Disability Awareness Day hailed great success

AN estimated 24,000 people from across the country visited Warrington Disability Partnership’s “big day”, DAD 2014 which was held at Walton Hall Gardens at the weekend – and now plans are already underway for next year’s event.
Principally sponsored by Your Housing Group, the world’s largest not for profit, voluntary-led pan-disability exhibition succeeded once again in showcasing the wide range of support available locally, regionally and nationally that enables disabled people, carers and families to stay independent.
Hundreds of exhibitors pitched up in and around the tented village for the day to provide invaluable information to visitors which covered everything from equipment suppliers and transportation to leisure, employment, support groups and health and social care.
The free, accessible park and ride service and free bus from Warrington Bus Interchange helped to ease travel congestion for people attending and the on-site activities – ranging from the Dave Connor Sports Zone to live performances throughout the day in the Arts Marquee – were as strong as ever.
There was also a concerted effort during this year’s event to embrace social media and to take WDP’s Twitter profile (@WDPcomms) to a new level. Thanks to the efforts of Trustee and Social Media Expert Mark Wilson OBE, the Admin Team and members of the public who retweeted DAD-related posts, the target to reach 500 followers by the end of the event was not only reached, but exceeded (537)!
Event founder and organiser Dave Thompson MBE DL was delighted to see more disabled people than ever before using the Sport Zone’s pool and scuba diving facilities – including (for the first time ever) Afghanistan veteran Tom Coleridge. Dave said: “One of our exhibitors – ‘Ability Needs’ magazine – reported that they had successfully distributed 10,300 copies of their magazine, which is the most they had ever distributed at an event.”
Alongside Your Housing Group’s Robert Porter, former ‘Coronation Street’ actor Steven Arnold and Warrington Wolves star Ryan Atkins, Dave proudly presented this year’s Positive Action Awards.
The awards – which aim to recognise exemplary practice in the North West – were won by The A.L.E.X. Project, Lawrence Smith, Knowsley Parents and Adult Carers (KPAC) and Penny O’Hare.
Every performance in the Arts Marquee was special and there was a full house for the Ella Performance Group, who captivated the crowd with a stunning rendition of ‘Let It Go’ from the modern-day Disney classic ‘Frozen’. Tickets for the group’s forthcoming production of ‘Oliver The Musical’ – which will be performed on Saturday, February 21 and Sunday, February 22 2015 – are now available (£10 from The Brindley, Runcorn box office).
Sponsors and key supporters of the event were recognised on the day at a VIP Reception, which was held in Walton Hall. The event also included the official launch of the Warrington Access Guide – a website containing information about the accessibility of thousands of buildings and services located in Warrington. The online guide – which can be accessed at www.warringtonaccessguide.org.uk – includes car parking, wheelchair access, toilets and facilities for people with hearing or sight impairments.
As well as Steven Arnold, special guests also included Councillor Ted Finnegan – the Mayor of Warrington – and Elizabeth Harrison, who works for Gibraltar’s Ministry for Equality.
Elizabeth is the country’s Lead Disability Officer and the organiser of their Disability Awareness Day.
Brian Cronin, Chief Executive of Your Housing Group, said: “Your Housing Group is enormously proud to be the principal sponsor of Disability Awareness Day 2014. As an organisation we have a strong commitment to people with disabilities – both as a housing provider and as an equal opportunities employer.
‘Disability Awareness Day continues to go from strength to strength and is a fantastic event that showcases the achievements and talents of people with disabilities.”
Speaking after the event, Dave Thompson said: “When I woke up at 5am this morning it was raining heavily and I was in a dark place thinking about how much hard work had been put into getting the event site prepared for the big day, but the weather brightened up and by 7am all of our plans came together. There was a nice, constant flow of people all day and I can honestly say that DAD continues to get better and better.”
Dave defined ‘what makes a great DAD’ by adding: “It is seeing everyone having a good time.
‘Our influence continues to grow and this is evident by the fact that today Milton Keynes is holding its first DAD and our friends over in Cameroon are currently holding their second.”
Dave also recorded a welcome speech, which is being used at the opening ceremony of DAD India on Tuesday, July 15.
“In the past 22 years we have had more than 450,000 people attend DAD and after this year we continue to edge ever closer to the 500,000 mark, which is a fantastic achievement,” he said.
As well as providing the opportunity to raise awareness of support services, equipment and showcasing what disabled people ‘can do’, DAD has also provided the opportunity for local and regional charities to raise around £740,000.
“It’s been a great week with some brilliant events taking place in the run-up to DAD,” said Dave. “I would like to thank everyone who has worked so hard to make those events – and today’s showcase – the success they’ve proven to be.”
Dave and the team are now busy planning DAD 2015; the date for next year’s diary is Sunday, July 12.
For more pictures from the event click on the image below.