Better disability access needed for sports clubs – Callaghan

Many sports clubs and organisations around the country need financial assistance to ensure that their grounds are fully accessible, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Deputy Catherine Callaghan said that greater supports must be made available to organisations to provide adequate disability parking bays, ramps for wheelchair users and suitable access points.

Deputy Callaghan explained: “It is evident that our local sports clubs are working hard to make their carparks accessible to all members, supporters and spectators. With many asking membership to contribute to the costs of running the clubs, finding additional financial resources to make their clubs as accessible and inclusive as they would like them to has become challenging.

“In addition, a high volume of traffic passes through all our clubs throughout the day, with peak times in midweek evenings and on weekends when matches are being played, extra care must be taken by drivers to ensure players and visitors of all ages and mobility are safe when making their way to pitches or sports halls. Speed ramps are effective, and every club would benefit from their presence. Again, club funds won’t always stretch to the installation of ramps, so members and volunteers are relying on motorists’ taking due care at all times, which unfortunately does not always happen.

“Volunteers are admirably endeavouring to paint borders for allocated disability parking spaces, but this work should be done professionally, not least to signal to space users that their accessibility to the grounds and pitches is welcomed, supported and prioritised.

“Much work has been done to make sport accessible to all and that must be acknowledged. However, that participation, whether it’s as a player or a spectator, starts on arrival and the welcome begins at the gates of the club. A number of grants are already available to sporting organisations to create greater inclusion of people with disability, either through education and training or providing equipment. Providing an additional grant to provide dedicated parking spaces, ramps for wheelchair users and a safer carpark for people with disabilities to access the grounds would send the clear message that everyone is welcome and can be accommodated.”