The Irish public transport situation related to improving mobility and accessibility for people with learning difficulties in Ireland. The sub-study was split into four stages:
- Stage One - State of the Art. An investigation into the general situation of public transport accessibility for people with learning difficulties was carried out as Stage One of the Irish sub-study along with the identification of any examples of good practice which exists in Ireland.
- Stage Two - Service Users Study. The second phase of the project, Stage Two, was a sub-study involved a survey of service users of KARE (an organisation which provides a range of services for individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families in Countries: Kildare, East Offaly, West Wicklow , North Carlow ).
- Stage Three - Telephone Survey. Stage Three was a national telephone survey of respondents from transport sectors of public authorities, transport authorities, operators and interest groups to find out what measures are taken to make it possible for people with disabilities to travel.
- Stage Four - Case Studies. The final stage of the study in Ireland involved researching a number of organisations who currently operate public transport and include provision of transport for individuals with learning difficulties or mental disabilities.
A list of public authorities with transport control was assembled as part of the overall state of the art review. Each MAPLE partner city collated a list of organisations from their own country and placed them into one of five categories; Government Authority, Local Authorities, Special Interest Organisations, Transport Operators or Trainers / Consultants. Ireland reviewed its own public transport situation and policies and by doing this identifying a number of authorities, interest groups, public transport operators unique to Ireland which provided services for people with disabilities and training for carers.
Stage Two – Service Users Study
A service user survey was used to identify and assess the transport needs of clients of KARE and to identify practical solutions to meet their specific needs. A variety of questions were asked, each survey being answered by people with learning disabilities with assistance from KARE staff. Types of questions asked included;
• Do you use any travelling aids?
• What transport services do you currently use?
• Do you use public transport services?
Results and conclusions from the survey can be found in the National Report for the Republic of Ireland - A study of the Irish Public Transport Situation in Relation to Improving Mobility and Accessibility for People with Learning Disabilities.
Stage Three – National Phone Survey
It was agreed by the MAPLE partnership 30 individual phone surveys would be sought by each partner, Ireland carried out 27 phone interviews with respondents from the list of transport authorities identified in Stage One of the research. The telephone interview asked questions regarding measures taken by organisations to make it possible for persons with disabilities to travel. Follow-up questions were asked concerning specific measures in regard to persons with cognitive disabilities and respondents were provided with an opportunity to highlight any current and future possibilities for persons with cognitive disabilities to travel by public transport. Types of questions asked included:
• Have you taken any specific measures to make it possible for persons with disabilities to travel?
• How do you define cognitive disability?
• Have you made any measures specifically targeting persons with cognitive disabilities?
Results and conclusions from Stage Three of the work carried out by Ireland can be found in the National Report for the Republic of Ireland - A study of the Irish Public Transport Situation in Relation to Improving Mobility and Accessibility for People with Learning Disabilities.
Three Irish organisations were revealed who currently operate public transport and include provision of transport for individuals with learning difficulties or mental disabilities. Case studies were prepared on the three organisations, ECAT, (East Clare Accessible Transport - a rural community transport project), Vantastic (a public transport system developed for people with disabilities) and LUAS ( Dublin light rail).
The Case Studies prepared for Stage Four of the Maple project from Ireland can be found in the National Report for the Republic of Ireland - A study of the Irish Public Transport Situation in Relation to Improving Mobility and Accessibility for People with Learning Disabilities.