East Cork Area Development (ECAD) is an organisation established to promote prosperity in the region, one of the bread baskets of Munster. Midleton is the prosperous town at the centre of the area, which includes Youghal and Carrigtwohill, among others. This is rich and productive farming country, which acts as a major supplier to the food-processing industry.
Some years ago the residents there fought a protracted battle to prevent the pharmaceutical company, Merrill Dow, from establishing a £30 million plant in the heart of the Womanagh Valley, one of the richest dairy pastures in the province. Despite its clout and avowed image as a corporation not easily given to backing down, Merrill Dow went away. The residents, without funding or public relations back-up, won.
Now comes news from Midleton of an interesting initiative. ECAD has started a disability interest group, its aim is to make Midleton a disability-friendly town. The organisation has joined forces with the East Cork Wheelchair Association and Midleton Urban District Council on the project and expects to avail of EU funding.
The idea is to raise awareness locally concerning disability issues. The local authority, having sought the views of the relevant groups, will then do everything in its power to ensure that structures, policies and practice will take into account the needs of the disabled. This is a pilot project, the first of its kind in the State.
The ECAD chairman, Mr John Coleman, describes Midleton as one of the fastest-growing towns in Ireland. But it must, he adds, be attractive to all sectors of the community, not just the able-bodied. The project is one that could give a lead to towns throughout Europe.
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