Health InsuranceDisability Awareness Day 2009 Sunday 12th July
"Absolutely inspirational" that"s was the expression used by one visitor to describe last years Northwest Disability Awareness Day (DAD).
This year"s event is the 18th annual show and will be held on Sunday 12th July at Walton Hall Gardens (Off A56) Warrington. It is Europe"s largest voluntary led pan disability exhibition supported by a wide range of Arts, Sports, children"s and family entertainments. Attracting nearly 300 exhibitors (including one from Spain and another from Cyprus) the event attracts over 100 charities covering physical, sensory and learning disabilities, mental health and carers, young and not so young, the event has something for every one of the expected 25,000 visitors from across the UK.
A wide range of organisations will promote a range of health and social care, employment and education, private and voluntary sector support services including Rethink, which is involved in running the national "Time to Change" anti-stigma campaign".
Grainne Cuerden, Northwest Regional Manager for the mental health charity Rethink, says:
"It is fantastic that Disability Awareness Day is addressing issues facing people with mental health problems - one of our last great taboos. Even though one in four people will experience a mental health problem at some stage, the stigma and discrimination they face deny people relationships, work, education, hope, and the chance to live an ordinary life that others take for granted. Raising awareness through events such as this is a crucial step forward."
Inclusive Arts is one of the highlights of this year"s line-up with disabled artists from across the North West and an on-site cinema housing the "Slice of Life" film festival which will highlight short films made by or staring disabled people or written on a disability theme.
DAD is one of the largest community events in the North West involving over 150 volunteer stewards and assistants from Lions and Rotary Clubs, Sea Cadets, Thorn Cross Young Offenders Institute and dozens of family and friends.
It"s not surprising that the event received royal recognition when the organising team Warrington Disability Partnership were presented with a Queens Award for Voluntary Services.
With a free accessible Park & Ride service and free bus from Warrington Bus Interchange, British Sign Language Interpreters, a scooter and wheelchair loans service, trained assistants, the event is built on promoting inclusion.
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is once again this year"s principal sponsor with a wide range of national, regional and local organisations also supporting the event.
Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive at the NWDA said:
"The NWDA continues to work hard to ensure people across all communities have access to the facilities and infrastructure that to contribute to a successful regional economy and enjoy a good quality of life.
"Disability Awareness Day has gone from strength to strength, raising awareness of disability issues and promoting the skills of the talented people within the region."
Chair of Warrington Disability Partnership and event co-ordinator Dave Thompson MBE DL, said:
"Against a back ground of economic crisis which has affected charities as well as businesses we are amazed at the response we have received for this year"s event. Its thanks to the hard work and commitment of our management team, our stewards and assistants, our exhibitors, our visitors and the support of our sponsors that ensures that the event grows stronger each year. We would like to thank our colleagues at the NWDA and all of our other sponsors for their continuing support".
DAD is the main event of a week long festival of disability activities that includes workshops on employment, carers support, learning disability, children and young people, mental health, wheelchair skills and much more.
Over the years the Northwest Disability Awareness Day has helped inspire individuals and groups across the UK and Europe to set up similar information events including a DAD Gibraltar.
DAD is organised by Warrington Disability Partnership a local not for profit social enterprise and registered charity. The event team spend over a week preparing and dismantling the site. Many of the volunteers take their annual leave to be there.
The event was started back in 1992 by Dave Thompson and a very small team of volunteers. Dave recalls that at 8am on the morning of the first event his twelve year old son Gavin helped mark out the exhibitor spaces with a tape measure, a tin of white emulsion paint and a two inch paint brush. Dave is still the event co-ordinator but the team of volunteers known as DAD"s Army has grown, son Gavin is now the Assistant Head Steward.
The strap line for this year"s event is "promoting independence throughout life and work". Dave said: Overall it"s about what disabled people can do, not what they can"t.
Northwest Regional Development Agency