Disability Awareness Day 2018

READING’S Physical Disability and Sensory Needs Partnership Network (PDSN) is hosting its annual Disability Awareness Day on Wednesday 8th August.

The free family event aims to promote disability awareness. It will run from 11am to 2pm at The Weller Centre, Amersham Road, Caversham and will offer fun, interactive and informative sessions. Reading’s Mayor, Cllr Debs Edwards, will officially open the event at 11am. A wide range of activities will be on offer for all age groups and abilities, including seated Tai Chi taster sessions, Messy Club arts and crafts, pampering sessions and hand massages. For further information and/or additional support at the event, please contact pdsn@reading.gov.uk or call 0118 937 2383. There is limited parking available at the venue but there are several buses which stop directly outside the centre, including the 27, 29 and 923.

Chair of the PDSN, Simone Illger, herself a disabled Reading resident, said:

“Our first ever Disability Awareness Day Event last year was very well attended and I hope this year’s event will also be a great success. Reading’s PDSN is a network made up of local people and representatives from many different organisations. It provides a forum where we can express our views and have our voices heard. "We would like more people to be aware of us and what we do, which is why we are keen to see as many people attending this event as possible. Many disabled people have a wealth of knowledge to share with others. We know from PDSN meetings that there are some fantastic services and facilities out there that everyone should know about.”

Cllr Tony Jones, Reading’s Lead Member for Adult Social Care, said:

“The Council is committed to working in partnership with the Physical Disability and Sensory Needs network to make Reading a better place for everyone. This is a great event, with lots on offer and I hope it will be well attended.”

Councillor Hoskin, Reading's Lead Councillor for Health and Wellbeing, said:

“The Disability Awareness Day 2018 will be a great way for people to find out more about the support available. This should be an enjoyable event and I’d encourage anyone who would like to find out more to come along.”

Organisations participating in the event include:

· The Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre · Reading Fibromyalgia · Mindfulness · Thames Valley Police · Arthritis Matters · Able World: Aids Mobility · Reading Deaf Centre · Carers Hub · Reading Crossroads · Department for Work and Pensions · New Directions · REMAP Berkshire - bespoke daily living aids · Unlock your Wellbeing · Readibus · My Care My Home - financial advice for care and support · United Response · Compass Recovery College

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Notes

Photo Opportunity:

There will be a photo opportunity for the media with the Mayor of Reading and Cllr Tony Jones at 11am at the The Weller Centre on Wednesday 8th August.