Council on target to achieve accessibility at all facilities
Wednesday March 10 2010
WEXFORD COUNTY Council is on target to achieve full accessibility to all its buildings and services for people with disabilities. But progress may be slowed by spending cuts.
Elected members of the local authority were briefed on the situation by council access officer Caroline Horan at their Monday meeting. She reminded councillors that the year 2015 has been set to have all work done.
She reviewed progress on bringing everything from local authority offices to picnic areas and fire stations up to the mark. The drive to allow access extends to Wexford's nine halting sites and the heritage park at Ferrycarrig as much as swimming pools and car parks.
Councillors were shown pictures of public libraries throughout the county, as the library service has been to the fore in meeting the criteria for access. Pictures of ramps, handrails and toilets were put up on the screen.
The same approach applies to the internet and Ms. Horan explained it is now a matter of policy to put all information on council websites in large type, for the benefit of those with a sight problem. She also mentioned that walkways can be provided at beaches to assist people with physical frailties. However, she warned that the Government spend on such measures is set to fall to half of what it was last year.
'We are maximising the funding we have,' she assured councillors.
Cllr. Padge Reck accepted that tremendous progress is being made but was concerned that the design of lower 'dished' pavements at road crossings was actually defective and dangerous to many disabled people. He was assured that the design used is in line with international standards.
Cllr. Robbie Ireton felt that every harbour around the coast of Wexford should have a hoist to assist wheelchair users and others with a physical difficulty in or out of boats. 'Fishing gives people with disabilities a lot of enjoyment,' he said. 'If hoists could be made available, it would be a big help.'
