The New England’s largest Disability Expo is back and ready to deliver in 2023.
Following last year’s overwhelming success, organisers of the Links for Life Disability Expo are eager to build another crowd-pleaser this Thursday, September 14 at the Tamworth Sports Dome.
“Last year saw record numbers of stallholders and public attendance on the day, so this year we will be ready for them,” said Links for Life Disability Expo Committee President, Kate Drury.
“Its really encouraging to see people travelling from all over the New England to check out and connect with disability service providers, see who is new, what options are available in their area and to see who they click with.”
“Outside of this expo, you would never get all of these providers in one place, that is what makes the Links for Life Disability expo so unique, and if you are a person with a disability or carer or support worker, access like this is gold.”
Over 70 service providers are expected to attend, ready to talk everything NDIS and disability and how they can work with you to reach your goals and help you to live your best life.
“We have amazing providers who do everything from everyday support work, to modified equipment, holiday bookings, legal advice and more,” Kate said.
“Most of our stallholders are local providers but we do have some out of towners who bring fresh ideas and opportunities not normally available to discuss in person.”
Due to popular demand, the expo will be opening its doors half an hour earlier this year, kicking off at 9:30am and going through until 2pm. However, the time change isn’t the only new addition.
“We are introducing a quiet hour this year, to reduce the overwhelm some visitors experience when attending a large event.”
“From 1pm, in the final hour of the event, we will be asking everyone who is at the Tamworth Sports Dome to respect the quiet hour as we cease all announcements, dim the lights and ask everyone to turn the volume down.”
While the day is coordinated by volunteers from many local disability service providers, the expo is a group effort engaging people with disability to assist in the lead up to the day.
“For us, it’s not just one day,” Kate said.
“In the lead up we have clients helping to put stickers on bags, drop flyers into local businesses and help organise the booklets.”
“On the day we will have students with disabilities and clients from our services taking meal orders, operating the BBQ, serving food and drink and really contributing to the running of the event.”
“We try and engage as many people as possible with a disability to make them feel a part of the expo that is dedicated to helping them live their best lives.”
And the top tip of the day from the Links for Life Disability Expo committee is: take your time.
“Walking into the Links for Life Disability Expo can be a lot.”
“You are walking into a room of over 70 stallholders, all bright and bubbly and eager to talk.”
“Our advice is to breathe and take your time,” Kate said.
“Ask for help from any committee members, we will be circling and noticeable on the day, and ask questions to providers.”
“Ask about the support they can provide, about their previous experience, the waiting time to start receiving support, ask about the weather… you are there to meet people, make connections and make sure you find the right service for you and your family.”
There will be a free BBQ on the day available to the public, and free transportation to and from the event thanks to Tamworth Buslines, Hannaford and Fiona’s Mini Buses.
“We are very grateful for our transport partners who have teamed up with us to make our event both physically and financially accessible to everyone.”
For more tips and to stay up to date with details of the event, follow the Links for Life Disability Expo Facebook Page.
Links for Life Disability Expo is on Thursday, 14th September, 9:30am to 2:00pm at the Tamworth Sports Dome.
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