Donegal Local Authorities are inviting people to have their say on their new Disability Implementation Plan for 2009 –2015 by attending workshops or making written submissions during the consultation period from 8th September to 17th October 2008.
Donegal Local Authorities are made up of Donegal County Council and the four Town Councils of Ballyshannon, Bundoran, Buncrana and Letterkenny and the new Disability Implementation Plan sets out how these local authorities will make their buildings, spaces, roads, footpaths and services more accessible particularly for people with disabilities
Noreen McLaughlin, Access Officer for Donegal Local Authorities stated that this plan has been informed by the findings of the accessibility audits undertaken in late 2007 of public buildings, public spaces and public roads/footpaths, towns and villages, heritage sites, burial grounds, services and facilities. She added “this plan will assist Donegal Local Authorities in meeting and complying with their obligations under the Disability Act 2005 and in line with the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government Sectoral Plan”.
Liam Kelly, Director of Housing and Building Services stated that “this new Disability Implementation Plan will build on the work undertaken over the last number of years and a key element in the development of this plan has been the involvement of organisations representing people with disabilities through the local authorities Disability Strategy Group”.
The Disability Strategy Group is chaired by Eddie Crawford, a representative of the Donegal network of People with Disabilities in Ireland and the group also includes representation of the Disability Federation of Ireland and Donegal Disability Access Advisory Group. Also included in this Group is a representative from each Directorate within Donegal County Council, a representative from the four Town Councils in the County, elected members representing the County Council and the Town Councils and a staff representative.
Eddie Crawford, Chairman of this Disability Strategy Group urged a many people as possible to attend the consultation events and to make submissions to the local authorities on what they feel should be included in the plan. He stated that “that plan will guide the work of the Local Authorities in terms of disability access for the next seven years and it is very important that people with disabilities and their families have their say in relation to this plan”.
Consultation events will be held at:
- Lifford County House – Training Room 22nd Sept at 1pm – 3pm.
- Letterkenny Public Service Centre – Upstairs meeting room 25th Sept at 1pm – 3pm.
- Carndonagh Public Service Centre Council Chamber 30th Sept at 1pm – 3pm.
- Milford Public Service Centre Council Chamber 2nd Oct at 1pm – 3pm.
- Dungloe Public Service Centre Council Chamber 7th Oct at 1pm – 3pm.
- Donegal Town Public Service Centre Council Chamber 9th Oct at 1pm – 3pm.
Evening Sessions between 5pm – 7pm can be arranged if required.
Registration is required for all events - details for registration are as follows:
Tele: 074 91 72378 Email: nmclaugh@donegalcoco.ie
In Writing: Noreen McLaughlin, Access Officer, Donegal County Council, Lifford, Co Donegal.
Submissions and Observations from the public will be welcomed and will be acceptable up to 17th Oct 2008.
Submission and Observations to the plan are be made through:
Email: nmclaugh@donegalcoco.ie
In Writing: Noreen McLaughlin, Access Officer, Donegal County Council, Lifford, Co Donegal.
Copies of the Draft Implementation Plan 2009 – 2015 in accessible formats are available free of charge at the Main Receptions in each of the Town Council Offices, Public Services Centres and County House, Lifford, or by contacting the Access Officer for Donegal County Council.
Click here to download the Draft Disability Implementation Plan 2009 – 2015.
For further details contact: Noreen McLaughlin, Access Officer, Donegal County Council, Lifford, Co Donegal nmclaugh@donegalcoco.ie (074) 91 72378