Tower Hamlets Council marked International Day of Disabled People on December 3 with a series of events this past week.
\nMayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman said: \u201cWe support this national day locally in order to encourage a better understanding of people affected by a disability, making people more aware of the rights, dignity and welfare of disabled people.\u201d
\nMile End Park Leisure Centre in Burdett Road hosted a morning of sporting activity from 10am-12noon for disabled adults on Monday, December 1.\u00a0 Activities on offer included cycling, basketball and trampolining.
\nAnd service users from Day Opportunities based in Stepney showcased their artwork at a celebratory event, Breaking Down Barriers, at the Art Pavilion in Mile End Park, Clinton Road, on December 3.
\nCllr Abdul Asad, lead member for adult and health services, said: \u201cThe day was a great chance to showcase innovative art projects and encourage residents to get active with a range of fun activities.\u201d
\nDay Opportunities which has been running for more than ten years provides services for residents with sensory and physical disabilities
\nOrganised by the Tower Project and council, Breaking Down Barriers had a pop up gallery highlighting arts, crafts and enterprises set up by disabled people from the borough.
\nEntertainment included Bollywood dancing, a tasty buffet and competitions; the fun day ran from 11.30am-2.30pm.
\nOver at the Tower Hamlets Local History Library, a new exhibition Out of the Box was launched on December 3, which has been put together by disabled residents.
\nOut of the Box is a pioneering project supported by the council and Arts Council England that invited disabled people and artists from East London to take the lead in bringing archives \u2018out of the box\u2019, exploring them and asserting their own personal local histories.
\nThe exhibition will be running until the end of January. To reserve a place email or call 020 7613 5856.<\/p>\n