Ciaran’s Peculier [sic] Blog

Yesterday I had to pay a visit to Cavan town. This was no big deal. I am in a wheelchair and I was going to an address in Wesley St. (not the FAS office). The problem was caused by the kerb, which was so high that my wheelchair couldn’t traverse it. Luckily (indeed very happily) the charming young lady who was with me held my hand as I got out of the wheelchair and gained access to the footpath.

 Cavan town is a nightmare as far as wheelchair and disabled access is concerned. I must ask Where is the Irish Wheelchair association? Its top honcho in Cavan, Bridget Boyle, enjoys a special relationship with Cavan County Manager, Jack Keys, so I’m sure that she could make usual representations. But then what business do I, or any wheelchair user, have to be attempting to follow an independent life? Should the only journeys I make outside of my home not be in the IWA state-of-the- arse” Mercedes minibus to their centre at Corlurgan, where I can spend the day with other wheelchair users, before regaining my seat on the minibus (a sparkling existence)?

 The [problems regarding disabled access in Cavan can be solved cheaply and with common sense. Dished footpaths can be installed, though unless they have a corresponding dished footpath on the other side of the street facing them they are worse than useless. This would not be expensive. I would go so far as to say it would cost less money than the fees and travel expenses paid to “access auditors” from Scotland to come and write glossy reports about Cavan, a location unknown to them. The considerable gaps in their knowledge being supplied by local disabled people who are expected to “shadow” them – for free of course.  ,

 All in all I enjoyed my little trip to Cavan town – a journey most people take for granted. What’s more I had the pleasure of momentarily holding the hand of a pretty lady – sometimes being in a wheelchair has its advantages.