York Disability Week starts
The programme of events are running from today until the 4th December, and will include York Paralympian Beth Moulam.
York Disability Week is in its 5th year, as it gets underway today (Saturday 27th November).
Mainly led by disabled people and free to attend, some of the events are online (or both online and in-person) and some are in-person only.
The group say all of their in-person events this year have had to be held outside the city centre because of changes to footstreet restrictions.
The organisers this year have the support of York Paralympian, Beth Moulam. Beth represented GB at boccia at the Tokyo Paralympic games in September.
Marilyn Crawshaw is chair of the planning group of York Disability Week, as part of the York Human Rights City Network:
"It's grown over the years with all sorts of events to help a wide range of people. Sadly it means they have to be outside the footstreet areas of York because of changes. It's really quite shocking, not only to disabled people but to others that the Council Executive have made the changes permanent.
"I know there's a big campaign to reverse that and I hope it does get reverse. Ironically we have a speaker from the Equality and Human Rights Commission for the UK, talking about how you can make use of equality and human rights law locally.
"There are also a lot of fun things happening, debates, musical events and art exhibitions. There's quite a range.
"Coming together is always good for all of us, especially with the time we spent isolated during the pandemic. Many disabled people had to shield, so their lives were particularly affected. A lot of the events will also include people who are not disabled - anything that brings us together in shared spaces is good for all of us.
"We want to look at how we can change attitudes for the better, along at looking at health and social care services in the city.
"We're delighted that Beth (Moulam) is joining us. It's been great to get to know her, and she's been very supportive of our campaigns. She's been speaking out about disability rights since she was a child, and has been a great advocate. She's just great to have on board".
There are musical events (including one using Makaton), an ‘open-mike’ poetry evening, an inclusive Christmas Fayre, and art exhibitions. Events for those interested in learning more about their rights include 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, an event on moving into employment with a chronic illness, and one 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 ones on Church, Disability and Faith, on 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, has a session about how to use their service and that of York AccessAble, which provides accessible information on venues in York.
Last week a City of York Council spokesperson spoke to us about the footstreet restrictions:
"The council has a duty to protect the lives of residents and visitors, but we know that doing so as effectively as the police advise will have a significant impact on some blue badge holders.
"We have been listening to and discussing alternative access arrangements with blue badge holders for over two years.
"Proposals to improve access across the city include reintroducing blue badge access and parking on Castlegate from September, and invest in additional blue badge parking bays in the city centre.
"We have also committed to improve footways and access to toilets, install benches, create a new Access Officer role to lead on future access work, and explore the potential for an electric shuttle bus to help disabled people get into and around the city centre.
"We know that these measures will make a difference for many Blue Badge holders in the city and we will continue to engage with residents and partners on these issues."