Thomas Chambers' website: Fw:

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Fw:

Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2013 5:01 PM

Ballina continues to address disability issues.

The "fantastic Vision" of Bus Eireann in refurbishing its Ballina station was highlighted at Ballina Town Council on Thursday last during a discussion of the Barcelona declaration.

Independent councilor and An Meara, Mary Kelly, stated that the 1m upgrade of Ballina Bus Station now makes it the 'best example in this town of a building facilitating people with disabilities' Cllr Kelly added that the extensive revamp unveiled recently by transport Minister martin Cullen, is a credit to Bus Eireann and possibly the finest of its kind in the country. She urged other businesses in Ballina to "follow suit".

Cllr Kelly made her comments at last Thursday Nights meeting of Ballina Town Council where Fianna Fail Councilor Johnnie O Malley and Sinn Fein councilor Peter Clarke were nominated to represent the council on the Barcelona Declaration Committee.

The Council previously adopted the principles of the Barcelona Declaration in June 2003.

The 1995 declaration stresses "the essential nature of the development of human resources, both as regards the education and training of young people in particular and in the area of culture " Staff at Bus Eireann in Ballina were given disability training as part of the refurbishment. Which also includes automatic doors, large toilets suitable for wheelchairs, Level and ramped footpaths, signage displays and extra lighting?

The Barcelona Declaration furthermore spotlights the need to "respect human rights and fundamental freedoms and guarantees the effective, legitimate exercises of such rights and freedoms, including freedom of expression, freedom of association for peaceful purposes and freedom of thought, conscience and religion"

Under the principles of the convention, a committee is to conduct a traffic study around Ballina has been put in place, with a view to addressing the needs and rights of persons with disabilities.

"The remit of the committee is to look at the whole of the town, not just look at the buildings" stated Cllr O Malley, who was proposed and seconded by Frances Mc Andrew and Peter Clarke respectively." I would encourage people with disabilities to come to the committee. This is very important because these people see things in a different perspective"

Cllr O Malley proposed Cllr Peter Clarke for a position on the committee, and fine Gael councilor Mark Winters seconded this proposal. Accepting the position, Sinn Fein councilor asked Town Manager, Seamus Granahan, what specifically has been done for people with disabilities since the declaration adoption in2003.he also enquired if the council consults with people with disabilities when considering alterations?

Mr Granahan responded that the council has endeavored to make all new public buildings accessible, but that council architects' relied on building regulations in effecting changes aimed at making buildings user-friendly for people with disabilities' encouraged the committee now in place to form a brief and bring it to the council, adding that the council would do what it could to assist.