After traveling around Dublin and going on some site visits, I noticed how some of the sites, such as the Dublin Castle, are inaccessible. I understand that the city is old and did not keep individuals with disabilities in mind when being constructed, but it is unfortunate that an individual with a wheelchair would not be able to experience the Dublin Castle in the same way that I am. I did notice that the Guinness Storehouse had multiple elevators and would be relatively easy to maneuver a wheelchair around the exhibit. However, the individual may not be able to partake in pouring his or her own pint of Guinness as the tap on the bar is high up. While there are elevators in the exhibit, many people use them to get to the highest floor so they do not spill their beer. Therefore making the elevator waiting time significantly longer than usual. This experience has really opened my eyes to accessibility and what it means to be inclusive.

I enjoyed the talk at Inclusion Ireland today, especially when he opened up about his son. I never thought about individuals with intellectual disabilities going to bars on  Saturday nights and how overwhelming it can be. In Ireland drinking is not only a part of the culture, but also a normal thing for an eighteen year old to do. I never thought about how isolating it must be to not be able to go to the bar with friends since there is no accessible way of getting there. Inclusion Ireland made me more aware of the programs and opportunities that need to be put into place for teenagers with intellectual disabilities. The individuals do not have to drink, but at least experience their own culture and be around individuals of the same age.  I am looking forward to the conferences and am interested in seeing if there is any correlation between what we have noticed as a class and what the conferences will discuss.