Madam, – The facilities provided for disabled users of a public venue, whether it is a theatre, sports stadium or shopping centre, should not be a matter of individual or personal acceptance (May 18th).
In grown-up societies, when the society decides that a particular course of action is required it just gets on with realising the objective. The infrastructure of the state (planning laws, local authorities, etc) should ensure that the will of the people is carried out. Sadly, not in Ireland.
Last year was not only the Gate Theatre’s 80th anniversary but one of the most successful years in Gate history. It completed the construction of a €6 million wing, built with the aid of substantial State funding “to overcome many practical difficulties” and “to encourage greater involvement within the community”. Unfortunately that encouragement did not stretch to the purchase a loop system for hearing impaired theatre goers costing a couple of thousand euro. Apparently it couldn’t afford it (May 12th).
Croke Park, built with the support of very substantial State funding, has 119 spaces provided for wheelchair-using supporters. None of them are of any value because during the game supporters in front of you stand up and block your sightline. Thomond Park was redeveloped at a cost of €40 million, a significant portion coming from the State, and is supposed to include 112 spaces for disabled supporters. Almost a year after its reopening 76 of them have not been completed and 56 have been semi-permanently replaced with seating for other supporters.
The three venues mentioned above are within the jurisdiction of local authorities who all claim to adhere to the statutory regulations and guidelines for inclusive building development. Indeed, they have voluntarily signed up to the Barcelona Declaration which aims to “promote and ensure the access of disabled persons to cultural, sporting, and recreational activities and, in general, to the participatory coexistence with the community.” Yet, when anomalies of the type documented above are brought to their attention they take no action.
What we need is for the organs of the State to fulfil their duty to the citizens and ensure all of our buildings facilitate all of their users. – Yours, etc,