AUTISM NI have awarded the Strabane Brass Band its Autism Impact Award to recognise their work in making their Wesley Street base an Autism Friendly venue.
They are one of 21 cultural venues in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area to achieve the award which was achieved with support from the Public Health Agency.
Access and Inclusion Coordinator at DCSDC, Louise Boyce, has welcomed the news.
“The Strabane Brass Band have worked closely with Council’s Access and Inclusion Project to ensure it helps create awareness around the issues facing those with autism,” she said.
“Council have taken a pro-active approach towards encouraging businesses and service providers across the City and Distict to do what they can to make their premises Autism friendly.
“Strabane Brass Band is one of a number of arts and cultural venues across the Council area to achieve the Autism Impact Award in 2018 and are commended for their commitment to ensure services are open to all.”
Musicians and volunteers in the Strabane Brass Band recently completed a one day workshop on the fundamentals of autism.
Their new venue at 5 John Wesley Street in Strabane has also been presented with a plague for its achievement in becoming autism friendly.
Congratulating all involved on the completion of the training and adaptions to Strabane Brass Bands new premises Louise Boyce added:
“The work being lead and implemented by the Council through its Access and Inclusion Project, encourages arts and cultural venues to continuously work towards becoming autism friendly and accessible.
“It is a real testament from all the team who understand the importance and impact on achieving such an award and I would like to warmly congratulate the Strabane Brass Band for doing so.
Christine English, Autism NI’s Development Manager said: “We are delighted to work in partnership with Derry City and Strabane District Council as they work to become an Autism Friendly Council.
“Autism NI have been working with the Council’s Culture Section for over a year as part of the ‘Access and Inclusion Project’ to provide training and support to a number of venues through our Impact Award Scheme, which awards and celebrates organisations who are committed to Autism Accessibility.
“We congratulate Strabane Brass Band on being one of the first venues in the area to achieve this award and look forward to continuing this great partnership to increase accessibility in other venues across the Council.”
For more information on Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Access and Inclusion Programme please contact: [email protected] or telephone: 02871 253 253 extension 4349. TEXTPHONE: 02871376 646.
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