Comedian Colgan joins Mornington man to highlight accessibility failures

A YOUNG Mornington man has teamed up with a comedian to call out accessibility barriers for disabled people for a bold new campaign.

Conor McAuley (23), partnered with Hardy Bucks star Owen Colgan to convey how the most basic of tasks end up often being difficult challenges for those with disabilities for a bold new social media campaign where three wheelchair users team up with some of Ireland’s top comedians to expose the daily struggles they face.

Would you walk on the road just to get to the shop because the path is blocked? Ever waited anxiously in the rain, hoping your bus isn’t full? Now imagine that stress every time you travel, knowing there’s only one spot you can sit in. Ever had to call a restaurant just to ask if you’ll be able to use the toilet?

Still think this is a joke? It’s not. But Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) is using humour to highlight the absurdity of Ireland’s accessibility failures.

Mornington man Conor has had to quit a job due to an inaccessible building and finds public transport a constant challenge. "I live just 40 minutes from Dublin but getting there can feel impossible. I stick to big stations like Drogheda and Connolly because at least I know there'll be staff to help. I have often been left on the train if the ramp is not there to meet me," he said.

Meanwhile Connie Richardson from Fairview in Dublin paired up with comedian David McSavage. Connie moved to Dublin over 15 years ago to increase her independence and refuses to let these barriers to get her down. "By the time I get to the bus stop, I’ve already overcome so many obstacles. If the one wheelchair spot is taken, or the ramp is broken, I may miss my appointments, but I try to remain positive or leave the house really early to allow for these situations.”

John Fulham from Donabate joined Anna Clifford to call out ridiculous accessibility oversights. As Public Engagement Manager for IWA and a wheelchair user himself, John knows small changes could make a big difference. "Many of these issues are easy to fix. People just need to be aware of them—and care enough to act."

The Irish Wheelchair Association is calling for action in the form of:

- Full-time, fully resourced Access Officers in every county council—ideally, people with the lived experience of disability.

- Meaningful consultation with wheelchair users, people with disabilities and representative organisations like IWA to prevent costly retrofitting and ensure true accessibility.

Meanwhile disabled People in Meath are taking a significant step forward with the recent launch of the Meath Disabled Persons Organisation (DPO) — a cross-impairment, grassroots group led by and for disabled people.

The Meath DPO will provide a collective voice for disabled people in the county, ensuring they are at the forefront of decision-making processes that impact their lives. As a Disabled Persons Organisation (DPO), it is built on the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), particularly Article 4.3, which mandates that disabled people must be actively involved in shaping policies that affect them.

Tom Morgan ILMI Community Development Worker, who has been supporting the development of the Meath DPO, emphasised the importance of this milestone:

"This is an historic moment for disabled people in Meath. The Meath DPO is about real representation—disabled people speaking and advocating for ourselves, rather than being spoken for.

“A DPO in Meath ensures that our voices are not just heard but are central to discussions about disability rights, inclusion, and equality in the county."

Gillian Stafford a member of the Meath DPO shared her enthusiasm about the impact this will have and said: "For too long, decisions about our lives have been made without us. The Meath DPO will change that. It gives us a platform to connect, support each other, and influence real change—whether it's in access, transport, employment, or healthcare. This is about disabled people shaping our future together."

The Meath DPO is a crucial development, not only for its members but for disabled people in the county. It will provide a space for collective advocacy, peer support, and leadership, ensuring that the experiences and expertise of disabled people are central to policy discussions at a local and national level.

The event was formally launched by Minister for Education Helen McEntee in the Knightsbrook Hotel in Trim last Friday marking a significant recognition of the role of DPOs in shaping disability policy.