MONDAY, 08 JUNE 2009
Edwin McGreal
WITH ten polling stations in Mayo listed as ‘are either inaccessible or pose difficulties for accessibility for those with disabilities’, Mayo disabled rights campaigner Tom Chambers has highlighted the problems these can create for children with disabilities.
“The ten stations listed are all national schools and while it brings up a big issue for people in those areas with a disability who want to vote, it brings up an even bigger problem for children who may have a disability in going to their local national school.
”At the minute there might be no children in those locations with disability issues but what happens if a young child comes to school age with a disability? They will have to go to another school and forsake their local school. Immediately they feel different,” said Chambers.
“It also brings about major problems for their parents in terms of time, bringing their children to a school which is not the nearest to their house. Politicians running for election need to take a more active role in making these schools accessible.”
There has been an improvement in accessibility since 2004, the last local elections, when 38 of the 240 polling stations were inaccessible. But, says Tom Chambers, this still isn’t good enough.
“Funding has been allocated but where has it been spent? We need to make every school/polling station accessible. It is not a lot to ask. Close to 10% of people in Mayo have a disability. They should not have to be inconvenienced like this.”
For the record the ten schools declared as inaccessible are Meelickmore, Ballycusheen, Shrule and Robeen (all Claremorris area); Currane, Carrowteigue, Doohoma (all Achill/Erris area); Rooskey and Barnacahogue (both Swinford) and Lecanvey (Westport area).
Monday, June 29, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Disabled man gets €3k over egg attack by rail staff
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Ireland: Windy with sunny spells and showers »
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
A WHEELCHAIR user had an egg thrown at him by disgruntled rail staff, angry that he had to use the dining car when travelling on the train.
William Hennessy, who is in his 40s and now living in Dublin, was awarded €3,000 by the Equality Tribunal after it was found he had been harassed by staff attached to Network Catering on Irish Rail.
Mr Hennessy told the tribunal that a change in the regulations in 1999 meant he could no longer park his wheelchair in the baggage area of the train.
He had to park his wheelchair in a designated spot in the dining car, but as he needed a motorised wheelchair, which is larger than a manual wheelchair, space was tight and his wheelchair often jutted out into the aisle.
In addition to being refused access to the train on a number of occasions, Mr Hennessy said in the dining car he came to feel maligned by staff members who believed he was taking up space that might have been used by customers.
He said the service trolley was rammed into his wheelchair as it moved past, and staff would ask him to move, even though they knew he needed assistance.
On April 27, 2000, he exited the train at Kent Station in Cork and an egg was thrown at him from the direction of the dining car.
The Equality Tribunal said it was "an undisputed fact" that an egg was thrown after Mr Hennessy left the train on April 27, 2000, and that he ultimately received a written apology.
Irish Rail was ordered to display a visible notice that "passengers with disabilities are welcome to travel and enjoy the amenity of the train without interference".
Mr Hennessy welcomed the tribunal’s decision but said "the award will not even pay for one" wheel- chair damaged on the train.
This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Ireland: Windy with sunny spells and showers »
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
A WHEELCHAIR user had an egg thrown at him by disgruntled rail staff, angry that he had to use the dining car when travelling on the train.
William Hennessy, who is in his 40s and now living in Dublin, was awarded €3,000 by the Equality Tribunal after it was found he had been harassed by staff attached to Network Catering on Irish Rail.
Mr Hennessy told the tribunal that a change in the regulations in 1999 meant he could no longer park his wheelchair in the baggage area of the train.
He had to park his wheelchair in a designated spot in the dining car, but as he needed a motorised wheelchair, which is larger than a manual wheelchair, space was tight and his wheelchair often jutted out into the aisle.
In addition to being refused access to the train on a number of occasions, Mr Hennessy said in the dining car he came to feel maligned by staff members who believed he was taking up space that might have been used by customers.
He said the service trolley was rammed into his wheelchair as it moved past, and staff would ask him to move, even though they knew he needed assistance.
On April 27, 2000, he exited the train at Kent Station in Cork and an egg was thrown at him from the direction of the dining car.
The Equality Tribunal said it was "an undisputed fact" that an egg was thrown after Mr Hennessy left the train on April 27, 2000, and that he ultimately received a written apology.
Irish Rail was ordered to display a visible notice that "passengers with disabilities are welcome to travel and enjoy the amenity of the train without interference".
