National Assembly celebrates Day of Disabled People.
The National Assembly for Wales will host a celebration to mark the International Day of Disabled People on Wednesday 3 December. Working with disability voluntary organisations, the programme will include:
Accessible Acting-performance workshop by Disability Arts Cymru;
Presentation by Welsh 2008 Paralympians;
Discussions on disability rights and action plans;
Stalls and displays by representatives of disabled groups;
Showing a DVD on the accessibility of public buildings in Wales.
Partners taking part in the event include Disability Wales, Scope Cymru, Terrence Higgins Trust, All Wales Black and Minority Ethnic Mental Health Group. Events will take place at various locations in the Senedd and in Ty Hywel.
Lorraine Barrett AM, Assembly Commissioner with responsibility for equality said:
“I am delighted that the Assembly Commission is hosting this celebration to mark International Day of Disabled People 2008 with partners from across the public and voluntary sectors. 2008 is a significant year for disabled people. Earlier this year, the United Nations joined forces with the Convention on the Rights of Disabled People to create a protocol that sets out the obligations of member states to promote and protect the rights of disabled people. 2008 is also the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. I believe that it is a good opportunity to note these landmark events with the activities we have planned.”
Lord Dafydd Elis Thomas AM, Presiding Officer, added:
“The International Day of Disabled People was first celebrated by the United Nations over twenty years ago and provides an opportunity to raise awareness and promote equality for disabled people. Today we will have the opportunity to celebrate the achievements and contribution of disabled people to Welsh society. We will also be able to discuss what further can be achieved for and by disabled people and how we can challenge and remove potential barriers to equality for disabled people.”
The Assembly Commission recently published its single Equality Scheme which sets out its approach to promoting equality across all the equality strands. Its accompanying action plan sets out our equality objectives, including those for promoting disability equality. Copies are available from National Assembly launches its Equality Scheme