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Saturday, May 08, 2010

Visit to Leinster House





On Tuesday 20th April 2010 my Personal Assistant (Lindsey) and I were invited to Leinster House to meet with Michael Ring.
We traveled that morning from Westport in Co. Mayo to Heuston Station, Dublin by train and got a 90c wheelchair accessible bus to the gates of Leinster House.

When we had checked in at the main gates we were ushered to the main entrance. We were then greeted by our tour guide who gave us handouts to read and guided us around the building.

The first place went to see was the Dail Eireann where our elected TD’s meet to discuss matters. From there we were taken to Seanad Eireann, where our elected Senators meet. We were then taken a tour of the building of Leinster House and we were told about the history of the building and all the great world leaders that have addressed our TD’s.

After our tour we were greeted by Michael Ring TD and John O’Mahoney TD for refreshments and photos in the members bar. Deirdre Chambers (Advisor for Fine Gael) also joined us.

On the way out we visited the gift shop to purchase some souvenirs to remind us of our visit. As my P.A. is Scottish she was impressed by the history of the building and enjoyed the day.

Friday, May 07, 2010

Freedom drive 2009 14th-17th September 2009

Freedom drive 2009 14th-17th September 2009

Access Campaigner Tom Chambers from Newport along with his Personal Assistant, traveled to Strasbourg again this year as a representative from Mayo in cohesion with the Dublin Centre for Independent Living (DCIL) and European Network for Independent Living (ENIL) to march with over 441 people from 21 countries including, Latvia, Bulgaria, new member states, to the European Parliament to deliver a petition drawn up by the member states and CIL Dublin were the main Co-ordinators, 48 persons and their carers went from Ireland.

Tuesday 15th September all Freedom Drivers were formally welcomed to Strasbourg my Liz Lawler MEP for England on behalf of the Council of Europe and I had the privilege of speaking on behalf of the Irish Freedom Drivers and outlined our mission. Later on that day the Irish Freedom Drivers were met by their MEPs including our own 3 from the Connaught area.
The petitions concerning our nation and services to disabled were highlighted and speeches were given from some CIL members from Dublin, there was a Q @A session then the meeting finished. All attended except one who sent his apology. Questions were put to each MEP about cutbacks in all social welfare services

Wednesday 16th was the day of the march. All Freedom Drivers met at Parc Du Commardes at 10am where tee-shirts were given to all participants, sponsored by the Norwegian Group, and marched from there to the Parliament Buildings a distance of 1.6 kilometers. It was very uplifting and I was proud to be there. All participants were singing “We shall overcome” and chanting and mildly protesting! So can you imagine the scene? Both myself and my PA were appropriately dressed in the Mayo colours and waiving the Red and Green flags of Mayo. A meeting took place in the Parliament Buildings. The meeting was chaired by Richard Howitt, Chairperson of the European Disability Federation (EDF). Several members of ENIL New Member States had their voices heard such as Bulgaria and Lithuania. As the meeting was about to close the President of the European Union, Mr. Jerzy Buzek, was presented with the Eight Petitions by the President of ENIL Bente Skansgard and it was a meaningful and poignant exchange. Independent living being at the heart of the freedom drive and the rights of everybody to be upheld including none institutionalizing of people because they cannot have access to Personnel Assistants. Martin Naughton from Dublin, one of the founder members of the Freedom Drive, Declaring institutions is not solutions! Disabled people should not be locked up.
Ratification of the UN convention on the rights of disabled people was among the 8 demands.
I would sincerely like to thank everyone who gave me sponsored and once again bring Mayo to European Level.

Thomas Chambers
Disability Campaigner
“The Billy Ranch”
Knocknageeha
Newport
Co. Mayo

Official Journal of the European Union L 204/1

26.7.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union L 204/1

(Acts whose publication is obligatory)

REGULATION (EC) No1107/2006 OF THE EUROPEANPARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 5July 2006concerning the rights of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility when travelling by air
(Text with EEA relevance)

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 80(2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (1),

Having consulted of the Committee of the Regions,

Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (2),

Whereas:

(1) The single market for air services should benefit citizens in general. Consequently, disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility, whether caused by disability, age or any other factor, should have opportunities for air travel comparable to those of other citizens. Disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility have the same right as all other citizens to free movement, freedom of choice and non-discrimination. This applies to air travel as to other areas of life.
(2) Disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility should therefore be accepted for carriage and not refused transport on the grounds of their disability or lack of mobility, except for reasons which are justified on the grounds of safety and prescribed by law. Before accepting reservations from disabled persons or persons with reduced mobility, air carriers, their agents and tour operators should make all reasonable efforts to verify whether there is a reason which is justified on the grounds of safety and which would prevent such persons being accommodated on the flights concerned. (1) OJC24, 3 1. 1. 2006, p.12.
(2) Opinion of the European Parliament of15December 2005 (not yet published in the Official Journal), and Council Decision of 9 June
2006.
(3) This Regulation should not affect other rights of passengers established by Community legislation and notably Council
Directive 90/314/EEC of 13 June 1990 on package travel, package holidays and package tours (3) and Regulation (EC)
No 261/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 February 2004 establishing common rules on compensation and assistance to air passengers in the event of denied boarding and of cancellation or long delay of flights (4). Where the same event would give rise to the same right of reimbursement or rebooking under either of those legislative acts as well as under this Regulation, the person so entitled should be allowed to exercise that right once only, at his or her discretion.
(4) In order to give disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility opportunities for air travel comparable to those of other citizens, assistance to meet their particular needs should be provided at the airport as well as on board aircraft, by employing the necessary staff and equipment. In the interests of social inclusion, the persons concerned should receive this assistance without additional charge.
(5) Assistance given at airports situated in the territory of a Member State to which the Treaty applies should, among Other things enable disabled persons and persons with Reduced mobility to proceed from a designated point of Arrival at an airport to an aircraft and from the aircraft to a Designated point of departure from the airport, including Embarking and disembarking. These points should be designated at least at the main entrances to terminal Buildings, in areas with check-in counters, in train, light rail, Metro and bus stations, at taxi ranks and other drop-off Points, and in airport car parks. The assistance should be organised so as to avoid interruption and delay, while Ensuring high and equivalent standards throughout the Community and making best use of resources, whatever Airport or air carrier is involved.
(3) OJL158, 23.6.1990, p. 59. (4) OJL 46, 17.2.2004, p.1.
L 204/2

EN

Official Journal of the European Union 26.7.2006

(6) To achieve these aims, ensuring high quality assistance at Airports should be the responsibility of a central body. As Managing bodies of airports play a central role in providing Services throughout their airports, they should be given this Overall responsibility. (7) Managing bodies of airports may provide the assistance to disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility themselves. Alternatively, in view of the positive role played in the past by certain operators and air carriers, managing bodies may contract with third parties for the supply of this assistance, without prejudice to the application of relevant rules of Community law, including those on public procurement.
(8) Assistance should be financed in such a way as to spread the burden equitably among all passengers using an airport and to avoid disincentives to the carriage of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility. Charge levied on each air carrier using an airport; proportionate to the number of passengers it carries to or from the airport, appears to be the most effective way of funding.
(9) With a view to ensuring, in particular, that the charges levied on an air carrier are commensurate with the assistance provided to disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility, and that these charges do not serve to finance activities of the managing body other than those relating to the provision of such assistance, the charges should be adopted and applied in full transparency. Council Directive 96/67/EC of 15 October 1996 on access to the ground handling market at Community airports(1)and in particular the provisions on separation of accounts, should therefore apply where this does not conflict with this Regulation. (10) In organising the provision of assistance to disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility, and the training of their personnel, airports and air carriers should have regard to document 30 of the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC), Part I, Section 5 and its associated annexes, in particular the Code of Good Conduct in Ground Handling for Persons with Reduced Mobility as set out in Annex J thereto at the time of adoption of this Regulation.
(11) In deciding on the design of new airports and terminals, and as part of major refurbishments, managing bodies of airports should, where possible, take into account the needs of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility.
Similarly, air carriers should, where possible, take such needs into account when deciding on the design of new and newly refurbished aircraft. (1) OJ L 272, 25.10.1996, p. 36. Directives amended by Regulation (EC) No1882/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJL 284, 31.10. 2003, p. 1).
(12) Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 1995 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (2) should be strictly enforced in order to guarantee respect for the privacy of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility, and ensure that the information requested serves merely to fulfil the assistance obligations laid down in this Regulation and is not used against passengers seeking the service in question.
(13) All essential information provided to air passengers should be provided in alternative formats accessible to disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility, and should be in at least the same languages as the information made available to other passengers. (14) Where wheelchairs or other mobility equipment or assistive devices are lost or damaged during handling at the airport or during transport on board aircraft, the passenger to whom the equipment belongs should be compensated, in accordance with rules of international, Community and national law.
(15) Member States should supervise and ensure compliance with this Regulation and designate an appropriate body to carry out enforcement tasks. This supervision does not affect the rights of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility to seek legal redress from courts under national law.
(16) It is important that a disabled person or person with reduced mobility who considers that this Regulation has been infringed be able to bring the matter to the attention of the managing body of the airport or to the attention of the air carrier concerned, as the case maybe. If the disabled person or person with reduced mobility cannot obtain satisfaction in such way, he or she should be free to make complaint to the body or bodies designated to that end by the relevant Member State.
(17) Complaints concerning assistance given at an airport should be addressed to the body or bodies designated for the enforcement of this Regulation by the Member State where the airport is situated. Complaints concerning assistance given by an air carrier should be addressed to the body or bodies designated for the enforcement of this Regulation by the Member State which has issued the operating licence to the air carrier.
(2) OJ L 281, 23.11.1995, p. 31. Directive as amended by Regulation (EC) No1882/2003.
26.7.2006

