Birmingham holds first disability festival


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Image caption, Visitors can take part in a wide range of games and sports, including wheelchair basketball. Article information Author, Shannen Headley Post, BBC News, West Midlands

3 hours ago

A festival celebrating disability is to be held in Birmingham for the first time.

The Disability Festival, organised by Birmingham City University (BCU), will feature dance performances by wheelchair users and interactive games that can be enjoyed by people with all disabilities.

Visitors can also take part in sports such as boccia, curling, blind football, volleyball and wheelchair basketball, or enjoy tours tailored for visually impaired runners.

The event takes place during Disability Pride Month and will take place at the University’s Carson Building at a later date.

Participants can take part in wellness workshops such as tree planting, tai chi and in-situ muscle therapy.

This free event showcases the talents of people with a range of disabilities.

There will be dance performances by Freewheelin and Cerebral Palsy West Midlands, as well as music by wheelchair user DJ Ben Linstead, a regular at music venue The Night Owl.

‘Differences arise/are different’

Nabila Gardner, director of Ways for Wellbeing UK CIC, said: “We are incredibly proud to be leading the coordination of this first-of-its-kind festival in Birmingham.

“We know what it’s like to go unnoticed and unrecognized for the work you do. We want to motivate others to see how they can make a difference just by being their authentic selves and doing their job, just like us.”

“We all have different ways of participating in the world, and we’re proud of the different things we do.”

BCU Vice-Chancellor, Professor David Mba, said the university was delighted to be hosting this “vitally important event”.

“Inclusion and diversity are at the core of our University, as is our commitment to continue to foster close working relationships with the city of Birmingham and its residents,” Professor Mba said.

“Through opportunities like this, we can further strengthen our connections.”

The event will run from 12:00 BST to 16:00 BST and is open to everyone.

Organisers say British Sign Language interpreters and quiet spaces will be provided, and assistance dogs are fully welcome.

Attendees can register for tickets by visiting the event’s website.

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