The third annual Disability Pride Brighton celebration takes place on Hove Lawns from noon to 6pm on Sunday, July 14, 2019.
THE event is organised to raise awareness of the diversity and value of disabled people with all (visible and invisible) impairments or conditions and is organised by a diverse committee of disabled people.
Jenny Skelton, Founder and Chair, says: “We want to celebrate our identities and feel less isolated in the city, as well as engage with non-disabled people, by hosting a great day out for all!”
Disability Pride Brighton was the first Disability Pride event in England and held its inaugural event in July 2017, with more than 2,000 people attending. Almost 3,000 visitors attended the second event in 2018.
The 2019 event will begin with a short parade along the promenade at 11:30am, led by Unified Rhythm – a carnival band with over 80% disabled members.
The event will then be officially opened by Alison Lapper MBE; Brighton & Hove Mayor, Cllr Alexandra Phillips; Caroline Lucas MP; and Jenny Skelton, Chair of Disability Pride.
Throughout the day, there will be live music, acts, performances, and speeches from disabled people; work from disabled artists; activities, and stalls from organisations who offer support to local people and families, friends, and carers who are part of this diverse community.
Disability Pride Brighton has support from some well-known disabled people – Alison Lapper MBE and Eddie Kidd OBE being two of them who will be there on the day. Eddie is a Brighton resident and says he very much supports the cause.
The idea for Disability Pride came from disabled Brighton mum, Jenny Skelton, who has three adopted children with various disabilities, after one of her children suffered an incident of disability discrimination.
Since the first year, the group has grown significantly and has now launched a People’s Health Trust – funded supported volunteering programme so that more people with both visible and invisible impairments or conditions can get involved and help break down barriers.
Jenny and the team will also be launching the hashtag #ComingOutAsDisabled at the event and, if they wish, visitors can pose for a photo in the specially-made, giant #ComingOutAsDisabled selfie frame.
Jenny says: “It is a fun idea but with a serious message. One in four employers have expressed reluctance at employing a disabled person which makes it difficult for the 19% of working age adults who are disabled. Several of my friends and committee members have faced disability discrimination in the workplace and in their day to day lives. Disabled people should feel free to ‘come out’ and be accepted for themselves as a natural part of human diversity without the fear of discrimination.”
Martin Harris, Managing Director of Brighton Hove Buses, said: “We work closely with community groups and national bodies to make our services accessible for everybody, so it makes perfect sense to support such an inclusive and joyful event like Disability Pride.
“We’re very proud to help everybody get around more easily on the day by running a free shuttle bus from Brighton Station to Hove Lawns, in partnership with Community Transport.
“Our Accessibility and Communities Manager, Victoria Garcia MBE, who is also a Disability Pride committee member, has helped develop our partnership with Disability Pride right from its beginning and helped organise the shuttle bus.”
Disability Pride Brighton is grant funded by Brighton & Hove Buses, Chalk Cliff Trust, Brighton & Hove City Council, The Local People Project in Hove, which is supported by Scope and funded by People’s Health Trust using money raised by The Health Lottery in the South East. People’s Health Trust, using money raised through The Health Lottery in the South East, Laine Pub Company and South East Apprenticeship Ambassador Network (SE AAN).
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For more information about Disability Pride Brighton, click here:
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