Westfield to proclaim Disability Awareness Month & announce Sensory Day

The City of Westfield will proclaim March as Disability Awareness Month on Monday, Feb. 24 during the City Council meeting.

The proclamation, which will be presented to Nicole Southerland, chairperson of the Westfield Mayor’s Council on Disabilities (WMCD), is one part of a much broader initiative to promote inclusivity and accessibility in Westfield.

Willis

“My administration is extremely proud to support the council on disabilities and their initiatives through this proclamation,” Mayor Scott Willis said. “Westfield would not be the fantastic community we know and love without all of our residents. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to celebrate and honor them in this way.”

To kick off Disability Awareness Month, the WMCD will hold its inaugural Westfield Sensory Day from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 1 at the Westfield Washington Public Library, 17400 Westfield Blvd.

This free community event provides sensory-friendly crafts and activities for all ages, complimentary refreshments courtesy of Bee Free, and the opportunity to learn about new adaptive programming coming to Westfield from resource booth vendors. The newly launched community art exhibition program will have art displayed for the very first time during the event. In addition, there will be a sensory story time from 1:30 to 2 p.m. followed by a closed caption (no sound) movie screening at 2:30 p.m.

Southerland

“People with disabilities – whether seen or unseen – are vital members of our community,” Southerland said. “It’s essential that we not only acknowledge their importance, but also their contributions to Westfield. Events like this ensure they not only feel comfortable in their community, but also wholeheartedly embraced by it. We’re grateful the city shares our vision for inclusivity and awareness.”

Westfield Sensory Day is sponsored by Hampton by Hilton. For more information about the Westfield Mayor’s Council on Disabilities or the Westfield Sensory Day, visit westfieldin.gov/WMCD.