Kildare Disability Week will begin on 29th November and culminate on 3rd December which marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Over the last number of years Maynooth Access Group in partnership with Kildare County Council and other member groups of County Kildare Access Network (CKAN) has been working towards making County Kildare inclusive and fully accessible to all through various projects and awareness campaigns.
On December 3rd, the County Kildare Access Network (CKAN) is asking for your help to turn Maynooth purple and join the annual national and worldwide celebration to mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This year’s theme “Nothing about us without us” will focus on spreading awareness and understanding of disabilities that are not immediately apparent, such as mental illness, chronic pain, brain injuries and learning difficulties, among many others. Below are some easy ways that you, the local people of Maynooth, can get involved and show your support for the thousands of people living with a disability in Ireland.
Turn your office building, shop or premises purple.
National landmarks across Ireland will be lighting up purple so why not do the same with your office building. Contact your building manager to see if you can flick the switch to purple.
Add some purple to virtual meetings.
Working from home but still want to show your support? Why not light up your virtual meetings by turning your background purple or simply wearing something purple!
Wear something purple and decorate your windows and premises in purple.
We are inviting local business premises and their staff, sporting & scouting groups and public bodies to “go purple” for the day. We would appreciate if you could dress your premises / windows with purple bows, ribbons and decorations.
Schools are being asked to fly a purple flag, which is supplied by Maynooth Access Group, and if possible to allow students and staff to wear an item of purple clothing on 3rd December. We have some resources specifically for schools which are included with this letter should you choose to make use of them. If you require any further information regarding same, please contact the undersigned.
Maynooth Access Group will contact all local schools in early 2022 in relation to the roll out of our lending and learning “Our World” initiative, which aims to promote learning about disability through the use of toys and reading material. This initiative is already being made available to pre-schools and has received very favourable responses.
No matter what activity you decide to do please take photos and share them on all your social media channels making sure to include #PurpleLights21 and #IDPWD21, #PurpleLightsCKAN #PurpleLightsMaynooth. If you would just like to show your support for the campaign you can simply post and tag @KildareCountyCouncil @KildareCommunityStories @KildarePPN@MaynoothAccessGroup.
You may send a message to us on our Facebook page, or email maynoothaccessgroup@gmail.com.
Yours sincerely,
Miriam O’Keeffe-Ahern (086) 2941668
Angela Tracey (087) 1409722
Co-Chairs Maynooth Access Group
You may send a message to us on our Facebook page, or email maynoothaccessgroup@gmail.com.
