Dear Friends,
International Day of Persons with Disabilities falls on 03 December each year. It aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development, and to increase awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of life. Working towards an accessible future is everyone’s responsibility.
County Kildare Access Network (CKAN) is the umbrella body for Kildare’s Local Access Groups, who are involved in advocating for better care and consideration of those with disabilities in every aspect of community life.
On December 3rd, the County Kildare Access Network (CKAN) is asking for your help to turn Maynooth purple and join the annual worldwide and national celebration to mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Both this year’s theme “Not all Disabilities are Visible” and slogan “Access Matters” 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 643,100 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 purple for one night or if your outside light requires a filter you can easily order one by contacting Tomás (approx. €20): sales@stagelightingcentre.com
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 schools, their staff and students, 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. It would be very appropriate if, where possible pupils and staff and members of sporting & scouting organisations were to be encouraged to wear some item of purple clothing to acknowledge the day. In the current climate it would be very apt if the wearing of purple face masks could be promoted.
No matter what activity you decide to do please take photos and share them on all your social media channels making sure to include #PurpleLights20 and #IDPWD20, #PurpleLightsCKAN #PurpleLightsMaynooth. If you would just like to show your support for the campaign you can simply post and tag @KildareCountyCouncil @KildareCommunityStories @KildarePPN @MaynoothCommunityCouncil, @MaynoothAccessGroup.
We look forward to hearing from you and please do contact us if there is anything further you need to know about CKAN and the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. You may send a message to us on our Facebook page, or through Maynooth Community Council via Facebook or email.
Yours sincerely,
Angela Tracey & Miriam O’Keeffe-Ahern
Co-Chairs Maynooth Access Group
Add Comment