This article is from page 28 of the 2007-03-13 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 28 JPG
that
the majority of people with disabili-
ties cannot get driving licences and
that towns like Kilrush seem to cater
solely for the motorist and the easy flow of traffic.
“Roundabouts are unfriendly to
pedestrians,” he said pointing to the difficulty the Brothers of Charity cli- ents have when crossing the road at the top of Francis Street on the way in from Cappa and at the Supervalu roundabout.
Ms O’Leary outlined how it is al- most impossible for her to go to work everyday, as crossing the Kilkee road is a near impossibility.
With the help of her assistant she has written to the town hall outlin- ing her difficulty and intends to re- turn to the civic office every month to remind those in power that change is needed.
“It is a deadly dangerous road,’ she said of the road she lives on. “There is no zebra crossing, but there is a lollypop lady for the school children it is so dangerous.”
Wheelchair users also find it diffi- cult to move freely around the west Clare capital, as demonstrated by Patricia O’Dea.
Even with assistance it is difficult to keep the chair steady on some of the footpaths, while mounting and dismounting the path is a hazard.
As she moved up Francis Street and into the centre of town Patricia pointed to a number of shops and businesses she cannot enter due to a lack of a ramp.
Crossing the road is also difficult unless she travels long distances to the town’s crossings.
The greatest difficulty facing Pa- tricia and other wheelchair users however is people’s lack of consid- eration.
Motorists that park half way up on the footpath prevent her from using the path, forcing her to return home and not venture out, or risk her life by going on to the road in her chair.
The vocal Brothers of Charity group have made their feelings known to the town council at its meetings.
Town clerk Fiona Mooney told the
eroup that there is currently an audit of public places and areas underway and submissions are welcome. She said she would make the group aware of the procedure and welcomed their shay oleae
Town manager Bernadette Kinsella has invited the group to meet with the council’s HR manager to discuss the council’s policy on employing people with disability.
And while issues like disabilities may make an appearance on a coun- cil agenda from time to time, Kath- leen and her friends are determined to make it a monthly issue until ac- cess is resolved.