Make Way Day, an initiative aimed at promoting accessibility for people with disabilities, was celebrated recently at a wonderful event in Portlaoise.
This year’s theme, “The Spirit of the Olympics in Laois,” embraced the Olympic values of inclusivity, solidarity, and fair play by highlighting the need for accessible public spaces for all.
Coordinated by Healthy Laois, Laois County Council and Laois Public Participation Network (PPN), Make Way Day focused on the accessibility of Páirc and Phobail, Portlaoise.
Participants included local groups such as:
- Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA),
- National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI),
- National Learning Network (NLN),
- RehabCare,
- Laois Volunteers,
- Students from Portlaoise College.
In an impressive show of support, the large turnout was divided into five working groups to assess accessibility in the park.
The attendees observed amenities through the lens of different abilities, working together to identify what works well and what improvements could be made.
Dan Bergin of Laois PPN led the students on an accessibility walk, encouraging them to assess the environment from the perspective of people with mobility, visual, and hearing impairments.
“This was a valuable exercise to observe amenities through the eyes of people with varying abilities and needs,” Mr Bergin said.
Emma O’Connor, Healthy Laois Coordinator, highlighted the importance of engaging young people in accessibility awareness.
Ms Adele Wilson, a teacher at Portlaoise College, said the students “really enjoyed the day and found it very beneficial
“It was an impactful learning opportunity, and they would love to be involved in future community events.”
The day was not only a learning experience but also a tribute to the spirit of the Olympics, aiming to build a society where all individuals, regardless of ability, can enjoy public spaces equally.
Treacy Percy from Vision Ireland and Sylvia Rouget from the IWA supported the event, with Ms Rouget saying young people “often feel that life would be so much easier if those who make the decisions simply include them.”
The collaboration between so many organisations was described as “a testament to the community’s commitment to making Laois more accessible for everyone.”
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