A local DJ and inclusivity activist has launched a new campaign with the hope of improving Rushden and Higham Ferrers’ facilities and activities to make them more accessible for all.

Rushden man Ste Rainford, who is also a DJ for DFR Entertainment which regularly holds inclusive discos and events often aimed at people with disabilities or impairments, is keen to make Rushden and Higham Ferrers more accommodating for people of all backgrounds.

Be Inclusive is all about ‘focusing on encouraging community spaces and businesses to embrace and support people of all abilities.’

Ste said: “I have a bit of autism experience working in schools and I want to look at trying to make things more inclusive.

Local Dj, Ste Rainford, has launched the Be Inclusive campaign

placeholder image — Local Dj, Ste Rainford, has launched the Be Inclusive campaign

“I wanted to make my discos more inclusive which made me think about doing a campaign because I’m looking around Rushden and Higham and thinking that it’s not really inclusive for people in wheelchairs or who are non-verbal.”

While Ste’s discos and entertainment events have ‘continued to grow’, his sights are set on parks in the local area and he is keen to work with councils to improve the provision of play areas for all children and families.

The push for more inclusive playgrounds has become more prominent in recent years, as recent research suggests 50 per cent of parents of children with physical disabilities say their child is excluded from play due to playgrounds being inaccessible to them.

In Northamptonshire, parks and open spaces such as Stanwick Lakes and Billing Aquadrome have made strides to become more accommodating for all users and Ste hopes his campaign will bring the same positive impact to his hometown.

The Be Inclusive initiative coincides with Wellingborough disability campaigner Stephen Liney expressing concerns with Wellingborough’s lack of accessibility for disabled people.

More information about Be Inclusive can be found online here.