OscailtAccessibility within Ireland in the 21st centuryTo be able, or not to be able, that is the question
Breaking news: Italian MP, Sgarbi denounces the Statistical Fraud on COVID-19. The speech of the Member of Parliament Vittorio Sgarbi in the session of the Italian Camera, Meeting no. 331 of Friday 24, April, 2020. Vittorio Sgarbi, denounces the closure of 60% of the businesses for 25,000 COVID-19 Deaths, of which the National Institute of Health says 96.3% died NOT of COVID-19 but of other pathologies. That means only 925 have died of the virus. 24,075 have died of other things.2006-04-08T22:50:26+00:00Indymedia Irelandimc-ireland@lists.indymedia.iehttp://www.indymedia.ie/atomfullposts?story_id=75135http://www.indymedia.ie/graphics/feedlogo.gifBrilliant articlehttp://www.indymedia.ie/article/75135#comment1452792006-04-08T22:50:26+00:00JoanneHey john,
I jst wanted to say what a brilliant article!
I just feel so appalle...Hey john,<br />
<br />
I jst wanted to say what a brilliant article!<br />
<br />
I just feel so appalled at the simple things that could be changed or put in place for people wih disabilities but are not being done. stickershttp://www.indymedia.ie/article/75135#comment1453832006-04-10T11:39:56+00:00lhow bout stickers of that no wheelchair sign, which can be handily stuck where t...how bout stickers of that no wheelchair sign, which can be handily stuck where there's no access?Nice one lhttp://www.indymedia.ie/article/75135#comment1454012006-04-10T14:23:42+00:00John AherneSuperb idea, and it would open a lot of people’s eyes but to be honest I don’t t...Superb idea, and it would open a lot of people’s eyes but to be honest I don’t think it would make a blind bit of difference, unless it was done on a nationwide scale. But would you like to be in a position where you see these signs every two minutes? I know I wouldn’t.<br />
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When you think of it, come election time, polititions like Bertie and our poster child minister for health post their pictures all over the place and people still vote them in so the logical assumption can be made that people just ignore the signs that surround them.sometimes i have to laugh...http://www.indymedia.ie/article/75135#comment1454332006-04-10T17:59:09+00:00alchemillathanks for the article, as a sometime wheelchair user (i have ME/CFS, which some...thanks for the article, as a sometime wheelchair user (i have ME/CFS, which sometimes means I can't walk very far, or at all), the only way I seem to be able to handle situations like you've found yourself in is by seeing how ludicrous they are. I was travelling in London last year, with my chair, on the Docklands light railway, which has been built to be totally accessible. Fantastic I thought! and mostly it was great, until I came to the automatic ticket machine, with the fancy touch screen. Like alot of liquid crystal screens, you needed to be a certain height to actually read it! everything else was accessible, no steps, great lifts, even buttons that I could press, but i couldn't read the damn thing!<br />
well, it made me laugh... and then i got on the train without purchasing a ticket (well i couldn't could i, think that would stand up in a court of law), so i got a free ride too.<br />
it really wasn't until i spent any time in a wheelchair that i really appreciated how many barriers there are to accessing everyday life, i think everyone designing buildings and public space should spend at least a couple of days in one, it would really open their minds.<br />
exGreat Articlehttp://www.indymedia.ie/article/75135#comment1454362006-04-10T18:23:06+00:00M Cotton'Yes people with disabilities have rights, as does anyone else in this god forsa...'Yes people with disabilities have rights, as does anyone else in this god forsaken country. But what is the point in having all these rights. '<br />
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Not sure exactly what you meant by this but actually, people with disability dont have rights not least because of the awful Disability Act 2005. It is the absence of enforceable, legislated rights that is at the root of the difficulties you describe. That's why people go on designing buildings that exclude wheelchair users. That's why nobody is accountable for the fact that they do. And there are a million other examples of obstacles to living a full life which would be eliminated if there was rights-based accountability. I dont want to hijack this thread but anyone reading this article needs to be aware of the Disability Election Pledge Alliance, a countrywide alliance of voluntary groups dedicated to establishing enforceable rights for people with disability. (There is a link to another article announcing the DEPA campaign above.) If you want to make a difference, please support this campaign.<br />
