locally is mainly
bars and
restaurants/pizzerias.
There is no shop on the
complex and the bar
does not open until the evening.
• www.accessatlast.com has a
review with photos and a lot more
information.
VERDICT: A relaxing, fully accessible resort that you will end up returning to again and again.
spokeout 27
SAIL AWAY
WITH ME
Kiara and Catriona on board
Kiara Lynch tells us about her magical start to 2007 sailing
on board the tall ship Tenacious in the Caribbean
O
n the 22nd of December 2006 my sister,
Caitriona, and I set out for a 15 day sailing trip
around the Caribbean on the Tall ship
Tenacious with the Jubilee Sailing Trust. Having
experienced a wonderful sailing trip the previous year I’d
become hooked. One of the permanent crew on that trip
had brought up the Caribbean sails and just hearing him
describe the crystal blue sea and palm trees blowing in
the warm tropical breeze I knew I wanted to experience it.
As we were flying into Antigua, looking out the plane
window I saw blue sea with white crashing waves, sandy
Kiara on the way
up to crow’s nest
28
beaches... heaven! Walking into Antigua airport we
passed a steel band singing Merry Christmas – does it get
any more dreamlike?! They were expecting some wheelchair users so we got through immigration quickly – past
a few hundred people queuing (finally, a perk!), an interesting 20 minute taxi journey later and we were in Falmouth
harbour looking at Tenacious. As if she’s not magnificent
enough with her 40 foot masts, craning our necks to see
her sails, she had an amazing backdrop of blue skies,
fluffy whiter than white clouds, luscious green hills and a
wonderful blue sea – one of many amazing sights we
were to see! During the taxi ride I was shocked by the
obvious divide of rich and poor. The island was very picturesque but the poorer houses looked like shacks on
stilts made of wood while the richer homes were made of
concrete with Christmas lights and decorations everywhere which seemed so out of place in 40 degree sunshine!
When we got to the boat and dumped our gear into our
bunks (home for the next two weeks!), we had a briefing
to meet the permanent crew Simon (Captain), Nick (First
Mate), Steve (Navigation/Second Mate), Nat (Bosun’s
Mate), Dave (Chief Engineer), Steve (Engineer), Jim (Cook),
and Carol (Nurse). Dave told us about the water system
and told us not to worry if the wooden ship went on fire
travel
hauled up to the crow’s nest where
as they have an excellent fire extinguishSteve and Phil pulled me in. And, wow!
er system on board which personally
The view was magic. To my west wide
made me feel great!
blue ocean as far as the eye could see,
The next day (Christmas Eve) was
to my east was Saint Vincents island,
spent swimming in the beautiful
north was a rock cluster, south was a
Caribbean Sea, rambling around the hissmall mountainous island with a lighttorically drenched Nelson’s harbour, and
house. Just breathing in the air felt
working on the ship. We were still in
great, and I even got some pictures to
dock Christmas Day. It was great as we
prove I was up there!
got a chance to experience real
On New Year’s Eve we pulled into St.
Caribbean festivities in Nelson’s harbour
George's
harbour, Grenada, and went
and my sister and I also got to experito the Ammendale Waterfalls. Wow, I’ve
ence an English Christmas! A lavish
seen waterfalls before but none like this,
three-course meal was served to us (the
Tenacious in dock in
surrounded by beautiful green rainforest
20 voyage crew) by the permanent crew
Falmouth harbour
foliage. As 11.30p.m drew in, everyone
in full uniform. Later when Simon told us
rambled back on board. Champagne
we would be pulling out in the morning,
was opened and as midnight chimed fireworks went off
there was a bit of apprehension amongst the first time
over the harbour with foghorns ringing. A few moments
sailors but everyone was looking forward to putting into
later we heard fainter foghorns from out on the sea – all
practice what we’d been learning.
amazing sights and sounds! Great fun and many deep
It wasn’t too hard getting up early to the spectacular
political conversations, on flip flops!
Caribbean sunshine! We set sail, everyone enjoying their
As time flew by it was the 4th and Tenacious had made
first real task and taking in the spectacular first few minutes
her way to Iles des Saintes, a small group of islands lying
of the wind catching the sails bringing us out onto the
near the east coast of Basse-Terre, the volcanic western
Caribbean Sea. The 27th was our first full day of sailing it
half of Guadeloupe. The island was gorgeous and we ramwas great fun, hard work, but I was glad to be treated the
bled around the picturesque streets for a few hours. There
same as everyone else – part of the voyage crew (as Nick
was a sad feeling that night, our last night with nothing but
referred to us – the muscle). On watch that evening Nick
the beautiful open sea and a majestic night sky. Although
pointed out Montserrat Island, (a volcano erupted there a
exhausted I never wanted it to
few years ago), on the starboard
side, hovering just above the vol“Champagne was opened end. The sense of achievement is
unique, the realisation that I can
cano’s summit was a cloud of
and as midnight chimed
do anything I set my mind to was
smoke – ‘monster rat’ ironically
enough does slightly resemble a
fireworks went off over the a real patch for my self-esteem
which can get beat down as it
rather large rat!
harbour
with
foghorns
ringfeels like you are constantly fightOn the morning of the 28th we
ing a losing battle just to live like
anchored and saw ‘Tracey Island’
ing. A few moments later
everyone else. On the ship it realbetter known as Marigot Bay, St
we heard fainter foghorns ly is a different world – you are
Lucia. We got a taxi tour round St
not someone with a disability,
Lucia (just as well with all the
from out on the sea – all
a member of the crew,
hills!) saw the volcano and some
amazing sights and sounds!” you’re
responsible for setting and hanbeautiful coves. Coming back to
dling sails, cleaning the ship,
Tenacious at nightfall by boat was
feeding your fellow crew. If something needs to be done
breathtaking, seeing her all lit up in the otherwise black
you do it, no-one cares if it takes you an hour and somenight harbour was definitely a sight to see! By the 29th
one else five minutes because you’re all part of the crew,
we'd been aboard for seven days and it felt like no time
(time really does fly when you’re having fun!). That night on each member being invaluable to the sailing of the ship.
