Wicklow County Council, in partnership with the Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI), will host a special event in the Arklow Bay Hotel on Wednesday, 24^th September, from 2pm to 4pm to celebrate their collaboration on disability inclusion. The event will also feature the official launch of Make Way Day 2025.

Wicklow is the only local authority in the country to have a dedicated Community Development Officer, with assistance from DFI, to support the Council in embedding disability inclusion across all services and plans. This role has been central to the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) at a local level.

The partnership has already delivered major milestones:

• Establishment of the Disability Inclusion Steering Committee (DISC). This committee is unique in Ireland and gives disabled people and their families a strong voice in local decision-making.
• Development and launch of Wicklow’s first Disability and Inclusion Strategy in 2023.
• Practical initiatives, such as the sunflower lanyard scheme and Changing Places facilities, are making Wicklow more accessible.
• Plain English training for Council staff helps ensure that services are easier to understand and use, while also embedding cultural change within the organisation.

Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Melanie Corrigan, said: “Wicklow County Council is proud to be the only local authority working with DFI in this way. Together, we are setting a new standard for how local government can engage with people with disabilities and ensure their voices are heard in shaping policies and services. It is something we can all be proud of.”

Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, Emer O’Gorman, commented: “Almost one in four people in Wicklow now live with a disability. Through our partnership with DFI, we are ensuring that our strategies reflect this reality and that we continue to break down barriers to full inclusion. This is about building a county that works for everyone.”

Director of Services, Michael Nicholson, added: “Having DFI’s expertise embedded in our work has been invaluable. It ensures that every department is thinking about accessibility and inclusion, not as an afterthought, but as part of how we plan and deliver services. That’s the real strength of this partnership.”

Chief Executive Officer of the Disability Federation of Ireland, Elaine Teague, said: “Wicklow is showing real leadership by working hand-in-hand with DFI to put disability inclusion at the heart of local decision-making. Make Way Day 2025, which we are proud to launch at this event, is a perfect example of how local and national efforts can come together. By highlighting everyday obstacles on our streets, we remind ourselves that inclusion is about action, and Wicklow’s partnership with DFI shows what’s possible when that action is sustained.”

The Arklow event will bring together local representatives, community members, and people with lived experience of disability to celebrate achievements to date and to look ahead to the next phase of inclusion work in Wicklow.