Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Buildings in Donegal will today be lighting up for the Purple Lights 20 campaign for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Mr. Gary Kearney wrote to me in October and asked for my assistance in bringing about the campaign. My friend and well-known outstanding disability rights activist, Mr. Frank Larkin, had been due to help Gary with the campaign for Donegal, but sadly Frank passed away earlier this year. I acknowledge Frank Larkin and the great advocacy work he did in his lifetime for persons with disabilities. I also thank Mr. Liam Ward, director of services in Donegal County Council, for supporting this Purple Lights campaign this year.

In the spirit of nothing about us without us, I wanted to give persons with disabilities an opportunity to have their say. Last Friday, I launched a survey and want to read to the Tánaiste some of the overwhelming number of responses that I have received. I thank Mr. Micheál Kelliher for signing my short video about the survey. One response read:

Disability services are working at reduced capacity due to the fact that HSE staff are being taken from these services to accommodate the need for additional staff for Covid wards/testing centres etc.

Another read:

You don't notice what you have lost until it's gone. For those of us with an acquired disability there is a continuous and overwhelming desire to 'get back to where we were'. Even after decades we remember what it is like to negotiate the world without pain; the pre-planning of journeys; anticipating distances; nodding to the looks of sympathy when the pain is visible - yet wishing they didn't acknowledge at all.

Another read:

I’m a disabled driver living in rural Ireland no transport no choice. I work in my nearest town & had to borrow to purchase my car. I’m one of the lucky ones, I’m earning a salary and can afford to pay a loan. It’s demoralising to watch this government allocate millions to bail out the FAI and most recently grant millions to the greyhound industry but if you have a disability you are not supported.

Another read:

As someone who acquired disability in my 20s and now a wheelchair user I think that is what will surprise people most. Most people assume if this happens you will be supported by government in fact you are not.

Another read:

There needs to be legislation introduced to force businesses to become accessible and have appropriate toilet facilities. This is a human rights and dignity issue. Imagine going for a meal with a group of people and you have no use of toilet facilities. What do you do? Limit fluid intake? Go home early?

Another read:

Well on behalf of my wee man, I would like to highlight the complete lack of consideration given to disabled toilet facilities in public places, i.e. hotels, restaurants etc. The bare minimal amount of space is given. Is it too much to ask for proper spacious bathroom facilities for our disabled folk?

Another read: "Silent pain’s the worst."

In my #YourDayYourSay survey, I asked the question: “As a person with a disability... what is positive about being in Ireland?” The responses included: “The doctors”; “Good doctors but no help from government.”; “There is very little positive. Everything has to be fought for.”; “All negative.”; and "Honestly I’m not sure.”

I asked them what needs to change. One response read:

They need to act not just sign Conventions and then ignore the principles. They know the disabled are stuck at home & couldn't even get to a protest which makes the State all the more hypocritical.

Another read: "To treat all our children equally and provide the same opportunities to all including those with additional needs[.]"

I will ask for something that the Government can do. Will the Government ratify the optional protocol of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities so that persons with disabilities can make complaints to the UN if they want to?

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