Accessible design conference

WATERFORD is to lead the way later this month in promoting an EU-wide drive to make all of our buildings and our built environment more accessible to people with disabilities.

The European Institute for Design and Disability (EIDD) is to hold a two-day conference in Waterford on May 18-19. The focus of the sessions are to discuss how better design can help improve social inclusiveness and reduce discrimination against people with disabilities and others who are marginalised.

To be opened by Mayor of Waterford Cllr Hilary Quinlan and Environment Minister Dick Roche, the conference will also be addressed by former European Parliament President Pat Cox.

Transport Minister Martin Cullen will launch the Waterford Convention – Work for All.

Waterford City Council event organiser Rita Lacey said the conference would aim to “increase recognition of the wealth of human talent that is excluded from the workplace and which must be harnessed”.

“As the Stockholm Declaration from May 2004 put it ‘Good design enables, bad design disables’,” she said.

Bookings for the conference in the Woodlands Hotel can be made by calling 051 849764 or emailing [e-mail].