Sociology in relation to urban planning

1. Galway as
debilitating?
AN INTERVIEW

2. The participant.
 A 26 year old man (L) from County Clare.
 He has visited Galway City a number of times over the years.
 He was kind enough to share his experience of the city centre.

3. 10 Questions
 These questions were asked in order to outline some features of the
infrastructure in Galway which could be improved. Also, some features
which may be lacking are discussed.

4. Question 1
 When was the last time you were in Galway City? What were you doing
there?
 January (2014) shopping. “Would have gone more but its inaccessible”
 Also. L adds that he heard from other wheelchair uses that they find it
inaccessible too.

5. Question 2
 How difficult was it to get around in the city?
 L said that he didn’t like the cobblestones under the wheelchair as it was
very uncomfortable, and made the wheels lose traction.

6. Cobblestones of the main pedestrian
street in Galway city

7. Question 3
 How was it crossing the road?
 L adds that more ramps are needed.
 “Galway is in the stone age when it comes to accessibility and needs to be
kicked into the 21st century”

8. Question 4
 Were there enough pedestrian crossings?
 L said he would prefer more pedestrian crossings as it is safer.
 He continues that he feels unsafe in Galway city. “The council need to use a
bit of cement to make a few ramps. Its not that difficult”

9. Question 5
 Did cyclists or other pedestrians affect your ability to get around?
 L: Cant move out of the way from people because its inaccessible.
 “Its embarrassing, you feel you are stuck there because there is not
enough space to move”

10. Question 6
 Were the buses or public transport an issue for you?
 L says that the buses were better than he expected them to be.
 The bus station was fine also.

11. Question 7
 How were the public places, for example: shops, cafés, restaurants etc.?
 Fairly bad. If you want a few messages from the shop or go for a meal
there is a step in most of them.

12. A completely inaccessible public place.

13. Question 8
 What was the worst thing about the public places?
 The wheelchair sign is on the door but not specified for a power chair or
not. Most don’t actually meet the requirements for bigger power chairs.
 No privacy or dignity, the door doesn’t close and sometimes the disabled
bathroom is used for storage.

14. Question 9
 What is another aspect of Galway city that is inaccessible?
 L didn’t like certain areas and side-streets.
 The automated teller machines were one good aspect in relation to
accessibility as they are lower down.
 Footpaths are too narrow for the power chair;
“You could fall off and put yourself in danger.”

15. Salmon Weir Bridge
Very inaccessible footpath

16. Question 10
 How did your experience of Galway make you feel?
 L said it made him feel lacking in confidence and that it makes a person
feel negative about themselves.
 “If there were better facilities you wouldn’t need to ask for help. You would
be independent and empowered.”
 It made him feel disrespected and that small moderate changes could be
made ( “that someone with half a brain could do”).
 Disconnected from your community.
 You feel like a minority not a whole human being like you’re on the
margins of society.
 Also, he adds that it can make a person feel alone: “Feels like the voice of
the voiceless, getting blocked at every turn.

17. Conclusion
 Based on the essay which studied the case of wheelchair users who live in
Galway full time and this interview with a visitor to Galway city, I would
conclude that Galway city does seem to be debilitating to people of the
wheelchair community.
 This is an unfortunate state of affairs and need to be rectified with more
specific research into this area of accessibility perhaps in coordination with
the Irish Wheelchair Association. Multidisciplinary research along with
effective action would seem to be the key to improving the situation of
inaccessibility in Galway city.