On Thursday, July 24th,  a diverse group of community members, local authority representatives, and advocacy groups came together in Dungarvan for a Walkability Audit as part of Waterford’s Age Friendly Programme.

The event, which began at the Council Chamber in the Civic Offices, aimed to assess how accessible the town centre is for people of all ages and abilities.

The audit forms a key action under the Age Friendly Action Plan 2025 for Waterford, with a focus on identifying barriers to mobility for older adults, people with disabilities, and those with sensory or mobility challenges. Participants walked a designated route through Dungarvan town centre, observing and recording issues such as uneven footpaths, inadequate crossing points, poor signage, and general accessibility concerns while also acknowledging areas that are easily accessible.

Stakeholders in attendance

Stakeholders in attendance included representatives from the Age Friendly Ireland National Programme, Waterford City and County Council, members of the Waterford Older People’s Council, Waterford PPN, St John’s Special School, Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber, An Garda Síochána, Local Link along with local advocacy groups including Autism Support Dungarvan, Vision Ireland, the Irish Wheelchair Association, Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind and the Alzheimer Society of Ireland. Their collective insights and lived experiences provided a valuable, varied and practical perspective on the town’s walkability.

Following the walk, participants gathered for a debrief session where feedback was shared and discussed. This input will now be compiled into a formal report to inform future planning and infrastructure improvements in Dungarvan.

Improved accessibility

Claire Flavin, Age Friendly Programme Manager Waterford City and County Council, extended sincere thanks to everyone who participated and contributed to the initiative and added, “This event highlighted the importance of inclusive design, awareness and community collaboration in creating a safer, more accessible environment for everyone.

“The feedback and observations from the exercise proved extremely insightful and will allow us to create a roadmap to significantly improve accessibility for all.”

Further information on the Age Friendly Programme for Waterford can be obtained from agefriendly@waterfordcouncil.ie or by calling 058 22035.

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