LIMERICK Council has been urged to show its support to the Disability Federation of Ireland’s Make Way Day campaign, which takes place this Friday (September 26).
At September’s Metropolitan District meeting, Social Democrats councillor Shane Hickey-O’Mara proposed that the local authority champion the event on its social media platforms.
Make Way Day is a campaign that brings the disability and wider community together to consider the needs of people with disabilities and reduced mobility in our shared public spaces.
“Make Way Day 2025 will be marked all over the country and this motion is intended to do two things, firstly to help draw attention to the Disability Federation of Ireland’s longstanding public awareness campaign, and secondly to urge Limerick Council to throw its collective weight behind it,” Cllr Hickey-O’Mara explained.
The Soc Dems councillor told the Chamber that “this is a unifying motion. I’d been aware of the Make Way Day campaign for many years and often get frustrated when friends and family with disabilities and reduced mobility tell me about their difficulty getting around our city.”
“Since being elected it’s become one of the issues that’s raised most often with me, as I’m sure it is with every other councillor in the room.”
Referring to his party colleague, he said that he has “seen Cllr Elisa O’Donovan calling for a more accessible Limerick for over six years now, speaking on everything from bins in the middle of footpaths to people being forced out into the roads due to poor parking from inconsiderate motorists, and have heard many of you also address these issues in this chamber”.
“I’m not sure if it’s selfishness, ignorance, or both, but it’s an embarrassment to our city and we need people to start taking responsibility for the difficulties they inflict on those with disabilities, with mobility aids, and with buggies.”
Cllr Elisa O’Donovan (SD) seconded the motion, saying that “it’s a significant issue in Limerick for over a quarter of our population – we’re talking about 47,000 people living with a disability”.
“It is imperative that we ensure that our streets are as accessible as possible to people living with disabilities in our communities,” Cllr O’Donovan commented.
Independent councillor Ursula Gavan also added her support to Cllr Hickey-O’Mara’s proposal.
“We all have to take personal responsibility for this and that needs to be highlighted, coupled with the Council taking ownership as well,” she said.
