The Huddersfield Town Foundation proudly hosted a Disability Awareness Day at the Accu Stadium on Wednesday 3 December to mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The event featured England Visually Impaired Footballer Azeem Amir and his organisation, Learn with ESS, who delivered an inspiring and educational experience for local pupils.
St Thomas Primary School, Hillside Primary School and Moldgreen Primary School attended the event, which aimed to raise awareness and promote inclusion for people with disabilities.
Pupils began the day with an introduction from Azeem Amir, who shared his personal journey and experiences as a visually impaired athlete.
They then took part in a sign language workshop, followed by a visual impairment workshop that offered hands-on activities to help them understand the challenges faced by those with sight loss.
The day concluded with a tour of the Accu Stadium, giving students a behind-the-scenes look at the home of Huddersfield Town.
This initiative reflects the Foundation’s mission to ensure people in Kirklees can GROW through learning and opportunity, THRIVE through improved wellbeing and BELONG through connection and inclusion.
Beth Cook, Senior Health and Wellbeing Manager of the Huddersfield Town Foundation, said:
“At Huddersfield Town Foundation, we aspire to create inclusive environments and communities, where everyone can reach their full potential.
“Working with Azeem to mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities has been inspiring to say the least. He spoke about how acts of kindness and simply asking someone with a disability, ‘how can we help you’, goes incredibly far.
“We hope that all students who attended can take this message away with them and be positive allies to people with disabilities”
Sam Dainty, CEO of the Huddersfield Town Foundation, added:
“Bringing Azeem Amir into the Accu Stadium to share his journey gave pupils the chance to learn, challenge perceptions and celebrate difference in a really powerful way.
“When young people engage with inclusion so openly, it strengthens the sense of community we work hard to build across Kirklees.
“At the Huddersfield Town Foundation, we’re committed to creating opportunities that ensure everyone feels valued and supported.
“Today’s event shows how, by coming together with curiosity and kindness, OUR TOWN becomes a place where everyone can thrive.”
Azeem Amir is an England and Great Britain blind footballer (B1), who has been visually impaired since birth due to Ocular Auricular Syndrome. He made his international debut in Japan in 2018 and has since represented his country on the world stage, including competing at the IBSA World Games, with sights set on the Paris 2024 Paralympics.
Off the pitch, Azeem combines sport with education. While studying for a Master's degree in Sports Management at the University of Salford, he founded Learn With ESS, a disability-awareness programme delivering interactive workshops in schools, businesses and sports clubs across the UK.
Founded in 2012, the Huddersfield Town Foundation uses the power of OUR club to create opportunities, reduce inequalities and inspire lasting change for OUR community through the delivery of projects across Kirklees and the surrounding area.
The Foundation offers opportunities across education, health and youth engagement to deliver impactful, inclusive programmes that empower OUR TOWN to thrive.