Offenders are in for a double yellow footprint reprimand
Wednesday April 29 2009
ANYONE noticing a trail of bright yellow footprints stretched out along Wicklow's footpaths needn't worry if they believed it's the result of a giant yellow man pacing local streets.
Instead this latest initiative is all part of East Glendalough School's Young Social Innovators Award entry, concentrating on the access problems faced by people with disabilities as they try to manoeuvre around the town.
Already pupils have brought Cllr. Conal Kavanagh around the streets and footpaths of Wicklow blindfolded so he can experience some of the difficulties encountered by people with sight problems.
Meanwhile, Cllr. Irene Winters was pushed around in a wheelchair, proving how unsuitable Wicklow's narrow paths are for people with mobility difficulties.
On Friday students set about letting motorists know that by parking up on the foothpath, they are often obstructing people with disabilities. To get their point across, they painted a series of yellow footprints near the edge of various footpaths in town. Yellow stickers will soon also be placed on offending vehicles.
So next time you decide to park up on the footpath, and happen to notice a line of yellow footprints nearby, take into consideration whose access you might actually be blocking.
