Organised by Chelmsford City Council, the Discovery Festival is returning to Chelmsford for its fourth year in celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disability.

The United Nations International Day of Persons with Disability (IDPwD) is acknowledged each year on 3 December. Celebrated globally, the IDPwD aims to promote a positive image of people with disabilities through celebrating their achievements and providing an understanding of disability issues.

The Discovery Festival shares these aims and this year will run from Wednesday 30 November to Friday 2 December, taking place in High Chelmer Shopping Centre.

The central information stand, located in High Chelmer Shopping Centre, will provide the opportunity to discover more about the wide variety of organisations and support groups in Chelmsford and the surrounding area for those living with disabilities and their families… but the journey of discovery doesn’t have to end there!

Further discovery stands run by a number of charities and organisations will also be joining in. Each stand is designed for you to further discover and understand disability through a variety of interactive and immersive activities/ elements. From experiencing the National Autistic Society’s ‘Too Much Information’ campaign through virtual reality headsets to experiencing the world of sight loss through Support 4 Sight’s simulation specs.

Chelmsford City Council’s Champion for Disabled Children and Adults, Councillor Stephanie Scott, said “The Discovery Festival aims to highlight some of the excellent work that goes on across Chelmsford and between partner agencies to help those affected by disability. I myself have worked with children and adults challenged by physical and neurological disorders for over twenty years, and so I am very much looking forward to helping to raise awareness of disability and the support available for those affected. This year's event has many interactive elements and I would encourage as many people as possible to come along and find out more.”

Be sure to put the date in your diary and come along to start your own journey of discovery.

For more information about the event and to view a full programme of what’s on during the week, please visit: www.chelmsford.gov.uk/discoveryfestival