Disability expo shows strong growth

With less than a month to go before the Nedbank Disability 2007 Expo, organisers earlier this week confirmed the expo has grown by 50% from 2006, with close on 70 exhibitors participating this year. The expo, which showcases a wide variety of accessibility solutions, products, entertainment and lifestyle choices, is the only one of its kind in South Africa and takes place 1 – 3 November 2007 at Gallagher Estate in Midrand, Johannesburg.

Says Kim Krynauw, spokesperson for the event: “There is a growing demand – from Government, business and the community – for improved products and services for people with disabilities (PWDs). This is being compounded by preparations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Over 10% of visitors entering South Africa for the World Cup in 2010 will have some form of disability. The country is gearing up to accommodate this need.”

A number of activities have been added to this year's programme; wheelchair basketball demonstrations, wheelchair tennis and wheelchair dancing will also take place. Oscar Pistorius, SA's double amputee athlete who won two Paralympic medals in Athens, will be giving a motivational talk on Friday 2 November at 2.30pm and will be available to sign autographs.

The two-day ACSA Disability Conference will run alongside the exhibition, the theme of which is “Universal Access and Human Rights”. The speaker lineup includes leaders from Government, the private sector and non-governmental organisations working in the disability sector. Challenges that will be addressed in the programme include transport, buildings and the environment, health, inclusive education and sports and recreation.

For more information on the event, go to www.fairconsultants.com.