Disability rights are on the agenda

The International Congress of Young Disabled People, which will run for five days, will be held at Swansea University this summer.

About 100 young people from 28 countries will attend the conference, which aims to ensure disabled people are involved in making decisions which affect their lives.

European MP Glenys Kinnock and Kevin Fitzpatrick, the Disability Rights Commissioner for Wales, attended the launch.

Young disabled people from across Wales have helped organise the Rights into Action event, which 25 Welsh delegates will attend when it opens on 30 June.

Welsh delegate Jessica Sutton

Eighteen-year-old Jessica Sutton, from Neyland in Pembrokeshire, is currently studying for her A-levels.

"I'm at an age where I want to go down the pub but, because I use a wheelchair, I find it difficult because steps are always in the way," said Ms Sutton whose disability is cerebral palsy.

"Although things have improved, there are still many changes needed to improve the lives of young disabled people.

"For example, some people can't get on college courses to be beauticians or mechanics because of safety considerations," she added.

School problems

The event will mark the European Year of Disabled Young People, and will culminate in a session where delegates tell senior politicians their expectations.

Another delegate will be Laura Price, 15, from Gilfach Goch near Pontypridd.

Glenys Kinnock will attend the launch

"The changes I want to see are an improvement in people's attitude towards the disabled, as well as better facilities for us," said Ms Price, who is totally blind.

"People see the disability and not the person.

"They tend to speak to the people with the disabled person rather than the disabled person themselves which is annoying," she added.

Ms Price, who uses a cane to get about, also highlighted disabled youngsters' problems in schools.

"My school is brilliant because they put in a raised floor at the top and bottom of the stairs, so I know the stairs are in front of me and I don't fall over," she said.

"The school also has hand rails on all stairs but some schools don't have these facilities - this needs to be changed," she added.

Cultural and sporting activities are planned for the congress, as well as a series of informal fringe events which are designed to involve all groups of disabled young people in the Swansea area.