KIDS 2012 calendar - Celebrating 40 years of enabling disabled children and their families to enjoy their lives

KIDS is pleased to announce that its 2012 calendar is now for sale. The calendar has been sponsored by TFH, whose toys are displayed in use. TFH Special Needs Toys was established in 1984 to create fun products for disabled people.

Kevin Williams, chief executive of KIDS, described the idea behind the calendar: 

"I’m very pleased to explain a little about this calendar, as it seems to me an excellent way of marking the charity’s 40th birthday year. 

Our aim in compiling the calendar was to showcase positive images of disabled children. In doing so, we hope to provide a way for the children and young people that we work with to celebrate their own identity. 

We have depicted these unique children for who they are as young people and individuals, avoiding any labels. Instead, we have used descriptions from people chosen by the subjects themselves to tell their stories. We wanted to emphasise that children are children first and foremost; and that being disabled does not define them.

This attitude is very much what KIDS is all about – we like to focus on what children and young people can achieve, rather than what they can’t or won’t. We provide timely and practical support to nearly 7000 people across England each year, in addition to providing training and consultancy on related issues.    

Finally, we’re also delighted to depict families in this calendar: parents and carers, and siblings who are such an important part of the lives of these children and young people, and central to the work of the charity."