Govt pledges equality of access for disabled

The Government is committed to making cities and towns across the State accessible to people with disabilites according to Minister for Justice, Mr Michael McDowell.

In his first engagement as justice minister, Mr McDowell told a disability conference in Dublin: "Equality of access for all the citizens of this country is an essential prerequisite of equal opportunities and the development of an inclusive society.

He was speaking at the plenary session of the Barcelona Declaration Project in Dublin Castle.

Originally launched at an international conference on ‘The City and the Disabled’ held in Barcelona in 1995, the Declaration aims to encourage towns and cities to make provision for the inclusion of people with disabilities.

Under the Declaration, local authorities undertake to consult people with disabilities with a view to recognising their contribution to the society and the environment in which they live.

Thirty local authorities in Ireland have adopted the Declaration to date. Minister McDowell said: "Changes in the structure of the population, public policy and new technology have all contributed to a greater demand for access for people with disabilities."

He said: "While technological advances can provide useful solutions, it is equally important and fundamental to our success, that we foster the attitude of inclusive design and management of the built and external environment if we are to bring about real change."

"By ensuring access to all, the built environment can become a support rather than a barrier to social participation. This will be good for people individually and society generally," he said.

The Minister said: "The Government, of which I am a member is committed to ensuring that people with disabilities are placed on an equal footing with all other citizens."

"That means moving away from approaches that bear the hallmarks of separation and segregation for people with disabilities," he added.