Derry’s first European Day of Persons with Disabilities conference ‘a huge success’

Derry City and Strabane District Council in partnership with the Public Health Agency has held its first annual conference to celebrate people with disabilities.

The European Day of Persons with Disabilities is celebrated every year but this was the first year the local Council hosted a conference which turned out to be the biggest celebration of the event in Northern Ireland.

Among those who attended was local five-times Paralympic gold medallist Jason Smyth.

Describing the event as a “huge success,” Mayor Alderman Mayor, Alderman Hilary McClintock said she was delighted with the level of participation at the event held yesterday in the Guildhall.

She added “Many travelled long distances to attend the conference which reminds us how important these type of events are in ensuring access and inclusion is part of our everyday life and it also provided an opportunity to celebrate and showcase the achievements of those with disabilities.”

Louise Boyce, the Council’s Access and Inclusion Officer, said the local authority was committed to working in partnership with agencies such as the Public Health Agency to promote and improve Access and Inclusion for the pan disability community in the Western region.

She added: “It was great to have Jason Smyth at the conference who has had huge achievements over the years in his professional running career, including his recent success at the Paralympics in Rio where he achieved his fifth Gold Medal. His ability to inspire and encourage those in attendance was very uplifting and supports our work with those with various abilities, by ensuring they speak out and help us all work towards leading and supporting the needs and policies that affect people with disabilities.’

At the event Aeidin McCarter, Head of Culture at Derry City and Strabane District Council launched “Moving Mountains,” a booklet featuring inspirational stories from people with disabilities.

Photo shows the Stage Beyond Street Theatre Group who performed “Around the City” at the event.