International Day of People with Disabilities
Tuesday, 2 December 2014
HRTC is marking the International Day of People with Disabilities by developing a local access group with the Hebden Bridge Partnership. Working with other interested parties the group will invite residents in both Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd to tell them where changes are needed.
The group has endorsed the principle of the international disabled people's movement: "Nothing about us, without us" and will invite disabled residents, people with learning difficulties, mental health problems and older people to make their views known about the accessibility of shops, services and public facilities, particularly roads and pavements.
Additionally HRTC is considering options to re-open the Calder Valley Club, developing the site into a multiuse community hub as part of the desire to provide access and services for all.
Working with the developing Neighbourhood Plan the group's aspirations are to make Hebden Royd accessible to all.
Mayor of Hebden Royd, Cllr Jonathan Timbers said, 'Disabled people face more barriers to full social, cultural and economic participation than non-disabled people do. We want to kick away those barriers, and are pursuing a number of projects to that end. Hopefully, after the 2015 elections, the town council's agenda will be buzzing with ways of making employment, having fun and being involved in community life easier to access for everyone."
Cllr Timbers added, 'Special thanks should go to Cllr Tony Hodgins, the Deputy Mayor, who has done a lot of work behind the scenes to get things going. I'm looking forward to supporting him when he's mayor next year. He'll do a great job'.
Wednesday 3 December is International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Since 1992, the annual observance of IDPD has been aimed at promoting an understanding of disability issues and mobilising support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It has also sought to increase awareness of the gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.