A Disability Expo showcasing the sport, recreational and artistic opportunities available for people living with a disability will be held in Gawler at the end of the month.
The Gawler & Districts Disability Expo is a joint venture between local Member of Parliament Tony Piccolo and STARplex based at Evanston Park.
Mr Piccolo said the Expo has two key objectives; to make carers of people living with a disability aware of the various opportunities available for them to participate in sporting, recreation and artistic activities and also to inform service providers about the needs in the local community.
“Through the Expo I am hoping to encourage a number of service providers to provide sporting and recreational opportunities in the local area rather than forcing families to travel to city all the time”, said Mr Piccolo.
The Sport and Recreation Expo is the result of feedback Mr Piccolo received from families who attended the inaugural expo earlier this year. The first expo provided an overview of the services generally available for people living with a disability.
Mr Piccolo said the feedback highlighted that people wanted further information about:Sport, Recreation and Artistic opportunitiesTraining and employment post-secondary schooling; andAccommodation options.STARplex General Manager, Mr Dale Martin said he was delighted that STARplex could partner with Mr Piccolo to host this important expo and demonstration.
“It is part of STARplex’s charter to offer services to the community. The expo gives families and services providers an opportunity to view the sport and recreation opportunities available at the centre,” said Mr Martin.
Local parent, Mrs Angela MacFarlane said it was important to bring the opportunities available to the attention of families who are living with someone living with a disability.“
The expo seeks to ensure people living with a disability achieve their potential by availing themselves to the various opportunities.”
Mr Piccolo said with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is designed to support people living with a disability to live with dignity and to be treated with dignity, which includes participating in activities which help them live fulfilling lives.
The Expo will be held at STARplex on Sunday 30th October 2016 from 2 to 5 pm. Service providers and families planning to attend are requested to register their participation online at www.tonypiccolo.org/disabilities-forum-expo or at www.tonypiccolo.org/disabilities-service-provider if you wish to exhibit as a service provider.Registrations close on 21 October 2016.
All further enquiries should be directed to Tony Piccolo’s Office on 85 222878.