Mairead McGuinness Fine Gael MEP

Being a little more thoughtful about the diversity of needs across all members of the community can deliver better business, Mairead McGuinness, Ireland East Fine Gael MEP said today at the launch of the Access Louth Awards 2011.

Commending Louth County Council and the Disability Forum of the County Louth Community and Voluntary Forum for the joint initiative, now in its second year, she said: “The awards highlight good practices engaged in by businesses and organisations in Louth that make access to their premises and services easier for everyone in the community, regardless of their circumstances – whether they are carrying a buggy, using a wheelchair, have a hearing impairment or in a myriad of other situations.

“The initiative promotes a whole of community, inclusive approach to daily living and takes account of people’s situations whether they are temporarily or permanently impaired in their access ability. Universal access is what we should all be striving for, anything less should not be acceptable.”

The MEP pointed to the findings of a new study by the ESRI (Economic and Social Research Institute) just published this week on people with disabilities in Ireland saying it “re enforces the pressing need for more movement in this direction towards mainstreaming services to include the whole community.”

This study shows that one in five of the population has a disability and that most disability is acquired throughout our lives rather than being present from childhood.

“It also finds that people with a disability are most likely to experience access difficulties when socialising in public venues, availing of general services and moving about in their local area,” she said. “So, you really are, in a very positive way, pushing an agenda that needs to be rolled out everywhere,” she said.

McGuinness also said that text messaging and other newer technologies “can greatly enable businesses to reach out to everyone in the community, if they are thinking inclusiveness. This awards scheme raises awareness of the possibilities. ”

The MEP, a member of the Disability Intergroup of the European Parliament said though only in its second year the Access Louth Awards have already achieved results.

“There have been a number of successful outcomes already with more accessible car parking spaces for older/infirm people and more user-friendly layout of tills. This is what happens when businesses engage fully with their customers and potential customers and of course positive access practices result in better business,” she said.

Over the coming weeks members of the public with accessibility issues will have the opportunity to nominate those businesses they find most accessible in the areas of: Transport; Chemist; Chiropodist; Dental Surgery; Doctor’s Surgery; Financial Institution; Hotel; Optician; Playground; Post Office; Public Building; Pub; Restaurant/Take Away; School/College; Sporting Venue/Facility; Shopping Centre and Supermarket.

The winners in each category will be awarded a certificate endorsed by some of the most widely recognised disability groups in Co Louth.

Today’s launch was held in Adree which has been piloted as the first Age Friendly town. Mairead McGuinness paid tribute to the Louth Older People’s Forum which has been to the forefront in the initiative and Louth County Council which is working towards age-friendly planning based on the World Health Organisation’s Age Friendly Cities guidelines.

“I am particularly proud that my home town is working towards being the best place in which to grow old in Ireland,” she said.