Dublin Bus, the Irish Wheelchair Association and the National Transport Authority have teamed up to launch a new awareness campaign for Dublin Bus wheelchair users.  

The campaign launch was attended by Finian McGrath TD and Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross TD.

Dublin Bus only has one designated wheelchair space and if it’s occupied by another passenger the wheelchair user will then have to wait for the next bus.  

In the Irish Wheelchair Association’s campaign, they ask people “please don’t buggy
in the wheelchair zone”.

Often the designated wheelchair zone is occupied by a child’s buggy.  

In a video campaign posted by the Irish Wheelchair Association, a mother with a buggy is shown occupying the wheelchair zone.  When the wheelchair user gets on, the mother folds up the buggy and makes room for the wheelchair user.  

The main incentive of the campaign is to show the public the negative impact occupying the designated wheelchair zone can have on the wheelchair user.

Another campaign video shows a woman watching a bus drive by her because the wheelchair zone was occupied.  The woman voices her worries about how she’s now going to be late for her interview and make a bad first impression.

Throughout the month of October, a series of awareness videos will be posted on social media and posters will be placed on buses and bus shelters to remind people wheelchair users have priority for wheelchair zones.  

The campaign coincides with the increase of €5 in disability payments in Budget 2018.  

The Irish Wheelchair Association has, however, voiced their disapproval of the increase on Twitter saying “not good enough, five euro a week does not take into account living with a disability”.

Fianna Fáil TD and disability spokesperson Margaret Murphy O’Mahony said the budget was disappointing for people with disabilities.  

By Jenna Cox