Official Journal of the European Union L 204/3

(18) Member States should lay down penalties applicable to infringements of this Regulation and ensure that those penalties are applied. The penalties, which could include ordering the payment of compensation to the person concerned, should be effective, proportionate and dissuasive.
(19) Since the objectives of this Regulation, namely to ensure high and equivalent levels of protection and assistance throughout the Member States and to ensure that economic agents operate under harmonised conditions in a single market, cannot sufficiently be achieved by the Member States and can therefore, by reason of the scale or effects of the action, be better achieved at Community level, the Community may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiary as set outinArticle5of the Treaty. In accordance with the principle of proportionality as set out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve those objectives.
(20) This Regulation respects the fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised in particular by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.
(21) Arrangements for greater cooperation over the use of Gibraltar airport were agreed in London on 2 December 1987by the Kingdom of Spain and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in a joint declaration by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the two countries. Such arrangements have yet to enter into operation,
HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article1

Purpose and scope

1. This Regulation establishes rules for the protection of and provision of assistance to disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility travelling by air, both to protect them against discrimination and to ensure that they receive assistance.
2. The provisions of this Regulation shall apply to disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility, using or intending to use commercial passenger air services on departure from, on transit through, or on arrival at an airport, when the airport is situated in the territory of a Member State to which the Treaty applies. 3. Articles3, 4and10shallalsoapplyto passengers departing from an airport situated in a third country to an airport situated in the territory of a Member State to which the Treaty applies, if the operating carrier is a Community air carrier. 4. This Regulation shall not affect the rights of passengers established by Directive 90/314/EEC and under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.
5. In so far as the provisions of this Regulation conflict with those of Directive 96/67/EC, this Regulation shall prevail.
6. Application of this Regulation to Gibraltar airport is understood to be without prejudice to the respective legal positions of the Kingdom of Spain and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland with regard to the dispute over sovereignty over the territory in which the airport is situated. 7. Application of this Regulation to Gibraltar airport shall be suspended until the arrangements included in the Joint Declaration made by the Foreign Ministers of the Kingdom of Spain and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on 2 December 1987 enters into operation. The Governments of Spain and of the United Kingdom shall inform the Council of the date of entry into operation. Article2

Definitions

For the purposes of this Regulation the following definitions shall apply:
(a) ‘disabled person’ or ‘person with reduced mobility’ means any person whose mobility when using transport is reduced due to any physical disability (sensory or loco motor, permanent or temporary), intellectual disability or impairment, or any other cause of disability, or age, and whose situation needs appropriate attention and the adaptation to his or her particular needs of the service made available to all passengers; (b) ‘air carrier’ means an air transport undertaking with a valid operating licence; (c) ‘operating air carrier’ means an air carrier that performs or intends to perform a flight under a contract with a passenger or on behalf of another person, legal or natural, having a contract with that passenger; (d) ‘Community air carrier’ means an air carrier with a valid operating licence granted by a Member State in accordance with Council Regulation (EEC)No2407/92of23 July1992 on licensing of air carriers(1); (e) ‘tour operator’ means, with the exception of an air carrier, an organiser or retailer within the meaning of Article 2(2) and (3) of Directive 90/314/EEC; (f) ‘managing body of the airport’ or ‘managing body’ means a body which notably has as its objective under national legislation the administration and management of airport infrastructures, and the coordination and control of the activities of the various operators present in an airport or airport system;
Official Journal of the European Union 26.7.2006 (g) ‘airport user’ means any natural or legal person responsible for the carriage of passengers by air from or to the airport in question;
(h) ‘Airport Users Committee’ means a committee of representatives of airport users or organisations representing them; (i) ‘reservation’ means the fact that the passenger has a ticket, or other proof, which indicates that the reservation has been accepted and registered by the air carrier or tour
operator; (j) ‘airport’ means any area of land specially adapted for the landing, taking-off and manoeuvres of aircraft, including ancillary installations which these operations may involve for the requirements of aircraft traffic and services including installations needed to assist commercial air services; (k) ‘airport car park’ means a car park, within the airport boundaries or under the direct control of the managing body of an airport, which directly serves the passengers using that airport;
(l) ‘commercial passenger air service’ means a passenger air transport service operated by an air carrier through a scheduled or non-scheduled flight offered to the general public for valuable consideration, whether on its own or as part of a package.
Article3

Prevention of refusal of carriage

An air carrier or its agent or a tour operator shall not refuse, on the grounds of disability or of reduced mobility: (a to accept a reservation for a flight departing from or arriving at an airport to which this Regulation applies; (b) to embark a disabled person or a person with reduced mobility at such an airport, provided that the person concerned has a valid ticket and reservation.
Article4

Derogations, special conditions and information

1. Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 3, an air carrier or its agent or a tour operator may refuse, on the grounds of disability or of reduced mobility, to accept reservation from or to embark a disabled person or a person with reduced mobility: (a) in order to meet applicable safety requirements established by international, Community or national law or in order to meet safety requirements established by the authority that issued the air operator's certificate to the air carrier concerned;
(b) If the size of the aircraft or its doors makes the embarkation or carriage of that disabled person or person with reduced mobility physically impossible.
In the event of refusal to accept a reservation on the grounds referred to under points (a) or (b) of the first subparagraph, the air carrier, its agent or the tour operator shall make reasonable efforts to propose an acceptable alternative to the person in question.

A disabled person or a person with reduced mobility who has been denied embarkation on the grounds of his or her disability or reduced mobility and any person accompanying this person pursuant to paragraph2of this Article shall be offered the right to reimbursement or re-routing as provided for in Article 8 of Regulation (EC) No261/2004.Therighttothe option return flight or re-routing shall be conditional upon all safety requirements being met.

2. Under the same conditions referred to in paragraph1, first subparagraph, point (a), an air carrier or its agent or a tour operator may require that a disabled person or person with reduced mobility be accompanied by another person who is capable of providing the assistance required by that person.
3. An air carrier or its agent shall make publicly available, in accessible formats and in at least the same languages as the information made available to other passengers, the safety rules that it applies to the carriage of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility, as well as any restrictions on their carriage or on that of mobility equipment due to the size of aircraft. A tour operator shall make such safety rules and restrictions available for flights included in package travel, package holidays and package tours which it organises, sells or offers for sale.
4. When an air carrier or its agent rotator operator exercises derogation under paragraphs1 or 2, it shall immediately inform the disabled person or person with reduced mobility of the reasons therefore. On request, an air carrier, its agent or a tour operator shall communicate these reasons in writing to the disabled person or person with reduced mobility, within five working days of the request.
Article5

Designation of points of arrival and departure

1. in cooperation with airport users, through the Airport Users Committee where one exists and relevant organisations representing disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility, the managing body of an airport shall, taking account of local conditions, designate points of arrival and departure within the airport boundary or at a point under the direct control of the managing body, both inside and outside terminal

26.7.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union L 204/5 buildings, at which disabled persons or persons with reduced mobility can, with ease, announce their arrival at the airport and request assistance.

