Community
Radio
Youghal

Speakers at our information meetings included Minister Michael Ahern, Ronnie Dorney HSE, County Councillor Barbara Murray, Dermot Hayes, People with Disabilities Ireland, James Honour, National Council for the Blind, Gale Davis, Irish Wheelchair Association and Liz Kelly, Youghal Community Hospital.

The group continues to campaign for a Primary Health Care Centre for Youghal.

The group helped conduct research about the need for a rural bus which showed the need for a bus service for Gortroe/Knockadoon. Roisin from Secad now has the route up and running with the bus coming to Youghal every Friday.

Fifth year students at Pobalscoil Na Tríonóide took part in a poster competition. Group representatives gave a talk to the students about disability issues, especially the misuse of disabled parking spaces. The sponsors of the competition included Mayor David Savage, Jimmy Flanigan and Doyle's chipper. The group held a Disability Fortnight in September with the winning posters being displayed on 123 North Main Street, Youghal. The rest of the posters were displayed in 15 shops around the town and each poster was accompanied by information about disability parking. Youghal News, The Imokilly People and the East Cork Journal all published articles about the Disability Fortnight.

Stacey was invited to represent the group and People with Disability in Ireland (PWDI) to give a talk at the opening of the Disability Area in Castlemartyr.

The Carers Association in Cork put together a leaflet of contact numbers for hospitals and public health nurses for new carers. The Youghal Disability Action/Awareness group was included as a support organisation.

Representatives of the group attended the PWDI forums in COrk.

Three group representatives attended the Committee Skills Course in the centre.

The group researched the need for an after school club in Youghal.

The group started in February 2007 and is made up of people with disabilities, carers and health professionals.

The group asked the transition students of Pobalscoil Na Tríonóide to conduct a survey on adult attitudes to parking in a disabled parking space. This information was used in a presentation for Youghal Town Council. Eugene also researched accessibility in Youghal which was also used in this presentation to the Council about misuse of disabled car spaces in the town which was very well received.

The group organised several information meetings with guest speakers including Ken Anthony HSE, David Stanton TD, Alice Griffin Dessa and the Gale Davis Irish Wheelchair Association.

Representatives from the group attended a Carers Forum in Cork.

Kathy Sinnott MEP contacted the group to request our help with their campaign '1 million 4 disability'. The group collected 1000 signatures in one day outside Brookes Supervalu. By way of thanks, Kathy Sinnott asked Stacey and another member of the group to go to Brussels fro the Disability Forum.

The group started a campaign for a Primary Health Care Centre and has contacted local TDs and Councillors and got a motion passed by Cork County Council for a Primary Health Care Centre for Youghal. Youghal Town Council also passed a motion of support for the Primary Health Care Centre.