Mornington man teams up with comedian to call out accessibility barriers for disabled people

It may have been April Fools’ Day yesterday, but for thousands of wheelchair users across Ireland, the daily struggle for access is anything but a joke.

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.

In a bold new social media campaign, three wheelchair users team up with some of Ireland’s top comedians to expose the daily struggles they face.

Conor McAuley (Mornington, Co. Meath) partners with Hardy Bucks star Owen Colgan. Conor, 23, 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."

Connie Richardson (Fairview, Dublin) pairs 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 (Donabate, Dublin) joins 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."

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.

Want to help? Join the conversation! Like, share, and comment on IWA’s social media. Tell your story. Call out accessibility failures. It’s time for change—because access is no joke.

Videos are available to share from IWA's social media channels here: https://www.iwa.ie/get-involved/advocacy-campaigns/our-campaigns/access-its-no-joke/ and video files are available to download from vimeo below.

Visit www.iwa.ie or search #AccessNoJoke on social media.