An event aimed at highlighting the impact different forms of support can have on the lives of disabled people has been arranged to take place at the end of this week. The Disability Awareness Day Conference which will take place on Sunday 12th July at Walton Gardens in Warrington will showcase the different forms of support groups and services which people of varying levels of ability have on offer to them to help them engage with and adapt to life in modern day society.
There are approximately 16.8 million disabled people in the UK This includes 24% of working age adults. Census data from the Merseyside area highlights a high local prevalence of 23.8% of people being identified as having a disability.
A person is considered to have a disability if they report a long-standing illness, disability or impairment which causes substantial difficulty with day-to-day activities. This is consistent with the core definition of disability under the Equality Act 2010. Some people classified as disabled and having rights under the Equality Act 2010 are not captured by this definition, such as people with a long-standing illness or disability which is not currently affecting their day-to-day activities.
From 2018, a person is considered to have a disability in the NTS if they report any physical or mental health condition or illness that lasts or is expected to last 12 months or more, and which limits their ability to carry out day-to-day activities. This is consistent with the core definition of disability under the Equality Act 2010, and complies with harmonised standards for social surveys published in August 2011. Some people classified as disabled and having rights under the Equality Act 2010 are not captured by this definition. This includes people with a long-standing illness or disability which is not currently affecting their day-to-day activities.
The main theme of the event is to help promote independence through life and work and will be supported by various principal sponsorship organisations including United Utilities. Having been organised by a disability trading company, they will be able to draw on the knowledge and experience many of their members and employees can offer and are willing to share. This helps to build a valuable and much needed image of what to expect in society for all disabled people.
There are expected to be over two hundred exhibitors in attendance to help build a well-rounded image which disabled people can use to help improve their own knowledge and experiences. These will all be from companies specialising in different aspects of life and will provide as much information as needed to assist people in their every day lives.
Attractions include a sports zone, performing arts, arts and crafts, a main arena, silent disco, family entertainment and demonstrations of assistive technology.
Accessibility features include British Sign Language interpreters, free accessible shuttle buses and park-and-ride, wheelchair and mobility scooter loans (subject to availability), accessible toilets and Changing Places facilities.
Disability Awareness Day was founded by Dave Thompson MBE, who launched the first event in Warrington in 1992. The annual event has been organised ever since by Warrington Disability Partnership, the user-led charity he founded in 1991. The charity promotes independent living and provides employment, training and support services for disabled people.
Since it’s launch, organisers say the Warrington exhibition has welcomed more than 700,000 visitors and grown into the world’s largest voluntary-led, pan-disability, free-to-attend independent living exhibition.
According to Warrington Disability Partnership, the success of the Warrington event has inspired organisations in nearly 20 countries—including Cameroon, India, Uganda, Thailand, Gibraltar and Egypt—to establish their own Disability Awareness Day events. These events are organised locally rather than by Warrington Disability Partnership.
The Warrington exhibition now forms the centrepiece of ‘DAD Week’, a week-long programme of disability-focused events including activities for carers, disabled children and young people, arts, sport and community engagement.
Disability Awareness Day received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2006 and has welcomed members of the Royal Family, government ministers and international delegations over the years.
