CRAIC NI Runs First Disability Awareness Event

In a bid to explore the intertwined topics of Diversity and Disability in Northern Ireland, CRAICNI will host a webinar titled ‘Hidden Disabilities: Disabilities and Cultural Diversity’ on 2 December 2020 (Wednesday) at 7 p.m. on Zoom.

The virtual event marks CRAICNI’s first foray into disability-related discussions. It will be held in conjunction with the Virtual Disability Awareness Week 2020 organised by Derry City and Strabane District Council, and help lead up to International Day for People with Disabilities which falls on 3 December 2020.

The webinar is expected to last one hour, featuring discussions on the three focus areas of Accessibility, Arts, and Sports, followed by a Q&A session at the end.

The organisation has put together a diverse team of speakers who will share their experiences of being part of the disabled community, as well as a member of an ethnic minority.

There will be a varied line-up of speakers, all with different experiences to share who will have connections to Northern Ireland! Guest speakers include:

• Shiro Masuyama, Japanese artist based in Belfast.
• Rachel Siew, Malaysian activist.
• Sharan Anil, Indian artist based in Dubai.
• Niki Collier,visual and textile Bulgarian artist based in Dublin.
• Soo Hun,Malaysian Open Arts Community Choir member living in Northern Ireland.
• Gawai,Vietnamese Special Olympic athlete living in Northern Ireland.
• Martynes,Special Olympics athlete born in NI to Lithuanian parents.

Dermot Devlin of My Way Access who will be the host for the evening’s webinar event said,

“This year’s International Day for Persons with Disabilities’’ theme is Hidden Disabilities. I feel it is very important to raise awareness for all types of hidden disabilities. In NI, the disabled model that most people are aware of, is the Irish / British disabled person. Members from other cultures are hidden from that narrative.

The CRAICNI webinar will create awareness and knowledge, that disabilities crosses all cultures, races and different identities and celebrate our diversity together.  I look forward to meeting the exciting line up of guests speaking from their cultural perspectives and am very happy we have this opportunity despite this pandemic to meet online.”

To participate: Tickets for the event can be obtained through registration on Eventbrite through the following link:

craicnihiddendisabilities021220.eventbrite.co.uk

Notes to Editors:

• CRAICNI is an award-winning social enterprise (which stands for Cultivate Respect, Appreciate Inclusion across Cultures) based in NI and was set up in 2015 to promote diversity through diverse trainers. It now works with over 16 nationalities and runs a European project with partners in Italy, Turkey, Greece and Scotland.
• CRAICNI specialises in providing training and educational service in cultural awareness. It works with community groups, NGOs, statutory bodies and the private sector to provide Diversity and Inclusion courses and personal development.
• It was recognised in 2018 in receipt of the Lord Mayor’s Certificate in promoting diversity in the city of Belfast. In 2020, CRAICNI received recognition on the Social Entrepreneurship UK Roll of Honour for their services during Covid-19 in continuing to deliver training across UK and Europe.
• My Way Access founded by Dermot Devlin is a recognised disabled rights and disability blog, focused on ensuring disabled people have equal and inclusive rights across accessibility, services, and health.
• My Way Access was created to educate non-disabled people about what it is like to be disabled and help disabled people find their voice at local and national government. My Way Access is built by disabled people, for disabled people.

Contact:

Contact:

Eileen Chan-Hu, Founder/ Executive Director

CRAICNI

Tel:07411236220

Email: eileen@craicni.com