THE world’s largest voluntary led disability awareness event is set to take place at Walton hall and Gardens on Sunday July 13 – and with it comes a week-long calendar of special events to mark the occasion.
Warrington Disability Partnership’s Disability Awareness Day (DAD) is now in its 23rd year with the main aim of showcasing the wide range of support services available locally, regionally and nationally that enable disabled people, carers and families to stay independent.
Principally sponsored by Your Housing Group a huge tented village will play host to an expected 250 exhibitors and it is estimated that more than 25,000 visitors will make the journey to Warrington from across the UK and beyond to experience DAD 2014.
With a free, accessible park and ride service; a free bus from Warrington Bus Interchange; British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters; trained assistants and a scooter / wheelchair loans service, DAD 2014 promises to be 100 per cent all-inclusive.
Staff from Your Housing Group will be on hand to talk to visitors who may have questions about housing and recent Welfare Reform changes – including the options available and where they can receive the right advice and support.
Also on-site will be the fully accessible – and outdoor – Dave Connor Sports Zone, which will boast an impressive assortment of activities including a climbing wall with full harness; archery; small boar rifle shooting; striker academy; wheelchair basketball; an inflatable rugby pitch and a football / tennis area (provided by Warrington Wolves); golf – courtesy of Cheshire County; Cheshire Scuba Academy; Kuk Sool Won Martial Arts, Widnes; and fencing with WDP Trustee Adrian Derbyshire.
Inclusive Arts is just one of the highlights of the event – with disabled performers including Carly and Martin from the BBC’s ‘Autistic Superstars’ plus ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ semi-finalists The Urban Gypsies. There will also be an exhibition of artwork – produced by disabled artists – for visitors to enjoy.
For a full running order, please visit the DAD website at www.disabilityawarenessday.org.uk
The big day – which will take place from 10am to 5pm – will be a fitting finale to a week comprising a variety of complementary events to savour, which are guaranteed to attract thousands more visitors. 
Event founder and Co-ordinator Dave Thompson MBE DL (pictured right) said: “The DAD Team were really pleased – and somewhat relieved – when we heard the news that Your Housing Group had agreed to extend their financial support for another year as our principal sponsor.”
“It is very humbling to hear the interest from across the world about our event -which initially started out as a one-off celebration, but has since become the main event on the disability calendar nationally and now internationally. This is all thanks to a great team of staff, volunteers and supporters aptly named ‘DAD’s Army’. Overall DAD focuses on what disabled people can do – not what we can’t do – and it proves to be a great day out for everyone,” added Dave.
Brian Cronin, Chief Executive of Your Housing Group, said: “Your Housing Group is enormously proud to once again be the principal sponsor of the Disability Awareness Day. As well as being a fantastic community event, DAD provides a wonderful opportunity to showcase the achievements and talents of people living with various disabilities. It also offers Your Housing Group the chance to show the work we are doing across the Group on Welfare Reform to ensure that our residents are fully informed and supported.”
For more details on DAD and all the events taking place in the build up, please contact Warrington Disability Partnership on 01925 240064 or visit www.disabilityawarenessday.org.uk
Tickets can be purchased online by visiting
http://www.disabilityawarenessday.org.uk/pay/index.shtml
Picture shows Town Crier Peter Powell launching last year’s event