2. The points of arrival and departure referred to in paragraph 1, shall be clearly signed and shall offer basic information about the airport, in accessible formats.
Article6

Transmission of information

1. Air carriers, their agents and tour operators shall take all measures necessary for the receipt, at all their points of sale in the territory of the Member States to which the Treaty applies, including sale by telephone and via the Internet, of notifications of the need for assistance made by disabled persons or persons with reduced mobility.
2. When an air carrier or its agent or a tour operator receives a notification oftener for assistanceatleast48hoursbeforethe published departure time for the flight, it shall transmit the information concerned at least 36 hours before the published departure time for the flight: (a) to the managing bodies of the airports of departure, arrival and transit, and (b) to the operating air carrier, if a reservation was not made with that carrier, unless the identity of the operating air carrier is not known at the time of notification, in which case the information shall be transmitted as soon as practicable.
3. In all cases other than those mentioned in paragraph 2, the air carrier or its agent or tour operator shall transmit the information as soon as possible.
4. As soon as possible after the departure of the flight, an operating air carrier shall inform the managing body of the airport of destination, if situated in the territory of a Member State to which the Treaty applies, of the number of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility on that flight requiring assistance specified in Annex Handoff the nature of that assistance.
Article7

Right to assistance at airports

1. When a disabled person or person with reduced mobility arrives at an airport for travel by air, the managing body of the airport shall be responsible for ensuring the provision of the assistance specified in Annexing such a way that the person is able to take the flight for which he or she holds a reservation, provided that the notification of the person's particular needs for such assistance has been made to the air carrier or its agent or the tour operator concerned at least 48 hours before the published time of departure of the flight. This notification shall also cover return flight, if the outward flight and the return flight have been contracted with the same air carrier.

2. Where use of a recognised assistance dog is required, this shall be accommodated provided that notification of the same is made to the air carrier or its agent or the tour operator in accordance with applicable national rules covering the carriage of assistance dogs on board aircraft, where such rules exist.
3. If no notification is made in accordance with paragraph 1, the managing body shall make all reasonable efforts to provide the assistance specified in Annex I in such away that the person concerned is able to take the flight for which he or she holds a reservation.
4. The provisions of paragraph1shallapplyon condition that: (a) the person presents himself or herself for check-in: (i) at the time stipulated in advance and in writing (including by electronic means) by the air carrier or its agent or the tour operator, or (ii) if no time is stipulated, not later than one hour before the published departure time, or (b) the person arrives at a point within the airport boundary designated in accordance with Article 5: (i) at the time stipulated in advance and in writing (including by electronic means) by the air carrier or its agent or the tour operator, or (ii) if no time is stipulated, not later than two hours before the published departure time.
5. When a disabled person or person with reduced mobility transits through an airport to which this Regulation applies, or is transferred by an air carrier or a tour operator from the flight for which he or she holds a reservation to another flight, the managing body shall be responsible for ensuring the provision of the assistance specified in Annexing such away that the person is able to take the flight for which he or she hold a reservation. 6. on the arrival by air of a disabled person or person with reduced mobility at an airport to which this Regulation applies, the managing body of the airport shall be responsible for ensuring the provision of the assistance specified in Annex I in such a way that the person is able to reach his or her point of departure from the airport as referred to in Article 5.
7. The assistance provided shall, as far as possible, be appropriate to the particular needs of the individual passenger.
L 204/6


Official Journal of the European Union 26.7.2006

Article8

Responsibility for assistance at airports

1. The managing body of an airport shall be responsible for ensuring the provision of the assistance specified in Annex I without additional charge to disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility.
2. The managing body may provide such assistance itself. Alternatively, in keeping with its responsibility, and subject always to compliance with the quality standards referred to in Article 9(1), the managing body may contract with one or more other parties for the supply of the assistance. In cooperation with airport users, through the Airport Users Committee where one exists, the managing body may enter into such a contract or contracts on its own initiative or on request, including from an air carrier, and taking into account the existing services at the airport concerned. In the event that it refuses such a request, the managing body shall provide written justification.
3. The managing body of an airport may, on a non discriminatory basis, levy a specific charge on airport users for the purpose of funding this assistance.
4. This specific charge shall be reasonable, cost-related, and transparent and established by the managing body of the airport in cooperation with airport users, through the Airport Users Committee where one exists or any other appropriate entity. It shall be shared among airport users in proportion to the total number of all passengers that each carries to and from that airport.
5. The managing body of an airport shall separate the accounts of its activities relating to the assistance provided to disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility from the accounts of its other activities, in accordance with current commercial practice.
6. The managing body of an airport shall make available to airport users, through the Airport Users Committee where one exists or any other appropriate entity, as well as to the enforcement body or bodies referred to in Article14, an audited annual overview of charges received and expenses made in respect of the assistance provided to disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility.
Article9

Quality standards for assistance

1. With the exception of airports whose annual traffic is less than 150 000 commercial passenger movements, the managing body shall set quality standards for the assistance specified in Annex I and determine resource requirements for meeting them, in cooperation with airport users, through the Airport Users
Committee where one exists and organisations representing disabled passengers and passengers with reduced mobility.
2. In the setting of such standards, full account shall be taken of internationally recognised policies and codes of conduct concerning facilitation of the transport of disabled person’s or persons with reduced mobility, notably the EAC Code of Good Conducting Ground Handling for Persons with Reduced Mobility. 3. The managing body of an airport shall publish its quality standards.
4. An air carrier and the managing body of an airport may agree that, for the passengers whom that air carrier transports to and from the airport, the managing body shall provide assistance of a higher standard than the standards referred to in paragraph1 or provide services additional to those specified in Annex I.
5. For the purpose of funding either of these, the managing body may levy a charge on the air carrier additional to that referred to in Article 8(3), which shall be transparent, cost-related and established after consultation of the air carrier concerned.
Article10

Assistance by air carriers

An air carrier shall provide the assistance specified in Annex II without additional charge to a disabled person or person with reduced mobility departing from, arriving at or transiting through an airport to which this Regulation applies provided that the person in question fulfils the conditions set out in Article 7(1), (2) and (4).

Article11

Training

Air carriers and airport managing bodies shall:
(a) ensure that all their personnel, including those employed by any sub-contractor, providing direct assistance to disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility have knowledge of how to meet the needs of persons having various disabilities or mobility impairments; (b) provide disability-equality and disability-awareness training to all their personnel working at the airport who deal directly with the travelling public; (c) ensure that, upon recruitment, all new employees attend disability-related training and that personnel receive refresher training courses when appropriate.
Article12

Compensation for lost or damaged wheelchairs, other mobility equipment and assistive devices

Where wheelchairs or other mobility equipment or assistive devices are lost or damaged whilst being handled at the airport or

26.7.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union L 204/7 transported on board aircraft, the passenger to whom the equipment belongs shall be compensated, in accordance with rules of international, Community and national law.

Article13

Exclusion of waiver

Obligations towards disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility pursuant to this Regulation shall not be limited or waived.

Article14

Enforcement body and its tasks

1. Each Member State shall designate a body or bodies responsible for the enforcement of this Regulation as regards flights departing from or arriving at airports situated in its territory. Where appropriate, this body or bodies shall take the measures necessary to ensure that the rights of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility are respected, including compliance with the quality standards referred to in Article 9(1). The Member States shall inform the Commission of the body or bodies designated. 2. Member States shall, where appropriate, provide that the enforcement body or bodies designated under paragraph1shall also ensure the satisfactory implementation of Article 8, including as regards the provisions on charges with a view to avoiding unfair competition. They may also designate a specific body to that effect.
Article15

Complaint procedure

1. A disabled person or person with reduced mobility who considers that this Regulation has been infringed may bring the matter to the attention of the managing body of the airport or to the attention of the air carrier concerned, as the case may be.
2. If the disabled person or person with reduced mobility cannot obtain satisfaction in such way, complaints maybe made to any body or bodies designated under Article14(1), or to any other competent body designated by a Member State, about an alleged infringement of this Regulation.

