Several events are being held next week to raise awareness about issues faced by disabled people in Bermuda.

This year the theme for Access Week is "Inclusion for All".

The events are being organised by the National Office for Seniors and Physically Challenged and the Bermuda Physically Handicapped Association.

ACCESS week has been running since 1980 but this year the organisers have an extra reason to celebrate. A National Disability Policy was recently released.

The policy hopes to develop a consistent and comprehensive approach to providing access for people with disabilities.

It begins tomorrow with a church service at the Anglican Cathedral where members of the disabled community will conduct the readings.

A proclamation which was to be read by Premier Dr. Ewart Brown will be rescheduled due to the funeral of the late Dame Lois Browne-Evans. A new date has not yet been announced.

On Friday, there will be an Ability Expo at the No. 1 Shed in Hamilton featuring booths by i-Store, Medical House, Island Mobility, Adaptive Equipment and various disability agencies. The Expo is open from 11 a.m. till noon and again from 2 to 4 p.m. and a light lunch will be available.

From noon till 2 p.m. on Friday there will be a Disability Town Hall Meeting at the No. 1 Shed where a US expert will speak on some of the issues facing disabled people.

The speaker, Dr. Jimmy Calloway, has a wide range of experience in the recreation and leisure industry and the provision of programmes and sports facilities for children and youth with disabilities.

He was involved in organising the 1996 Paralympics in Atlanta and is currently the programme director of recreation and leisure studies curriculum at Georgia State University.

Members of the committee who produced the National Disability Policy will also be on hand to answer any questions.

Access Week Bermuda will conclude on Saturday, June 9, with a picnic at Shelly Bay for people with disabilities and their families.

The Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs and Department of Human Affairs are sponsoring the events.

For more information on the week's events, please contact Ann Lindroth, Coordinator for the Disabled at 292-7802 or email alindroth@gov.bm.