Local disability support and community groups, supported by the Chesterfield Equality and Diversity Forum, are to hold a free event during National Inclusion Week and Chesterfield residents are invited to come along.
Hosted alongside various disability organisations, the aim of the day is to spread awareness and show support around accessibility and inclusion in the Chesterfield area.
The inclusion day will take place Tuesday 24 September between 10am and 3pm at New Square, and Grace Chapel in Chesterfield town centre.
Partners including the NHS, RNIB, Accessible UK, Deaf-intely Women, Derbyshire All Age Carer Support Service, Scope, Peaky Blindies sight support group, Building Bridges support group, Scope, Grace Chapel, Feeling Connected DVA, Mindscapes support group, Chesterfield Shop Mobility and Pain Inspired (chronic pain support group) and many more will be on hand throughout the event to offer advice and support information.
A key aim of the initiative to is to create a better understanding of the experiences of people who have a disability, including the challenges that they may face in everyday life. To help highlight some of these issues, attendees will take part in an initiative called ‘a moment in our shoes’ – supported by local social enterprise, Kakou.
Those taking part in the event will use vision glasses supplied by RNIB and headphones supplied by Deaf-intely Women to enable them to ‘walk’ in the shoes of individuals with various disabilities, including visual and hearing impairment, limited mobility, wheelchair use, and hidden disabilities or learning disabilities, to truly understand the challenges they face.
They will be interviewed and filmed to capture their thoughts and reflections, and this will be used to create a short film after the event - further spreading the message of inclusivity.
Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of the Council, said: “Having the opportunity to experience real life situations and understand the issues people are facing will help to inform our decision making and have a positive impact in our town.”
Karen Lawson, a social prescriber who works together with local GP practices to support people in managing their disabilities, has helped to organise the event.
She said: "I'm inspired by the people in our community who face daily challenges of accessibility and inclusion. Their voice is often not heard.
"They are asking decision-makers and the community to spend 'a moment in our shoes' so they know what it feels like.
"Through art, performance, hands-on experiences, talks and sharing the passion of our community we can use this event to help make our town a positive, shining, example of inclusion."
National Inclusion Week is an annual week of activities and events that aim to highlight the importance of inclusion across the UK. It runs from 23rd to 29th September 2024.
