By Jena Carr
There were many health products and services on offer, with the free Geelong Disability Expo returning for the first time since COVID.
More than 1500 people attended the event from 9am to 3pm on Friday, February 23, and Saturday, February 24, at the Geelong Arena on 110 Victoria Street, North Geelong.
Event director Kathryn Carey said the expo was fully accessible with Auslan interpreters, live captioned stages, and drinking stations for support dogs.
“We have quite a few people who come for the day and spend the whole day here. They have lunch, go to the activities, see some exhibitors and it’s an informative day,” she said.
“We always ask people the question, did coming along to the event make a positive impact on your daily needs and ongoing health plans?
“Overwhelmingly, we get a response which is four and a half out of five stars all the time to that question. That means that people have come along and been informed.”
Expo ambassador Liam Twomey gave a presentation about his time as a child being diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma (a rare bone cancer) in his right foot and becoming an amputee at age seven.
“Having a newly acquired disability, I had to learn how to do everything differently…We don’t have to be completely okay with it straight away, and I still have very good days and bad days,” he said.
“The idea is about realising that if the good days continue to add up, they outweigh the bad…and it’s really nice to see so many people here (at the expo) working to try and make lives better.”
A popular spot at the expo was Destination Accessible’s photo booth, with attendees lining up to take a fun and free photo at the accommodation and support service provider’s stall.
“We just want to fill the gaps to make sure that everybody has equal access to really great accommodation,” chief operating officer Melonie Sheehan said.
