The Hunter Disability Expo is in Newcastle from Friday, May 21, where 130 exhibitors will help connect people with disabilities to the services they need.
Organised by Social Impact Institute and held at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre, the free expo will run from Friday, May 21 to Saturday, May 22, with several thousand people expected to attend.
Social Impact Institute Senior Adviser Kathryn Carey said the expo was a one-stop-shop where vital providers could meet with clients and talk through services available under the NDIS.
“This is a very important event; when people come to a disability expo, they need to be talking to service providers and product providers that are local to their area, so they know what services are available to them,” Carey said.
“Our attendance registration this year is already double what we had in 2018, so it just goes to show the demand for an expo like this is really high.
“Over the two days, from 10 am till 3 pm, we have a jam-packed schedule, with different disability services and exhibitors, as well as stage presentations, performances, roving entertainers, and even a horse therapy group.”
Attendees can expect to see a vast range of exhibitors, including equipment and assistive technology providers, allied health providers, financial and legal services, employment services, housing experts, social and leisure activities, transport services, government agencies, and advocacy groups.
The main presentation stage has a complete program of speakers and entertainment, including a performance by visually impaired classical singer Kirsten Busby.
Other presentations will include speakers from NDIS, autism support groups, specialist disability accommodation and occupational therapy providers.
The expo will have guest appearances from State Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp, Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon, and Hunter Disability Expo Ambassador Nathan Basha.
Nathan Basha said he was excited to use his passion for societal change and help raise awareness for disability inclusion and equal opportunity for all.
“The ultimate goal for humanity, of course, is that one day the word inclusion will not need to be used in the context of people because everyone should be seen as equal,” Basha said.
“This event is a good opportunity for people to come along and see what is out there and what could help them achieve their goals.
“It also provides a platform for conversation and discussion into the industry itself, and the role employment plays for people with disabilities—a topic I will touch on in my opening address.
“People attending can have the opportunity to speak to people face-to-face, to ask questions and to have different options of choices on who they engage and interact with.”
Basha said it was important that society did not put people in boxes and that everyone was recognised for their unique potential and strengths.
“We need to look at the strengths in people with disability in the same way you would look at the strengths of a non-disabled person,” he said.
“I can’t think of anything more valuable than the experience that the Hunter Disability Expo is offering.
“It provides a platform and an opportunity for people just like myself to be educated and celebrated.”
Basha said that he might happen to have Down syndrome, but that did not define him or who he was.
As a motivational speaker, actor, filmmaker, and for the past 11 years office assistant at NOVA 96.9 and Smooth FM, Basha said he was living the dream.
“My childhood was pretty ordinary and typical of any other child, but it didn’t start that way,” he said.
“Can you believe when I was born, there were low expectations of me?
“The delivery doctor said to my parents, ‘I think your baby has Down syndrome, you have three options, you can institutionalise him, adopt him out, or take him home’, how can someone categorise a life like that?”
Basha said his parents did everything they could to make his life as ordinary as possible.
“The vision that was held for me by my family from birth was to live a life full of the same opportunities as my two younger brothers,” he said.
“So, growing up, I did ordinary typical things such as attending a mainstream primary and high school, having a job, attending university, being a filmmaker, travelling the world, having friends and living in my own home.”
Basha’s motivational speaking and advocacy for inclusion has taken him across the world, where he’s spoken at international conferences, political forums, universities, and community groups, sharing his insights into what happens when people live their lives to the fullest.
Visitors can catch Basha’s presentation and ambassador interview at 11:35 am on Friday, May 21, with all stage presentations also live-streamed via the Whova Event App.
To register to attend the expo or for more information on the event and exhibitors, visit the Hunter Disability Expo website.
Hayley McMahon