Disability Pride Month 2025
Tue 8/Jul/25
Celebrating Disability Pride Month at Sutton Libraries
Disability Pride Month is celebrated throughout the month of July, with the primary goal of promoting acceptance, respect, and inclusion for people with disabilities. At Sutton Libraries, we’re proud to offer welcoming spaces, inclusive services, and empowering partnerships that reflect our belief that everyone deserves access to culture, creativity, and community.
Inclusive Events & Supportive Groups
Regular Events
- Mencap Job Club: Held every Thursday at Sutton Central Library, this supportive session helps adults with learning disabilities gain vital employability skills, from writing CVs to job searching, in a friendly, encouraging environment.
- VIP (Visually Impaired) Reading Group: Our popular reading group for adults with visual impairments offers a chance to enjoy audiobooks together and share reading experiences in a social, accessible setting.
Special Events
- Head2Head Sensory Theatre: Don’t Worry Little Crab: Join one of Head2Head Sensory Theatre’s sensory storytellers for a reading of ‘Don’t Worry Little Crab’ before settling down next to a rock pool to recreate Little Crab’s journey. How will Little Crab deal with the big emotions involved in taking the big step towards exploring the sea for the first time? Can you help Little Crab find the courage to overcome his fears? Specifically designed for SEND children. (Ages 2–12)
- We regularly run special events created with SEND children and adults in mind. Check out the SEND section on our events platform to see what’s coming up!
Collaborations That Make a Difference
We work in partnership with organisations such as Nickel Support and Playwise to create meaningful opportunities for adults and children with additional needs. These collaborations enrich our activities and help us provide better support for families across the borough.
- Beans & Bloom: A vibrant café run by Nickel Support at Whitehall Historic House. This inspiring project gives adults with learning disabilities the opportunity to build skills, confidence, and independence through real café experience. With over 1,200 coffees served this year and 15 fantastic trainees, it’s a true community hub full of warmth and purpose. We are honoured to work alongside Nickel Support to help this wonderful initiative grow and thrive.
- Playwise: Located in Sutton Central Library, Playwise offers parents and carers of young disabled children—and the professionals that support them—a wide range of services. This helps reduce the impact of disability and SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability) and supports families on their journey. Playwise offers new, innovative, and bespoke interventions either at home, in our community hub in Sutton, or in the child’s own learning setting. Playwise supports children aged 0–8 years.
Resources That Empower
- eBooks for Everyone: We offer two curated accessible eBook collections:
These feature inclusive stories, diverse characters, and disability representation. Whether you're looking for fiction, biography, or informative reads, our digital shelves are always open.
You can explore the collections via the Libby and BorrowBox apps, which include:
- Adjustable font size
- Dyslexia-friendly font
- Screen reader compatibility
- Dark mode and high-contrast options
Watch this video to learn how to access the accessibility features on Libby, BorrowBox and Pressreader. Watch Accessibility Video
- In-Branch Accessibility:
- All libraries offer large print books and audiobooks on CDs.
- Reading Well Collection: Available in all branches, this collection includes books recommended by health experts and people with lived experience. It offers guidance and stories on mental health, long-term conditions, dementia, and neurodiversity. The collection is free to borrow and no medical referral is needed.
- Video Resources:
Transforming Spaces for SEND Learners
Sutton Life Centre is being developed into a Preparation for Adulthood Hub run in partnership with the London Borough of Sutton. As well as being a college centre, the hub will provide activities, services, information, and employment support for young people with SEND in the local area. Sutton Life Centre is also home to the community library, café, and sports facilities.
Coming Soon: SEND Quiet Days at the Museums
Starting in September, our borough museums will host regular SEND Quiet Days. These sessions offer low-sensory, calm environments designed for autistic children and others who benefit from quieter, more flexible visits.
Together, we celebrate Disability Pride Month not just as a moment, but as a movement towards equity, visibility, and joyful inclusion in all our communities.