WIREDGOV

The theme set this year by the United Nations is Break barriers, open doors: for an inclusive society for all, and the event, organised by the Welsh Government’s Mid Wales Disability Awareness and Support Group, looked at various ways of doing this, from considering the working environment to the interpretation of policies.  

Mark Colbourne believes that events such as these are extremely important in raising awareness and challenging people’s views:

“In Wales as in the rest of the UK we are fortunate to live in an enlightened society that aspires to offer equality of opportunities to all but there are still some things we can do better. This event as part of this important day gives us the opportunity to focus on key issues and how we address and overcome them.

“By sharing my personal experiences I hope to help others understand that some barriers remain for disabled people but with the right support there is no reason why they can’t be removed. My life now is all about ability not disability.”

In addition to Mark, Lee Coulson, a local man who has set up a wheelchair basketball league in mid-Wales, demonstrated how able bodied and disabled participants can participate equally in this sport. Lee is one of the three finalists announced in the WALES SPORT AWARDS in the category of ‘Coach to Disabled People of the Year’.  The results are to be announced on Monday, December 9, at the Sport Wales National Centre in Cardiff.

Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty Jeff Cuthbert supported the event and addressed the conference:

“Disability can affect anyone at any time of their lives, it can be a permanent or temporary condition, present from birth or the result of injury, accident, ageing or a medical condition.

“We want to ensure everyone has the opportunity to play an active role within society so finding ways to reduce the impact of any disability, delaying or even preventing the worsening of certain conditions will help us achieve this. I fully support today’s event and its key focus of breaking down barriers.”

There was also an opportunity to try out a range of activities throughout the day including de-stress sessions for less mobile people and ‘Boccia’, a Paralympic sport which can be played by people with any level of ability.  A separate workshop was held involving HR personnel across a range of organisations considered the impact of policies on staff with impairments.