Disability Awareness Day Sunday 12th July 2009

The History

From a vision to reality, the secret is simply team work.

Anyone can dream, but how many dreams come true? If you are like me, dreams normally stay just a foggy memory in your mind.

One morning I lay thinking about the question Nick White (Head Ranger at Walton Hall Gardens) had asked the day before, namely, what could we do with a couple of thousand pounds he had left in his budget. Nick said that he would like to use it for a disability scheme, but I'm sure he was thinking about an information brochure on accessible paths. My colleagues and I from the Warrington Information Group for the Disabled were thinking about something a little bit different.

Being frustrated by the professionally focused Independent Living Exhibitions and the exclusive atmosphere that surrounded Disability Sports festivals our team, Eric James, Allan Shaw, Annette Clemo, Ethlynn Whiticker and myself wanted an event that had as its main focus "Information", promoting what was available to enable disabled people to live more independently. We wanted an event that promoted support groups, services, equipment, holidays, benefits, concessions, and much more. The event also had to offer disabled people a chance to try out sports activities, catering for all levels of interest and ability, including competitors, recreational and social interests.

From our very small office in the Social Services run Dallam Day Centre we put together the foundations of what has become Europe's largest (voluntary led) disability event which has encouraged and empowered other like-minded people to establish similar events in places as far away as Cornwall, Rotherham, Wigan, Knowsley, Crewe and Gibraltar. During 2006 we received an international enquiry from the USA and in 2007 we established a working relationship as far afield as Osaka in Japan.

But it has only been possible through sheer hard work, determination and working in partnership with hundreds of organisations and individuals who have shared in the vision. What is more interesting is that we were told:

It will never work

Businesses won't take their products to a country park with a few marquees
Professionals from health and social services won't give up their Sundays,
Disabled people are too ill or sick to trample round in the open air
and finally what do you people know about organising anything more than a simple meeting?

Walton Hall Gardens has been the venue for all of our events. I would like to acknowledge the continuing support we have received from the management and staff at Walton Hall and Gardens, and we have also received fantastic support from our sponsors, and exhibitors, but the most praise must go to the management and support team who together make our vision become a reality.

Summary

As you can see DAD has become an annual event. For everyone concerned it has become part of our lives and that of our families and friends. Only recently I was asked to confirm the date for DAD 2011, Walton Hall is becoming ever more popular for weddings, so the team at Walton Hall wanted to give us first option on dates in July, yes 2011.

During this journey I have witnessed the development of small family-run charities and an ever increasing willingness of statutory service providers to be more proactive in promoting their services, and I can see and feel a greater acceptance for people to use equipment that can improve their independence.

Society is becoming more aware of the needs of disabled people, but most importantly disabled people are becoming more accepted for what we can do and not what we can't do. I know that we have a long way to go, but events like DAD can help to break down the barriers, especially the stigma of using independent living aides and equipment, and the fear of being seen with people who might look or act differently. DAD is a great leveller, it provides the platform to promote information and provide opportunities to see, or have a go at new ideas.

As a by-product of DAD over Ł400,000 has been raised to support the work of local and regional organisations. It has been seen on TV, and covered by radio and newspapers at home and abroad. Being involved in the event has provided everyone with a sense of pride that we have been a part of making a difference. Most of all it has provided something for every one of our 300,000 visitors who have attended DAD events during the past seventeen years.

I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in DAD over the years, and finally I would like to thank you for taking an interest in our journey so far.

Dave Thompson MBE DL
DAD Co-ordinator.

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