The Bloody Sunday Trust alongside founder of Children in Crossfire Richard Moore today unveiled an addition to the iconic Free Derry Corner.
The slogan on the wall has now been immortalised in braille for those with impaired eyesight to enjoy the historic monument.
Richard Moore was blinded at the age of 10 after being shot by a rubber bullet fired by a British soldier and lost his uncle Gerard McKinney on Bloody Sunday.
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He spoke to a crowd at Free Derry Corner and discussed the significance in this inclusionary statement.
He said: "I want to say how much of an honour and a privilege it is for me to be here today. I want to particularly acknowledge my Uncle Gerard McKinney who was shot on Bloody Sunday.
"I was able to see when Bloody Sunday happened and I remember going to the wake over in the waterside of my uncle Gerard and I could see how traumatised my late Aunt Ida was, so I want to acknowledge my late Aunt Ida and the family as well.
“For me, as a blind person, I am just delighted that such an iconic image of the Free Derry wall is being used in this way and I think all credit to the Bloody Sunday Trust to make it a wall for all and reach out beyond the Bogside and Derry itself.
"There are many people out there with disabilities who suffer and struggle every day and they will get inspiration from this, they will know people are thinking about them and do care about them. Over 75% of blind people who are able to work cannot get jobs and are unemployed. So it is campaigns like this that raise awareness around disability issues and hopefully the conversation will continue beyond this."
Richard commended the efforts of the Bloody Sunday families, who face their own personal struggles around this time but still create events for the people of Derry to come together.
He said: "I think that with all the events that are organised this week and I am sure there is mayhem and madness around the organising of it, behind it all is a group of families.
"John’s family and other families who are still dealing with the anniversary of the loss of their loved one and I am very conscious of that. The Bloody Sunday families have been a power of strength and a power of real resilience and have been a great example to me over the years."
John Kelly of the Bloody Sunday Trust recognised the significance of this new addition to Free Derry Corner, as those with impaired sight will now feel physically connected with the monument itself.
He said: "Free Derry Corner has had many different faces over the years, today is very different. Today is an important occasion whereby the braille translation will now be on the wall, forever hopefully, and people from all over the world who have difficulty seeing can visit the wall itself. Richard made the point that you’re actually going to be able to feel it, which is brilliant altogether."
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