Spirit of the Olympics comes to Laois

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The community of Portlaoise came together to celebrate Make Way Day on Friday, September 27 by hosting an  accessibility awareness event in the People’s Park. The initiative was aimed at promoting accessibility for people with disabilities. This year’s theme, “The Spirit of the Olympics in Laois,” embraced the Olympic values of inclusivity, solidarity, and fair play by highlighting the need for accessible public spaces for all. Photographer Denis Byrne was there on the day to capture photos. CONTINUE READING BELOW PHOTO

Out and about at the Peoples Park Portlaoise were Sinead Cox, Claire Kelly and Tommy White.

Coordinated by Healthy Laois, Laois County Council and supported by Laois Public Participation Network (PPN), this year’s event focused on the accessibility of Páirc an Phobail, Portlaoise. Participants included local groups such as the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA), National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI), National Learning Network (NLN), and Rehab Care,Laois Volunteers, alongside a mixed group of students from Portlaoise College.

In an impressive show of support, the large turnout was divided into five working groups to assess accessibility in the park. The attendees observed amenities through the lens of different abilities, working together to identify what works well and what improvements could be made.

Dan Bergin of Laois PPN led the students on an accessibility walk, encouraging them to assess the environment from the perspective of people with mobility, visual, and hearing impairments.

“Laois PPN was delighted to support Make Way Day in Laois. This was a valuable exercise to observe amenities through the eyes of people with varying abilities and needs,” said Bergin.

Emma O’Connor, Healthy Laois Coordinator, highlighted the importance of engaging young people in accessibility awareness. “This event is a great way to raise awareness among students about the challenges people with disabilities face. I asked the students to split into groups and imagine navigating the park with different impairments such as vision loss, mobility challenges, or hearing difficulties. Their engagement was excellent.”

Adele Wilson, a teacher at Portlaoise College, shared the students’ positive experience: “The students really enjoyed the day and found it very beneficial. It was an impactful learning opportunity, and they would love to be involved in future community events.”

The day was not only a learning experience but also a tribute to the spirit of the Olympics, aiming to build a society where all individuals, regardless of ability, can enjoy public spaces equally.

Garda Ronan Maher was on hand to guide a group of mixed abilities through the park whilst Michael Buckley the Executive Parks and Landscape Officer attended to engage directly with parks user alongside his colleague Ann Marie Maher the Laois Sports and Leisure Officer both from Laois County Council. Also in attendance was Suzanne Dempsey, Climate Action Coordinator and Lisa Doyle Community Climate Action Officer, Laois County Council.

Councillor Willie Aird commented on the “value of the event in bringing together the disabled and wider community to consider the needs of all users of our Parks and the public spaces we all share.”

Catriona Slattery who is the Disability Officer for Laois Sports Partnership cycled to the event on a brand new accessibility bicycle borrowed from Portarlington Leisure Centre.

Much fun was had by attendees who were cycled in great style around the park throughout the morning. Make Way Day 2024 succeeded in fostering a conversation on accessibility that will continue beyond the day itself and this exercise will ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, can navigate and enjoy our public spaces.  A special thanks to Treacy Percy from Vision Ireland and Sylvia Rouget from the IWA who have supported this event and provide valuable and constructive feedback.

Sylvia told us “the young people said they love to be asked the questions, they often feel that life would be so much easier if those  who make the decisions simply include them. Make Way Day is their chance to be  included in the design of their town”.

The collaboration between Laois County Council, Healthy Ireland, Laois PPN, and organizations such as IWA, Vision Ireland Portlaoise, Laois Sports Partnership, An Garda, is a testament to the community’s commitment to making Laois more accessible for everyone and Laois County Council would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who attended.