It is national Learning Disability Week from 17 to 23 June. People and organisations in Leeds have put together a busy programme of events.
There’s a takeover of the Council Chambers, a Learning Disability Pride March, photography and baking competitions, an exhibition and more…..
2024’s theme for national Learning Disability Week is “Do you see me?” – all about being seen, heard and valued. At Connect In The North we are organising some of it, and taking part in lots of it – all of it celebrating the excellent work by and with people with a learning disability in Leeds.
Here are the two events Connect In The North is organising:
Learning Disability Pride March – 18 June, from 12.15pm
People with learning disabilities will be marching through Leeds City Centre with banners to show they are proud of who they are. Tania Woodhouse, who has a learning disability, explains why she’s helping to organise the march as part of her job with Leeds-based charity Connect In The North – ‘It is important. You want to get out there and get yourself noticed more. We want to make people’s lives easier. Let people know there is nothing wrong with having a disability. We are proud of who we are.’
This is the third Learning Disability Pride march that Connect in the North have organised. Last year, they did it in heavy rain. Vicky Hiles, who chairs Connect in the North: ‘It was a good day, even though we got soaked. We showed that we are proud, and we did it with a smile on our face’.
Being Social information event
The march will end in the event space in Kirkgate Market where there will be information stalls from a wide range of organisations – some who provide services, support and opportunities particularly to people with a learning disability, and others who want to make sure their work includes people with a learning disability. Both are important – most of the places people with a learning disability go are the same as those everybody else goes to, be that the GP or the pub.
You can find out about events happening across the City on the Through the Maze website www.through-the-maze.org.uk/whats-on-learning-disability-week/
Main image: Last year’s Learning Disability Pride March. (Let’s hope the weather is better this year!)
About Connect In The North
Connect In The North is a Leeds-based charity, led by people with learning difficulties. They want people with learning difficulties to have control of their own lives and equal power in the world. Their Through The Maze service is an information and signposting service for adults with a learning disability, family carers and support staff. You can find out more about Through The Maze here.