Disability Federation of Ireland

Lobbying Organisation Disability Federation of Ireland

Date published 20 Sep, 2019

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Community

Period 1 May, 2019 to 31 Aug, 2019

Specific Details Request for support for the Make Way Day Campaign

Intended results Establishment of an official, National and locally based Make Way Day - where awareness is raised about how obstacles on foot paths can obstruct people with disabilities

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Áine O'Sullivan, Clare Cronin, Deirdre Fahey, Heidi Wright, Lisa Fenwick, Pierce Richardson, PJ Cleere, John Dolan. DFI is orchestrating the campaign in association with Enable Ireland, Irish Wheelchair Association and Rehab.

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? Yes

What is the directive you gave to the grassroots campaigners? As per website www.makewayday.com people were encouraged to: 1. Contact your local coordinator to get involved. 2. Take pictures of obstacles you encounter on footpaths ans post your pictures on social media. Included #MakeWayDay or #MakeWayYOURCOUNTYNAME and tag @MakeWayDay @DisabilityFed in your post. 3. Share and retweet other people's social media posts and encourage friend and family to do so. 4. Contact you local councillors askign them to support Make Way Day, optional to include reference to the councillor motion. 5. Set up a local working group and let DFI know so we can support.

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Mass communications

Email All Councillors 1 email sent to all Councillors encouraging them to pass a motion for the adoption of an annual local Make Way Day and to take part in Make Way Day 2019

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Email (2-5)

4 follow up emails to Councillors in Galway, Roscommon and Kerry regarding adoption of Make Way Day motion

Phone call (6-10)

8 follow up phone calls to Councillors in Galway, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Donegal, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary and Westmeath regarding adoptio of Make Way Day motion

Letter (1)

1 Letter sent to President Michael D Higgins inviting him to support Make Way Day by joining a group of disability activists in Dublin on the 26th of September

Designated public officials lobbied

There were no DPOs directly lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area.