My cspe cba by Libby McCormack

What is my CBA on?

23lmccormack — 2025-05-02 08:27:45 UTC

I've decided to do my CSPE CBA on the accessibility of Croke Park.

Why did I choose this?

23lmccormack — 2025-05-02 08:29:16 UTC

I chose to do it on this as Croke Park is a massive part of being Irish. Our culture is our sport and its important we can all enjoy it, disability or not.

What I hoped to achieve

23lmccormack — 2025-05-02 08:40:44 UTC

From this CBA, I hoped to achieve a sense of clarity on how it is dealing with disabilities and also trying to enjoy life. My goal was to put myself in the shoes of someone who may be visually impaired, or deaf, or a wheelchair user, or any other disability that may not be visible.

How I contributed to the action

23lmccormack — 2025-05-02 08:49:50 UTC

I contributed to this action by visting Croke Park and going on a tour around the stadium.

What I learned

23lmccormack — 2025-05-09 07:54:06 UTC

Whilst on my tour of Croke Park, I noticed and learned many things.

For starters, the tour guide was very educated on all the facilities they had and why they had them.

23lmccormack — 2025-05-09 07:58:21 UTC

When it came to people who could've been visually impaired, there wasn't a lot of things in place to help. There was no braille on any of the signs, and the floor didn't have any tactile paving on it, which would help the visually impaired identify hazards such as stairs or help them find their way around the park

Visually Impaired Individuals

23lmccormack — 2025-05-09 07:58:41 UTC

23lmccormack — 2025-05-09 08:03:17 UTC

I know some people may argue that visually impaired individuals wouldn't be going to a match as they can't watch, but that's not the only thing that people go there for, and visually impaired isn't totally blind!!!

People may also go to Croke Park for a concert or a meeting, and may have problems with their eyesight. There are many areas where there is a massive drop due to stares that someone with eyesight problems could fall or trip down, and it could cause serious damage

Wheelchair Users

23lmccormack — 2025-05-09 08:03:40 UTC

23lmccormack — 2025-05-09 08:07:51 UTC

In Croke Park, there were a few things i noticed that weren't very accessible.

The steps up to the seating were steep and narrow, and the seats themselves were barely big enough for an able bodied person to navigate. There was a ramp, which went from each floor all the way down to the front of the park, although it was kind of unnecessary as you couldn't even find a seat to sit in due to the size and location of the seats.

Hard of Hearing Individuals

23lmccormack — 2025-05-09 08:09:08 UTC

23lmccormack — 2025-05-09 08:10:10 UTC

In my opinion, people who struggle with hearing loss have the most accessibility features. Hearing isn't a very important factor for watching a match as you can see what's happening, and if you were deaf, you probably wouldn't be going to a concert.

If you're there alone, and struggling to find your way around, there are massive signs located around the park, and you can also get a map of the park to help you find where your'e going to.

23lmccormack — 2025-05-09 08:11:27 UTC

Although, in the bathrooms, the stalls were very big, and the last one on the left was particularly large, and could fit a wheelchair user and a wheelchair assistant, if they required one.

23lmccormack — 2025-05-09 08:15:13 UTC

The font on signs was quite big, and there were very obvious arrows pointing to areas, but this would only apply to those who hadn't fully lost their vision

What skills I've developed

23lmccormack — 2025-05-09 08:27:46 UTC

Due to this CBA, I have noticed myself looking out for different things, like braille and tactile pavement, when I'm out and about.

My opinions and attitudes

23lmccormack — 2025-05-09 08:35:10 UTC

23lmccormack — 2025-05-12 09:00:34 UTC

This CBA really opened my eyes to how some people struggle with everyday tasks. The way I have started thinking about things is the way that I think everyone should be thinking, and I think going on a tour like this is really beneficial to your understanding of the world around you so that you can better help disabled individuals

My overall reflections on learning and what does this mean for me now and into the future

23lmccormack — 2025-05-12 09:02:33 UTC

23lmccormack — 2025-05-12 09:04:03 UTC

This CBA has helped me look differently at how certain things may be designed and how difficult navigating everyday life can be for people

23lmccormack — 2025-05-12 09:04:23 UTC

Additionally, it also made me think about how limiting it can be in a social aspect. For example, being a wheelchair user and not being able to sit with your friends in a cinema because there's no spot to park a wheelchair, or maybe even just wanting to go to a concert for your birthday but you suffer with crohn's, and there aren't any bathrooms that are easily accessible, or have a disabled toilet which you could use in case of an emergency

Real life scenarios!!!!!

23lmccormack — 2025-05-12 09:13:18 UTC

21-year-old Matthew McGrath was trying to watch Leinster take on Northampton Saints last Saturday from the accessible section but was obstructed any time supporters in the Cusack Stand jumped to their feet.

23lmccormack — 2025-05-12 09:21:20 UTC

Although there were screens, he noted that they were a few seconds behind and by the time the screen was showing what had happened, the moment was over on the pitch. Him and his dad, Alan, who brings him to these games, were very disappointed. They said that this had happened a few years back, and they hoped the problem would've been solved by now, but alas, it's ongoing.

It is heartbreaking that people can't simply enjoy the match just because they're a wheelchair user, like Matthew, who suffers from