RTE presents a new 6-part radio docu-series that brings a personal perspective to life for physically disabled people in Ireland. Produced by Independent Radio Producer, Susan Dennehy, ‘Last One on the Train’ provides a 26 minute window into the lives of each of the six young participants as they navigate their day-to-day in a wheelchair.
The series;
- Follows 6 people who use a wheelchair, going about their lives
- Highlights the chronic ableism at play in Ireland – physical barriers, ableist attitudes, systemic discrimination.
- The series was created by independent radio producer Susan Dennehy, who has a 19 year old daughter who uses a wheelchair fulltime;
‘I know that we have a big problem with ableism in this country because I witness it. As a society we are very ill-informed about disability and disabled people are often underestimated, disrespected and patronised. In terms of the built environment, wheelchair access standards are low with the result that wheelchair users are often excluded from work, social life and services. If any other person were refused entry to a building or a train because of who they were there in this
Episode 4 Sophia
In an effort to achieve their goal of access for all, politically minded teenager, Sophia Mulvany and her Dad, Bernard highlight what it’s like to negotiate your first disco and Ireland’s public transport system in a wheelchair.
