Fun 4 All

Fun 4 All puts a spin on making sports inclusive.  By altering sports such as basketball and soccer to include wheelchairs as required tools, it puts everyone on a level playing field.  This club, located in County Waterford, was created three years ago through partnership between the Irish Wheelchair Association and the Waterford Sports Partnership.  It not only aims to make sports more accessible for teenagers with a physical disability, but also creates an opportunity for their friends and family, who are not physically disabled, to play along side them.

Watch RTE News Video Coverage of Fun 4 All

• Posted:27 Feb 2009 at 04:08 pm

Seeing Differently

Caroline Casey is featured in the Feelgood supplement of today’s Irish Examiner.  Written by Sharon Ni Chonchuir, “Seeing Differently” takes a look at Caroline’s personal history which led to the creation of Kanchi.

• Posted:27 Feb 2009 at 12:04 pm

Time to Change Campaign

Time to Change has launched a groundbreaking campaign across England.  It aims to promote understanding around mental health and change attitudes.  The campaign consists of a TV Ad, creative awareness raising stunts and a special written report highlighting five historical giants who also dealt with mental health issues.

“It (TV Ad seen above) shows how the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental health problems is impacting on the life of a man with a mental health problem. It shows the real impact of the negative attitudes and thoughtless comments made by friends, family and employers.” explains Time to Change.

Time to Change is a partnership of organisations which dispel stigma and stereotypes.  Through education, they bust myths and hope to change behaviour in the process.

Visit their website or download their brochure (pdf file) to learn more about the facts and myths behind mental health, what discrimination is and how it can be challenged.

• Posted:25 Feb 2009 at 06:14 pm

Dubliln Author Christopher Nolan Passes

Christopher Nolan, award winning writer dies at age 43.  To compensate for only being able to control his head due to cerebral palsy, Christopher wrote his celebrated works using a pointer attached to his head.

Mary Cloake, Director of the Arts Council expresses her regret “Christopher Nolan was a remarkably talented writer, and made history on numerous occasions throughout his life and career. ‘Under the Eye Of The Clock’, displayed a brilliant command of language and voice, and secured Nolan’s place as a major literary writer when he was only 21. Nolan has made an invaluable contribution to literary and cultural life and the Arts Council extends its condolences to his friends and family.”

Read full RTE article

• Posted:20 Feb 2009 at 03:49 pm

Irish Rail’s New Intercity Fleet… For All

Irish Rail has launched a new intercity fleet between Cork and Dublin.  New trains were built with accessibility in mind.  Each carriage includes a wheelchair accessible seat and toilet.  Information is communicated via audio visual displays and spacious seating welcomes guide dogs.

Download Irish Rail’s Guide for Rail Passengers with Disabilities (400kb PDF Document)

• Posted:20 Feb 2009 at 11:29 am

Caroline Casey Visits Uganda

Caroline Casey is in Uganda this week with Sightsavers International.  She discovered Sightsavers in 2001 during her elephant trek through India.  Today, Caroline acts as Trustee of Sightsavers and will be spending time with current projects in Uganda including visiting schools.

Sightsavers International works to treat persons who are blind or visually impaired in developing countries.  Over 100 million people have been treated across Africa and Asia for conditions such as cataracts and river blindness. Additionally, Sightsavers offers orientation and mobility training to encourage independent lifestyle and advocates for mainstream education and social inclusion.

• Posted:18 Feb 2009 at 05:48 pm

Feature on Kanchi Sounding Board Chairman

Kanchi Sounding Board Chairman, John Fulham, has been featured in the Sunday Independent. In “Breaking Boundaries”, John talks about his disability and how Kanchi and the Sounding Board are improving the lives of people with disabilities.

“Businesses need to be encouraged to look at this concept in a positive light and to see the benefits of including all people of all abilities. There are young and old, vision impaired, those with mental-health issues and so on. There are so many areas to be represented,” he says. “However, business is beginning to realise that the disability world is full of potential, and that includes profit and skills,” he explains.

So, he says, the Sounding Board plans to encourage the business community to be more proactive and creative in how they approach these issues.”

Read more about Paralympic Finalist John Fulham in the full Sunday Independent Article

• Posted:16 Feb 2009 at 11:56 am

Department of Education Cuts Special Learning Classes

The Department of Education has decided to discontinue specialised classes for children with learning disabilities due to lack of registered pupils. Over 500 children across Ireland will loose access to these classes and 128 teaching posts will be lost.

Read full RTE News article.

• Posted:11 Feb 2009 at 04:53 pm

Heavy Load Documentary to air on BBC 4

Heavy Load, previously featured on this blog, is a band which hales from Brighton.  Out to prove that disability rocks, the band is made up of musicians with and without learning disabilities. Their documentary, shot over two years while making their first album, has been commended for capturing the unique joys of playing in a band.  Winner of the 2009 BRITDOC Audience Award, Heavy Load will go on sale in March.

Can’t wait till then? Watch a 60 minuet version of this “film about happiness” featured in Storyville on BBC 4 this Monday, February 9th at 10:00pm.

• Posted:06 Feb 2009 at 04:55 pm

A Description of Audio Description

Between the Golden Globes and upcoming Academy Awards, many film enthusiasts are flocking to the cinema to judge for themselves.   When searching for that perfect movie, have you ever seen the term “audio description” and thought, what is that?  In a nut shell, AD is narration which accompanies films, television programmes, even theater events, describing what is visually happening on screen/stage.

Check out BBC’s Ouch! description of how patrons who are blind or visually impaired watch movies, plays and television.

• Posted:06 Feb 2009 at 11:19 am