3. A body in one Member State which receives a complaint concerning a matter that comes under the responsibility of a designated body of another Member State shall forward the complaint to the body of that other Member State.
4. The Member States shall take measures to inform disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility of their rights under this Regulation and of the possibility of complaint to this designated body or bodies.
Article16

Penalties

The Member States shall lay down rules on penalties applicable to infringements of this Regulation and shall take all the measures necessary to ensure that those rules are implemented.
The penalties provided for must be effective, proportionate and dissuasive. The Member States shall notify those provisions to the
Commission and shall notify it without delay of any subsequent amendment affecting them.

Article17

Report

The Commission shall report to the European Parliament and the Council by 1January 2010 at the latest on the operation and the effects of this Regulation. The report shall be accompanied where necessary by legislative proposals implementing in further detail the provisions of this Regulation, or revising it.

Article18

Entry into force

This Regulation shall enter into force on the 20th day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

It shall apply with effect from 26 July 2008, except Articles 3 and 4, which shall apply with effect from 26 July 2007.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States done at Strasbourg, 5 July 2006.
For the European Parliament the President
The President for the Council
J. BORRELL FONTELLES P. LEHTOMÄKI

L 204/8

EN

Official Journal of the European Union 26.7.2006

ANNEXI

Assistance under the responsibility of the managing bodies of airports

Assistance and arrangements necessary to enable disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility to: communicate their arrival at an airport and their request for assistance at the designated points inside and outside terminal buildings mentioned in Article 5, move from a designated point to the check-in counter, check-in and register baggage, precede from the check-in counter to the aircraft, with completion of emigration, customs and security procedures, board the aircraft, with the provision of lifts, wheelchairs or other assistance needed, as appropriate, proceed from the aircraft door to their seats, store and retrieve baggage on the aircraft, proceed from their seats to the aircraft door, disembark from the aircraft, with the provision of lifts, wheelchairs or other assistance needed, as appropriate, proceed from the aircraft to the baggage hall and retrieve baggage, with completion of immigration and customs procedures, proceed from the baggage hall to a designated point; reach connecting flights when in transit, with assistance on the air and landsides and within and between terminals as needed, move to the toilet facilities if required.
Where a disabled person or person with reduced mobility is assisted by an accompanying person, this person must, if requested, be allowed to provide the necessary assistance in the airport and with embarking and disembarking. Ground handling of all necessary mobility equipment, including equipment such as electric wheelchairs subject to advance warning of 48 hours and to possible limitations of space on board the aircraft, and subject to the application of relevant legislation concerning dangerous goods Temporary replacement of damaged or lost mobility equipment, albeit not necessarily on a like-for-like basis. Ground handling of recognised assistance dogs, when relevant. Communication of information needed to take flights in accessible formats.


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Official Journal of the European Union L 204/9

ANNEX II

Assistance by air carriers

Carriage of recognised assistance dogs in the cabin, subject to national regulations.
In addition to medical equipment, transport of up to two pieces of mobility equipment per disabled person or person with reduced mobility, including electric wheelchairs (subject to advance warning of 48 hours and to possible limitations of space on board the aircraft, and subject to the application of relevant legislation concerning dangerous goods Communication of essential information concerning a flight in accessible formats. The making of all reasonable efforts to arrange seating to meet the needs of individuals with disability or reduced mobility on request and subject to safety requirements and availability. Assistance in moving to toilet facilities if required.
Where a disabled person or person with reduced mobility is assisted by an accompanying person, the air carrier will make all reasonable efforts to give such person a seat next to the disabled person or person with reduced mobility.

Airport charges - new rules could mean cheaper flights

Airport charges - new rules could mean cheaper flights
Transport - 21-10-2008 - 17:10


Airports and their charges: 69 airports could be affected©BELGA_MAXPPP_GERARD LAUNET
Airport charges are one of the hidden costs of flying and usually they are passed on from airlines to passengers. Wednesday evening sees MEPs debate whether to support a proposed directive which aims to set common rules for how charges are calculated. It could affect Europe's biggest airports and help introduce more competition between them.
Its supporters also believe it could lead to fairer and clearer ticket pricing. This debate - due to be held in Strasbourg - can be seen live on Wednesday evening from 9pm.
At present airport charges are invariably passed on to passengers. The final price for flyers can include charges to cover air passenger duty, local airport taxes, passenger service charges, fuel costs and security and insurance costs.
MEPs on the all-party Transport Committee have already indicated their backing for the directive. The drafted report indicates that the committee would like the directive applied to the largest airports in each country and those who have over 5 million passengers a year. At present this would affect 69 airports including ones such as Amsterdam and Palma de Mallorca.
MEPs would also like to see independent bodies set up to adjudicate disputes between airports over fees.
"Passengers will be protected from exorbitant charges"
The man who drafted the report is German Socialist Ulrich Stockmann. He told us that: "Passengers will be protected from exorbitant charges for landing and takeoff ... charges can also be differentiated according to environmental criteria such as aircraft noise which will also produce benefits for the citizen."
Air charges can include..
• Local airport taxes
• Fuel costs
• Security costs
• Passenger service charges
At the moment, large airports are able to dictate to individual airlines the charges they have to pay for the use of the airport infrastructure. At present airlines do not have a real choice to move away from the big airports.
Charges for disabled excluded
Such charges need not necessarily bear a direct relation to the quality of the services provided. In practice, airlines are forced to pay whatever charges the airport has determined and will usually pass these costs on to the passenger. Charges for disabled and other people who have mobility problems will be excluded from the scope of the directive. The report also calls for incentives for new routes to outlying regions of Europe. The hope is that this will help them access both people and trade. Europe's Transport Ministers meeting in the Council have already made a commitment to accept a further series of parliamentary amendments if tabled at this the second reading.

BIKE WEEK 2010 GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS

RE: BIKE WEEK 2010 GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS



A Chara,



Building on the fantastic enthusiasm and participation of groups around the county in Bike Week 2009, Mayo Sports Partnership in conjunction with Mayo County Council is now inviting applications ( see attached form for full details ) for funding from interested community groups / clubs for Bike Week 2010 (13-20 June) events.



If your group is interested in promoting cycling as part of a fun, national event, this is an ideal opportunity to apply for funding to help deliver your event.



Key information points:



· A total grant fund of €70,000 is available on a nationwide basis from the Department of Transport. Grants are available up to a potential maximum of €5,000 per successful Local Authority area. The final amount granted to a successful Local Authority area will depend on the number and scale of applications received across the country.



· Grants for Community Groups are available up to a potential maximum of €500 per successful community group. Grants allocated to Community Groups form part of the overall maximum of €5,000 available to each Local Authority area.



· Grants can be used for materials or resources needed to run Bike Week 2010 events and activities. Sample spend might include:

Ø Organising a local fun cycling event e.g. lunchtime workplace cycle, slow bike race, cycling obstacle course, cycling road race, mass cycle, forest cycle etc

Ø Hiring a bike mechanic to run workshops on bike maintenance for event days

Ø Organising refreshments for participants, e.g. free tea or breakfasts for everyone cycling to work or school on an event day; drinks and snacks for participants in a mass cycle

Ø Tabards or reflective materials for stewards

Ø Bikes, panniers, lights, locks etc to raffle or give as prizes for participants in events

Ø Other complementary activities for event days, e.g. musical entertainment, face painting, novelty bike displays (unicycles, tricycles), electric bike display

Ø Publicity materials

For more ideas, see the 2009 photo galleries and event information on www.bikeweek.ie





· Application is by providing information as requested in the attached form. A list of costed activities or events must be supplied with the application.



· Applications should be emailed to msp@mayococo.ie or, alternatively, application forms can be posted to Mayo Sports Partnership, Mayo County Council, Castlebar, Co. Mayo



· The closing date for applications to Mayo Sports Partnership is Wednesday 7th April 2010.



