Make Way Wicklow: Campaign Shines Light on Accessibility Challenges
Campaign highlights everyday barriers on local streets, with wheelie bins, cars on footpaths and street furniture among the biggest obstacles
People with disabilities across Wicklow have come together to shine a light on the everyday challenges they face navigating public footpaths. The initiative forms part of the national Make Way Day campaign, led by the Disability Federation of Ireland and coordinated locally by Wicklow County Council’s Disability and Inclusion Steering Committee (DISC).
Make Way Day is DFI's national public awareness campaign bringing communities together to highlight the physical obstacles that people with disabilities encounter every day on our streets. This can include cars parked on footpaths, abandoned bins, bicycles blocking pathways, and more. It's a day to say collectively “Hey, this blocks my way”, and it needs to change.
Community groups including Bray Disability Network of Bray North Wicklow Area Partnership, St. John of Gods Services and local activists gathered at the Holy Redeemer Church on the Main Street in Bray, while members from the group ‘Little Warriors’ also gathered in Arklow, to document local accessibility issues.
Participants identified and photographed problem areas to highlight how obstacles on the footpaths impact disabled people and marking obstacles with eye-catching stickers that read, “Hey, this blocks my way” and “MakeWayDay.com.” The powerful images captured will be shared online and in print to encourage greater awareness and consideration for people with disabilities in everyday life.
Campaign organisers emphasise that most of these barriers arise from lack of awareness rather than intent. Make Way Day is not about placing blame but about encouraging positive change and reminding people that small, thoughtful actions can have a big impact.
Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr. Melanie Corrigan, said, “Make Way Day is an opportunity for all of us to be more mindful of the 23% of people in Wicklow living with a disability. Simple actions like bringing in your bin promptly or making sure your street furniture is not in the path may seem minor, but they can make a real difference to someone’s ability to move safely and independently.”
Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, Emer O’Gorman added, “We are committed to improving accessibility across the county, but this campaign shows that everyone has a role to play. Parking on a footpath, even briefly, can force someone with a disability onto a busy road, creating unnecessary risk and danger.”
Michael Nicholson, Director of Services Social Development (Housing and Community), Wicklow County Council stated, “Make Way Day is a powerful reminder that our streets belong to everyone. It’s hugely encouraging to see local activists taking to Bray and Arklow to highlight the everyday barriers faced by people with disabilities. By raising awareness in such a visible and practical way, this initiative helps foster a more considerate, inclusive community, where small actions by each of us can make a real difference to someone’s independence, safety and ability to participate fully in daily life.”
One campaign participant shared their experience, “There are days when I’ve had to turn back and go home because my wheelchair couldn’t get past a car parked on the footpath. When this happens often enough, it discourages you from going out at all, leading to isolation.”
Further information on Make Way Day can be found at: https://www.makewayday.com/