• UK
  • 11:58 07 Nov 2009
  • |    Vilnius
  • 13:58 07 Nov 2009

Animated creatures will challenge attitudes towards disability (09/02/2009)

Hedgehog. Creature Discomforts. Change the way you see disability!

Creature Discomforts

On 5 February , at the Centre of Tolerance in Vilnius ,  the British Embassy launched a disability awareness campaign  ‘’Change the Way you See Disability’ – Creature Discomforts’’.

The British Embassy has been working with the British charity “Leonard Cheshire Disability” to reproduce in Lithuania, subtitled in the Lithuanian language, a series of cartoon advertisements featuring characters created by ‘Aardman Animation’’-  the famous  makers of  Oscar-winning “Wallace and Gromit”.   

The campaign highlights the disadvantages and discrimination that disabled people experience every day, largely as a result of the ignorance of the wider population.

Disabled people experience unnecessary social barriers which are created largely through ignorance. In the twenty-first century it is unacceptable that such negative attitudes to disability still persist. Everyone has a part to play in creating a world in which disabled people are included in every aspect of life.

Watch me. Creature Discomforts

Creature Discomforts - Watch Me

The characters – twelve in total – are all animated creatures, each with a different disability.  The animations are based on the genuine voices of disabled people describing in their own words the negative attitudes and barriers they experience, which separate them from society.

At the launch of the project the British Ambassador Simon Butt said :’’I hope that all those seeing the films will be inspired to think about disability in a new way and perhaps also to consider how they can help to improve conditions for disabled people in Lithuania.  Because commiserating with their circumstances does not help, and can even be insulting.  Recognising, celebrating, and developing their potential and opportunities in life – opportunities for fellow-citizens – is what this campaign is all about, and I wish it lasting success’’.

Creature Discomforts have become very popular in the UK .  The reason for that is that the campaign aims at making a serious point with humour, presents the problem in an informative and entertaining way”, said Tanya Barron, International Director of Leonard Cheshire Disability.

Tanya Barron also took part at a round table discussion with the representatives of the leading Lithuanian disability organization, businesses, government departments and  the media.  She introduced  Leonard Cheshire Disability to the Lithuanian audience. The discussion later  focused on the UK’s and Lithuania’s approach to Universal design, to more inclusive society, physically accessible schools, inclusion of the disabled children into the mainstream schools,  campaigning for the civil and human rights of the disabled people.


Leonard Cheshire Disability (www.lcdisability.org)  supports over 21,000 disabled people in the UK and works in 52 countries.  The charity  campaigns for change and provide innovative services that give disabled people the opportunity to live life their way.

To view the adds with Creature Discomforts  or to try out the new games featuring Creature Discomforts visit  www.creaturediscomforts.org

Notes for Editors

 

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