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Paralympian Steve Brown visited Harrietsham preschool this week (November 10^th) to launch an animation DVD about disability amongst preschool children.

The project called ‘Disability Eddie’ is the third DVD in the series of ‘Eddie and Friends’ which is an interactive, educational resource aimed at preschool children which address early years issues on hydration, nutrition and inclusivity. The animation aims to help preschool children to understand and normalise disability with the character Tammi the tortoise (voiced by Baroness Grey-Thompson) who meets Eddie and his friends.

Disability Eddie has been funded by Golding Vision in partnership with Wellbeing People and the DVD, alongside an educational fun pack, will be rolled out free to more than 60 Maidstone preschools, thanks to funding from the RBLI. Early years professionals have been involved in the project and the script was created in collaboration with the Centre of Independent Living in Kent.

Steve Brown, England wheelchair rugby captain for 2012 said:  “I am really proud to back this project that works to normalise disability and was delighted to be invited to meet the children at Harrietsham preschool. The DVD is such a great way of getting positive messages across to young minds that disability shouldn’t limit your ambitions to succeed in life.”

Donna Swift, from the Centre for Independent Living in Kent was involved with the content for the animation and said: “The reason I got involved with the project is because I feel that it is important children know about disability from a young age and are brought up knowing that disability is okay and that we are all different but we can support each other.  Me and my colleague were able to advise on the project coming from a personal experience of disability, which I feel is important.

“The DVD provides a visual learning aid showing what disability can look like and that disabled people can do things too.  We may do things differently and need a bit of support but we can live active lives too.  I feel the DVD is engaging and enables preschool age children to learn in a fun and non-threatening way.”

England wheelchair rugby captain for 2012 Steve Brown joined forces with Golding Vision, Wellbeing and RBLI to showcase the DVD to children at Harrietsham Preschool and then played a game of wheelchair rugby in the playground with the children.

Harrietsham preschool manager Susan Taylor said:“It was very exciting to have such a special visitor come to the preschool and a great opportunity for the children to view disability in a positive light from such a young age. We were happy to host the launch and share the resource with the children.”

The project also marks six years of Golding Vision’s work as the community arm of Kent housing provider Golding Homes. It is just one of a number of community projects that Golding Vision has commissioned as part of its annual investment and partnership working to improve the life opportunities of its residents.

Head of Community Development for Golding Vision, Caroline McBride said: “With a huge commitment to partnership working in the Maidstone community and beyond, we have been instrumental in bringing together a diverse network of partners to deliver a range of highly successful and innovative community projects. Disability Eddie is a great example of this.”

Ben Mcgannan, Managing Director for Wellbeing People said: “I am very proud to be working with Golding Homes and RBLI in supporting Early Years education.”

Another key supporter for the project is the RBLI who also attended the launch.

Natalie Sjosvard , Community Fundraising Manager for RBLI said:  “We are delighted to be involved with such a wonderful  and important project that helps people understand disability at a young age. RBLI is passionate about supporting those that are affected by disability or long term health conditions and know that due to the lessons that Disability Eddie will teach, young people with disabilities will not have to face barriers due to their conditions in the future.”