Welcome to DAD 2011

Hello and welcome to DAD 2011 our twentieth annual event.

Who would have thought that on the 26th July 1992 a small team led by disabled people from a social services day centre would set the foundations for the creation of an event that would reach out across the world and touch the lives of tens of thousands of people, including the hundreds of volunteers, exhibitors and sponsors who join us on our journey each year.

Together we have created Europe's largest voluntary led pan disability event aiming to highlight what is available under the umbrella of 'independent living'. We continue to provide a platform to enable small and large support groups, businesses and public sector organisations to work together promoting their services directly to the general public.

During the planning for this year's event we were shocked to hear that our principal sponsor was forced to withdraw, due to governmental changes, leaving a huge £45,000 hole in the budget. But thanks to a few changes, hopefully not too noticeable, and a great fundraising effort from friends and family, the pledges of extra financial support from NHS Warrington and 5 Boroughs NHS Foundation Trust, plus confirmation that several new sponsors had signed up we were able to say that the show will go ahead. Special thanks also go to a long standing supporter of WDP and DAD - Cynthia Sallytus (Cowan) for her donation in memory of her husband, Francois, who sadly passed away this year.

Throughout this past year we have continued to receive interest from across the UK and around the world. We are very pleased to welcome several guests from Thailand to this year's DAD. Looking back since our first event I have to say that it's been a privilege to be a part of DAD's Army of volunteers, together we have achieved so much, a fact that was acknowledged in 2006 when we received the Queens Award for Voluntary Services. This year our efforts received further recognition from the Royal Family when we welcomed HRH Countess of Wessex to Thursday's Mental Health and Wellbeing workshop and exhibition.

During the past nineteen years I have witnessed positive changes in society's attitude towards disabled people, I'd like to think that DAD has played a small part in helping to promote a 'can do' culture focussing on 'what disabled people can do'. Finally, I hope you have an informative and enjoyable day with us, thanks for coming, and thank you to everyone who has helped turn what was once a vision, into actual reality. I look forward to when we set our next milestone - DAD 25.

Thanks for reading this welcome message and thank you to the hundreds and thousands of people who have helped DAD over the past two decades.

Dave Thompson MBE DL

Feedback

Visitors had a great time! Each year we invite them to write their comments on the DAD graffitti wall. These comments are used to make quality improvements year on year.Read some of their comments here.

Contact Us

Disability Awareness Day is organised by Warrington Disability Partnership. If you wish to join in with DAD please click here.To contact us click here. or telephone the Dad team on 01925 240064.

The History

In the first year of DAD Dave and his son marked out the ground with a pot of paint and a handy tape measure. In 2011 our site team will consist of over 30 people many of whom will be using part of their annual leave to volunteer to set up this years show. Read the inspiring story of the event from the early days.

Galleries

Warrington Camera Club, together with staff from the event organisers Warrington Disability Partnership, take lots of excellent photographs every year. Browse our galleries to get a real feel for the day. Are you in our galleries?

DAD ToolKit

Have you ever thought how great it would be to have a Disability Awareness Day in your town? Click here for a fascinating toolkit on how to make it happen!