Saying our goodbyes was a mixture of sadness, exhauswatch we spotted a hotel on water a.k.a. a cruise liner. It
tion and hope. Everyone was exhausted and looking forwas lit up like a Christmas tree compared to us (who
ward to sleeping on the flight. But I was really going to miss
weren’t even allowed use the flash on our cameras on
Tenacious and all she stands for (cause she really lives up to
deck at night!). Despite being exhausted I wouldn’t have
the her name she’s not willing to let you say you can’t, and
swapped places for the world, sailing is such a rewarding
experience. Next, we went to anchorage off Saint Vincents once she gets a hold on you she’s not letting go!).
at a beautiful cove called Bottle & Glass Point so we could
have assisted climbs (assisted climbs are for wheelchair
◆ For more information, visit the Jubilee Sailing Trust webusers and people who can stand or walk with help). I was
site at www.jst.org.uk
spokeout 29
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SURVEY
and time-consuming, others see it as an act of
commitment. Ultimately the process of changing
your name is a personal choice and a decision
that should be made solely by you. Remember
the supersition that the bride should not practice
writing her new name before the wedding? This
is thought to bring bad luck by tempting fate.
Pillow talk
Two thirds of brides-to-be regard sex on
the wedding night as being of high
importance, while only 33% said they
would be too busy partying with wedding guests. With most couples already
living together, you wouldn’t expect
wedding night sex to be a high priority
after such a hectic day. Yet it seems
Irish brides are keen to fight exhaustion
in order to keep ties with tradition, and
consummating the marriage is top of
the agenda!
Summer loving
43% of those surveyed plan to host a
summer wedding. Sultry summer
evenings, garden drinks
receptions and open top
cars make July and August
the most popular months
to marry. Many a bride
and groom embrace the opportunity to use the outdoors and the warmth of
the sun, with another advantage being that families are more likely to be able to travel to a wedding in the summer than any other season. Less
than 1% of you will brave the cold in a January
winter wedding. Strangely enough, in 2003 a
massive 35% of you chose to marry in
December, with October coming in a close second.
The biggest stress
Half of you admitted that the biggest cause of
stress when planning your wedding was cash-flow
problems. Sticking to a strict budget can be difficult when there are so many different aspects of
your day to organise, and discovering things are
more expensive than you first thought is exasperating. A further 22% said that the guest list made
you anxious, with only 3% holding their motherin-law accountable for adding to stress levels.
-“Finding a venue and a church available on the
180
dates I want within my budget caused the most
headaches” - Nico Kos, England
Not home alone
56%
of women talk the talk
For some brides, the thought of giving a speech
on the big day is terrifying enough to have
them reaching for the valium. More of you,
without a second thought though, will
jump at the chance to shine in the limelight and get your words worth. If you are
undecided on whether or not to give a speech,
remember that though daunting, you may
never get another opportunity to express your
appreciation to all of your loved ones simultaneously. And what better way to begin the
union than by having the last word?
Travel bug
9 out of 10 will honeymoon abroad, with less
than 1% keeping their feet firmly on Irish soil.
A massive 41% of you will travel long-haul to
destinations as diverse as Fiji, Cuba and
Alaska. The most popular place for honeymooners is the USA, with one in five of you
picking the ‘sweet land of liberty’. Other far
flung locations that proved popular with
Confetti readers were Mauritius
(9%), Australia and New
Zealand. Italy has remained
high in the rankings, pulling
13.5% of the votes and proving
that it really is the country of
amore.
-“I will honeymoon in a nice cottage in
Ireland” - Denise Morrissey, Co. Tipperary
90% of you live with your husband prior to
their wedding day. Cohabiting couples are
among the fastest growing family units in
Ireland. Since 2002, the number of unmarried
couples living together has risen considerably,
with statistics showing an increase of over
50%. In the past, unmarried couples residing together was not considered a traditional family form, however with housing
costs on the rise it is sometimes the most
financially viable option.
A quarter of you will
pre-pick your gifts
You can’t always get what you want. Or
can you? Registering for a wedding list
is a personal preference, and a subject
that should be discussed during the
planning stages. Some couples choose
to ask for gifts of money, while others
prefer to leave the guests to buy whatever gift they see fit. The downside is
that you could end up with a lot of
things that you don’t need or are not to
your taste, and it can be a lot of hassle
to return them. Opting for a wedding
list allows guests to choose a gift within their budget or even put money
towards a larger item on the list.
- “we're asking guests to donate to the
Irish Heart Foundation” - Ruth
Reynolds, Co. Kildare
Celeb-rate
“43% OF YOU PLAN TO
HOST A SUMMER WEDDING.
SULTRY SUMMER EVENINGS,
GARDEN DRINKS
RECEPTIONS AND OPEN TOP
CARS MAKE JULY AND
AUGUST THE MOST
POPULAR MONTHS TO
MARRY”
When it comes to weddings, most of us have a
strict budget to follow and sometimes we simply can’t afford everything we want. It comes as
no surprise therefore, that we have an absolute
fascination for the weddings of the rich and
famous. A-listers are notorious for their extravagance and love of the limelight - with their
wedding days being no exception - but money
doesn’t always buy class and let’s face it, tacky
weddings make for great entertainment!
Confetti readers list Brad and Jen, Andrea and
PJ, Cheryl and Ashley and Liz and Arun among
their favourite celebrity weddings.
For further results of Confetti Survey see
www.confetti.ie
living
native style
When it comes to planting your garden there is nothing dull about
using what you love about the Irish landscape as inspiration.
Thinking local makes sense environmentally and emotionally says
Emma Philbin Bowman
T
he options open to the modern gardener can be
almost overwhelming. Visit your local garden centre and you’re as likely to be confronted with a
banana tree as a traditional heather. Visit a classy
hotel or restaurant, and in place of a birch or oak, you’ll
find an olive grove.
These days gardeners are confronted with increasingly
exotic choices, and in an era of climate change and global
warming, Mediterranean and tropical plants are hard to
resist. But there is a cost – not just in terms of a loss of
identity, but also in terms of how happy the plants will be,
and what it costs in air miles to get them to us. So, just
as we become more experimental, gardeners across the
globe are also beginning to question whether we need to
be a little bit ‘greener’ and think locally too.
So how can we respond to these questions in our own
gardens? Should we be striving to create a uniquely Irish
garden? Is there an ethical argument for using native
plants? Can our gardens be contemporary and exotic without causing suffering in some far flung corner of the globe?
These are the kind of questions that occupy American
horticulturalist Rick Darke. He uses the term ‘liveable landscapes’ to describe his preference for gardens that are
personal and intimate but also celebrate locality and the
environment. Darke’s aim is to balance our hunger to be
creative with an awareness of the finite nature of the
world's resources. We need, he argues, to be more
aware of the wider context of our gardens.
But what does all of that mean in practice, for you in
your garden? “At its best, a garden should express the
“In fact, after four or five years, a
smaller, locally-grown tree will
often outstrip a taller import
because with the change in
climate, often, they concentrate
on just living”
spokeout 37
living
interconnectedness of all things. One of the things this
means is to look first (but not exclusively) to local plants,
materials, and skills.”
