Disability Up For Debate
One of the traditional highlights of Disability Awareness Week – UCOL’s Great Debate – will examine whether a disability
week is necessary at all.
Disability Support Representative Karen Moore says the debate’s topic – ‘Does Palmerston North need a Disability
Awareness Week’ (“Yeah Right”!!) will aim to take a light hearted look at what the week is all about and what it is
meant to achieve.
The adjudicator for the debate is writer and actor Peter Hawes and the panels will include Labour candidate Iain
Lees-Galloway, UCOL lecturer Sheran Merritt (supporting PN Disability Support Services), Rachel McCahon (supporting
Wairarapa Disability Support Services) Kate Smith lecturer (supporting Wanganui Disability Support Services) and Richard
Mays, editor of the Guardian newspaper.
Members of the public are invited to attend the debate, to be held on Wednesday 27 August from 11.45am to 2pm at UCOL
Block 6, Level 1, Room 14. Karen Moore says if they wish, people can bring lunch and stay on for an informal chat and
tea or coffee with the debaters.
As well as the debate, UCOL has organised a full week of other events to mark Disability Awareness Week, from 25 to 29
August.
On Monday 25 August there will be a Brain Injury Workshop at the UCOL campus, from12 to 1pm, looking at how lecturers
can work more effectively with students with brain injuries.
On Tuesday 26 August there will be a special display and student barbecue between 12 and1pm.
On Thursday 28 August clients from Like Minds like Mine have been invited to UCOL to share their stories in a lunch time
session from 12 to1pm.
ENDS