· Grants will be awarded based on the following criteria:

Ø Event or activity coincides with Bike Week 2010 (13-20 June)

Ø Event or activity portrays cycling in a positive light

Ø Events or activities are inclusive and facilitate a variety of people to participate e.g. not aimed solely at regular cyclists. Events should have a wider appeal e.g. children, families, workplaces, non-cyclists etc

Ø Publicity or communications planned to engage participants and local interest/ media

Ø Originality of proposal



Funding is at the discretion of Mayo Sports Partnership / Mayo County Council and as such applicants may receive all/some/or no funding applied for.



· The dedicated contact person will be informed of the proposed amount to be granted by Friday, 7th May 2010.



· Successful community groups / clubs will receive the grant following confirmation by the dedicated contact person of acceptance of the grant amount. Where a grant is in respect of a local community group, the contact person will be deemed responsible for handling the application, expenditure of grant and return of vouched expenses. Where the actual expenditure used on the organisation of the event is below the grant that was allocated (based on the projected expenditure), the balance of funding must be refunded to Mayo Sports Partnership by cheque.



· The dedicated contact person will be required to submit a brief report on the success or otherwise of the Bike week events and activities. The report should be a brief summary of the event of no more than two A4 pages or maximum of 500 words (bullet points suffice) and should ideally be accompanied by not more than two photographs of the event. This information will be used to help plan future Bike Week events. Photographs of the event may be uploaded to the Bike Week website.





If you have any questions, you can contact me by email at clambert@mayococo.ie or phone at 094-9047025



Best regards,





_______________________ ___________________

Charlie Lambert Anna Connor

Sports Co-ordinator Walking & Cycling Officer

Mayo Sports Partnership Mayo County Council





MSP Mission Statement: "To plan, lead and co-ordinate the sustainable development of sport in Mayo"





Mayo Sports Partnership

Mayo County Council

Castlebar

Co. Mayo

Phone:

Andrea Farrell Admin Main Office No: 094 9047025

Charlie Lambert (Coordinator) 094 9047256

Ray McNamara (Sports Inclusion Dev.Officer) 094 9047023

Anne Ronayne (Community Sports Dev.Project Worker) 094 9047022

Email: msp@mayococo.ie

Web: www.mayosports.ie





P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail

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Tá eolas atá príobháideach agus rúnda sa ríomhphost seo agus in aon iatán a ghabhann leis agus is leis an duine/na daoine sin amháin a bhfuil siad seolta chucu a bhaineann siad. Mura seolaí thú, níl tú údaraithe an ríomhphost nó aon iatán a ghabhann leis a léamh, a chóipeáil ná a úsáid. Má tá an ríomhphost seo faighte agat trí dhearmad, cuir an seoltóir ar an eolas thrí aischur ríomhphoist agus scrios ansin é le do thoil.

This e-mail and any attachment contains information which is private and confidential and is intended for the addressee only. If you are not an addressee, you are not authorised to read, copy or use the e-mail or any attachment. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender by return e-mail and then destroy it.

***************************************************************************************************************************************






--
Breda Ruane
Youth Officer

Co Mayo VEC
Newtown
Castlebar
Co Mayo

Tel: 094 9250730
Email: bredaruane@mayovec.com

Mc Hale Park Castlebar

From: Vincent Reilly
Date: Mon, Oct 12, 2009 at 4:31 PM
Subject: Mc Hale Park Castlebar
To: sean@gcil.ie

Hello Sean,
I have attached drawings and photographs of the Mc Hale Park Project in Castlebar. You should be able to zoom into the plans to pick up the detail. I have attached an aerial photograph which was prepared for the planning permission. This shows the overall development and you will see the separate toilet blocks along Mc Hale Road. Drawing C(--)27 shows a typical layout. There are also toilets under the T.V Tower along Mc Hale Road as shown in drawing C(--)24. Without assistants there are 120 wheelchair spaces in the main stand.
A modern audio system will provide sound throughout and two digital scoreboards will relay messages to the visually impaired. Signage will be white lettering on a red background throughout the grounds. Toilet areas will have contrasting laminate colours for users to identify door openings in a bank of toilets and vanity basins in a continuous vanity unit.
A 14 person lift car will bring patrons to the first floor offices and corporate areas. The lift will also bring personnel to the press area and corporate seating. Wheelchair spaces and assistants seating are also provided at this level.
If you have any further queries do not hesitate to give me a call.
Kind regards
Vincent Reilly

Newport cycle lane??

Dear Padraic,

I would like to highlight the entrance to the new walk/cycle path (photo attached) from Newport to Mulranny.The extreme rough surface caused concern to me using the walk in my wheelchair.

I have got similar comments from other wheelchair users and indeed cycle users and feel that action needs to be taken to prevent a serious accident.

To be able to use the path without difficulty I would be very grateful if it was dealt with urgently.

Regards
Tom



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------





I would like to highlight the entrance to the new walk/cycle path (photo attached) from Newport to Mulranny.The extreme rough surface caused concern to me using the walk in my wheelchair.

I have got similar comments from other wheelchair users and indeed cycle users and feel that action needs to be taken to prevent a serious accident.

To be able to use the path without difficulty I would be very grateful if it was dealt with urgently.

Regards
Tom

Monday, May 03, 2010

Trip to Strasbourg 2009


Dear Noaise,

I would like to thank you sincerely for your help in making the Strasbourg freedom Drive a reality for me this year,
the funding which i received was indeed beneficial ,as it enabled me to bring a P /A which was invaluable service to me

Secondly i wish to thank you for your time ,and dedication in putting the whole thing together along with your colleague Barbora, as you both knoweverybody enjoyed the experience and hopefully our voices will be heard and recognised in the E U.

Kathy also thanks you ,and I look forward to the next Freedom Drive.

Yours sincerely


Thomas Chambers

RE: Center for Independent Living Pre-Budget Submission 2009-10

Dear Dara,

The Center for Independent Living (CIL) is a grassroots organization whose main aim is to empower and enable people with disabilities to achieve Independent Living (IL) as a basic human right. Since its inception in 1992 twenty-three CILs have been established nationwide with my local CIL based in Church Street Castlebar.

As you are aware the McCarthy Report of An Board Snip Nua has been recently published. The report’s recommendations that billions of Euros be slashed from public expenditure are extremely worrying for CILs. Of primary concern are the proposals concerning cuts in the area of funding for voluntary disability organizations, funding for special needs assistants, and an overall cut of up to 5% in disability benefit. If the proposed recommendations are implemented major difficulties lie ahead for people with disabilities in Ireland.

CIL has met to discuss the current recessionary pressures and has produced a Pre-Budget Submission which calls on the Government to safeguard the people most susceptible to further income and service cuts. In advance of the forthcoming Budget 2009 we particularly highlight the impact of:
• Cuts in social welfare payments.
• Eligibility for social welfare payments and their affect on the Community Employment (CE) scheme and already spiralling Personal Assistant Service (PAS) waiting lists.
• Reductions in grant-aid.
• Proposed cuts in funding to voluntary organisations.
• The movement of the Office of Mental Health and Disability from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform into the Department of Health.

I understand that difficult decisions will have to be made over the coming months. However I believe that there are savings to be made in the disability sector and means to improve what has historically been a deficient area for the Irish Government without additional outlay. The cost savings of PAS in comparison to rehabilitation services cannot be overlooked. In addition the provision of a Direct Payment (DP) to people with disabilities would open up competition and offer people options, independence and empowerment.

In conclusion we request that cuts to services, social welfare and any tax changes are made without further burdening those people who never experienced the benefit of our so-called tiger economy.

Looking forward to a reply


Yours sincerely,

Thomas Chambers
Disability Campaigner
“The Billy Ranch”
Knocknageeha
Newport
Co. Mayo

Main St. Castlebar


Mr. Seamus Granaghan
Director of Services
Árás an Chontae
Castlebar
Co. Mayo
17th November 2009

Re: Street Improvements to the Streets in Castlebar, Co. Mayo
I would like to stress how important it is that the disabled be kept informed and consulted in relation to all works affecting us. Our motto is “Nothing about us, without us!”
I welcome this public submission process and I would like to make the following points in relation to the project. Ensure all developments take into account all potential users including youths, schoolchildren, working people, families, elderly people and disabled people
Designated Parking Bays
A Designated Parking Bay should be located as near as possible to the Chemists on Main Street to facilitate people with disabilities especially wheelchair users if they wish to get their prescriptions. The bays can be installed when the path is widened (as we discussed). They can be arranged parallel to the dished kerb flush with the road so that wheelchair driver can transfer onto footpath from his/her car. Provide minimum 900mm clear space beside the designated bay so as to facilitate wheelchair transfer from car to footpath. Cars can be driven forward or reversed into the bay, so that the transfer space is at the right side. Provide a 900mm yellow box at back of Designated Bay painted with BLUE paint with a sign 2200mm high from ground level.

