Make Way Day 2024 returns this week, on Friday September 27, to The People’s Park in Portlaoise.
The central message of Make Way Day is that changing the small things can have a very big impact on people with differing abilities.
Laois County Council is supporting the initiative and hopes to help bring the Spirit of the Olympics to the People’s Park Portlaoise, for the day, by creating awareness of the access issues faced by the people of Laois, as they go about their daily business.
Although one person in seven around the world has a disability, there are still too many physical and social barriers that restrict people from living full and independent lives in the county.
“Make Way Day is a campaign that brings the disability and wider community together, to consider the needs of people with disabilities in the public spaces we all share” explained Emma O’Connor the Healthy Laois Co-ordinator at the recent launch of Make Way Day in County Hall.
“Having the opportunity to work closely with organisations such as the IWA, NCBI, NLN, Rehabcare Portlaoise and Laois Sports Partnership provides a unique collaboration across the county between Laois County Council, Healthy Ireland, Laois PPN and the voluntary and local government sectors.
“This year we will focus on our wonderful parks here in Portlaoise as a tribute to the Spirit of the Olympics.
“The objective of the day is to identify what works well in our neighborhood and what we can do to make our leisure areas more accessible.
“Make Way Day is for Everyone. This is your chance to play a part and join us at The People’s Park Car Park at 10.45am on Friday. Walks starts at 11.00 am with refreshments after.
“We have all enjoyed following our Irish Athletes at the Olympics and hope everyone will play their own part and join us for a walk in the People Park in Portlaoise and help raise awareness that will ensure everyone enjoys the same rights, access, and opportunities.”
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