Tig Mays, an Irish based garden designer is passionate
about using local plants, and highlights why we should
think about it: “There are two ways to look at where plants
come from: where they are native to, and where has the
actual plant been grown. Both matter – the first for the
sake of our tradition and identity; the second for ecological, financial and practical reasons.”
WHERE WAS THIS PLANT GROWN?
“Nowadays, most plants sold in Ireland come in from
Locally-minded garden
Holland and Italy. This is because you can grow them bigdesigner Tig Mays
ger cheaper there – the climate is better. It’s not just specimen trees like olives and magnolia; it’s almost all substanYou can also do this on a much larger scale. When he
tial shrubs like lavender,” says Tig Mays.
designs a garden, Tig often finds himself drawing quite
But just because a plant looks big and chunky in the
directly from Irish nature: “Sometimes I’ll go out and just
garden centre, that doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for
walk in the woods and look at the amazing ferns, mosses,
your garden. He says: “Bigger plants are more expensive,
bluebells, and anemone. I’ve done gardens very similar to
and physically harder to plant. More importantly though,
that, planting as close to what happens in Irish nature as
once planted they are more likely to struggle. They’ll be
possible – it’s like growing a
adjusting to the Irish climate
forest floor that continually
and need more care than a
evolves and changes.”
locally grown plant. When you
RECOMMENDED IRISH NATIVES FOR
But you don’t have to be too
do plant an imported plant, it
THE CONTEMPORARY GARDEN:
rigid;
you can experiment a bit
may stop growing for a bit. In
Wood anemone: Anemone nemorosa
and
use
the occasional exotic
fact, after four or five years, a
Wild garlic: Allium ursinum
plant
while
still keeping a native
smaller, locally-grown tree will
Bluebell: Hyacinthoides non-scripta
feel. And also, the way you lay
often outstrip a taller import
Foxglove: Digitalis purpurea
out your plants and garden can
because with the change in cliWoodruff: Galium odoratum
be extremely modern. As Tig
mate, often, they concentrate
Royal fern: Osmunda regalis
points out: “Mostly design and
on just living.”
Soft shield fern: Polystichum setiferum
feel is about the arrangement
One solution is to source
Male fern: Dryopteris filix-mas
of the plants, which can be
plants from nurseries that grow
Lady fern: Athyrium filix-femina
totally contemporary.”
a lot of their own stock: Van
What will happen if we negDer Wel’s in Aughrim propagate
lect our native heritage? We’ll become like everyone else
a lot, as do Future Forests in West Cork, and Mt Venus
and lose contact with what is unique about our heritage
grow a lot from seed. But across the country there are a
and climate. As Tig says “That seems a pity to me. But
wide range of nurseries who ‘grow their own’. They are
worth seeking out and supporting if you want hardy plants we don’t have to just go along with it: We can choose to
use more native plants, to grow the trees our forbears
that are used to your local conditions.
revered.”
Using native plants in our garden is an offering to other
WHERE IS IT NATIVE TO?
creatures
too. When we grow natives, it’s not just ourThe second reason to choose a native plant is more emoselves who will benefit: Native plants are more likely to
tional – it’s about tradition and a place in our culture.
support a wider variety of wildlife. Tig concludes: “They fit
Native plants are those that have been with us since our
naturally into our eco system. There was a study done
earliest history. This is especially so with trees such as
here recently, which found the plant which has the biggest
Hawthorn, Rowan, Holly and Oak – our ancestors revered
network of users – creatures that are reliant and dependthem and gave them sacred status.
ent on it - was the oak. The one with the least was the
One way to celebrate our native plants in a garden is to
Grisellinia. It’s native to New Zealand, and nothing needs it
draw directly from somewhere natural and beautiful. If you
here. Out of context, it’s out of that loop of dependence.”
love boggy mountain landscape, plant up a collection of
containers with heathers and native grasses. It’s amazing
◆ Tig Mays can be contacted on Tel: 0404 49819 / 086
how deeply you will ‘recognise’ something distinctly Irish
358 7034 or web: www.howbertandmays.ie
and wild on your patio or window box.
spokeout 39
motoring
Renault Kangoo
DRIVING
from a wheelchair
Ferdia O’Dowd takes a look at the wheelchair accessible vehicles on the market
B
eing able to drive brings true independence to
people with limited mobility. With the latest development in technology – mechanical, hydraulic and
electronic – it becomes a little easier every year,
even for people who are unable to transfer out of their
wheelchairs.
One starting point on which most experts in this area
agree is the need to use an electric wheelchair when driving a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV).
The reason for this is quite simple. Today’s vehicles are
built to the highest crash test standards, where every item
is optimally designed to distribute the forces of an accident. The driver’s seat is an integral part of this process –
but the frame of the manually operated wheelchair is not
strong enough to withstand the forces which may be
imposed on it in the event of an accident. The electric
wheelchair, on the other hand, has a much more robust
frame and makes a safer, more suitable base.
Additionally, the process of entering the vehicle and
being securely locked in place also imposes stresses and
strains which the frame of the electric wheelchair is better
able to withstand.
When it comes to choosing a vehicle, several factors
come into play. If a single person vehicle is sufficient and
long journeys are not contemplated, the purpose-built
Vexel Quovis makes a lot of sense. It’s built in Spain,
powered by a 505cc engine, has a CVT gearbox and
comes with a remotely controlled, fully automatic rear
door and ramp. Fuel consumption is very low, also. The
Vexel Quovis is available in Ireland for around €19,000.
If you need a larger vehicle, suitable for longer journeys
or for more than one person on board, then you are
obliged to go down the route of converting a vehicle originally designed for the general public. The size of the vehicle is important when conversions are being undertaken,
as these require installations in the floor area. If the modifications are done on top of the original chassis floor,
headroom can be reduced and this must be kept in mind
when the vehicle is being purchased. If modifications are
done beneath the floor area, this can reduce ground
clearance, which must be kept in mind also. Furthermore,
if this involves re-routing exhaust systems and replacing
the existing fuel tank, more cost is involved.
In the smaller categories, vehicles such as the Renault
spokeout 41
motoring
Fiat Scudo exterior
Kangoo can make a good starting place. The basic structure is simple, yet well designed and Renault has a high
reputation for strong, safe construction. The same applies
to the equivalent vehicles from Peugeot and Citroen. In
some cases, a raised roof may be required.
