Preston North End Community and Education Trust is supporting the Dis-Labelled project to generate increased awareness of and reduce the stigma around invisible disabilities.
Dis-Labelled is a project created by Access Ability, a Blackburn-based Community Interest Company which aims to empower disabled people and those with long-term health conditions by unlocking their potential through engagement, education and employment.
The Trust is backing the campaign by replacing traditional disabled symbols in its offices at Deepdale – such as on the disabled toilets – with the Dis-Labelled logo, which looks to portray disabled people in a more positive light, while reflecting the fact that not all disabilities are visible.
There are also Dis-Labelled pin badges available to purchase from the community office at Deepdale – featuring the project’s logo – the letter ‘D’ and a check mark all in purple – with all proceeds raised going back towards the project to support further Dis-Labelled projects.
PNECET Community Engagement Coordinator Alistair White said: “We’re pleased to be highlighting the Dis-Labelled project and its key message that not all disabilities are visible.
“We have replaced the traditional disability symbol on our toilets in our office space, both to support the Dis-Labelled campaign and to show to our participants, staff, fans and all visitors that we will support people with any form of disability.
“By backing the Dis-Labelled campaign, we hope to create increased awareness about people with invisible disabilities and show to all people with disabilities that they are welcome to attend all of our programmes.”
Our NCS Officer Bradley North has been disabled for most of his life, having been diagnosed with osteosarcoma when he was just 11, a rare form of bone cancer that has since returned on two occasions.
As a result, Brad had to have a prosthesis fitted but due to frequent infections, he chose to have his leg amputated and replaced with a prosthetic leg almost three years ago.
On the Dis-Labelled campaign, Brad said: “The Dis-Labelled initiative is a great way of inspiring and empowering people with any form of disability.
“The Dis-Labelled logo is an important reminder that not all disabled people are wheelchair users and that can sometimes be an all too common portrayal.
“My disability isn’t always visible to everyone, so I’m pleased that we are supporting Dis-Labelled as a way of creating positive awareness about those with invisible disabilities.”
To learn more about the Dis-Labelled project or to purchase a pin badge from the community office, please contact alistair.white@pne.com.