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Also, the person in munster who runs the wheelchair accessible B&B is herself quadraplegic and is really only in a position to open the B&B in the summer months. It's not at all a question of not bothering to open it so do use it if you want a hassle free break. Ive seen it and it is very good. Miriamhttp://www.indymedia.ie/article/75135#comment1454692006-04-10T22:55:31+00:00John Aherne'Yes people with disabilities have rights, as does anyone else in this god forsa...<strong>'Yes people with disabilities have rights, as does anyone else in this god forsaken country. But what is the point in having all these rights. ' </strong><br />
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Prior to reading a few of your articles I was under the illusion that people with disabilities had rights, well now I’m not too sure. I only gave highlights as to what obstacles are out there and didn’t elaborate, nor did I nit pick as to what constitutes as catering for the disabled. Fourteen years in the chair and the only real difference that I have noticed in catering for the disabled are the dips done in the footpaths and the odd ramp thrown in for good measure. And yes in a perfect world if all obstacles were removed, life would be a hell of a lot easier. The way I look at things, Christopher Reeves was in a chair and spent every waking minute trying to get out of it, surrounded by “yes” men, where as with me I just get on with it and make the most of what’s there rather than me banging my head against a brick wall and still get shafted.<br />
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I am not familiar with the DEPA, but curiosity is getting the better of me so I will look into it. I have also got my hands on a copy of the Disability Act 2005 which no doubt tell me how much of a valid person I really am. Regarding the B&B in Munster, I have seen the website and I remember saying to myself that the person had to be a spinal injury, purely down to the thought that was put into it. So it’s time to swallow my pride and probably give it a lash as I didn’t know as to the level of injury the owner had.<br />
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Kind regards<br />
Johnplease dont take offencehttp://www.indymedia.ie/article/75135#comment1455412006-04-11T15:24:05+00:00an able bodied personmy experience is that ireland is not doing too badly , many many places are acce...my experience is that ireland is not doing too badly , many many places are accesible. Having travelled extensively through europe and the states, we are streets ahead of our european brethren. We are however very much behind the u.s.. In their case they voluntarily created legions of disabled people through their military forays. So go figure. <br />
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Sadly disability access is still just that , an issue with a title. And that's a pity.Absolutely no offence takenhttp://www.indymedia.ie/article/75135#comment1455622006-04-11T17:04:00+00:00John AherneTo a degree Ireland isn’t doing too badly. But there is no point in having all t...To a degree Ireland isn’t doing too badly. But there is no point in having all that money in government when there isn't the intelligence there to spend it wisely. Sit in a chair for a few days and come back to me and tell me what your views are then regarding “places that are accessible”. I don’t live anywhere else in the world nor do I want to. So to be honest it’s irrelevant as to how much access is catered to in the U.S.<br />
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Also you might like to pay attention to the heading on the piece<strong>” Accessibility within Ireland in the 21st century“</strong><br />
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An issue without a title wouldn’t be much of an issue ! <br />
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All the same, many thanks for taking time out to skim through the article.Maybe you need to talk to a politician willing to listenhttp://www.indymedia.ie/article/75135#comment1466662006-04-21T23:12:28+00:00Seán RyanThen again maybe not.
