Down Disability Forum Launches Second Annual Report

Forum Chairman William McKeown said, “Areas of major concern to the Forum continue to be the increasing difficulties that may arise in the health service due to the continued reduction of budgets and the negative impact these may have on people with disabilities. [caption id="attachment_27982" align="alignleft" width="400" caption="At the launch of the second Disability Forum Report were, back row, Tom McClean, Down District Council Project Officer, Beth McKeown, Sinead McConville, South Eastern Trust Occupational Therapist, Robert Sharpe, DOE Road Services, Richard Beattie, Wiliam Keown Trust Surveyor, Brian Dummigan, Senior Citizens, and front row, Mrs Burke, representing visually impaired, Liam McLernon, Council Equality and Policy Officer, William McKeown, Forum Chairman, and Councillor Liam Johnston, Down District Council Vice Chairman."][/caption] “The Forum has also been contacted regarding vandalism in the district, specifically to toilet facilities which is especially relevant to tourist areas where businesses are losing much needed revenue when services have to close early due to anti-social behaviour. I wish to thank all the Forum members and agencies for their continued support and involvement in our work.” The Disability Forum has a diverse membership which includes representatives from the William Keown Trust, Mencap, PAPA, Alzheimers Society, East Down Rural Community Network, South Eastern HSC Trust, Down PSNI, Senior Citizens, Down District Council and Road Services. Through the past year, the presentations regarding Down District Council Access Audit, Downpatrick Arts Centre Extension, Active Community Programme, Be Safe Stay Safe project, Accessible Transport Strategic Action Plan 200902012, Parking Enforcement and Disability Age and Equipment.]]>