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Run/walk to celebrate Day of Persons with Disabilities
2.12.16
Media Release
Run/walk to celebrate
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
A fun run-walk tomorrow (3 December), to celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities, will highlight plans for newly accessible parts of Christchurch.
The ‘Let’s Break Out Fun-Run-Walk’ has been designed to ensure people of all ages and abilities can easily take part. It is supported by the Earthquake Disability Leadership Group (EDLG), The Cube Christchurch and the Blind Foundation.
EDLG chair Ruth Jones says the walk is a wonderful chance to bring the community together to experience some of the good things that are happening for every body in Christchurch. “This new city has the opportunity to be one of the most accessible, usable and liveable places in the world. On this run/walk we’ll see some of the great things that are happening in the St Albans community.”
The 1.3-kilometre route will pass through Abberley Park, which will have its playground upgraded, starting March 2017. The new design will include a fully accessible carousel, basket swing, talking tubes, and soft AstroTurf matting.
Future developments at Edgeware Village and the St Albans Community Centre will also be discussed on the run/walk. Plans for Edgeware Village include redesigning the mall and pedestrian areas to make them accessible to all users. The new St Albans Community Centre will also be improved with accessibility in mind. It will feature broad spaces, wide doors and specialist facilities such as change rooms for adults and young children.
Ruth Jones says that while there are challenges during this transitional time, the planned improvements to all three areas are models for innovation across the rest of the city. “We look forward to these plans being realised so that we get the city that every body deserves.”
Starting at 10am at Rehua Marae and finishing at the Blind Foundation in Merivale, the run/walk will also include a sausage sizzle, games and family entertainment.
Green Party Member and New Zealand’s first profoundly deaf MP Mojo Mathers will take part in the walk, as will Minister for Disability Issues Nicky Wagner.
No registration is required for the run/walk. For more information on the event and the organisations supporting it, visit jailbreakthecube.org.
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