'Too often decisions are made without us in mind' - Mayo Disabled Persons Organisation highlights need for inclusion in future infrastructure projects

Members of the Mayo Disabled Persons Organisation urged councillors to ensure accessibility and inclusion are central to upcoming projects in Ballina and across Mayo. The group said 20% of Mayo’s population identifies as disabled and that disabled people must be included in consultation and decision-making on housing, public transport, infrastructure, and public realm projects. Requested measures included formal recognition of the Mayo DPO as a representative voice, a commitment to ongoing partnership rather than one-off consultations, and development of a Mayo disability inclusion access strategy similar to work in Sligo. The DPO sought involvement in projects such as redevelopment of The Quay, public buildings, housing, and transport systems so disabled people are included from the start.

"“Involve us from the start” was the key message delivered by members of the Mayo Disabled Persons Organisation (DPO) during a presentation to the May meeting of the Ballina Municipal District."

"The three speakers highlighted that 20pc of Mayo's population identifies as disabled and said the community must be included in consultation and decision-making processes around housing, public transport, infrastructure and public realm projects."

"Among the measures sought by the organisation were formal recognition of the Mayo DPO as a representative voice for disabled people in the county, a commitment to ongoing partnership rather than “one-off” consultations, and the development of a Mayo disability inclusion access strategy similar to work currently underway in Sligo."

"The group said this would mean the DPO being involved in projects such as the redevelopment of The Quay, public buildings, housing and transport systems “so that disabled people are in the room from the beginning, and not bought in when its too late to make meaningful change”."

Read at Irish Independent