Free ‘equality workshops’ at South West disability show

A Devon-based charity will be showcasing its expertise by offering free workshops to visitors from all over the UK at the What Disability? South West exhibition (5-6 June at Exeter’s Westpoint Centre).

Living Options Devon will be running a series of informative hands-on courses, promoting equality in the workplace and the wider community. Each workshop will cater for up to 20 people at a time. Already attracting considerable interest, organisers are anticipating the workshop will be very popular and are advising anyone interested to book a place well in advance.

Living Options Devon supports disabled people to help themselves. In 2006, the charity helped over 120 people with disabilities change their lives for the better by providing training in assertiveness, confidence building and other skills. During the same year, Living Options also helped 50 different organisations to comply with the Disabilities Discrimination Act – many of whom made improvements that cost nothing.

Living Options will be welcoming a wide range of visitors including people with disabilities, carers and members of the business community who are keen to find out how they should keep up to date with new legislation.

Through thought provoking discussions and exercises, the workshops, run by those living with disabilities themselves, will deal with topics including, Disability Awareness, Access in the Workplace, The British Sign Language Charter and the Disability Discrimination Act.

“What Disability? South West will be a fantastic opportunity for us to raise awareness of disabled living,” commented Diana Crump, Chief Executive of Living Options Devon. “Our workshops will provide visitors with a valuable insight into living with disability. Targeting the business sector as well as the general public, our aim is to raise awareness of the issues and legislation surrounding disability and provide information about what the community as a whole should be doing to promote equality.

“Living Options Devon is the only charity in the UK that works on a local level for people with every disability to give them the skills and confidence to live their lives to the full. We have every confidence that we will be able to share our 17 years of experience to bring great benefit to everyone who attends our workshops.”

Focused on independent living and encouraging communication between industry professionals and individuals, What Disability? is dedicated to all statutory service providers, healthcare professionals and disability aid specialists, together with individuals who have an interest in the market. A series of seminars and other networking opportunities will also be run throughout the event, aimed at building stronger links between industry professionals.

Free registration to the exhibition and to the Living Options workshops is available online at www.whatdisability-southwest.co.uk. And the freebies don’t end there, with free visitor parking, complimentary wheelchair and scooter hire and courtesy buses running to and from Exeter St David’s Station.