Disability issues in the spotlight

Juggler Mat Mananmat from Circus Kumarani entertains the crowd at the International Day of People with Disability celebration at Whangarei’s Canopy Bridge. Photo / John Stone

Getting around town is not always easy for everyone - but plenty of people did not let that get in the way of having fun at a party to celebrate disability issues.

The Canopy Bridge in the Town Basin was crowded yesterday as many organisations and individuals took part in a public event to celebrate the International Day of People with Disability.

Helping make public spaces accessible was one aspect of the day, this year's theme set by the United Nations being "Inclusion matters: access and empowerment for people of all abilities".

Clients and staff from many of the community's disability, health and support organisations set up stalls offering information and displays of their work. But the focus was on fun, with singing, dancing and juggling in the entertainment mix. The serious message behind the fun, though, was how public spaces could be made more disability-friendly and facilities more accessible in Whangarei.

Northland advocacy group Tiaho Trust has invited people to come forward with ideas of how to make that happen.

"This community is getting more and more inclusive but there's still room for improvement," Tiaho chief executive Jonny Wilkinson told the crowd.

Whangarei Mayor Sheryl Mai launched the event. Mr Wilkinson said Ms Mai had been a champion of inclusivity in the community for many years.

"It is with sheer delight that I play a small part in celebrating an amazing day," Ms Mai said.