ONE of the world’s largest disability events is returning to Warrington today, Sunday.
Warrington Disability Awareness Day (DAD) was founded by Dave Thompson back in 1992.
This was with the aim of creating a day that would raise awareness of people with disabilities and to create a hub providing help and support to those who need it most.
The event and Dave’s charity Warrington Disability Partnership are continuing to thrive.
Each year, DAD takes place at Walton Hall and Gardens and it is one of the biggest dates in the towns calendar.
It is taking place this Sunday, offering something for everyone and a fun day out for the whole family.
Visitors can expect to find around 250 exhibitors, equipment suppliers, transport, holiday, leisure, employment, support groups and services.
There will also be a sports zone including scuba diving, an arts marquee, a centre arena, and family entertainment.
It will take place between 10am and 4.30pm with free entry.
Since the early days of DAD, Dave and his team have expanded and helped a total of 14 countries across the world celebrate the day.
But Dave previously told the Warrington Guardian how Walton Gardens is still the ‘epicentre of the event’.
Talking about how the event helps its growing community, Dave said: “I remember this kid one year, he had a cerebral palsy and he had gone over to the hand control display and he was asking my colleague Bill what it did.
“Bill was explaining how it enabled people like him and myself to drive a car.
"He immediately turned to his mum and said, ‘mum come here, I told you I could drive a car when I am old enough’, his mum was sceptical, but Bill explained that with this technology there was no reason why he shouldn’t be able to.
“His little face lit up, almost like, ‘I have proved you wrong mum’, but that is what Disability Awareness Day is all about.
“It is about showing people what we can do, not what we cannot do.”
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