Mr Hennessy welcomed the tribunal’s decision but said "the award will not even pay for one" wheel- chair damaged on the train.
This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Albania – Women and Girls with Disabilities
Albania
Women in Albanian society are still being subject to discrimination. Women and girls with disabilities represent one of the most marginalised groups and subject to multiple discriminations. Unfortunately, little or almost nothing is said about the reality of their lives ant the policy framework of the country is failing to include, treat or provide solutions to elimination of this discrimination.
Women with disabilities are not being treated equally with other women. All laws and strategies about people with disabilities fail to include the gender perspective component and there are no efforts being made in relation to the gender equality. Women with disabilities do not have a voice in the formulation of government documents and policies. There is also lack of organisation of women with disabilities themselves.
In order to enhance the awareness of central and local institutions, non-for-profit organisations and all stakeholder groups in the areas of disability and gender equality, Albanian Disability Rights Foundation, supported by US Agency for International Development, organised the first national conference on the Human Rights of Women and Girls with Disabilities in Albania. The conference took place in Tirana on 26th May 2009 and was attended by many representatives of governmental institutions and the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities (this Department also supported organisation of this event).
A report compiled by the Albanian Disability Rights Foundation called “Women with Disability in Albania – Included or Neglected?” was launched at the conference and thee set of recommendations was presented. This report is available in CIL Carmichael House
Women in Albanian society are still being subject to discrimination. Women and girls with disabilities represent one of the most marginalised groups and subject to multiple discriminations. Unfortunately, little or almost nothing is said about the reality of their lives ant the policy framework of the country is failing to include, treat or provide solutions to elimination of this discrimination.
Women with disabilities are not being treated equally with other women. All laws and strategies about people with disabilities fail to include the gender perspective component and there are no efforts being made in relation to the gender equality. Women with disabilities do not have a voice in the formulation of government documents and policies. There is also lack of organisation of women with disabilities themselves.
In order to enhance the awareness of central and local institutions, non-for-profit organisations and all stakeholder groups in the areas of disability and gender equality, Albanian Disability Rights Foundation, supported by US Agency for International Development, organised the first national conference on the Human Rights of Women and Girls with Disabilities in Albania. The conference took place in Tirana on 26th May 2009 and was attended by many representatives of governmental institutions and the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities (this Department also supported organisation of this event).
A report compiled by the Albanian Disability Rights Foundation called “Women with Disability in Albania – Included or Neglected?” was launched at the conference and thee set of recommendations was presented. This report is available in CIL Carmichael House
Friday, June 05, 2009
Corrib protesters gear up for summer of unrest
Mayo Advertiser, June 05, 2009.
By Toni Bourke
Tensions in north Mayo have escalated once again with eight arrests over the weekend and one on Tuesday when a large number of protesters gathered for the summer Rossport Peace Camp. With the Solitaire due to arrive back in Mayo waters in the next month, the Rossport Solidarity Camp has taken up residence in Glengad in a bid to build up the resistance to Shell over the coming weeks and months. Mary Sweeney of the Rossport Solidarity Camp said: “Resistance in Mayo is building again. We’re expecting many waterborne activists from across Europe to arrive over the following weeks. The Solitaire will leave Irish waters once again with no pipeline laid.”
While Shell to Sea claim over 200 people from the local community and the Rossport Solidarity summer camp gathered at the weekend to attempt to dismantle Shell’s compound at Glengad, the gardaí have the figure at just over 100.
Seven men and one woman were arrested and brought to Ballina Garda Station for public order offences. Gardaí on duty in the area were backed up by the Public Order Unit who were confronted by the protesters. The eight have been charged and are due to appear before Belmullet District Court on June 10.
These actions came the day after Maura Harrington was released from jail for the non-payment of fines.
On Tuesday a man was arrested after dredging work in Broadhaven Bay was delayed by up to an hour. According to Shell to Sea the dredgers arrived in the bay on Monday evening and had been working continuously through the night. Two Shell to Sea protesters occupied a crane on the ‘Razende Bol’, one of the dredging boats preparing a channel for the off-shore pipeline in Broadhaven Bay. Work on the dredging was completely halted. The other dredger and its accompanying sea barge were moved out of the immediate area.
The same evening a group of 12 Irish Flotilla canoeists evaded the security powerboats and two police ribs protecting the works and reached the side of the vessel. They climbed aboard and gained access to the dredging arm where they sat for 10 hours. On Wednesday they ended their protest.