In the larger sizes, vehicles like the Mercedes-Benz
Vaneo, Fiat Scudo, Opel Zafira and VW Caravelle come to
mind, not to mention smaller versions of the new
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter or the latest Ford Transit. All of
these are available with excellent diesel engines, which are
very reliable and, having low fuel consumption, do not
require frequent trips to the filling station. Many of these
are available ex-factory with automatic transmissions, also
a plus factor when conversions for people with disabilities
are being undertaken.
Fiat Scudo interior
“For every driver, picking a vehicle
which has an electronic stability
system (ESP) is a proven life saver”
As well, note that all of these latest generation vehicles
are built to the latest safety standards and can be expected to offer fine levels of protection to occupants should
an accident occur.
One cannot say the same for the Chrysler Voyager,
another top-end vehicle which, in many ways, makes a
very suitable base for conversion to a WAV. The problem
is that recently, when the latest Voyager was tested in the
latest round of EuroNCAP crash safety tests, it came out
with a very poor score, particularly in relation to protection
for the driver.
For every driver, picking a vehicle which has an electronic stability system (ESP) is a proven life saver, backed
up by extensive research both across Europe and in the
USA. These electronic devices intervene in both the braking and engine management systems if they sense that
grip is being lost or that the vehicle is not following the
path intended by the driver. Such systems are available
for most of the vehicles mentioned above and should be
specified when ordering. The latest generation ESP
employed by both Mercedes-Benz and Ford brings an
ever greater level of protection, as they can take account
of where weight is placed in the vehicle.
Converting a vehicle for wheelchair drivers is not cheap,
and generally costs €20,000 upwards depending on the
work required. This can result in an on-the-road price as
high as €60,000 for a top range model.
spokeout 43
motoring
my mustang
and me
He may drive an Audi A4 to work, but
car enthusiast Niall McDonnell keeps
another car for special occasions. He
talks to Robbie Cousins about his 1967
Mustang 289 Notchback
WHERE DID YOUR MOTORING INTEREST ORIG- restore something of what I had felt I lost through the accident. But on getting the keys, I suddenly realised that nothINATE?
ing was going to change. I thought ‘This will not make
things any better’. It was only two years after my accident
and it was the moment when I came to accept what had
happened to me. I still loved the Mustang
though. When leaving Australia I crated up the
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST VEHICLE?
car and shipped it back to Ireland. It took about
I bought a Yamaha RD 125 motorbike in
six months for it to arrive. It then sat in storage
1990 when I was 20 because it was cheapfor three months while I registered it. A few
er to get on the road than a car at that age.
days before I took possession of the car I visitI bought two more bikes before I had an
ed the storage facility to check it. It was very
accident in 1992. Following the accident, I
Niall McDonnell
exciting. I had talked it up with my friends and
was left T4 paraplegic. I spent six months
everyone in the warehouse knew it was there.
recuperating in hospital. During this period,
As
I
started
it
up all in the warehouse gathered around in
two and a half months after the accident, I started taking
driving lessons, while I was still in the cast. I was also very anticipation and a dead spider shot out of the exhaust. Its
fortunate in that the insurance payment I received from my first drive in Ireland was a bit shaky because it had been in
storage for so long. But it was thrilling to drive it again.
accident left me with some degree of financial independence. I purchased my first car, a Peugeot 306, in 1994.
Sitting on my father’s knee as a four year-old while he
drove his tractor around the fields of our farm in Saggart. I
was hooked for life.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BUY A MUSTANG?
I loved Steve McQueen’s Mustang in the film ‘Bullitt’. I
went on holidays to Australia in 1995 and saw a number
of Mustangs ‘in the flesh’ and was totally taken with them.
I then returned to Australia in 1996 on a one-year visa,
after selling my car to fund the trip. About a month after
arriving I spotted an advert offering three Mustangs for
sale and drove 18 hours to Adelaide from Sydney the next
day, sharing the driving with two friends. Of the three cars,
I chose my 1967 Mustang 289 Notchback.
HOW DID IT FEEL WHEN YOU HANDED OVER
THE MONEY?
I wanted to buy something special for myself because of
what had happened. The Mustang seemed within my reach
at about IR£10,000. I believed that the Mustang would
IS THERE ANYTHING YOU DON’T LIKE
ABOUT IT?
It has drum brakes. So it accelerates very quickly but
braking is more challenging than with disk brakes.
HOW DO PEOPLE REACT TO IT?
I attend a lot of the rallies where it gets a lot of attention.
But one of the funniest moments in the car came when I
was sitting in traffic one day outside the Point Theatre.
There was a four-year old boy on the corner and I am sure
I saw him mouth the word "Mustang". It made me realise
that getting the car had made a ‘difference’ not just to me.
It made people other than me happy too!
ANY DRIVING AMBITIONS?
It’s clichéd, but I would love to drive Route 66 across the
USA.
spokeout 45
food
classic northern
CUISINE
Sally McKenna gives us an excuse for a night out with her choice of the
best accessible restaurants in County Cavan, County Donegal and Belfast
THE OLDE POST INN
RATHMULLAN HOUSE
Gearoid Lynch is a real classicist at heart. His food
mines the modern classics of European cookery –
stuffed pig’s trotter with poitin sauce; scallops with
sauce nero; Coq Hardi chicken; beef fillet with colcannon; poached pear with passion fruit – and it is cooking that reveals both his own journey through good
professional kitchens, and his own sense of enquiry
as to how these dishes should be rendered.
Mr Lynch’s cooking is firmly rooted in classical techniques, but it is the flair that he – and his colleagues –
then bring to that template that creates the excitement. You never have a sense of someone going
through the motions with this food. Instead, you can
sense the enquiry and the pleasure he finds in creating a warm bacon and cabbage terrine, or a classic
like spring lamb with mint and onion or tempura of
sea bass with sweet chilli dressing. The dining room
is comfortable and value is ace.
Tara McCann & Gearoid Lynch, Cloverhill,
Butlersbridge, County Cavan
Tel: 047 55555 Web: www.theoldepostinn.com
Open: 6.30pm-9pm Tue-Sat; 12.30pm-3pm, 6pm8.30pm Sun, (last orders Fri & Sat 9.30pm). Price:
Sun Lunch €28, Dinner €53
Accessibility: The restaurant at the Olde Post is fully
accessible, (but there is no access to the accommodation upstairs). Directions: From Cavan follow N3.
At Butlersbridge, take the N54 and the Olde Post is
3km further, on the right.
