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Recognizing ability

First AccessAble Holiday Craft Fair connecting shoppers with unique gift options

VALLEY JOURNAL-ADVERTISER

A new Christmas craft fair aimed at creating opportunities for people with disabilities is taking place in the Annapolis Valley this year.

The AccessAble Holiday Craft Fair is slated for Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. inside the Kentville Volunteer Fire Department’s auditorium.

Jamie Patterson, the diversity and inclusion champion for Community Inclusion Society/ Nova Scotia Works, said the event empowers people with disabilities.

“Approximately six million — 22 per cent — of Canadians aged 15 and over have a disability. Nova Scotia has a slightly higher rate of 30 per cent,” Patterson said.

“Some will face many barriers to inclusion in some key aspects

of society, including transportation and employment, but also social participation, like politics and entertainment.”

As Dec. 3 is International

Day of People with Disabilities, Patterson said Community Inclusion Society/Nova Scotia Works, Peopleworx Society and the Valley African Nova Scotian Development Association

(VANSDA) decided to join forces to organize a craft fair to highlight the abilities of residents.

“The AccessAble Holiday Craft Fair was designed to encourage conversation to raise awareness about disability issues, and most importantly to emphasize abilities and not disabilities,” she said.

With more than 16 vendors from Hants and Kings counties already lined up to participate, Patterson said there’s a wide selection of products available for people to check out.

“Some will be individual vendors, group workshop participants, and supporters of our disability community. Come by to see unique gift ideas, ornaments, wreaths, jewelry, clothing, baskets, and lots more,” she said.

The goal is to see the fair become an annual event.

“I would love to see the AccessAble

Holiday Craft Fair occur every year — growing in both size and awareness.

We have so much talent in our province that needs to be recognized.”

EVENT PREPAREDNESS

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2021-11-30T08:00:00.0000000Z

2021-11-30T08:00:00.0000000Z

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