IBEC West Regional Director John Brennan has said the controversy surrounding the project has meant the regional and national significance of the project is being overlooked.
“Ireland is 90 per cent dependent on imported gas. Power plants fuelled by natural gas generate more than 60 per cent of our electricity. This makes us highly reliant on gas supply from other countries. Ireland is at the end of a very long supply chain, which exposes us to risks of supply interruption and price volatility. If anything were to occur that disrupted this supply, we would have a serious energy crisis in this country. Many tend to overlook the fact that the Corrib gas field will supply up to 60 per cent of Ireland’s gas needs at peak production,” Mr Brennan outlined.
EU North West candidate Fiacra Ó Luain has offered his support to the protesters saying he will defend them in anyway he can. He challenged the other candidates in today’s election to make public their policies with regard to Ireland’s off-shore oil and gas.
All this comes in the same week that TV3 aired a documentary by journalist Paul Williams about the Corrib controversy. In it Fr Kevin Hegarty highlighted the financial investment the Shell project has brought to Erris while adding that the protesters only represent one per cent of the local community. Paul Williams himself and Chief Superintendent Tony McNamara spoke of the paramilitary style damage that was caused at the terminal this year. Dublin Shell to Sea have dubbed the documentary as “shockingly biased”.
By Toni Bourke
Tensions in north Mayo have escalated once again with eight arrests over the weekend and one on Tuesday when a large number of protesters gathered for the summer Rossport Peace Camp. With the Solitaire due to arrive back in Mayo waters in the next month, the Rossport Solidarity Camp has taken up residence in Glengad in a bid to build up the resistance to Shell over the coming weeks and months. Mary Sweeney of the Rossport Solidarity Camp said: “Resistance in Mayo is building again. We’re expecting many waterborne activists from across Europe to arrive over the following weeks. The Solitaire will leave Irish waters once again with no pipeline laid.”
While Shell to Sea claim over 200 people from the local community and the Rossport Solidarity summer camp gathered at the weekend to attempt to dismantle Shell’s compound at Glengad, the gardaí have the figure at just over 100.
Seven men and one woman were arrested and brought to Ballina Garda Station for public order offences. Gardaí on duty in the area were backed up by the Public Order Unit who were confronted by the protesters. The eight have been charged and are due to appear before Belmullet District Court on June 10.
These actions came the day after Maura Harrington was released from jail for the non-payment of fines.
On Tuesday a man was arrested after dredging work in Broadhaven Bay was delayed by up to an hour. According to Shell to Sea the dredgers arrived in the bay on Monday evening and had been working continuously through the night. Two Shell to Sea protesters occupied a crane on the ‘Razende Bol’, one of the dredging boats preparing a channel for the off-shore pipeline in Broadhaven Bay. Work on the dredging was completely halted. The other dredger and its accompanying sea barge were moved out of the immediate area.
The same evening a group of 12 Irish Flotilla canoeists evaded the security powerboats and two police ribs protecting the works and reached the side of the vessel. They climbed aboard and gained access to the dredging arm where they sat for 10 hours. On Wednesday they ended their protest.
IBEC West Regional Director John Brennan has said the controversy surrounding the project has meant the regional and national significance of the project is being overlooked.
“Ireland is 90 per cent dependent on imported gas. Power plants fuelled by natural gas generate more than 60 per cent of our electricity. This makes us highly reliant on gas supply from other countries. Ireland is at the end of a very long supply chain, which exposes us to risks of supply interruption and price volatility. If anything were to occur that disrupted this supply, we would have a serious energy crisis in this country. Many tend to overlook the fact that the Corrib gas field will supply up to 60 per cent of Ireland’s gas needs at peak production,” Mr Brennan outlined.
EU North West candidate Fiacra Ó Luain has offered his support to the protesters saying he will defend them in anyway he can. He challenged the other candidates in today’s election to make public their policies with regard to Ireland’s off-shore oil and gas.
All this comes in the same week that TV3 aired a documentary by journalist Paul Williams about the Corrib controversy. In it Fr Kevin Hegarty highlighted the financial investment the Shell project has brought to Erris while adding that the protesters only represent one per cent of the local community. Paul Williams himself and Chief Superintendent Tony McNamara spoke of the paramilitary style damage that was caused at the terminal this year. Dublin Shell to Sea have dubbed the documentary as “shockingly biased”.
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