Designated Parking Bays should be firm, level and even. A 1.50 maximum gradient is acceptable where essential to remove surface water. An uneven surface or an inclined bay makes transfer from vehicle to wheelchair very difficult. Service covers to manholes should not be positioned on such bays and at dished crossings.
Bollards and Grills
Bollards are often used to stop vehicles mounting the footpaths. Unless positioned carefully they can form a barrier to wheelchair users and people with visual impairments. They should be identified by using contrasting colours, and be minimum 800mm high and 250mm wide and should be located no closer together than 900mm. Bollards should never be linked by ropes or chains. This is dangerous for people with impaired vision.
Grills should have a maximum gap of 12mm and are perpendicular to direction of pedestrian traffic. Kerb edges should be clearly defined, if necessary guardrails should be provided.
Lighting
Street lighting should be designed so as to avoid glare from surface. A good level of lighting should be provided at locations where changes of level and direction occur. Lampposts should be located in a consistent manner and should not impede circulation paths. They must be in a contrasting colour to their background.
Crossings:
Avoid covers or manholes at crossings. Dished kerbs to be 1200mm wide with maximum gradient of 1:20. Provide appropriate crossings with dished kerbs marked with tactile paving. The upstand between the dropped kerb and the road is an important issue for wheelchairs users. Even relatively small upstands can cause the front wheels of wheelchairs to turn and present users with difficulties. Ideally the road surface should be level with the kerb at the dished crossing but the maximum upstand should be 6mm.
Trees
Avoid planting which exacerbates asthma and other breathing difficulties. Scent even in trees is rarely evident except on warm days in the growing season. Trees can be used to provide shelter for visually impaired people to locate themselves in a space. Planting in public places should be carried out by people with proper training and knowledge. Insure that trees are located properly and that the lowest branches do not pose a problem to tall people. A tree that is encroaching onto the footpath may not always be detected by a person’s guide dog, and cannot be detected by a white cane.

Containers should be totally accessible so that people with mobility problems do not have to leave their rubbish outside the container.

In addition to the above, it should also be remembered that there are elements in the public streets and sidewalks which are privately owned – such as café terraces, shop awnings and doors to buildings – and therefore

Could you provide a Luminance or tactile strip preferably located in the centre of paths for visually impaired people?


Regards,

……………….
Tom Chambers

Dear Kevin,

Some observations made to proposed plans for Peter Street Ballina

Seating

Seating should be located in sheltered areas where people can have a good view. A 900mm square of firm paving beside a seat will allow a person in a wheelchair to sit with other people. A seat should be no less than 450mm high, although a perch 500-750mm will be easier to use for people with restricted power. I would recommend seats with backrests as they are useful for additional support, and arm rests are also recommended to lean against, as well as assisting in getting up and out of the seat.

Designated Parking Bays

A designated Parking Bay SHOULD is located as near as possible to Quinns Chemist and Dr. Acupuncture to facilitate people with disabilities especially wheelchair users if they wish to get their prescriptions or wish to visit the Dr. Perpendicular bays can be installed when the path is widened (as we discussed). Provide minimum 900mm clear space beside the designated bay so as to facilitate wheelchair transfer from car to footpath. Cars can be driven forward or reversed into the bay, so that the transfer space is at the right side. Provide a 900mm yellow box at back of bay and designated bay painted with BLUE paint with a sign 2200mm high from ground level.

Bollards and Grills

Bollards are often used to stop vehicles mounting the footpaths. Unless positioned carefully they can form a barrier to wheelchair users and people with visual impairments. They should be identified by using contrasting colours, and be minimum 800mm high and 200mm wide.
Grills should have a maximum gap- of 12mm and are perpendicular to direction of pedestrian traffic.

Bicycle Ranks.

Bicycle Ranks should be identified by using contrasting colours and protected from the glare of the sun.


Trees

Avoid planting which exacerbates asthma and other breathing difficulties. Scent even in trees is rarely evident except on warm days in the growing season. Trees can be used to provide shelter for visually impaired people to locate themselves in a space. Planting in public places should be carried out by people with proper training and knowledge.


If the work is carried out accordance with NDA “Building for Everyone” and their approaches to meet the needs of disabled people’.



Footpaths

Could you provide a Luminance or tactile strip preferably located in the centre of paths for visually impaired people?

(“Nothing about Us without Us”)

Regards,

Tom

Footpath in Mulranny






Cllr. Michael Holmes
Newfield
Westport
Co. Mayo


Date: 3rd March 2010


Dear Michael,

I have recently looked at the new footpath in Mulranny village. I feel that there is a need for tactile paving at both ends of the footpath to indicate a change of surface level for people with visual impairments.

I feel that had the installment of the new footpath been brought to my attention along with other issues, the most vulnerable in society would not be forgotten.

I would like arrange to meet with you to discuss this and other topics that have been brought to my attention.






Yours truly,


………….........
Tom Chambers

Sunday, May 02, 2010

Street in Westport



I spotted this 'obstacle' the other day up at the Octagon. A person in a wheelchair has no chance of getting around this, and the problem is further compounded by the 'over-hanging' parked car! The purpose of a footpath is for safe pedestrian movement - not an extension of a public house. This seating will have to be moved, and as this is not an isolated example, the on-going problem of over-hanging parked cars will have to be addressed going forward. This type of access problem is also a concern for the elderly, people with pushchairs, and the visually impaired.

Rgds.,

Cllr. Dave Keating
086 303 4074

Saturday, May 01, 2010

Accessible phone booth in Westport, Mayo


8th October 2009

Dear Editor,



I am writing to you to draw your attention to the Tourist Information Kiosk at Westport Quay.



The idea of an out-of-hours facility for visitors is a fantastic one which ensures that Westport does not miss out on potential tourism and makes staying in Westport easier than ever.



However there is an even greater potential for towns like Westport in the possibility of attracting an un-targeted 10 % of the population who have a disability. By making Westport a disability-friendly tourism town there is a great potential for increased tourism even in this recession.



But first we need to work on making access to the town a priority and importantly we need to make the Tourist Information Kiosk at Westport Quay accessible.



Unfortunately there is no ramp adjacent to the Kiosk making it inaccessible for those of us in wheelchairs and those with mobility problems such as some senior citizens. It is over 100 metres to the nearest ramp and this cannot be called accessible.



Also the Kiosk needs some internal adjustments as the phone cannot be comfortably be used from a wheelchair, and there is no provision of a flip down seat for others. There is also a lack of tactile paving and it is not colour coded to make it easier for the visually impaired. To benefit visually impaired people, a telephone should be selected which have well lit keyboards, large embossed or raised numerals that contract in colour and luminance.



A tactile telephone symbol should be placed outside an accessible telephone kiosk. Instructions for using telephone should be clear and displayed in a large easy to read typeface. Induction couples should be fitted to enable people with hearing aids to use them. The telephone should be identified by the appropriate symbol adjacent to the telephone or outside the kiosk. Preferably, telephones for use by disabled people should be located to enable wheelchair users to approach and use the phone from the front and the side. If it it raining it is imposable to use the phone the front or side as there is no protection from the rain unlike the location of the able-bodied phone and a knee hole is needed at least 500mm deep to enter from the front.



A fold down seat 450mm-50mm high or a perch seat 650mm-800mm high should be provided for the convenience of ambulant people. Politicians and Communities who strive to make environment accessible to all are demonstrating their desire to offer the population a good quality of life and provide people their opportunities to develop, both social and personally. It should also be remembered that it is the politicians who are responsible for public spending. In this respect, making environment accessible has a direct effect on public spending. But it is a great start and with a bit of work it could be the first step in a Westport which welcomes tourists from all over the world to a disability-friendly Westport.