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/75450
No political access...Then again maybe not.<br />
<a href="http://www.indymedia.ie/article/75450" title="http://www.indymedia.ie/article/75450">http://www.indymedia.ie/article/75450</a><br />
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No political accessibility either.I'm listeninghttp://www.indymedia.ie/article/75135#comment1466682006-04-22T00:07:23+00:00Keith Martin- CouncillorThanks for the link Sean,
I am trying to highlight the fact that in Westport, c...Thanks for the link Sean,<br />
<br />
I am trying to highlight the fact that in Westport, consulation is very low on the agenda when it comes to this issue but the more attention it gets the more likely positive action is.<br />
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Disability act 2005http://www.indymedia.ie/article/75135#comment1466812006-04-22T02:03:56+00:00John AherneLink to the Disability act in pdf formatLink to the Disability act in pdf formatrolling snowballshttp://www.indymedia.ie/article/75135#comment1483312006-05-07T16:14:07+00:00Seán RyanIt seems that the issues highlighted by John on Indy are finally sinking into th...It seems that the issues highlighted by John on Indy are finally sinking into the mainstream media.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ca=9&si=1610012&issue_id=14016" title="http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ca=9&si=1610012&issue_id=14016">http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ca=...14016</a><br />
<br />
If one doesn't have a password and username check out:<br />
<a href="http://www.bugmenot.com/view/www.unison.ie" title="http://www.bugmenot.com/view/www.unison.ie">http://www.bugmenot.com/view/www.unison.ie</a> (Many thanks to Redjade)<br />
<br />
If you use mozilla or firefox you can get a little addon to input passwords and usenames automatically:<br />
<a href="http://roachfiend.com/archives/2005/02/07/bugmenot/" title="http://roachfiend.com/archives/2005/02/07/bugmenot/">http://roachfiend.com/archives/2005/02/07/bugmenot/</a>Just to sayhttp://www.indymedia.ie/article/75135#comment1488962006-05-12T11:29:59+00:00SarahkayI'm an able bodied student who had absolutely NO idea of the barriers faced ever...I'm an able bodied student who had absolutely NO idea of the barriers faced every day by people with an impairment. On doing the tiniest bit of research for a college paper I<br />
ve just been astounded as to the lack of serious social provision. I found your article really interesting and will definitely be more aware of the difficulties imposed by society. It must be so incredibly frustrating to be told over and over that buildings will be accesible etc etc to find that NO thought has gone into the practicalities of such a task. It seems to put across the message that a these social provisions are just a gesture of goodwill instead of a necessity for equality.<br />
My eyes have been opened.....Warehousinghttp://www.indymedia.ie/article/75135#comment1493142006-05-16T13:43:28+00:00John AherneHi Sarah
Glad I opened someone’s eyes; I think we are a long way from change th...Hi Sarah<br />
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Glad I opened someone’s eyes; I think we are a long way from change though, purely down to two reasons.<br />
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1. Our government (I don’t think there is any need to elaborate further)<br />
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2. The financial side of it. <br />
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If you have been checking out the links on some of the comments above you will notice certain politicians when cornered just don’t give two fiddlers and end up showing their true colours (much like Bertie’s canary blazer)<br />
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If I can be of any help with your paper, please don’t hesitate to ask.<br />
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Regards,<br />
John.a starthttp://www.indymedia.ie/article/75135#comment1493402006-05-16T15:19:31+00:00Walking TallI like the idea of printing up stickers of that no wheelchairs sign which would ...I like the idea of printing up stickers of that no wheelchairs sign which would shame those who do not provide wheelchair access...<br />
<br />
here's one for now... but I'll get a better version done myself and upload it here.<br />
<a href="http://www.uloba.no/upload/nyhetsbilder/no_wheelchairs_stor.gif" title="http://www.uloba.no/upload/nyhetsbilder/no_wheelchairs_stor.gif">http://www.uloba.no/upload/nyhetsbilder/no_wheelchairs_...r.gif</a>Equal Status Acthttp://www.indymedia.ie/article/75135#comment1695372006-10-01T19:19:33+00:00johnUnder the Equal Status Act 2000/2004 service providers are obliged to make reaso...Under the Equal Status Act 2000/2004 service providers are obliged to make reasonable for disabled,check out <a href="http://www.equality.ie/index.asp?locID=77&docID=-1#q7" title="http://www.equality.ie/index.asp?locID=77&docID=-1#q7">http://www.equality.ie/index.asp?locID=77&docID=-1#q7</a> and see q7European Act is gonna hit in 2009, I can't wait to see what this bringshttp://www.indymedia.ie/article/75135#comment1735772006-10-29T18:03:06+00:00John AherneWhat are the provisions for the Reasonable Accommodation of people with disabili...<strong>What are the provisions for the Reasonable Accommodation of people with disabilities?</strong><br />
