14/11/2012

Archived item. This item is published here for historical reasons. The information below may be out of date.

Tallaght shortlisted for Access City Award 2013

South Dublin County Council is delighted to announce that Tallaght has been included in the final shortlist of seven cities for the Access City Award 2013.

The Access City Award is an innovative competition between European cities which was launched in 2010 to promote accessibility in the urban environment. The Access City Award is open to all EU cities / urban areas of over 50,000 inhabitants. The Award recognises and celebrates cities that are dedicated to providing an accessible environment for all, and for disabled people in particular. The Award is part of the EU’s wider effort to create a barrier-free Europe. In line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, accessibility is one of the pillars of the European Union’s Disability Strategy 2012-2020 which aims at creating a barrier-free Europe for all.

Tallaght is the main ‘County Town’ for South Dublin County. Its’ growth from a village of 2,500 people in the mid 1960’s to the present day population of approximately 83,152 (Census 2011), has made Tallaght one of Ireland’s major urban centres. Tallaght displays a high level of accessibility both within its’ built facilities i.e. Tallaght Stadium, the County Library and County Hall, and across its’ external urban environment i.e. Sean Walsh Park Accessible Recycling and Sensory Garden and the Tallaght Zip.

Speaking about the nomination Mayor Cathal King said “I am delighted that Tallaght has been shortlisted for the Access City Award 2013. To be included in the final seven, out of 99 cities is quite an achievement and a wonderful testament to the strong commitment to access and inclusion that exists within South Dublin County”.

South Dublin County Council has a proven track record in promoting accessibility through both the provision of accessible infrastructure, and through the delivery of inclusive, accessible services. Examples include:

• the Jobot’s Access All Areas, and online video access guides web resources;
• the establishment of the South Dublin County Disability Advisory / Consultative Panel;
• provision of a significant range of assistive technologies and resources in alternative formats across the South Dublin Library Network. Their award winning Digital Books Service has significantly improved access for library members in general, but most significantly for many disabled members. and
• a considerable programme of access works undertaken across the County since 2005 (including the significant access improvements to Tallaght Stadium and Camac Valley Caravan and Camping Park).

The awards ceremony takes place in Brussels on Monday the 3^rd December, International Day of Disabled Persons. The awards will be presented by Ms. Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission.

-ENDS-

For further information contact: Selina Bonnie, Disability Liaison / Access & Equality Officer tel: 4149041 Email: sbonnie@sdublincoco.ie Skype: selina.bonnie

Images

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  Accessible Pedestrain Bridge over N81
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  Accessible recycling Sean Walsh Park
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  Garden for all seasons Sean Walsh Park
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  ZIP