The European Year of People with Disabilities (EYPD) tour bus arrived in Blanchardstown, Dublin, yesterday, as part of a seven-day tour of Ireland to promote disability issues and awareness.
Co-ordinated by People with Disabilities in Ireland (PwDI) the EYPD bus arrived from Co Louth. After visiting Dublin it will travel to Kildare, Kilkenny, Waterford, Cork, Galway, Sligo and Donegal.
The PwDI chairman and national campaign co-ordinator for the EYPD bus tour, Mr Nigel Brander, said people with disabilities are not sick and "the charity model is gone out the window". He said: "We just want to be accepted as equal members in society."
A mural, Equal Citizens of Ireland, created by the residents of Peamount Hospital, the Irish Wheelchair Association and the disability organisation Pathways, was unveiled at Blanchardstown library.
The Minister of State with special responsibility for disability, Mr Willie O'Dea, officially welcomed the bus tour to Dublin, saying the EYPD will have long-term beneficial effects for young people, with and without disabilities.
A pledge book will be available in Newbridge, Co Kildare. Members of the public are invited to pledge how they can make a difference for people with disabilities.
There will be a red-letter day in Cork to celebrate the tour.
EYPD will continue to promote the rights of 370,000 Irish people with disabilities, including a national Make the Difference campaign in September.