The information days will be a series of seminars that include presentations around a common theme e.g. participation of disabled children, access to play and leisure activities for disabled children and young people. Speakers will be invited to showcase examples of good practice and research from across the UK, which can then be implemented locally.
For more information contact Catherine M. Lewis, Children First Development Officer (Disabled Children), Tel: 029 2034 2434, E-mail: catherine.lewis@childreninwales.org.uk
Issues discussed at previous information days:
May 2010: "Things to do and places to go!" - Access to community play and leisure activities for disabled children and young people
Disabled children and young people continually identify having access to the same play and leisure activities as non disabled children or young people as their number one priority. In this seminar we heard from a variety of organisations who are hoping to support services to include disabled children and young people in their activities.
Catherine Lewis, Children in Wales: Cath spoke about the implications of the Disability Discrimination Act for children's services and how it can be used to support the inclusion of disabled children and young people in community and leisure activities.
Lindsay Brewis, Scope: The organisation has completed a lot of work on addressing improving access to play and leisure activities for disabled children. They highlighted the publication "Games all children can play from a sports bag-active learning for disabled children and their families".
Julie Edwards, Children's Commissioner's Office: Julie gave a presentation on the findings in the report "A Happy Talent " a report looking at disabled children's access to play in Wales 2007: a review of local authority strategies.
Clebran: Clebran (to chat) is a group which provides a forum for young disabled people to air their views. It is run by Barnardo's on behalf of the Specialist Children's Service. The group have identified access to leisure activities as one of their main issues for many years and are disappointed that no improvements are being made. In this presentation they identified difficulties they face in accessing leisure activities and made suggestions on how this can be improved.