Finally, proper accessibility makes towns more attractive for the people who live in them and for potential visitors (tourism) I have followed the discussions about accessibility since the late eighties, many enthusiastic and passionate things have been said and written. The fact remains that we still cannot claim that the town of Westport is accessible for all. Representatives of those in our community with issues such as mobility and access are only too delighted to work with councils and organisations in making our community accessible for all. We are entitled to be consulted and our motto is “Nothing about us, without us!”





Sincerely Yours



Thomas Chambers

Disability Campaigner

Knocknageeha

Newport

Co. Mayo

€1 million tourism boost for Mayo

€1m tourism boost for Mayo
TUESDAY, 15 JULY 2008
Michael Duffy

FIVE tourism projects in Mayo are to get significant funding under the Tourism Infrastructure Project, it was announced yesterday (Monday). The funding was sanctioned by the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism, Martin Cullen TD, under the Fáilte Ireland Tourism Infrastructure Fund.
The projects in Mayo to benefit are: Killary – Newport Linear Cycle Route, grant aid of 75 per cent, up to a maximum of €105,000; Croagh Patrick and National Famine Monument Site, improvement of facilities, grant aid of 75 per cent, up to a maximum of €112,500; Westport Cycle Hub – Railway Cycle Lane, grant aid of 75 per cent, up to a maximum of €252,750; Westport Hub Cycle Route, provision of a cycle lane, grant aid of 75 per cent, up to a maximum of €262, 500 and a National Coastal Walk, development of a walk from Westport Quay to National Famine Museum, Croagh Patrick, grant aid of 75 per cent, up to a maximum of €262,500.
Deputy Beverley Flynn warmly welcomed the funding, saying it is crucial that the Government continues to invest in tourism infrastructure, particularly in the west of Ireland where tourism products are growing at an enormous rate.
Westport’s Fianna Fáil councillor, Margaret Adams, who has done a lot of lobbying in relation to funding for cycle routes and walkway around the town, said she was delighted that work can now begin on making these much-needed attractions a reality.

One Man’s Story

One Man’s Story

in September of this year, a delegation of the disabled arrived in Strasbourg at the heart of the EU to lobby MEPs for increased direct funding of the disabled throughout the EU. The trip was organised by the European Network of Independent Living (ENIL) and the Centre for Independent Living Dublin (CIL Dublin) and was seen as an opportunity to empower people with disabilities from all over the European Union states.
Disability campaigner Tom Chambers was among those who travelled out to meet the MEPs, rally outside the Parliament and meet with the European Court of Human Rights. Tom is well known throughout Mayo and further a field as a dedicated campaigner for the rights of those with disabilities and for the provision of disability accessible facilities and buildings.
The Strasbourg Freedom Drive 2009 took place from Monday 14th to Thursday 17th September 2009. The purpose of this trip was to deliver a petition from people all over Europe with various disabilities to the European Parliament.

Here is Tom’s story

I had travelled by air via Charles De Gaulle Airport to Strasbourg in 2005 on my own.
In 2007 I travelled by bus with Clare people with Disabilities from Cork to Roscoff in West France and on to Strasbourg by bus.
In 2009 I decided to bring my PA who was Kathy Kilbane. When we decided to go we sat down and agreed that Kathy would look after tickets and accommodation and I would try and raise the funds.
I made contact with CIL in Dublin who was always helpful. It was through them that I got a grant for my trip. By the 11th September 2009 we had our ticket/accommodation/funds got, bags packed and a few extra Euros in my pocket it was “Strasbourg here we Come”

We travelled by air from Knock International Airport to Stanstead Airport and by train to St. Pancras, London where we stayed that night. We headed for Paris by Euro star in the morning to be treated to an English breakfast followed by a glass of Champagne. From there to Strasbourg by Train ò Grande Vitesse (TGV) – but no champagne on this train. We eventually got to the hostel Amélie Duroch CIARUS a place worth staying in with your PA and good food and very friendly staff, where we were to stay during our time there.

As Monday was free for anyone who decided not to attend the Conference in the European Youth Centre (EYC) we decided to pay a visit to the open market opposite the EU Buildings (someplace not to be missed). Back to hostel for a meal and a few drinks where we met a father and son and Miguel Fonseca (who became our friends) before going to our beds.

The trip was structured and on Tuesday 15th. Firstly at the European Youth Centre (EYC) al campaigners were formally welcomed to Strasbourg by Liz Taylor on behalf of the Council of Europe and representations from all countries that attended were given a chance to speak about their countries. We met with out Irish MEPS to discuss the petition and had a Q and A session. This meeting took place in the Parliament Buildings, Meeting Room N4.3 at 2pm. Inside were 12 MEP’s including the three from the Connaught region.

Wednesday was the day of the march. All Freedom Drivers met at Parc Du Commardes at 10am where tee-shirts were given to all participants, sponsored by the Norwegian Group, and marched from there to the Parliament Buildings a distance of 1.6 kilometres. It was very uplifting and I was proud to be there. All participants were singing “We shall overcome” and chanting and mildly protesting! So can you imagine the scene? Both myself and my PA were appropriately dressed in the Mayo colours and waiving the Red and Green flags of Mayo. The meeting was chaired by Richard Howitt, Chairperson of the European Disability Federation (EDF). Several members of ENIL New Member States had their voices heard such as Bulgaria and Lithuania. As the meeting was about to close the President of the European Union, Mr. Jerzy Buzek, was presented with the Eight Petitions by the President of ENIL Bente Skansgard and it was a meaningful and poignant exchange. The petition consisted of eight demands (8) which were compiled by European Network of Independent Living (ENIL) and the Centre for Independent Living Dublin (CIL Dublin). A total of 48 persons and their PA’s went from Ireland and were joined by 441 people from 21 countries from all over Europe to be there. Some took 3 days to get there you can imagine the strength of body and mind it took to do that?


Business done it was time for some fun, food and singing. We all made our way to the European Youth Centre (EYC) where some of the Irish contingency was staying. We had a Barbeque and some drinks, sponsored by Ireland and Germany, and generally exchanged our emails addresses with other Freedom Drivers.

Stansted Airport on arrival from Ireland didn’t have a lift available so the airline service personnel chair lifted me off the plane. As this was not a comfortable experience we asked that a lift be available when we checked in for return and it was. Although the service user is still required to transfer from evacuation chair to a window isle seat in row 3!!! Airline policy. In London busses were accessible but at the mercy of the Bus Driver! All black cabs in London are accessible it’s the law.

But in saying all this, there were no injury’s sustained and everything went as well as we could have hoped for?

Summery

I felt the organization by Barbora and Naoise with their workshops prior to going on last year’s trip was of great benefit to all the 49 Freedom Drivers from Ireland. Take bow girls!!
A lot can be learned by taking in the trip just to see how people with disabilities live in their countries and how our lives are no different either. Some might have a better PA service than others and there are people with disabilities out there that have no such service at all. But there is one thing and that is “we are all equal”
If you are thinking about going to Strasbourg for the first time next year my advice would be to start putting a few bob whenever you have it to spare and allow a few extra days to see the city of Strasbourg and its Cathedral and fine shopping and eating places and use their trams and busses and of course allow some time to visit the atmosphere in “Molly Malone’s, Brady’s and the Dubliner” and taste the Irish porter. I have my account getting bigger by the month.

Regards,
Tom

PS I have just been informed that my FACEBOOK account has been disabled?? Am upset as I had a lot of good friends

TOURISM FAILING PEOPLE

TOURISM FAILING PEOPLE
WITH DISABILITIES

Dear Editor,

Tourism is missing out on millions or euros annually, because its failure to cater for the needs of the disabled according to a survey carried out by the University of Ulster,“School of Built Environment” This can affect about 70% of the population. If one takes into factor the population of Ireland alone, the disabled community together with their families, friends and relations would be affected it also found out that while some tourist offices might be accessible, there is a lack of information about where disabled tourism can visit, stay or eat. The survey also found that while staff, at tourist offices was helpful, less than half could offer useful advice. Disabled visitors are left to hope for the best, the survey warned, it added that not only is it bad for the tourism, it is bad for business.

