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Step Forward Disability Group launch new project on everyday issues that impact those with disabilities

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Step Forward Disability Group is located in Hospital Family Resource Centre, pictured above, meets every second Wednesday of the month from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm.

The obstacles those with disabilities face would usually never pass a thought in able-bodied citizens minds

By I Love Limerick correspondent Ellie McCarthy

The group came together so they can relate to each other’s experiences and give one another support.

Step Forward Disability Group has launched their Photographic Community Access Awareness Project at Hospital Family Resource Centre.


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The group wish to bring awareness to the impact that obstacles have on the day to day lives of people with disabilities. They audited the communities of Bruff, Kilmallock, Hospital, Galbally, and Ballylanders for this.

The obstacles those with disabilities face would usually never pass a thought in able-bodied citizens minds. Such as, cars parked up on footpaths, bins on footpaths, service poles, signage, poor highlighting on steps, hedging and briars coming out onto footpaths and much more.

These obstacles cause distress and make daily life difficult for not only those with disabilities, but also parents with prams, and elderly people.

In attendance at the event were all members of the group along with Cllr. Brigid Teefy, Cllr. PJ Carey, and Joseph Hargrove from Croom FRC.

Hospital Family Resource Centre is a voluntary led organisation based in Southeast Limerick offering activities, services and supports to individuals, families, and groups in the area. With core funding provided by TUSLA, it is one of 120 family resource centres which form a national community development and family support programme throughout Ireland.

A representative for the group said, “Recognising the lack of a voice for people with disabilities in the area, Hospital Family Resource Centre worked with local volunteers to set up a training course on equality issues targeting people with disabilities in 2004. From this training, a group of people came together and set up the Step Froward Disability Group, to give a voice to people with disabilities and carers.”

The group came together to be involved with others like themselves, so they can relate to each other’s experiences and give space to group members to support each other, share information, and lobby around disability issues impacting on the lives of people with disabilities and carers in the community.

The Step Forward Group meets every second Wednesday of the month at Hospital Family Resource Centre from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm.  The group is always open to new members.

For more information on Step Forward Disability Group, go HERE

For more community stories, go HERE

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