Kildare Disability Week
Over the last number of years Kildare County Council in partnership with County Kildare Access Network (C.K.A.N.) the umbrella organisation representing 6 Access Groups in County Kildare, have celebrated Kildare Disability Week. Access Groups from Athy, Leixlip, Maynooth, Monasterevin, Naas and Newbridge work towards making their local areas (and by extension the county as a whole) inclusive and fully accessible to all.
During Kildare Disability Week, the groups arrange events which showcase the projects they have undertaken to create awareness within their communities around disabilities and how we can all make strides to further our knowledge regarding disabilities both seen and unseen.
Each local Access Group encourages schools, businesses and other organisations to become involved in Kildare Disability Week. Purple is the colour used to represent disabilities, therefore the C.K.A.N. Purple flag is raised, buildings are encouraged to light up purple, shop windows, banks and libraries decorate their premises in purple, highlighting disabilities and the effect living with a disability can have on a person and their families in everyday life.
Traditionally, Kildare Disability Week was held on the week ending 3rd December, which is International Day for Persons with Disabilities. C.K.A.N. has decided to change the timing of the event and the next K.D.W. will take place in May 2025.
A sub-committee of C.K.A.N. will be formed with responsibility for the organising of a special event during K.D.W. 2025, while local Access Groups will continue to create projects within their own community throughout the week.
All activities planned for Kildare Disability Week 2025 will be promoted and advertised on this website.
International Day of Persons With Disabilities
This event takes place annually on 3rd December. Kildare County Council, C.K.A.N. and local Access Groups encourage participation on the day from the business and school communities, libraries and public buildings to be seen to support and promote disability awareness and the importance of accessibility for all members of our society. This is achieved by raising the purple flag and lighting up purple wherever possible. As it is an International occasion, it receives widespread coverage on all news and social media.
