Preston North End is supporting the Dis-Labelled campaign to raise awareness of and reduce the stigma that surrounds invisible disabilities.
As part of its support for the campaign, Preston North End has added the Dis-Labelled logo to all of its disabled toilets inside Deepdale.
Dis-Labelled is a campaign that has been launched by Access Ability, a Blackburn-based Community Interest Company [CIC] that aims to empower disabled people and those with long-term health conditions through training and employment opportunities.
Dis-Labelled aims to spread positivity and raise awareness of all disabilities, with 80 per cent of disabilities said to be invisible.
Dis-Labelled reports that 90 per cent of people with a disability don’t use a wheelchair, which results in people being challenged for using facilities they are entitled to use. Dis-Labelled has questioned the misrepresentation caused by the current disability logo.
Dis-Labelled’s logo, an alternative to represent disabled people, features a ‘D’ to represent the name of the CIC, along with a tick mark, to represent disability positivity.
The logo is seen to provide a more positive perception of the disabled symbol that is commonly used across society depicting a wheelchair user.
The aim of the Dis-Labelled logo and its campaign as a whole is to show that not all disabilities are visible, and moreover, that it is not just wheelchair users who represent disabled people.
Emma O’Connor, Dis-Labelled director, said: “We are thrilled to have Preston North End supporting the Dis-Labelled campaign. It means a lot that such a prominent local organisation is helping to raise awareness and reduce the stigma around hidden disabilities.”
Alistair White, Community Engagement Coordinator for Preston North End Community and Education Trust, added: “We’re pleased to be extending our support for Dis-Labelled, following the backing of the Trust stemming from last year.
“We hope that our support for the Dis-Labelled campaign will provide a more positive representation of all of our disabled supporters and participants moving forwards.”
Dis-Labelled pin badges are available to purchase from the community office at Deepdale, with all proceeds raised to be used to support further Dis-Labelled projects.
For more information, please email rebecca@accessibility.co.uk.