From: Benson Paul
Sent: 31 January 2013 12:08
To: Cllr Peter Clarke
Subject: RE: Information
Peter,
I presume he is talking about Pearse Street unless it has been renamed after you. He is not happy with the disabled parking bays but the buildings regs give a number of options for compliance. The one we choose may not be his preference but the bays do comply with the relevant regs.
In relation to the Arts Centre it is not possible to fully comply on that street given its width there and that is why we provided the spaces in the car park. We only provided the one on Barret Street as people were still complaining and were happier with a sub standard bay than nothing, but it is not ideal. Also the line markers did not mark it out where Kevin had intended so it has to be changed and will be. That will improve it but the actual compliant spaces will be in the car park.
Paul
From: Cllr Peter Clarke
Sent: 30 January 2013 17:48
To: Benson Paul
Subject: FW: Information
From: thomaschambers@eircom.net [mailto:thomaschambers@eircom.net]
Sent: 23 January 2013 16:26
To: Cllr Peter Clarke
Subject: Re: Information
My name is Tom Chambers from Newport, County Mayo. In 1981, I had a very severe accident that paralyzed me from chest down to my feet. Prior to that, I worked in the building and construction industry all over Europe. In 2005, I completed an audit course on access and audit of buildings which was ran by the University of Ulster. Presently, I am an independent access campaign officer who work and audit buildings and public offices and places in order to promote universal access for all. As a matter of fact my name came up for praise in Brussels on the 3rd of December 2012 for work and advice I gave to organisations when they were electing the most accessible city in Europe.
I felt I could put my experience to use when I saw a copy of the Plan for Peter Street in Ballina. Like everyone else, I was excited about the plan to make disabled parking bay and I put in my submissions for the work. When the work was completed, I called to have a look but was very disappointed to find out that the visually impaired and wheelchair drivers were not provided in the plan for the disable parking bay.
The work to my mind is a disgrace and I challenge everyone at the meeting tonight to prove me wrong. When I was asked to find the best place to locate a designated parking bay outside the Art Centre, I made my submission and was disappointed to find out that the bay is totally not accessible for wheelchair drivers. How can a disabled driver/passenger transfer from his/her car when the bay is just the width of the bay cutting off access to the footpath. It has not even got a sigh to identify the bay as one approach it?
A survey was carried out by the National Disability Authorities (NDA) for the government in 2011 and was launched by Minister Howlin at a presentation in Dublin last June to which I attended, regarding people with disabilities and the general public and this is what he had to say when it was put to him that the respect is almost 75% and this is what he had to say:
I was disheartened to learn that attitudes to people with disabilities have actually deteriorated, as indicated in the most recent report of the NDA. One would have thought that the natural progression is for people to have a greater understanding of disability issues and to be embracing citizenship in the fullest sense.
Public service bodies have a responsibility to be leaders in challenging negative attitudes by ensuring greater understanding and awareness of disability and how to deliver services better to customers with disabilities.
As I've already mentioned, by understanding the needs of as many customers as possible and the wide range of abilities; all of us are disabled in some way ‑‑ and by designing our services to be as accessible as possible, we can deliver better services that meet the needs of all citizens.
What really annoys me is the sign on the wall at the bus depot on the Castlebar to Ballina that says "this is the beginning of an accessible town" when there was no planning for the old and disabled when carrying out work at Peter Street. I had the chance to visit a few cities in Europe last year and amongst them were Vienna (winners for the most accessible city in Europe for 2011) and Salzburg winners in 2012 and this was done by NO tactile something we in Ireland feel is needed. How many people with disabilities have approached anyone here at this meeting requesting more tactile or have any of you tried to manoeuvre a wheelchair on them.
So as you prepare for your coming budget why not consider the true experts on access and listen to what they have to say and bring them aboard like they do in other countries that get it right and forget about your pride because some of us voted for you. We were born by illness or accident, but we are handicapped by the environment.
OUR MOTTO IS: "Nothing about us without us"
Kind regard
Thomas Chambers
Access Campaigner
The Billy Ranch
Newport
Mayo
Email: thomaschambers@eircom.net
www.thomaschambers.blogspot.com
086 35520407
0899674346
098 41545
No email tom
From: thomaschambers@eircom.net [mailto:thomaschambers@eircom.net]
Sent: 17 November 2011 12:56
To: Cllr Peter Clarke
Cc: Keegan Kevin
Subject: Information
Hi Peter,
I request a ramp and an automatic door to the entrance of the Jackie Clarke Library located on Pearse Street, Ballina.
All works should be designed in accordance with BS 8300:2001 'Code of Practice – Design of buildings and building for everyone, their approaches to meet the needs of disabled people'.
The Principle of Consultation means that no disability works, programmes or debates take place without consulting with the disabled. It is the principle of nothing about us, without us. The Disabled know our needs more so than any other individual.
The Principle of Equality recognises that people with a disability are citizens who have the right to be respected and the right to have equal opportunities to participate in the social, economic, cultural, political and spiritual life of society.
As citizens, people with a disability also have equal responsibilities towards Victorian society and should be supported to exercise these.
The Principle of Dignity and Self-Determination (Choice) is about respecting and valuing the knowledge, abilities and experiences that people with a disability possess, supporting them to make choices about their lives, and enabling each person to live the life they want to live.
The Principle of Diversity is about recognising and valuing individual difference. Inclusive societies are strengthened by the diversity of their populations and by the contribution that each person makes to the social, economic, cultural, political and spiritual life of society.
The Principle of Non-Discrimination implies that all people have the right to live their lives free from discrimination. This means that society must set right all forms of discrimination – including both active and passive forms of discrimination, and unfair and out-dated standards, laws, policies and practices.
Kind Regards
Thomas Chambers
Access Campaigner
The Billy Ranch
Newport
Mayo
EMAIL: thomaschambers@eircom.net
www.thomaschambers.blogspot.com
086 3552047
098 41545
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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.
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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.
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