Congleton Town Council has pledged to work with people in Congleton to make the town council’s activities and Congleton town generally more accessible to all.
At the Town Council Community Committee the Town Council resolved to:
Survey Congleton people to get a better understanding of the issues facing disabled people living in Congleton. The survey seeks to gain more details about the barriers and hurdles that people living with a disability face when accessing the town centre, Congleton events and town council communications. It also welcomes ideas for improvements. The information from the survey, which closes on 10 March 2024, will be used by the town council and others to make Congleton more inclusive. The survey can be completed online via the link below or paper copies are available in the Congleton Information Centre. If you need assistance filling in a form please contact the Information Centre on 01260 270350 ext 1. Click here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CongAccess
Set up a Consultation Group of experts representing different disabilities e.g. visual impaired, hearing impaired, neurodiversity, dementia, wheelchair users etc. and work with them to compile priority areas to work on for Congleton. The group, which will call itself ‘Equal Access Congleton’ will be chaired by ‘Deborah Lawson’ one of the most influential disabled change makers in the UK, and a recognised global ‘Woman of Courage’ living in Congleton. The dynamic group with a huge depth of knowledge and personal experience will help the town council in its decision-making and moving Congleton forward. The next meeting is planned for 15 March 2024. If you are interested in joining, fill in the section at the end of the survey or contact the town council.
Investigate becoming a Disability Confident Council/Employer
Apply for funding to progress these areas of work and consider providing a Changing Places Toilet within the town centre.
Disability awareness involves recognising the rights and needs of disabled people and treating them with respect and equality. This includes understanding the challenges and barriers that disabled people may face and taking steps to create a more inclusive and accessible environment.
There are many ways to promote disability awareness, including:
- Becoming educated about disability-related issues and the experiences of disabled people.
- Using inclusive language and the correct etiquette when interacting with disabled people.
- Advocating for disabled people’s rights.
- Actively working to create more inclusive and accessible spaces (including removing physical and social barriers).
- Supporting organisations that promote the rights and inclusion of disabled people.
- Collaborating and learning from disabled people.
By understanding and acknowledging the challenges and barriers that disabled people may face, a more inclusive, supportive, and accessible society can be created. This includes ensuring public spaces are wheelchair accessible, providing accommodations in the workplace, and promoting the use of assistive technologies. Becoming educated about disability issues and treating disabled people with respect and kindness, can also help to reduce stigma and discrimination against disabled people.
Disability awareness is important because it allows us to recognise the strengths and contributions of everyone, and helps create a more diverse and inclusive society.
The council has been consulting with a number of groups to gain a better understanding of what is needed. The East Cheshire Eye Society spoke with councillors and officers and recommended:
- Decluttering the towns to make it more accessible
- Make Street Furniture more accessible by adding visibility strips to the corners of planters and around the black bollards
- Switch from glossy to matt laminates
