WATCH: Disability awareness campaigners park wheelchairs in 'regular' bays in Navan

Guerrilla action was taken by people with disabilities in Navan recently, when they parked their wheelchairs and walking aids in ten ‘regular’ parking spaces in the town, with a message that they’d be ‘back in five.’
It was a joint project between Meath Disability Network, Meath County Council and Navan Gardai and it highlighted in a unique way that accessible parking spaces in the town should only be used by drivers with a valid disability parking permit.

 

Brigid Boyle, a wheelchair user who works for the Irish Wheelchair Association and who is part of the Meath Disability Network said; “Various mobility aids were parked in the spaces with a sign that said ‘Back in 5 mins’. This is usually the stock response of people who misuse disabled spaces. The action sent a not so subtle message that taking up a space that is not for you, greatly inconveniences the drivers who should be using them.”  
“It highlighted the problem and raised awareness, was well supported and a lot of volunteers came out to help,” she said. 

An innovative new text service was also launched that morning and Gardai inspections were carried out in Navan leading to a successful day of raising awareness in the town of the importance of respecting accessible car parking spaces.
Accessible parking spots around the town have now been kitted out with new public signage. These signs display a mobile phone number. Members of the public can text the number and send a key word which denotes the location of the bay, to report misuse of the car parking space (e.g. Watergate) and this will be sent straight to traffic warden.

The service will operate on seven prime locations in Navan over six months on a pilot basis and locations include Trimgate Street, Church Hill, Watergate Street and Kennedy Place.
During the day of the launch, Navan Gardai were also out inspecting disability car parking permits to ensure those drivers using them were entitled to do so.
Meath Disability Network hailed the day as a great success and expressed their thanks to Meath County Council, particularly Navan Municipal Authority for their support in this campaign and their roll out and sponsorship of the new text service. Navan Gardai were also praised by the Network for inspecting permits on the day.

Meath Disability Network is a group of interested, individuals with disabilities, parents and disability organisations who have come together with the support of the Community Department of the council. We are actively working towards making Meath a better place for everyone with disabilities to live and are actively working to put disability on Meath’s map, across all aspects of living in Meath.