Cavan is making the fleadh accessible to all
by Linda O'Reilly Updated: Wednesday, 28th July, 2010 5:00pm
At the launch of easy view information on premises accessibility in Cavan (from left) Michael Mussi, Cavan Co. Council; Pachelli Lynch, Cavan Chamber; Kim Rogers, Cavan Garda Station; Jack Keyes, county manager; Bridget Doyle, Irish Wheelchair Assocation; Kevin Bravender, Cavan ACCESS Assocation; and Roisin McClarey, Maudie's Bakery. Photo: Adrian Donohoe
More than 50 businesses in Cavan town are making real effort to improve their accessibility to customers with a disability in advance of the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil in the county town next month.
A joint initiative between the Fleadh Executive Committee, local authorities, the Cavan Chamber and the business community, launched this week, will make Cavan more accessible and those with disabilities will be able to see clearly - through the use of sticker signage in windows - the level of accessibility that various business premises offer. This includes a first for the Fleadh Cheoil and a first for Ireland.
"Accessibility has always been high on the agenda for Cavan County Council and we hope that the fleadh will be a part of that as well." That was the pledge from Michael Mussi, the local authority official charged with making Cavan town as accessible as possible to everyone during Fleadh 2010 including wheelchair users, those with limited mobility, hearing or vision impairments.
"In Ireland, one in ten people have some form of disability or limited mobility," he explained. And with at least 200,000 visitors expected in Cavan during fleadh week, it translates that about 20,000 people will be relying on good access to make the most of the event.
Cavan County Council, with the approval of the 'Disabledgo' organisation and with National Lottery funding has developed this initiative.
DisabledGo is an award-winning disability organisation that has been in operation since 2000. It produces online access guides (www.disabledgo.com) to a huge range of venues, including 500 venues and services throughout Co. Cavan.
"Having this information on view to pedestrians ensures that people with limited mobility or visual or hearing impairment can see at a glance whether a bar, restaurant or shop meets their needs without having to physically go in and ask," said Mr. Mussi.
Pacelli Lynch, the chairman of Cavan Chamber, described the accessibility initiative as a "win-win situation" for the local authority, people with disabilities and businesses.
"There is no question that ensuring everyone has access to proper facilities is the right thing to do, but it is more than just an equality issue - the economic benefits are significant. Around one in ten people nationally have some form of disability and during the fleadh week this equates to around 20,000 people in Cavan town needing information on access to bars, restaurants and various retail outlets. As a result, the businesses displaying these symbols will be better placed to benefit from their custom," he said. Eligibility to participate in this initiative is dependant upon whether a premises has been assessed by the 'Disabledgo' organisation. If your business is based in Cavan town and you want to determine whether it is eligible to participate, please contact Michael, Cavan County Council on 049-4378409.
But it's not just businesses that will be accessible during fleadh week - competition venues, campsites, parking, public toilets - huge efforts have been made to ensure accessibility in all these areas. Mr. Mussi concedes that with an event of this scale, it's necessary to use a number of premises as competition venues such as schools and old buildings. Where is has not been possible to install ramps or address accessibility issues in certain areas, Mr. Mussi explains that all stewards and marshals have been trained and are fully aware of access issues and will give every assistance to those with a disability.
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