Funding for Library Supports for People with Disabilities in Waterford
Press Release, Monday 24th June
Waterford T.D., Marc Ó Cathasaigh welcomed the announcement today that the public library services in Waterford will receive funding in order to make Waterford library services more accessible for people with disabilities.
The project which will cost €14,823 will receive an allocation of €13,340 from the government to fund a range of furniture including wheelchair accessible shelving units and a height adjustable desk as well as a reading device to support people with visual impairments.
Ó Cathasaigh said “Our libraries lie at the heart of our communities and it is important that they are accessible to everyone. This funding is directed to very practical and necessary interventions – height-adjustable and wheelchair accessible furniture. It is important that children and adults with disabilities have equal access to our community and public services and spaces.
We need a rights-based access approach to disability and this will serve everyone well, throughout their entire life. Our library services provide essential services in our communities and we need to make sure they are well funded to provide those services for everyone.”
The funding, which totals €550,000 nationwide, under the Dormant Accounts Action Plan, will assist public libraries in reaching out to people with disabilities and other marginalised groups.
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Commenting on the funding, Minister O’Brien said:
““I am delighted that the overall 2024 Dormant Accounts Action Plan will support 52 different measures across the country with a total value of €47.6m.
I am particularly pleased that the assistive technology and furniture that will be supported by this funding will make our public library service more accessible to everyone in our communities.
This equipment will support the hearing and visually impaired communities, the elderly and those with physical disabilities.
I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute and thank all our library staff, who play such an important role in cities, towns and villages right across the country.”
