The Disability Working Group of KNZ is today holding an activity to create awareness and manifest the importance, need and value of disabled and non-disabled youth working together.
The working group itself is a living example of the themes of this activity and it is composed of young people with different disabilities and non-disabled young people.
KNZ hopes that the working group and the activity will be a blueprint not only for organisations but also for society as a whole. The real meaning of including disabled people, is not only about making places and things accessible, but more importantly about involving disabled people in decision-making.
To further manifest these values the working group itself is holding an activity on Bastion Square, Mdina, today from 3 to 6 p.m. entitled Lil Hinn mid-Dizabilità (Beyond Disability).
The activity is open to the public - disabled and non-dsabled. It will consist of four workshops of about 20 minutes each, dealing with art, music, drama and dance. All are invited to take part in workshops where disabled and non-disabled paint, dance, act and play music putting into practice the value of working together.
Apart from the fun of taking part in the workshops the event will be an experience in itself, where non-disabled people learn that disabled people have abilities if society learns to include them whilst disabled people will enhance their self-confidence.
The workshops will be led by both disabled and non-disabled people while the popular band Winter Moods will perform live at 5 p.m.. There will also be sign language interpretation of some of the songs. A message board is also going to be available for people to write a message about their experience of this activity.
"Winter Moods firmly believe in one society that celebrates all forms of diversity and does not tolerate discrimination" said Ivan Grech, frontman of Winter Moods.
Lil Hinn mid-Dizabilità is not a solidarity or charity campaign but an activity making a statement by young people about inclusion, celebration of diversity and against discrimination.
Being an activity organised by both disabled and non-disabled youth the elements of accessibility are prominent. It has been a learning experience for both disabled and non-disabled young people in the working group.
Hanan El Khatib is a member of the KNZ executive. Her main responsibilities are the Working Group on Disability issues, the Global Solidarity Event working group and the Open Method of Co-ordination.