Accessible Wrexham is encouraging more schools, colleges and education providers across the county borough to join its growing inclusion project.
The initiative, led by disability advocate and author Samantha Maxwell, has already seen Ysgol Bryn Alyn, Ysgol Clywedog and Wrexham University become involved, with hopes of expanding the project across the county.
Samantha recently visited Ysgol Bryn Alyn, where she met with a group of pupils who have taken on the role of Accessibility Ambassadors. Together, they explored ways to make the school more inclusive and discussed practical improvements that could benefit everyone.
Samantha, 33, who has cerebral palsy, is the author of the acclaimed autobiography, CP Isn’t Me.
She said: “Young people are the future of our communities, and I believe accessibility and inclusion should be part of everyday learning rather than something people only think about when they encounter disability.
“By involving students, we are creating a generation that understands accessibility, challenges barriers and recognises that everyone has a role to play in creating a more inclusive Wrexham.”
As part of the project, the pupils carried out their own accessibility review of the school, interviewing the caretaker and a teacher with a disability to gain different perspectives. They also navigated the school in wheelchairs to better understand the challenges wheelchair users can face and assessed features such as door widths, access routes and the layout of different spaces.
The group even designed signs to highlight areas they felt were “not disability friendly”, encouraging others to think about barriers that can often go unnoticed.
Samantha said meeting the pupils had been “incredibly inspiring”.
“Their enthusiasm, curiosity and commitment to making a difference gave me so much hope,” she said.
“They shared their own observations, asked thoughtful questions and showed a real understanding that accessibility is about much more than physical access. It is about ensuring everyone feels welcomed, valued and able to take part.”
Alongside the accessibility work, Samantha has also visited Ysgol Bryn Alyn and Ysgol Clywedog with her publisher, Allan, to deliver author talks based on her books, raising awareness of disability, accessibility and inclusion.
Read more
Looking ahead, she hopes to establish a network of Accessibility Ambassadors in schools, colleges and universities across the county, with participating organisations carrying out accessibility reviews before being included in Accessible Wrexham’s Accessibility Guide.
Samantha added: “Accessibility is not only about ramps, lifts or buildings. It is also about attitudes, understanding, communication and making sure everyone feels they belong.
“I would encourage every school, college and education provider to get involved with Accessible Wrexham. By listening to young people and giving them the opportunity to lead, we can build a more inclusive Wrexham, one school, college and community at a time.”
Share