The aim of associations for people with disabilities is to change mentalities.
One of the most unique venues at Sziget Festival is the XS Land adventure park, where festival-goers can experience what it’s like to live as a person with a disability. Activities range from wheelchair fencing to no-hands painting and other sports.
NGOs and associations for people with disabilities do not just entertain, they also seek to change mentalities.
Panna Horváth, is a volunteer for the recreational sports association for the visually impaired:
“One of our main goals is to break taboos in people’s minds, so that the next time they meet a disabled person, whether on the street, at work, at school or elsewhere, they will get to know them from a different perspective, look at them from a different angle.”
The most popular activities include two obstacle courses. One is a wheelchair course and the other is a maze where participants have to find the exit blindfolded. Through these activities, the public becomes aware of the difficulties faced by people with disabilities:
“Honestly, at first I thought I was doing great, but once we got to really small spaces I was completely lost. So it’s fun for us, and it’s a playful way to put ourselves in their shoes, but I can only imagine how hard it is to do every day.” Said one participant.
XS Land also welcomes people with special needs themselves. For example, wheelchairs can be rented and visually impaired people can request to be accompanied.