The Wheeler family have always run a special house at Rathmullan, with the second
generation of the family effortlessly succeeding the parents, and introducing new
energy, new ideas, new standards. That
steady improvement in standards in recent
years means that Rathmullan is now one of
the truly great Irish houses, a beacon of
charm, hospitality, great cooking, and great
relaxation.
But aside from the comfort, it is the challenge of the dazzling food offered in the restaurant that has
won Rathmullan so many garlands in recent times. They can
take simple ideas – such as a new version of that old chestnut, the scotch egg dish – and reinvent it totally, creating a
brilliant new standard. Meantime, the flavour-packed organic
beef served with an oxtail and wild mushroom tart is just as
good, and then the perfect conclusion of a cocoa bean
panna cotta with late-season raspberries. It doesn’t, in truth,
get much better than this, sublime food in an aura of perfect
peacefulness, the Irish country house experience defined.
Best of all, Rathmullan is one of those houses that manages to capture what is special about Donegal, whilst at the
same time being itself one of the elements that makes
Donegal special. It is in the culture, and it defines the culture,
and that is one heck of an amazing double act.
The Wheeler family, Lough Swilly, Rathmullan, County
Donegal Tel: 074 915 8188 Web:
www.rathmullanhouse.com
Open: Open all year, apart from mid Jan-mid Feb. Price:
€90-€140 per person + 10% service charge.
Accessibility: There are five steps up to reception, but they
have a proper ramp; this can be put in place before you
arrive if you give a little notice. The restaurant is on the
ground floor and fully accessibile. Directions: From
Rathmullan, left at Mace store, follow the road past the
Catholic Church, then past big black gates. Rathmullan
House is at the end of this avenue.
spokeout 47
food
NICK’S
WAREHOUSE
Nick Price and his crew
cooked a dish of confit of
Gloucester Old Spot pork
with Belfast boxty, spring
cabbage and creamed
swede, for a small dinner
hosted by Bridgestone
Tyres, back in the month
of May. It was a true Nick
Dish: the vernacular
ingredients of Ireland –
pork, spuds, cabbage,
turnip – transformed into
a barnstorming dish that
roared with flavour. How
much did the
Bridgestone guests like it? Reader, they gave the chef a
heartfelt round of applause when he came out to say a few
words about the menu made for that evening, which started
with a smoked fish plate comprising Hederman’s smoked
mussels, Walter Ewing’s smoked salmon and Drumgooland
Smokehouse hot smoked Guinness and bay salmon, had a
dessert of baked rhubarb with crème brûlée, and which –
rather daringly – ended with a savoury of Glebe Brehan
cheese in pastry with onion and balsamic relish. Wines, from
a company Mr Price is involved in, Groom & Nelson, were
just as fine, as the cooking. The evening was a triumph. So,
no surprise then to say that we think Nick Price is at his
peak right now, and what a peak.
Nick & Kathy Price, 35-39 Hill Street, Belfast, County
Antrim, Tel: 028 9043 9690 Web:
www.nickswarehouse.co.uk
Open: noon-3pm (wine bar) Mon-Fri, noon-2.30pm (restaurant) Tue-Fri; 6pm-9.30pm Tue-Thur; 6pm-10pm Fri-Sat
Price: Wine Bar lunch £12, Restaurant lunch £18-£25,
Dinner £27 Credit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Diners
Accessibility: Nick’s has a large ground floor dining room,
and is fully wheelchair accessible in all aspects of its design.
Directions: At the rere of St Anne’s Cathedral.
GIVEAWAY
Spokeout has ten copies of the
Bridgestone 100 Best Restaurants in
Ireland to give away. To be entered
in to the draw, just put your name
and address on a postcard and
send to: Spokeout Bridgestone
Giveaway, Irish Wheelchair
Association, Blackheath Drive,
Clontarf, Dublin 3.
NEW YORK BAKED RICOTTA, LEMON AND
SULTANA CHEESECAKE
Cheescake may not be what you would expect
to find in the new Unislim Cookbook but this
baked version is a mouth-watering reducedcalorie indulgence.
Serves 8–10
You will need a 20.5 cm (8
inch) spring-form cake tin.
Preheat the oven to 190oC
(375oF /gas mark 5). Lightly
grease the cake tin with the oil.
Reduce the biscuits to fine
crumbs in a processor. Whisk
the egg white until frothy, but not stiff. Stir the egg
white and biscuit crumbs together with the sugar,
cinnamon and melted spread. Press this mixture
evenly into the bottom of the prepared tin and bake
for 8–10 minutes until lightly browned. Leave to
cool. Meanwhile, make the filling. Whisk the egg
whites in a small bowl until stiff. Blend together the
ricotta, whole eggs, sugar, flour, yoghurt, vanilla
extract and lemon juice until smooth. Tip this mixture into a large bowl, stir in the lemon zest and sultanas and carefully fold in the stiff egg whites until
well combined. Pour the cheese mixture over the
cooled base and spread evenly. Bake for 50–55
minutes until the centre is firm to the touch. Run a
knife around the edge of the cake to loosen and
leave to cool. When completely cool, cover and chill
for at least two hours or overnight. Cut the baked
cheesecake into wedges to serve.
For the base:
1 tsp vegetable oil
125 g (41/2 oz) reduced-fat digestive biscuits
1 egg white
2 tbsp caster sugar
1 /2 tsp cinnamon
15 g unsaturated-fat spread, melted and cooled
For the filling:
2 egg whites
500 g (171/2 oz) ricotta cheese
2 large eggs
50 g (2 oz) caster sugar
2 tbsp plain flour, sifted
150 g (5 oz) unsweetened, low-fat natural yoghurt
2 tsp vanilla extract
zest and juice of 1 lemon
50 g (2 oz) sultanas
◆ Unislim Recipes for Success by Fiona Gratzer will
be published on the 30th March 2007 by Gill &
Macmillan at €18.99
spokeout 49
sports news
THE DEN MEETS YOUNG ATHLETE
RECOMMENDATION:
ACCESSIBLE GYM
Name: Aura Leisure Link, Navan
Address: Windtown Rd, Navan, Co Meath
Years in operation: 6.5yrs
Wheelchair parking (no of spaces): 7 spaces
Are toilets and changing areas accessible? Yes
Do you cater for people with physical disabilities
in any of your programmes i.e. summer camps, fitness classes, etc? Yes
Do you have a lift? (If applicable) Yes
Is your gym equipment accessible to wheelchair
users? Yes. We have an Arm Rotation Machine and
Multi-Station incorporating chest, back, shoulders and
arm exercises.
Are your staff proactive with disability issues?
