DERRY City and Strabane District Council say it has been making adjustments and additions to this year’s Halloween Festival to ensure that it is ‘Accessible and Inclusive’ for all residents and visitors from the pan disability community.
Council will be providing the following ‘Access & Inclusion’ facilities during this year’s festival in Derry:
An ‘accessible drop off / pick up zone’ at Whittaker Street from 28th – 31st October.
A ‘Quiet Space’ will be available for those requiring a calmer space for a short period during the Halloween Festival. Some children and older people can find large crowds and the noise of the festivities overwhelming. Quiet space provisions will therefore be available in the Guildhall during the entire Halloween Festival, particularly suitable for children with sensory issues – and also at the NWRC Strand Road campus foyer from 6:30 – 8:30pm for the duration of the carnival parade and fireworks display on 31st October.
‘Safety Bands’ will be available at the Information Point, 1-3 Waterloo Place from 27th October – November 3rd allowing parents, guardians and carers to put contact details on a wrist band should any child or vulnerable person be lost or found.
‘JAM’ (Just a Minute) cards will also be available at the Information Point in Waterloo Place for individuals who require extra time or ‘Just A Minute’ to complete a task or communicate effectively.
‘Accessible Toilets’ will be provided for the duration of the Halloween Festival in the Guildhall, Tower Museum, at the Information Point in Waterloo Place and at Foyle Street Car Park.
‘Changing Places’ provision will also be available at the Foyle Arena on the Limavady Road.
Awakening the Walls
‘Access and Inclusion’ facilities during the ‘Awakening the Walls’ performances at 6–8.30pm on 28th – 30th October will include disabled parking provision in Society Street Car Park which has been fully allocated to Blue Badge holders.
It is advised due to road closures that people are parked before 5:30pm. Accessible toilets and a ‘Mobiloo / Mobile Changing Place’ will also be available in the car park from 5-9pm on the nights of the ‘Awakening the Walls’ performances.
Halloween Carnival Parade and Fireworks
Disabled Parking will be provided from 5-9pm on 31st October at the Strand Road Car Park which has been fully allocated to Blue Badge holders.
People are advised due to road closures to be parked before 6pm (i.e. before the carnival parade and fireworks display takes place from 7-8:30pm).
A ‘Mobiloo / Mobile Changing Place’ will also be available in the car park from 5-9pm. Accessible toilets can also be found at Fletcher Avenue, the Council Car Park and Accessibility Zones at Strand Road Car Park & Queen’s Quay, as well as at Police Court Street (beside Victoria Market Car Park).
Accessible Viewing Platforms will also be available during the carnival parade and fireworks display from 6-8:30pm at the Strand Road Car Park and Queens Quay – opposite the City Hotel – with limited seating available.
‘Relaxed’ Programming
Council will also be providing a number of free ‘relaxed performances’ during the Halloween Festival which are suitable for a range of ages – including Luke Jerram’s ‘Museum of the Moon’ from 10am-12noon in the Guildhall’s Main Hall on 29th October – 2nd November.
This fantastic touring work features detailed NASA imagery of the Moon’s surface with an atmospheric soundtrack created by BAFTA and Ivor Novello award winning composer, Dan Jones.
On 29th October from 10am-12 noon there will also be ‘relaxed sessions’ in the Guildhall including ‘Makey Uppers! Under the Moon’, ‘Winifred the Witch’ and ‘Halloween Arts & Crafts’.
There will also be a ‘relaxed session’ at the Monster Fun Fair in Ebrington Square from 11am-1pm on 30th October which promises lot of thrills and family attractions.
On the big night itself – 31st October – people can check out ‘Spooks McGooks Accessible Cycle’ at St Columb’s Park House from 8-10pm.
Join the team of spooks on a cycle ride with a difference on Halloween Night. The Spooks do the cycling for you and accommodate people in wheelchairs and those with accessibility needs of all descriptions (book via www.farandwild.org).
Strabane ‘Access & Inclusion’
Meanwhile in Strabane during the carnival parade on 31st October there will be a ‘quiet space provision’ at the Nursey Building in Gael Scoil Uí Dhochartaigh from 7-8:30pm for those who require it for a short time or to view the fireworks display.
There will also be an allocated Disabled Viewing Area available in the Main Viewing Zone in Melvin Athletics Track.
Disabled Parking will be provided in the Ballycolman Estate and at the Upper Main Street Car Park in Strabane – with signage erected and spaces allocated on a first come, first serve basis.
During the Halloween day programming on 31st October there will also be disabled / accessible toilet provision at the Alley Theatre and on Halloween Night at the Melvin Running Track from 7-8:30pm.
Louise Boyce, Access & Inclusion officer at Derry City and Strabane District Council, said:
“Council has built upon access and inclusion provisions year on year and continue to be committed in ensuring a more accessible and enjoyable experience for all during this year’s Halloween celebrations in both Derry and Strabane.
“I also hope everyone has an excellent time – and that this information with help you do just that.
“If you have any questions or concerns about accessibility, we have a great team who will be able to assist, answer and arrange as best they can!”
For further information on ‘Access & Inclusion’ in Derry during this year’s festival visit http://derryhalloween.com/accessibility-derry or contact Louise Boyce on 07713707912 / [email protected]
For further information & queries on ‘Access & Inclusion’ in Strabane during this year’s carnival parade & fireworks display contact Ailish Carlin on 07706259075 or email [email protected]
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