Make Way Day is a Disability Federation of Ireland public awareness campaign, highlighting everyday obstacles that block the way of people with disabilities across Ireland. Make Way Day is not about pointing the finger at local authorities, ESB or other agencies, but about raising awareness of barriers that are within the public’s power to change.
Common obstacles include:
- Cars parked on footpaths
- Wheelie bins, kegs, and sandwich boards on footpaths
- Overgrown hedges
- Bikes tied to lampposts or railings
These barriers can prevent people from moving safely around their communities and can lead to isolation. As one disability campaigner explained, encountering repeated obstacles can make people feel they have no option but to turn back or stay at home. Sometimes obstacles can even put people in danger as they may have to leave the footpath to go around them.
The message of Make Way Day is simple:
“Hey, this blocks my way!”
By highlighting these issues, the campaign encourages greater awareness of everyday actions that can make public spaces more accessible for everyone.
Each year on 29 May, people with disabilities and their supporters take part in a national day of action, placing easy to ‘peel-off’ stickers on obstacles they encounter. Photos are shared on social media using #MakeWayDay. It is not the policy of the campaign to highlight car registration numbers or identifiable information. When sharing photographs these should be blanked out.
The campaign continues to grow, with strong support from local authorities, national and local media coverage, and backing from An Garda Síochána, who also launch their own campaign, Operation Enable on the same day.
Make Way Day brings together the disability community and the wider public for one clear, coordinated day of action to create awareness leading to more accessible communities.
DFI hope you can get involved on 29 May – If you require stickers or other items please contact by 15 May.