July is Disability Pride Month. We talk to Owen Pass, CS Library & Information Advisor at Midsomer Norton Library, Information and Advice Services about what it means to him.
“Disability Pride Month UK 2024 is a month-long celebration in July dedicated to honouring the achievements, culture, and contributions of disabled individuals in the United Kingdom. It aims to raise awareness, promote inclusivity, and foster a sense of unity within the disabled community and beyond.”
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There are many ways to celebrate Disability Pride Month – from events, sharing stories to volunteering. We have chosen to share stories from within our service by talking with Owen Pass, one of our CS Library & Information Advisor at Midsomer Norton Library and Information Advice Services.
Owen started out as volunteer in the Library & Information Service in Midsomer Norton. In 2019, he became an apprentice. He completed his studies with a distinction and then became a Customer Service Library and Information Service Advisor. Owen’s managers say:
“Owen is a key member of the team, always recognising when a customer needs assistance”.
Last summer, Owen’s commitment to learning was recognised at the Council’s At My Best Awards Staff Recognition event.
To mark this month, we asked Owen a few questions about what it means to him.
In the UK, only 53.2% of disabled people are in employment compared to 81.8% of non-disabled people. Since you started as a volunteer all those years ago, you’ve completed an apprenticeship, become a member of staff, and been celebrated at a staff recognition event.
Considering the statistics, did you always think you’d be able to achieve what you have?
Yes, I have always had a positive attitude and found ways to deal with different situations and tasks that challenged me along the way. With this is mind I adapt to my surroundings and think anything is possible and I can achieve anything I put my mind to. I have made use of any help my employer can assist with, for example the Access to Work programme.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I really enjoy the variety of customers and queries you get on a daily basis. You never know what you are going to be asked next. It is an active role – not stuck behind a computer all day.
What can be hard?
I always try to find ways of doing a job, always try to turn it into a positive and find an alternative way to do a task, so that I can see it through. It can be hard sometimes if items I need for a customer are out of reach, but I just ask a colleague to help, to enable me to still serve the customer.
If you could give advice to a young disabled person looking for work experience or a paid role, what would you tell them?
Take any opportunity that comes your way, learn as you go, try things, give it a go and get over hurdles as you go and have ideas. Work out how to do certain tasks with colleagues. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
And finally, what does Disability Pride Month mean to you?
It shows that everyone can shine in their own way and raises awareness to others. It makes people think before they judge others.