Guernsey introduced the hidden disability lanyard scheme to support those with hidden disabilities when they are travelling, and this scheme continues to be rolled out across other areas of island life such as supermarkets. The sunflower lanyards can be worn by those with a hidden disability to indicate they might need extra support.
Awareness training is available free of charge at Signpost, a tool that States Disability Officer Gill Evans sees as invaluable.
“By taking the time to learn a little about different impairments, we can better understand the barriers that some people face in daily life,” she said.
“For example, some people may find loud and busy environments difficult, others may find that information provided in a small print is difficult to read. It is often the small changes that can make a big difference to people’s lives. We just need to understand what changes might be helpful in order to include everyone equally.”
Pictured: Training about hidden disabilities has been delivered to some teams who regularly encounter members of the public, such as the Ports Welcome Team, who come into contact with travellers with many different impairments and conditions who need varying support.
The Guernsey Sports Commission is using the day to help promote and celebrate accessible sport.
“We believe that everyone in Guernsey should have the opportunity and support to participate, compete and fulfil their potential no matter what their background, age or level of ability in a safe and supportive environment,” said Operations Director Graham Chester.
“Before we can start helping sports organisations to be more inclusive, we need a shared understanding of what we mean by inclusion and some of the words we use around inclusion.
The Commission has produced a simple leaflet explaining some of the terms used and encouraging sports to think about how they can make inclusion happen.
“We also want to promote pathways to performance sport for people with impairments,” said Dr Casey Osborough, the Commission’s Inclusion Lead. “As part of this we are looking at setting up a Boccia Club run by people with impairments for people with impairments.”
Boccia is a target ball sport similar to bowls or petanque that can be played by people with a wide range of disabilities.
“We are exploring ways of accessing appropriate coaching qualifications for those involved and want to try to take the sport to the highest level of performance we can,” said Dr Osborough.
“We may have to delay our plans with the Sir John Loveridge Sports Hall out of action for several months, but we are determined to make this happen and are looking for whatever support we can find to make the club a reality.”
Boccia will be one of the sports on offer at a special celebration of accessible sport the Commission is organising in conjunction with Guernsey Mobility Let’s Go on 8 December.
“Boccia is a real community sport but it’s also a Para Sport played at the highest level and is one of only two Paralympic sports, along with goalball, that have no counterpart in the Olympic program. There’s no reason why Guernsey couldn’t be competing at an international level.”
Anyone interested in attending the celebration of accessible sport should contact Paul Wheatley on paul.wheatley8@gmail.com.
Pictured top: Members of Guernsey’s Boccia club (Credit: Oliver Tracey).