Please briefly explain how. All staff are trained in
disability awareness with the Gandon Group, including
all aspects of customer care and customer service. The
Aura Group are also proud holders of two National 02
Ability Awards and five Category Awards in 2006.
If you have a gym or other sports facility you’d like to
recommend, please email [email protected]
Young athlete Gary Kane did IWA proud in his
recent interview with RTE’s The Den says Dublin
Sports Leader Jim Hayes
RTE’s The Den recently
visited IWA’s Sport Centre
in Clontarf to interview
Gary Kane from the Dublin
Swifts Sports Club. Gary
rose to the role of TV
Celeb for the day. Soccer
has Shay and Robbie.
Rugby has Brian and
Ronan. Lads push over; there is a new kid on the block!
Gary has been a regular Sunday morning attendee at
the Swifts Club for four years now. He’s just ten years of
age but is known for having the appetite of a senior to
win! When the cameras rolled, Gary answered questions
on his disability, access, school, sport and his hopes for
the future with his usual quiet assurance. He did IWA
Sport proud!
Gary was supported by all the members of the Dublin
Swifts Club who got stuck into a good game of basketball. The presence of the cameras had everybody shouting for the ball and after a hard fought match, both teams
ended up on level terms.
Gary is known for his skill in basketball and hockey,
and has had his share of unmissable moments. His
mum, Joanne, is like all us parents of sporting athletes,
hanging in there as sport takes over our lives. Would
she change it for coffee and newspapers on a Sunday
morning? "No way!"
WHAT TO EAT
The right nutrition will give you
more energy for sport and life
says Nicky Hamill, IWA Sports
Facilities Manager
Probably the best advice that can be
given in relation to diet and nutrition is
to keep things simple. Unless you are
a member of the Irish Rugby squad
you probably don’t have to watch
your diet with the scrutiny of top athletes, however a good diet will serve
to improve your health both short and
long term.
The following tips are simple and
straightforward and worth reminding
yourself about.
• Have a good breakfast each morn-
50
•
•
•
•
•
ing consisting of a wholegrain cereal, toast, fruit and a juice. This will
also leave you less likely to snack.
Aim to include five portions of fruit
and vegetables per day.
Keep food portions relative to the
amount of exercise you are getting.
Reduce the amount of processed
or convenience food eaten on a
weekly basis. Fresh food has less
salt and more nutritional value.
Limit your intake of junk food. Tasty
snacks can consist of rice cakes,
crackers, low fat yoghurts, fruit,
nuts and raisins.
Aim to complement your diet by
participating in at least 30 minutes
of exercise per day.
Gary with
RTE’s Marie
Cronin
after his
interview
WOMEN’S MINI
MARATHON
IWA Sport is rounding up competitors for the Women’s Mini
Marathon on Monday 4th June.
You must first register online at
www.florawomensminimarathon.ie
or complete the entry forms available in the Evening Herald every
Thursday or Saturday from March
1st 2007. Once registered, you
will be able to run for IWA Sport.
Please contact Clare on 01
8186454 or email
[email protected] for free t-shirts
and sponsorship cards.
Closing date is 24th April 2007.
sports news
sports round up
John Fulham looks at the highlights of the first quarter of the 2007 calendar
BASKETBALL
Two National League fixtures have
been held so far this year. The first was
on January 27th in Moate, Co
Westmeath, where the enthusiasm for
hosting the day was evident by the
excellent organisation of those
involved. The day resulted in some
notable results with Division Two team
Limerick Aces recovering from their
loss prior to Christmas and regaining
their winning momentum over the
team from UCD. In Division One the
highlight of the day was the tense battle between the Northside Bullets and
the Trail Blazers. Despite running in to
a substantial first half lead, the Blazers
were made to fight all the way by stubborn Northside Bullets who closed to
within two points. Ultimately, the
Blazers held out to win the enthralling
contest on a score of 37-33.
It is a sign of the progress made in
Irish Wheelchair Basketball that
University College Dublin offered to
host the subsequent fixture of the
National League. The February 17th
fixture hosted the final matches of the
Division Two league where the
Limerick Aces finished out with a win
despite being without one of their
starting team, Joe Hargrowe. Utilising
the height advantage of Pat Heffernan
and the skills of Stephen Heffernan,
the team ran out winners to take the
Division Two title. The Division Two
Player Awards are as follow, The
Junior Player of the Year was award-
ed to Aaron Hannah, the
Sportsmanship Award went to Mark
Rohan with Player of the Division
going to Jean Daly from UCD. With
Division One pool matches now complete, the play offs will be held in IWA
Clontarf, on March 10th where The
Trail Blazers will take on
The Wheelers and The
Northside Bullets will take
on The Sharks.
ATHLETICS
The National Athletics
Championships will be held
in Santry Stadium in May
this year, with the event
also included in the World
Series which ensures there will be an
international field attending this year’s
event. The event will coincide with the
IWA National Conference which will
give members an opportunity to enjoy
top class competition as well as
attend the conference.
PARALYMPIC PANELS
The Paralympic Sports Panels were
announced earlier this year and 2007
is an important year for these athletes
as qualification for Beijing must be
achieved prior to June 2008. For a
full list and breakdown of this panel
please refer to www.pcireland.ie
The honour of Chef de Mission for
the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Team
belongs to IWA Sports legend, Jimmy
Byrne. Given Jimmy’s pedigree, popularity and experience, the team will
have a master at its helm in 2008!
IWA SPORTS AGM
The IWA Sport Annual General
Meeting, which took place on
February 10th in the Sports Centre in
Clontarf, gave members an opportunity to reflect on the successes of
2006. Mairead Farquharson, Director
of Sports, thanked everyone for their
support and announced the recipients of the various sports awards for
the year.
Addressing the meeting, IWA CEO,
Kathleen McLoughlin, spoke of how
important athletes are
as strong ambassadors
Orla
Barry,
for people with disabiliField
ties. She acknowledged
Athlete
of the
the importance of sport,
Year
at all levels, in people’s
at the
lives.
AGM
The elections for the
National Sports
Executive resulted in the
re-election of John Finn
as Chairperson, Mary Deane as
Secretary, Jim Hayes as Treasurer
and Garrett Culliton as committee
member. The new member of committee is John McCarthy from
Dunmanway in Cork.
