The campaign for equal rights will enjoy a dose of Eastern promise as London’s only ethnic minority organisation led by and for South Asian disabled people celebrates the European Year of Disabled People in North-West London, on June 5.

At the Disability Alliance Centre, in Park Royal, event host Asian People's Disability Alliance (APDA) will launch   the booklet ‘Empowerment for Life’, created in collaboration with Millennium Disability Agency and Association of Blind Asians. It will be launched by Rt. Hon. Andrew Smith MP, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

The booklet, funded by the European Commission and the Department of W&P, is the first in the UK to tackle the perceptions of disability within the community.

The EYDP Campaign Bus, which has just completed its tour on mainland Europe, will be a major focal point for the day promoting disability awareness, before it continues its journey across the UK.

The day’s activities-packed programme, at APDA’s Disability Alliance Centre will draw upon a wealth of talent from London’s diverse ethnic communities – including youth disability groups, wheelchair dance groups and a host of musicians - reflecting Europe’s own rich culture and ensuring the day’s success in supporting the EYDP initiative and the disability-rich communities that span the EU.

2003 is the European Year of Disabled People. The year is organised by the European Commission in collaboration with the European Disability Forum (EDF). The EDF is a European umbrella organisation representing more than 37 million disabled people in Europe. The year’s objective is to drive progress towards achieving equal rights for people with disabilities. For more information see website www.disability.gov.uk/euro.

For further information contact:

APDA Press Officer – 020 8434 0526