“A person selling goods or providing services, a person selling or letting accommodation or providing accommodation, educational institutions and clubs must do all that is reasonable to accommodate the needs of a person with a disability. This involves providing special treatment or facilities in circumstances where without these, it would be impossible or unduly difficult to avail of the goods, services, accommodation etc.”<br />
“However, they are not obliged to provide special facilities or treatment when this costs more than what is called a nominal cost. What amounts to nominal cost will depend on the circumstances such as the size and resources of the body involved. If the State provides grants or aids for assisting in providing special treatment or facilities, there may be an onus on the service providers etc. to avail of these grants”<br />
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There are two comments I would like to make.<br />
The first been the most important and the second purely because I have two seconds to spare<br />
1. Absolute BOLIX<br />
2. Government grant = Gesture. <br />
Contractors who design wheelchair accessible buildings = IQ of 15Please contact me.http://www.indymedia.ie/article/75135#comment1795492006-12-15T23:00:31+00:00PatWould the author of this article please contact me for a paper I am doing. I am ...Would the author of this article please contact me for a paper I am doing. I am very interested in what you have written.<br />
<br />
My e-mail address is lukiemac@hotmail.com<br />
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Regards,<br />
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PatM.Cotton :o(http://www.indymedia.ie/article/75135#comment1863892007-03-12T20:56:36+00:00Jack LGreat Article
by M Cotton - Disability Election Pledge Alliance Mon Apr 10, 200...Great Article<br />
by M Cotton - Disability Election Pledge Alliance Mon Apr 10, 2006 17:23<br />
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Way to go woman!!!!<br />
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This bloke goes away and writes a superb article and you go away and stick your oar in to mention the group your in to draw attention to you.<br />
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Shameful, absaloutely shameful.<br />
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To John,<br />
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Fair play,well written and I would love to read anything else you have writtenVery goodhttp://www.indymedia.ie/article/75135#comment2136742007-11-25T16:30:12+00:00Teresa shallowt_shallow at hotmail dot comHi
John
Wow that was a very good artical that you have wrote.
It would be grea...Hi <br />
John<br />
Wow that was a very good artical that you have wrote. <br />
It would be great if our government took notice off all the needs of the disabled person persons but hell will freeze over before they do. <br />
Ow yes they say they do but as in your story it clearly states the people are still very ignorant to the needs of the disabled,<br />
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Teresa x x Accessibility for people with Disabilities.....what about dogs as companions.http://www.indymedia.ie/article/75135#comment2368282008-09-29T17:40:07+00:00Michelle ClarkeTeresa Shallow
I just came across your posting and am unsure if you were being ...Teresa Shallow<br />
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I just came across your posting and am unsure if you were being sarcastic about the Government and their lack of heed.<br />
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Awareness and perspectives with me are a little amiss but I do know that I have visited the NDA and collected lots of brochures regarding disability. There was one in particular about Accessibility and for some reason, the intrellectually weak comprehensive part of me became overly converned about why such a publication did not mention Companion dogs.<br />
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As always happens with my letters, nobody gave me the simple answer......that dogs are not covered by the Accessibility Report.<br />
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Now again, I ask why.....several years later are dogs so excluded in Ireland. We face recession, Government are alreaddy targetting medical cards and the elderly - what else will be targetted.<br />
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I wrote about Accessibility several times but to no avail. Eventually I copped on......people drafting the reports were totally unaware of dogs and their abilities to assist humans.<br />
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To mention a few of the abilities<br />
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Agoraphobia: Fear of going out. Needs no further explanation. Yet pubs, restaurants and coffee shops pay no regard these very real psychological problems<br />
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Autism: There has been a move forward here and thankfully for children. Dogs enhance the social impaired skills and when the dogs work successfully with children, they can make some as simple as walking through a supermarket, without fear a real possibility.<br />