EVENT NOTICE
BOARD:
• March 24th 2007 Rugby
European Championships
Qualification Round,
Clontarf, Dublin
• April 28th 2007 Basketball,
Paddy Byrne Cup, Clontarf,
Dublin
• May 19-20th 2007 National
Athletics, World Series
Track Event, Santry, Dublin
• May 26th 2007 Regional
Junior Championships,
Kilkenny
Full fixtures and event details
available from
www.iwasport.com or the
IWA Sport Office at 8186400.
spokeout 53
news
IWA NEWS UPDATE
With the upcoming IWA Annual Conference and the General Election, IWA members will have many
opportunities to have their views heard says Kathleen McLoughlin, CEO
Spring is in the air, and it is the time
of year when we are busy preparing
for our Annual Conference and AGM.
This edition of Spokeout carries all
the news about the AGM and conference and I very much look forward to
seeing members from right around
the country together, airing and sharing views on all the issues of impor-
tance to them. The conference
theme Employment – Creating
Opportunities is, I know, one of the
issues which has been identified by
you, the members, as being of critical importance.
We have assembled an excellent
panel to discuss the topic in a ‘questions and answers’ type debate. We
can’t guarantee to have John
Bowman in the Chair, but we can
promise some lively debate! We will
be holding four facilitated workshops
to ensure that all your views are fully
represented.
I urge all members to attend the
AGM and conference; we really need
to hear your opinions so that as an
organisation we can plan the most
appropriate responses to members’
needs. We also look forward to having some fun together, and our con-
PATRON’S DRAW WINNERS
November 2006:
Patrick J.Regan, Boyle, Co. Roscommon. €800
December 2006:
Peter House, Santry, Dublin 9. €800
MSC REHABILITATION
COUNSELLING
Tipperary Institute and the University of Memphis are
offering a part time MSc in Rehabilitation Counselling for
those working in disability and related personnel environments. The programme is designed to help practitioners
develop the skills and competencies needed to respond
to the demands arising from changes in national and
European legislation and practice. The course offers
innovative graduate level training in: assessment; case
management; clinical skills; interventions; and policies
and best practice. The course starts in April 2007 and
the official closing date for applications was March 2nd
2007, but late applications may be accepted!
For further information please visit
http://www.tippinst.ie/courses/ or contact Katrina
Healy, Tipperary Institute, Thurles. Tel: 0504 28123
Email: [email protected]
ference dinner with the Glenn Miller
Legacy Big Band promises to be a
great event.
As election fever starts to grip the
nation, we have included in this edition of Spokeout an IWA election
leaflet which you will find useful when
canvassing politicians come to your
door. Please help us to help you, by
using this leaflet to ask your local
candidates where they stand on
these key issues. Additional copies
of the leaflet can be obtained
through your local Resource and
Outreach Centre, or any IWA office
nationwide. We continue to lobby on
these issues nationally, but we need
your support to raise awareness
among politicians at local level,
about what we, as an organisation,
are expecting from them if they are
elected to Government.
AHEAD RECOMMENDS
DISCLOSING DISABILITY
AHEAD (Association for Higher Education Access and
Disability) is recommending that all students with disabilities disclose their disability in advance of starting
third level as this helps third level colleges to plan
ahead for the support needs of their students with disabilities.
Once a student has disclosed their disability, the college’s access officer can then apply to the ESF
Minister’s Fund for Students with Disabilities on their
behalf. This fund is used to finance the supports that
the student may require to enable them to participate
in their chosen course on an equal footing with their
fellow students. Supports available include sign language interpreters,
personal assistants,
assistive technology
and learning support.
For further information on accessing
third-level education,
contact AHEAD on
tel: 01 716 4396.
spokeout 59
snapshots
ACHIEVEMENTS
LUCAN CHRISTMAS CARD DESIGN
COMPETITION
Lucan ROC held a Christmas Card competition and pictured are the winners (l to r): Gerte Roux, Susan McNabb
with Art Teacher Anne McMullen.
ATHY ART EXHIBITION
Teach Emmanuel hosted an art exhibition at Athy Library
in November featuring paintings, pastels, pottery, collage,
computerised art and photography. Memories brought
times gone by to life again and were shared with the wider
community through a display of creative writing. There
was also a notice board at the exhibition sharing a day in
the life of Teach Emmanuel.
Pictured at the launch are
(l to r): Carmel Fitzpatrick
and Deputy Jack Wall.
CASTLETOWNROCHE
ART PROJECT
FIRST AID TRAINING FOR ROSCREA
Pictured here are members and staff of Roscrea
ROC who were recently awarded their Basic First
Aid Certificates by Bill Boland of the Irish Red Cross.
In February 2005 a group of
Cork members with an interest in art met with an art tutor
and the ‘Castletownroche Art Project’ was born. The
group meets on a weekly basis in the local community
hall. For inspiration, the members visited art galleries and
places of scenic beauty taking photographs as a basis for
their work. In November, they held an art exhibition called
‘Landscapes’ which was opened by Eileen O’Mahony,
President of IWA, in the presence of civic dignitaries and a
enthusiastic crowd of people. The group is pictured at the
opening. They would like to thank local organisations for
their support including IWA, Avondhu Development, VEC
and FÁS.
FUNDRAISERS
CORK FUNDRAISING AMBASSADORS LAUNCH
Two sports stars have agreed to become fundraising
ambassadors for IWA in the drive to raise funds to support
the cost of the new centre in Bessboro. Pictured at the
recent launch in Cork are Nollaig Cleary and Donal Og
Cusack with
Michael Doyle,
Regional
Director IWA,
Fiona
McSweeney
and Thos
O’Leary.
60
LIMERICK ANGEL CAMPAIGN LAUNCH
Pictured are (l to r): Terry Wilson, Antoinette Bourke,
Mayor Leddin, Marie Murphy and Colin McIlrath at
the launch of the Angel Campaign in Limerick.
snapshots
THE PARIS MARATHON
IWA staff member in Cork, Sharon McGarry Leahy, and two
of her friends, Esther Murphy and Amanda Stavrou will run
the Paris (France) Marathon in April. They are currently seeking sponsorship with all monies going to the IWA in
Bessboro. Contact Thos O’Leary, Fundraising Development
Officer on 087 853 7228 for further details. Pictured are
Sharon, Esther and Amanda with Nollaig Cleary.
FORD FOCUS CAR DRAW WINNER
The winner of the Ford Focus car draw for 2006 is
Joe Dawson, Castlebar, Co Mayo, pictured here
receiving the keys.
EVENTS
NEW LOCATION FOR CASHEL CENTRE
Cashel Resource and Outreach Centre (ROC) has moved to
a new premises located on the grounds of Our Lady’s
Hospital, Cashel. The new ROC is located in the Physical &
Sensory Unit and is known as Re Nua. The unit also houses a six-bed respite
unit and six independent living apartments staffed and run by the HSE. Pictured
here are members and staff.
