All set for Disability Awareness Day

THE largest disability event in Europe is set to take place in Warrington on Sunday July 11.
Northwest Disability Awareness Day (DAD) is now in its 19th year and will take place at Walton Hall Gardens (Off A56) Warrington attracting an estimated 30,000 visitors
DAD is Europe’s largest voluntary led disability exhibition supported by a wide range of Arts, Sports, children’s and family entertainments. Attracting nearly 300 exhibitors (including two from Spain and Cyprus) the event attracts over 100 voluntary sector groups 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.
Inclusive Arts is just one of the highlights of the event with disabled artists from across the UK including Spaceships Are Cool who last year performed at Glatonbury. An on-site cinema will host the “Slice of Life” film festival which will highlight short films made by or staring disabled people or written on a disability theme. One of the twelve marquees will be dedicated to Alternative Therapies and Artwork produced by disabled artists.
This year’s Sports Zone will include archery, rifle shooting, climbing wall, basket ball and new for 2010 ScubAbility with the opportunity to try out the sport in the on site 100sq metre temporary swimming pool Children and families won’t be stuck for thing to do with a main entertainments arena and funfair.
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) has once again signed up as this year’s principal sponsor; together with a wide range of national, regional and local organisations also supporting the event.
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 team spend over a year planning each event and 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 (pictured right) 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”. Organiser Dave Thompson said: Overall it’s about what disabled people can do, not what they can’t.”
For more details visit www.disabilityawarenessday.org.uk or call the DAD Office on 01925 240064. For Dave Thompson: Telephone 01925 664064 or email [email protected]