Mobility trade gears up for this year’s 32nd annual Disability Awareness Day in Warrington
Mobility and independent living suppliers from across the UK are gearing up to showcase their range of products and services this week in the run-up to Disability Awareness Day (DAD) on Sunday 16th July, with a finale of complementary events taking places from tomorrow.
Organised by the Disability Trading Company and its owners the Warrington Disability Partnership, the aim of this year’s event is to promote independent living through the theme: “It’s what disabled people can do that matters”.
DAD 2023 exhibitors will highlight solutions supporting independent living and mobility, with equipment, products, transport, employment, education, training, health and social care, leisure activities, alongside over 100 charities/support groups. With over 220 exhibitors, over 24,000 visitors are expected to this year’s event.
Products from suppliers including Sunrise Medical, Primacare, Recliners, Kymco, Drive Devilbiss, Monarch, Quantum, One Rehab and Pride will be on display on stands. Automotive Group and Lewis Reed will be promoting wheelchair accessible vehicles, and BAS (NW) will be sharing the news about the latest hand controls, hoists and seating.
Event founder and co-ordinator Dave Thompson MBE DL commented: “We are very pleased to announce that disability education specialists Expanse Learning Group and the North West’s water supplier United Utilities, are leading our list of sponsors for DAD 2023”.
Most of this year’s exhibitors will be housed in a huge tented village of marquees that will be supported by; an extended Sports Zone, a Main Arena, a huge Performing Arts Marquee, two further Arts Marquees for art and crafts, one featuring the Goofus Theatre Company, a Silent Disco, a children’s fun fair and play areas. Entertainment will also be available adjacent to the entrance bridge and Heritage Yard.
On the day, visitors can gain an insight into the help and support that is available locally, regionally and nationally from statutory organisations, businesses and voluntary sector groups.
They can “have a go” at sports activities including tennis, cricket, American football, snooker, rugby league, martial arts, tai chi, powerchair football, CrossFit and scuba diving in the on-site pool, as well as giant sports inflatables.
Visitors looking for a more relaxed day can enjoy a fantastic line-up of talent in the Arts Marquee with some of the UK’s leading disabled artists including Ella Together, Carly Ryan, Creating Adventures, BSL Choir, Stars Drama, Wolf Print Dance and Groovy Movers. Supported by Rock Choir, Warrington Male Voice Choir, Signature Brass, Chester Ladies Choir and Wired for Sound. BSL interpreters will support all acts.
Sitting alongside the Main Arena will be a guide dog display team, the Reach Sled Dogs Display Team, Batida Rio Samba Band, Royal Marines Corps of Drums and sports demonstrations.
Children can visit the funfair rides or Walton Gardens accessible onsite zoo, crazy golf, high ropes, and pitch and putt.
DAD 2023 will be the finale of a week of complementary events taking place in Walton Gardens. These start with a Disability Confident Employers Workshop and Creating Adventures “One Time Only” variety show, taking place on Tuesday 11th July.
On Wednesday 12th July, Merseycare NHS Trust will be hosting “Ignite Your Life” workshops, while the Ella Together “Summertime Special” will be providing top singing and dancing entertainment. On Thursday 13th July, the United Utilities ‘Customer Vulnerability Summit’ will take place, highlighing support services for vulnerable people, alongside the Warrington Carers Hub “Wellbeing Festival” and “Party in the Park” for disabled young people and young carers. The finale of the week, on Friday 14th July, will see the UK’s top tribute band “Bjorn to be Abba” perform a range of Abba’s most loved hits.
Support services at DAD 2023 will include a free accessible Park and Ride service, free accessible buses from Warrington Town Centre, a scooter and wheelchair loan service with trained enablers, British Sign Language interpreters, additional unisex wheelchair accessible toilets and over 100 trained stewards and helper’s eager to make it a day to remember for everyone.
DAD continues to capture the imaginations of organisations around the UK and worldwide with events planned in Cameroon, India, Uganda, Abu Dhabi and more. Dave Thompson recalls the day it all started from a brief conversation with Nick White, Head Ranger at Walton Gardens back in 1992; he said “Nobody would have expected the event to still be running nearly 32 years later, and that it would have grown to be recognised not just locally, but now internationally. It is testament to all of the team involved who are aptly named DAD’s Army”.
For enquiries, please contact Warrington Disability Partnership on 01925 240064, or email info@disabilitypartnership.org.uk
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