GALWAY ARTS
FESTIVAL
Pictured is Michael Hegarty, an
IWA service user from Galway,
who took part in the Macnas
Parade at last year’s Galway
Arts Festival.
ROSCREA ART
EXHIBITION
Pictured here are members
of the Roscrea Resource
and Outreach Centre (ROC)
who displayed their art at an
exhibition entitled
‘Awakenings’ in Roscrea
Library last November.
TIPPERARY TOWN
ROC MOVES TO
NEW PREMISES
Tipperary Town Resource
and Outreach Centre is
now operating from new
premises located at
Brodeen, Cashel Road,
Tipperary Town. The
phone number remains
unchanged – 062 52744.
Pictured at the opening
are the first members to
use the new facility.
spokeout 61
small ads
If you have an item for sale, a holiday contact or a personal advert,
please send approximately 25 words to Small ads, Spokeout, IWA,
Blackheath Drive, Clontarf, Dublin 3. Small ads are free-of-charge
to members. Adverts for accessible holiday accommodation are
€20.00 (cheques or postal orders payable to IWA Ltd).
FOR SALE
Wheelchairs, scooters and adaptive
equipment
Kensington S Freerider Scooter.
Battery charger, owner’s manual
and waterproof cover. Little used,
very good condition. €1800. Tel: 01
4553606
Elap Mobility Swivel Passenger
Seat. Slide and turn. Excellent
condition. €900. Tel: 086 8908835
Carony Wheelchair. Sits into the
front passenger seat of any car.
Very little used. €2500. Tel: 087
6929231
Freerider Mayfair Electric
Wheelchair. Never used. €2850.
Tel: 087 6016623
Swivel Seat for front passenger. 2
years old. Immaculate condition.
Swivel at push of a lever. Can be
fitted to most 3 or 5 door cars.
€500. Tel: 087 6868625
Accessible Holidays
Co Wexford. Two accessible 4*
cottages in Kilmore. A 3-bedroom
sleeps 6. A 2-bedroom sleeps 4-5.
Tel: 053 9135487. Web:
www.kilmorecottage.com
Co Donegal. Fully accessible 4*
self-catering traditional stone
cottages in Rossnowlagh.
Accessible beach nearby.
Excellent angling, golf and
outdoor pursuits locally. Tel: 071
9852865. Email: [email protected] Web:
www.creevyexperience.com
Co Kerry. Wheelchair accessible 6
bedroom (all en-suite) selfcatering bungalow. Separate
games room. See
www.palaceinthekingdom.com
Tel: 021 4545544
Co Limerick. Fully accessible 4*
restored stone cottage in Adare.
www.carburycottage.com Tel: 061
396166
Pilgrimages
Pilgrimage to Medjugorje. 17th
April 2007 and 17th July 2007.
Accompanied by Spiritual Director
includes full religious programme.
Accessible accommodation in
Dubrovnik House opposite church
and adjacent all amenities. For
information please contact Jackie
Carpenter on 01 847 0382
Personal
Good looking 30 year old male
would like to meet female of
similar age for friendship and
maybe more. I have spina bifida. I
am prepared to travel. Tel: 083
3021261
letters
YOUR VIEWS Got something to say? Write to us at Spokeout, Irish
Wheelchair Association, Blackheath Drive, Clontarf, Dublin 3
NO BACK ROW AT THE MOVIES FOR
WHEELCHAIR USERS
Dear Editor
Whoever designed the new cinema
complex opened in Swords in
November 2006 obviously never
heard the lyrics of a song recorded
I think, by the Drifters, "Saturday
night at the movies/Who cares
what picture you see/When you're
hugging with your baby in last row
of the balcony".
Well to be more correct, wheelchair users will never sit holding
hands or hugging in the back row
of this cinema complex. These cinemas are tiered from the front to
the back with steps so wheelchair
users have to sit right at the front.
To me this is another form of discrimination against wheelchair
users as they are being denied the
choice of where they want to sit.
I have written to the owner about
this but to date, two months later, I
have not had a reply. I have also
recently complained to the local
council whom I presume gave planning permission for this complex.
Yours sincerely
Tony Ryan, Dublin
‘IMPROVEMENTS’ MAKE HOTEL
INACCESSIBLE
Dear Editor
Just when I thought Ireland was
becoming more wheelchair friendly I
visited the County Arms Hotel in
Birr, Co Offaly. I had been there
before and it was accessible to
wheelchair users. I was looking forward to seeing its makeover as hundreds of thousands and been spent
on a major renovation. We drove
through the new entrance and into
the new car park but when we went
to the front entrance there was a four
inch step all around the entrance.
I was shocked and could not get
up it. A four inch step is an impossible barrier for a 130kg electric
wheelchair to get up and I would
not ask anyone to lift it with me in
it. They would wreck their back. I
had plenty of volunteers but no way
would I let them. The porter said
there was no wheelchair ramp.
I cannot believe this was passed
by an architect but worse that the
owners did not realise the bad job
they got from their builders,
architects and professional advisers.
People who use wheelchairs are good
customers and usually have company
with them. A ramp at a hotel is good
for luggage carriers, old people, child
buggies and wheelchairs but the New
County Arms has not got this basic
requirement.
Yours sincerely
Martin Sinnott, Dublin
THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PAGE ARE THE VIEWS OF INDIVIDUAL
READERS AND DO NOT NECESSARILT REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF IWA
64
A NEW BUILD, BUT
BATHROOMS STILL
NOT ACCESSIBLE
Dear Editor
I am paraplegic and unable to stand.
I recently booked a two-bedroom
apartment in the Tralee Marine
apartments and was told it was
wheelchair accessible. When I
arrived, I found the bathroom was
not wheelchair friendly for the
following reasons:
1. Bathroom not big enough: I
found it very difficult to get in
and out.
2. Shower rose fixed to wall
3. Mirror too high
4. Shaving socket too high
5. Unable to use my shower chair
over toilet bowl as toilet bowl
too near the door
6. No ‘grab bars’ for toilet user
7. Taps on wash hand basin
wrong type
Disability organisations should be
doing more to ensure that advertised
hotels and holiday apartments are
wheelchair accessible and fully fitted
for wheelchairs.
This was a new building and yet
they got planning. Architects are also
at fault. With so many meetings and
workshops about accessibility, it is
discouraging to see it is as bad as
ever. These hotels and apartments
should be made put things in order
for wheelchair users, including the
provision of basic features like shower chairs and ‘monkey poles’.
I wonder am I the only one with
bathroom problems?
Yours sincerely
Dan Riordan, Limerick