Councillor seeks Disability Awareness

8.31.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 3rd Jul 2008

Dale with Ian Bradwell at Vista today.

Lib Dem Freemen Ward Councillor, Dale Keeling, volunteered to take part in an disability awareness class at Vista today.

Dale who has been recently made a Special Olympics Ambassador and a member of the City Council's Disability Partnership Board said, " As part of my new commitments as an ambassador and a new member to the Disability Partnership Board, I decided to try and experience some form of disability in order to gain a form of in-sight into what it could feel to be disabled."

As part of the awareness class, Dale was blindfolded and led outside.

Local campaigner Ian Bradwell who has been blind since 2000, accompanied Dale on the practical side of the class, Ian said, "I have always tried to give a positive aspect of my disability and I'm pleased that Dale is trying to break down the barriers between the two communities."

Cllr Dale Keeling will now push for all councillors that are Special Olympics Ambassadors to have some form of disability awareness training.

The class was covered by BBC Radio Leicester and other local press.