The Clare Leader Forum is calling on all stakeholders: architects, engineers, planners, local authority staff, elected representatives, the public and organisations interested in the mobility rights of everyone including parents, children, older people and disabled people to come together in the Temple Gate Hotel Ennis to examine “Is the Disability Act 2005 Working for Us?”
The Clare Leader Forum works to provide an independent voice on the rights and equal opportunities of disabled people in Clare.
On October 4th the conference will examine various aspects of the Disability Act 2005 and the progress made in the fourteen years since its enactment. Keynote speakers on the day include Minister for Disability Issues Finian McGrath TD, Dr Gerald Craddock Chief Officer at the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design and Standards and Monitoring, Joesphine Keaveney from the National Advocacy Services, and representatives from Clare County Council and the Citizens Information Centre. Delegates will also have an important opportunity to hear from people with lived experience on how the Disability Act 2005 has impacted on their lives.
PRO of the Clare Leader Forum, Ann Marie Flanagan, explains why people should attend the conference “On October 4th we are coming together in the spirit of true equality for all the people of Clare. We will hear from one of the top experts in our country sharing his knowledge on universal access design, a concept that worryingly many of us are still unfamiliar with. Here in Clare we want to change that and create a renewed awareness of everyone’s rights and responsibilities. We want to work with the local planning authority, engineers and planners to create and cultivate an approach to universal access design that becomes part of our everyday lives. As a society this is something we can all benefit from regardless of our individual needs. We are calling on everyone to get behind us and attend this vital conference”.
The conference, which is supported by the Clare Local Development Company, through the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, and the Citizens Information Centre will take place from 10am to 1pm. All are welcome on the day with registration from 9.30am.