South Dublin County Council has been committed to access and equality since the Council was established in 1995 We adopted the Barcelona Declaration in June 2002 and we have been actively implementing the Declaration ever since through various actions and access initiatives.
This EU-wide Declaration advocates the right of disabled people to equal opportunities, inclusiveness and integration. It has no legal force, but by committing municipal authorities to a wide range of actions, it has been a major instrument of change. It is also subtle, in that while entirely non-threatening, the measures which followed on its’ adoption, were wide-ranging. For example, an adhering city or town undertook to produce a plan for the implementation of the Declaration and to establish structures for ongoing consultation with disabled people and their representatives.
Our commitments under the Declaration were placed on a much firmer footing with the enactment of legislation in Ireland, enshrining the rights of disabled people into law. The Disability Act was enacted in 2005 and Part three of the Act is particularly relevant to the work of local authorities. All departments within the Council developed detailed work plans to implement the provisions of the Act and much of that work has now taken place.
Since 2008 South Dublin County Council has been a member of the European Observatory: Cities and Town for All. The European Observatory is a forum, which was created out of the Barcelona Declaration, to encourage and support cities and towns to share best practice in accessibility.
The extensive access works and initiatives which we have undertaken over the past 13 years in particular have all been focused on removing the barriers that create disability and exclusion and creating a truly Accessible South Dublin County.
Below please find direct links for access guides to South Dublin County venues:
County Library: For details of the access provided in County Library please click here
Lucan Library: For details of the access provided in Lucan Library please click here
Ballyroan Library: For details of the access provided in Ballyroan Library please click here
Castletymon Library: For details of the access provided in Castletymon Library please click here
Clondalkin Library: For details of the access provided in Clondalkin Library please click here
RuaRed County Arts Building: For details of the access provided in RuaRed please click here
Tallaght Stadium: For details of the access provided in Tallaght Stadium please click here
Civic Theatre: For details of the access provided in the Civic Theatre please click here
Camac Valley Caravan and Camping Park: For details of the access provided in Camac Valley Caravan and Camping Park please click here
Please note: These guides were produced through Access Dublin which was a Dublin City Council initiative in association with Dun Laoghaire / Rathdown, Fingal and South Dublin County Councils.