Many critics in Westport including myself have called on the tourist trade here to wake up to the fact that disabled tourists are lucrative customers. Research indicates that there are over 55 million people with disability resident in the European Union (E.U.) alone. That figure pointed to the potential size of the market. For disabled tourists facing into a journey, fear of the unknown is often a key element. Not been aware of the accessibility status of places and venues can easily undermine the will to travel.

The life of a disabled person such as I is effectively controlled by that of the able-bodied world. But what is the right of a disabled person? Are we safe having our lives structured, or can we also be leaders of such vital legislation? For tourists with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairment, what has a town like Westport, having the title of“Tidiest Town in Ireland” to offer the disabled. What is the point in dressing up and nowhere to go? By this I mean are the pubs, hotels, toilets , hotels, swimming pool, cinemas, public library, post office, B/Bs, restaurants, takeaways, GAA pitches heritage centre, parking facilities for disabled drivers/passengers and the public toilets.

Are the streets of Westport safe enough for disabled, especially when we read in the papers that owing to the state of some, Councilors had threatened to carry out repairs with their own monies? This is despite commitments following the DISABILITY ACT 2005, which is over 3 years old.

Westport Tourist Office is the only Tourist Office in Co. Mayo open the whole year, yet it is totally unaccessible for people with disabilities.


Have a person with a disability tried to book a room with a level access shower? Not easy is it. You call a hotel with a wheelchair sign in the guide and the conversation goes something like this: Do you have accessible rooms. If the answer is yes, do they have level access showers, the answer will range from “What do you mean to? Well it does have a ledge” to “No, but we do have baths and the room is wheelchair friendly. If you are lucky enough to get a positive reply and there is a level access shower the next question you might ask is “Do they have a shower chair. Silence for a minute, then this leads to another “What do you mean”. How difficult is it to understand that people who can’t walk or stand needs something to sit on in a shower, preferably a shower chair. And how are you supposed to get into a bath when your legs can’t work. You will travel the length and breadth of this country looking for a hotel with both a level access shower and a shower wheelchair.

So I decided to contact Failte Ireland which administers what it calls the Validated Accessible Scheme (VAS). This scheme is designed to encourage hotels to be more accessible to people with disabilities. VAS has 4 categories ranging from category 1, which is for people with enough mobility to walk into a room, to category 4, where the guest requires assistance to shower, etc.
Failte Ireland informed me that 29 Irish hotels have registered with the scheme, with only 6 qualifying for category 4. The Irish Federation has a membership of approx. 800 hotels. This would mean that at most 3.6% of their hotels are in the scheme and only 0.75% is qualified for category 4 an abysmal performance by our failte (welcoming) industry.
Why is the performance not better? Well first of all it’s a commercial issue. If a hotel doesn’t need to spend what ever little extra it costs to build a wheelchair friendly room why should they bother. But hold it there - surely we have legislation which requires hotels to provide specific facilities for the disabled. Answer to that is yes and no.“Legalisation???

I seem to have stumbled across one of the great Irish secrets. We don’t have adequate hotel facilities for the disabled. We don’t have enforcement legislation inspection or validation scheme to ensure tourists are given correct information. Once again the disabled have to look after themselves. The shame of it is that this so called successful society of ours simply does not have an interest in catering for people with disabilities because there isn’t a quick buck in it.

Thomas Chambers
Disability Campaigner
“The Billy Ranch”
Knocknageeha
Newport
Co. Mayo

Polling Booths in Ireland

Disability Campaigner not happy with lack of accessible polling stations in the Mayo Electoral Area

Electors with Physical Illness or Physical Disability who have difficulty gaining access to their local polling stations may apply to have their vote transferred to a more accessible station in their constituency. This facility is intended to assist electors who find access to their local station difficult because of the situation or design of the building. This notice appeared in the Sunday World edition of the 25th May 2008, according to Disability Campaigner, Tom Chambers.

Notice was placed in Tuesday 27th May 2008 edition of the Mayo news advising that 17 polling stations in the Mayo constituency would be “inaccessible or pose difficulties for accessibility for those with disabilities” who wish to vote in the Lisbon Treaty on the 12th June 2008. Despite the fact that the 1996 Electoral Act provides that wheelchair accessible polling stations “shall “ be provided sufficient funding to enact this provision hasn’t been made available by the Government of the day.

In the light of this, alternative arrangements are been made by the County Register to allow disabled voters affected to vote at the nearest wheelchair accessible polling station. Considering that all of them are National schools this reflects particularly badly on the rights of the disabled in our education system, he said. In other words, we the disabled have to go in search of polling stations that we feel are accessible. White this is undoubtedly incontinence in rural areas; it is a greater burden for the disabled in more remote parts of the county.

However, progress has been made since the last election when 18 such polling stations (schools) were inaccessible to the disabled. But this is still not good enough, according to Tom Chambers who says the situations symptomatic of the lack of efforts’ to recognising the rights of the disabled. The lack of accessible polling stations needs to be highlighted to our public representatives who come knocking on our doors looking for votes to enable the disabled to exercise their constitutional right to vote in the same way as every other citizen. “Disabled citizens who do intend to exercise their rights to vote regardless of the blatant discrimination against them should be funded for the extra distance they have to travel to the nearest polling station, said Tom Chambers.


Finally, the European and local elections will be taken place in 2009 are we going to put up with the same thing again or are we going to make a stand for ourselves. By this I mean to boycott the election in 2009 if we can’t get a commitment from the people we propose to elect and represent us at all levels, said Mr. Chambers.

Wheelchair Jeet Kune Doo



Newport man pushes the boundaries to conquer yet another challenge


There’s something about Tom Chambers that enlivens the spirit. Wheel-chair bound since an accident in 1981, the Newport man’s spirit knows no bounds.
The sports fanatic has completed numerous marathons, pushed the wheels through countless races and inspired a multitude through his unyielding belief that anything is possible.
The big man was always active, playing football with his native Burrishoole in his youth and later lining out across the water in England.
Then a car accident in 1981 left him disabled but nothing could harness his love of life and ambition to push back the boundaries time and time again.
Tom never ceases to amaze, but his latest venture is even more interesting than usual. The Newport man has taken up Martial Arts.
Jeet Kune Do (The Way of the Intercepting Fist) now has a Newport exponent and Chambers is more than enthusiastic about his new achievement.

“If you always put limits on everything you do, it will spread into your work and your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them.”

“It’s a method of self-defense for those of us with spinal injuries and it really works. I was delighted to get involved. I’ve met some amazing people and I’m learning new skills all the time,” Tom explained this week.
The well-known sportsman travels to the National Rehabilitation Centre in Dun Laoghaire regularly to hone and perfect his skills and he loves every minute of it. “I’m really enjoying it, but it’s hard work too. We put in some very tough sessions and there’s nothing easy about it. We learn how to defend ourselves and that means learning the skills that might save our lives one day. Many wheelchair users have been attacked over the years and it’s a serious business,” he added.
One of the seminars which took place during the self-defense program had Andy Kimura as the guest instructor. Kimura, senior instructor at the Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute of Seattle is son of Taky Kimura, Bruce Lee’s closest friend and highest ranked student.
The course participants received a special personal message from Taky Kimura before his son took them through a day of very intense and rewarding work on the program.
Kimura even got into a wheelchair himself so that he could better understand the different balance requirements for wheelchair users.
Tom Chambers was especially commended for traveling all the way across the country to take part, but that was nothing out of the ordinary for the Newport man, his dedication and spirit has been surprising people for a generation.
The core principles of Wheelchair Jeet Kune Doo state that it’s “Better to hold and injure rather than just inflict pain.” The training sessions teach Chambers and his colleagues numerous movements and the deflection and minimization of the assailant’s power. It teaches defensive and then counter-attacking moves.
Chambers is enjoying every aspect of his new knowledge, but he is also aware that there are many new challenges out there for him to conquer. He can’t wait.

Special Injuries Ireland self defence programme modules

To be confident that you know how to protect yourself
Simple moves which will work for a person who uses a wheelchair
Understand the psychology of aggression and how to diffuse it
To know when and how to strike first
Understanding how to turn fear into a positive defense response
To have a self-defense mindset available if ever needed