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Watch a 'Seeing Dog' operate. They direct a person, give friendship, advertise the cause to ensure a many people with sight get assistance. Dogs make people interact - I have learned this since Jack entered my life. I walk Jack in Herbert Park and Baggot Street and we sit together alongside Patrick Kavanagh at the Canal - we have met young and old, dogs and owners, dogs lost and made many friends. I thank Jack for that. Thanks to Jack we have found another home for JJ, a Jack Russell that a road worker had taken after his elderly owner died. This Jack Russell is now the delight of a family from Baggot Street.<br />
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Think about dogs in the homes of those with neurological problems. They act as the watch dog, they fetch the phone, the fill the washing machines.<br />
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Then look to the Scientific magazine articles and note the increasingly confidence in the fact that dogs diagnose cancer and other problems.<br />
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Dogs have massive potential to create a safer environment. Yes, their scent skills are remarkable and their work seeking out illegal drugs on our beaches, at our airports - look to the potential. Apparently someone in Longford has established a wacky concept. He takes trained dogs to party, pub locations on a pre-arranged basis with the host, with the aim of seeking out illegal substances. There is huge scope here......Give the dogs accessibility to open spaces, and they will ensure that illegal drugs will be curbed and destroyed while people can expect better health and hopefully an avoidance of disability.<br />
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Lastly, there is stress and anxiety. Given the financial crisis and the now announced Recession, let us consider wholeheartedly the benefits of animals to alleviate stress. The walking is good and the chat stops social alienation. Keep abreast of the websites : Gumtree - daily list of animals available. DSPA; Dog Trust Ireland; Peata.<br />
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Michelle Clarke<br />
<br />
St. Francis<br />
Faith<br />
'Go and do not worry<br />
Do not say that something is impossible'Disability and progression through access to education, technologyhttp://www.indymedia.ie/article/75135#comment2478912009-03-19T04:18:16+00:00Michelle ClarkeJohn
Excellent article and it makes one think for a while about Difference and o...John<br />
Excellent article and it makes one think for a while about Difference and our expectations.<br />
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My education was gaining access to the disabilities room in Trinity College and the introduction to people who were paraplegic, cerebral palsy, blind, and TBI and damage to certain areas of the brain.<br />
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All academically excelled apart from a few like me.......I surrendered a folder of work to the Dean with relevant essays. There it ends I am one essay off the BESS degree but Trinity thought me how to cope with acquired illness and find any niche of a talent and not be afraid to share it.<br />
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TO TAOISEACH MR. COWEN<br />
PLEASE DON'T BE TOO HARD ON CARERS<br />
THINK OF THE WORK INVOLVED. IT IS PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, AND MENTALLY TIRING.<br />
<br />
IT MIXES DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF PEOPLE TOGETHER. 'DIVERSITY IN UNITY' AS PER JOHN HUMESerious mooting of removing carers for the elderly and the disabledhttp://www.indymedia.ie/article/75135#comment2480682009-03-21T12:20:44+00:00Michelle ClarkeThis would be pure tragedy.
Carers are vital to people who need them and must p...This would be pure tragedy.<br />
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Carers are vital to people who need them and must prove to be a much cheaper alternative to the upkeep of hospitals and care homes. For a start it keeps the person interactive.<br />
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Just look to the success in the last 10 years, when the Universities of Ireland opened up to people with disabilities.......They gave them a jump start in learning to cope with a different society.<br />
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Recall the Special Olympics!!!!<br />
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Look at the impact horse riding has for some disabled children<br />
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Think of dogs and how they assist the blind and autistic children (an autistic child able to enter the supermarket with the dog, whereas this was never the case before).<br />
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Adopted dogs, Paws, dogs to mind the elderly, dogs to sniff out drugs.......This is all about Accessibility to Society.<br />
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If you get a chance visit the National Disability Association in Dublin 4. There are plenty of research reports and a library.<br />
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Think of the Ramps and allocation of space on Busses.....% anyway<br />
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Think of lifts in the big stores<br />
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Think of the impact of computerisation and real mobility of labour.......<br />
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Michelle