Kilkenny Access Group expands, and forms new committee

The Kilkenny Access Group, the go-to advocacy organisation for people with disabilities locally, recently elected a new 18-person committee.

The group which has been in operation since 2008 strives to make Kilkenny as accessible as possible for people of all abilities as well as to educate and raise awareness about the daily lives and challenges being faced by people living with a disability.

A disability relates to more than just physical. It also includes mental, intellectual, visual impairment, acquired brain injury, hearing impairment, autism and much more. 

Throughout 2022, the Kilkenny Access Group reactivated post-Covid and were supported by the Kilkenny Public Participation Network (PPN) in respect of building their capacity and reviewing their vision, goals and objectives. 

A meeting was held on Wednesday, February 8, in the Ormonde Hotel, Kilkenny where a new committee was formed. 

Newly-elected chairperson, Fiona O’Neill from the Kilkenny Branch of Arthritis Ireland and Family Carers, said she was delighted and honoured to be elected chairperson of the Kilkenny Access Group.

"There is a significant amount of work to be done to disability proof local services and legislation to ensure the needs and wants of people living with a disability here in Kilkenny are best reflected," she said.

"We look forward to working with our local agencies such as the Local Authority and the PPN to achieve our goals and objectives."

Also elected onto the committee were local representatives Cllr Maria Dollard and Cllr John Coonan, both of whom have first hand experience of the disability sector and in their own capacity have been strong advocates for the sector.

 “I am delighted with the newly appointed committee," said Cllr Dollard. "The adage 'nothing about us, without us' comes to mind and is to the forefront of everything we do. We are now standing together stronger and better than ever before to advocate in a powerful way for the rights of all people with a disability.”

Cllr Coonan added: “If we are to make a real and significant difference in local policy and local service provision, we need to be consulting with people who have that lived experience. Looking around the table, it is clear that we have an eclectic variety of skill sets, knowledge and first-hand experience which is best placed to inform the work of the group on behalf of people with a disability. I look forward to working with the group over the coming weeks and months.”

The Kilkenny Access Group can be contacted by email: kkaccessgroup@gmail.com or you can follow KAG on Facebook: www.facebook.com/kilkennyaccessgroup