The European Year of People With Disabilities was launched in the Mansion House in Dublin yesterday by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, writes Róisín Ingle.
The initiative has been designed to raise awareness of the 37 million Europeans with disabilities.
Ms Angela Kerins, chairwoman of the National Co-ordinating Committee, told representatives of 500 different disability groups that the focus in Ireland during the year would be the concept that "we are all able".
"Each and every person in this room has various different abilities. We are all in our own way able to imagine, to create, to live, laugh, participate, work and achieve. We are all capable of contributing to society whether we have a disability or not," she said.
About 150 protesters were outside the Mansion House , accusing the Government of neglecting those with disabilities. While she did not acknowledge the protest, Ms Kerins said there were acute needs which required urgent attention, including an increase in residential places, independent living measures and respite care.
"Significant progress in these areas has been achieved," she told Mr Ahern, "but to use your own words 'a lot done, more to do'."
Following public consultation, four themes were chosen for the year; awareness-raising; employment; rights, responsibilities and partnership; youth and disability.
Mr Ahern said he was making €500,000 available to fund activities at local, regional and national levels.
This incentive, along with the Special Olympics in July, would provide an opportunity to reflect on how Ireland could be made more inclusive.
" There is no doubt things in Ireland have improved over the past few years but we still have an unacceptable situation where barriers to participation exist for those who are disabled," he said.
The crowd was entertained by the choir from St Mark's school and the Drake Music Project from Northern Ireland.
Also at the launch were the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr McDowell, Minister of State Mr Tim O'Malley, and the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Dermot Lacey.