Published: Wednesday, 26th May, 2010 5:00pm

Cavan Access appeals for support from professionals

This photograph depicts some of the problems disabled people face when they use toilets in some public houses in Cavan.

For the last 19 years the Cavan Access Association has been highlighting the many issues around accessibility for everyone and helping to bring about positive change and is now seeking professionals to help in its work.

This voluntary group is always keen to expand its numbers. Their remit is broad and extends beyond simply highlighting and reducing the physical barriers in footpaths, roads and built environment.

According to chairman Jonathan Binchy: "We are primarily a like minded but quite diverse bunch of people who either have a disability or have loved ones with a disability and would advocate on behalf of people with disabilities."

Anyone who is involved in the area of planning and building knows when they design their buildings they will automatically be making life easier for everyone else - not just those with disabilities, said Mr. Binchy.

Take, for example, the inclusion of properly graded ramps, where there is a slope going into, or within, a building. A ramp built according to building regulations does not cause anyone without a disability any hardship.

"We may think of a ramp as solely for the use of someone who uses a wheelchair. Think again! The same ramp will be helpful to a parent, pushing a child's buggy, a person who is older or not so old who, for whatever reason (MS for example) finds steps a struggle or someone who has a temporary, acquired injury, who may be using crutches or a walking stick," explained Mr. Binchy.

He said it's all about inclusion. "Inclusion is a buzz word that I am happy to say has real meaning in Cavan."

Cavan County Council has placed social inclusion at the forefront of its agenda in recent years.

"We are lucky to live in a county, which has clearly taken steps to be at the head of the pack to ensure that no sector of society is left behind. It is even more relevant now, in these times of cutbacks and a diminishing public purse as it was during the years known as the Celtic Tiger," said Mr. Binchy.

He added it was important that the priorities are kept up, as the good work earned the County Council overall winner in the non-private sector of this year's O2 Ability Awards earlier this month. "While we should be proud of our achievements, we must always be aware that the work is ongoing and, unfortunately, there may always be people who are not being fully included in our society so we must reach out to everyone to ask them to do their bit to ensure that we are all part of a society which excludes no one."

This summer Cavan town will be hosting Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann among a number of other smaller events. "We have a great opportunity here to show visitors how inclusive and respectfully we are of the diverse needs of all sectors of society."

He appealed to those interested in helping them in their work, especially people who were involved in businesses and services, builders and architects who have a direct impact on the community to come to their AGM, and see if they could contribute to their goal.

County Cavan Access Association will hold its AGM on Thursday, May 27 at 8.30pm in the Irish Wheelchair Association Resource Centre, Unit 1. Block D, Corlurgan Business Park, Ballinagh Road, Cavan. All new and existing members will be most welcome.

• Phone 086-8244466 for more details.