All set for 18th DAD!

THE largest voluntary led disability awareness event in Europe got underway this week culminating in the Disability Awareness Day this Sunday (July 12).
“Absolutely inspirational” was the expression used by one visitor to describe last year’s North West Disability Awareness event.
This year’s event is the 18th annual show and takes place at Walton Hall Gardens, Warrington. The event is 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, over 100 charities covering physical, sensory and learning disabilities, mental health and carers, young and not so young, and an 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, said :“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 CrossYoung Offenders Institute and dozens of family and friends.
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, (pictured right) 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.
The strap line for this year’s event is “promoting independence throughout life and work”. Dave added: Overall it’s about what disabled people can do, not what they can’t.
The event will be started at 10am by Town Crier Peter Powell (pictured left).
For more details visit www.disabilityawarenessday.org.uk or call the DAD Office on 01925 240064.