Promoting an equal, inclusive and accessible York
Now in its 5th year, the twenty-two events in York Disability Week (27th Nov to 4th Dec) offer something for people of all ages, disabled or not. They are mainly led by disabled people and are free to attend. As the Covid-19 pandemic is still very much with us, some are online (or both online and in-person) and some are in-person only. Making them accessible is very important to us, so if anyone needs additional support to take part, they can contact us and we’ll try to help.
The organisers are delighted this year to have the support of York Paralympian, Beth Moulam. Beth represented GB in boccia at the Tokyo Paralympic games in September. She came to the University of York in 2013 and said: “The welcome, acceptance and ongoing support that I received here in the city, both as a student and athlete, means I am now proud to call York my home.” Beth is right behind our aim to promote an equal, inclusive and accessible York. However, all our events are, sadly, held outside the footstreets area this year given the ongoing ban on Blue Badge users.
There are musical events (including one using Makaton), an ‘open mike’ poetry evening, an inclusive Christmas Fayre, and art exhibitions. For those interested in learning more about their rights, there are events on getting heard in Parliament, using equalities and human rights law locally, and hearing the results of a survey by York Disability Rights Forum about what disabled people want for York. There’s a lecture on the experience of disability in higher education, a presentation including Q&A about moving into employment with a chronic illness, and an event featuring a photography project about what it means to be autistic. A completely new venture this year, at York Explore (central library), involves young people becoming living, breathing ‘human books’ talking about living with visual impairment. Discussion opportunities include church, disability and faith, race and disability and a social meet up.
There’s the chance to hear about The Snappy Trust (with disabled children and young people) and Brunswick Organic Nursery (with adults with learning disabilities) including volunteering opportunities. And Live Well York, a City of York council service, is running a session about how to use both their service and that of York accessAble, which provides accessible information on venues in York.
The week includes the fifteenth anniversary of the United Nations International Day of Disabled People on 3rd December. It promotes their rights and well-being in all spheres of society and development, including political, social, economic and cultural life (www.idpwd.org; www.ukdhm.org).
If you want to find out more, or get a copy of the printed programme, our contact details are:
Email: disability@yorkhumanrights.org;
Web: www.yorkdisabilityweek.org;
Phone: 01904 702060;
Facebook: @YorkDisabilityWeek
