In Foligno, disability breaks down walls. Last Sunday “I just want to be happy… and I start at school” took place, a conference on school, disability and language promoted by Catia Borsellini and Sandro Acciarini of ” Penso Positivo by Tommaso”. An association born from the will of the parents of Tommaso Acciarini, who died prematurely at 17, to help many young people who, like him, experience disability every day. The meeting, which took place in the “Santa Caterina” auditorium in Foligno, saw many moments taking place on stage which also involved prominent personalities. Among these Pierfrancesco Diliberto, aka Pif, who with a live connection explained the moral importance of all working together to build a society in which diversity is just one aspect like any other. The contribution of the “Scarpellini” and “Orfini” schools was also fundamental, as they gave students and school staff a voice on the topic of disability through the presentation of video content. Interventions from which physical difficulties emerged which are often accompanied by the relational ones that are at the basis of the real problem.
Also present at the conference was the president of the Regional Observatory on the condition of people with disabilities in the Umbria Region, Paola Fioroni, who declared: “Sharing the same language and raising awareness in the community towards the real inclusion of people with disabilities helps every day to grow as a social system and protect rights through the recognition of the need for the development of each individual life project and the valorisation of abilities and talents”.
Also touching were the contributions of Daniele Parrettini, para trap champion, who sincerely told what he thought of disability before experiencing it firsthand, and Francesca Cesarini, winner of Italia’s Got Talent, who told how she fought prejudice at school.
Also participating in the meeting was Raffaele Ciambrone, coordinator of the “Education, university and training” working group of the National Disability Observatory of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, who spoke touching on transversal topics from school to the world of work.
Then, on stage, Massimo Rolla, guarantor for the rights of people with disabilities in the Umbria region and support teacher Mila Sabbati.
