Questions about accessibility in Ireland for a mobility impaired person

PoniesRGr8

Hello,
I am a 20 year old American college student with Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy. I'm considering going on a six week study abroad program in Ireland next summer. My lower body has been affected the most severely, so I use a walker to get around and can navigate stairs as long as there is a railing, or someone assists me. I would love to go to Ireland, so I am researching the amount of accessibility that is available, so that I can determine whether or not I would be able to manage myself independently during my stay.

I would be studying and living at the following universities: Trinity College, Dublin, The National University of Ireland, Galway and National University in Cork.

Does anyone attend these universities or have any knowledge regarding their accessibility?

Also, in general, how accessible is the public transportation?

I am also curious about the accessibility of most of the restaraunts and stores within major city areas.

Any information would be greatly appreciated! I can be contacted at PoniesRGr8@aol.com.
Thank You!
Sarah

billy the squid

Regarding assistance for people with disabilities in Trinity College Dublin you might want to have a look at the link below
http://www.tcd.ie/disability/

services offered by NUI Galway can be found here
http://www.nuigalway.ie/student_services/disability_office/supports_services.html

NUI Galway Disability Office
http://www.nuigalway.ie/student_life/student_services/disability_office/

UCC disability Office
http://www.ucc.ie/services/dss/

Local public transport, busses you should manage, (as you said you can manage a step as long as there is a railing) but it can be crowded at peak times.

you might want to contact the various companies with regard to the accessibility of their vehicles.

http://www.dublinbus.ie/home/ Dublin City Bus Service
http://www.luas.ie/document/index.asp?head=11 Contact information for LUAS, the tram operator in Dublin City.
http://www.buseireann.ie/ Operates the City services in Cork and Galway City, as well as intercity routes.

you might also find more information by asking on the following boards.ie forums

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=468 Trinity College Forum
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=246 Commuting and Transport Forum
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=474 Dublin City Forum
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=478 Cork City Forum
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=475 Galway City Forum

hope some of this helps

fozzle

Hi PonieRGr8. I studied in NUI Galway for 4 years and spent about 6 months on crutches while there so I hope I can help.

First off, what subjects are you planning on studying? Most of the college buildings have lifts (I don't think all staircases have rails), but some department like Maths, Botany, Zoology (all in one building), Geology and Physiolgy (I think) are in buildings that don't have limited mobility access. there are lpenty of ramps around the college and access into the main lecture halls is available at ground-floor level (most students enter from the first floor)

I know of one girl in the college who uses a walker and there are a number of wheelchair users so the awareness of any shortcomings is there, and the Disabilities office and the Students Union Disability officer are always willing to do anything they can to help.

All in all I don't think the college is too bad, although changing buildings between lectures can somethimes be awkward as some of the easier entrances might be at the wrong end from your next class, but it all depends on timetabling.

I hope I haven't put you off, it's not that bad, although I don't know what access is like in the states.

Best of luck with your studies.

fozzle

*edit* galway's a great city and it and the college have a great "buzz" about them - enjoy it!

PoniesRGr8

Fozzle,

Thank you for your response! I am amazed at the amount of helpful advice and encouragement that I have received here and elsewhere

I contacted the professor at my university who would be leading the trip to Ireland next summer, and he told me that, judging by the current state of my disability, he doesn't think I'd have any trouble. Unfortunately, he won't know for sure whether an Ireland program will be offered through my university next summer until this September. So, I'm really excited that he mentioned that I shouldn't have any difficulties, and now I guess I'll continue to research things and anxiously wait until September.

I would be be studying things related to the arts such as writing and theater, etcetera. I am majoring in "Media Arts and Design" here in the states, and I'm assuming that whatever courses I take in Ireland would be related to that subject area somehow. Sorry, I know that's not very specific, but it's a safe bet that I wouldn't be using any of the Science buildings.

So, for now I'll hope for the best, and wait to hear something in September. I would really love to travel to Ireland, and have never allowed myself to think that my disability may prevent me from doing so. It's more that my parents are just being cautious and want me to be sure that I could live independently in Ireland for the duration of my stay. But even if you would have said that Ireland, and the colleges I mentioned were the most inaccessible places in the world, I'd still find a way to get there So, whether I go on this program offered through my school or not, I'm certain that I will be visiting Ireland in the near future!

Thanks again for your help!

Sarah

fozzle

Not at all! As far as I know all the arts classes are run in the newer buildings, which are accessible. And the Theatre is on the ground floor with a ramp into the changing room (heavy door though, but I'm sure there'll be people around whnever you're there.

Best of luck, I jope you get your course, I'd love to have been able to study abroad, I think it's a great idea.