First Ability festival hits Exeter this weekend

For the first time ever, Devon charity ‘Living Options’ are hosting ‘Ability’, a free, fun and accessible festival for disabled people and their families in the heart of Exeter. The event coincides with Disability Awareness Day, to celebrate the achievements of disabled people and the Deaf community and will be officially opened by The Lord Mayor of Exeter.

Taking place on Sunday 16 July from 10am-4pm, Living Options are transforming Northernhay Gardens into a hub of entertainment and accessible activities for everyone to enjoy, with BBC radio Devon DJ David Fitzgerald ‘m’cing’ the event.

Throughout the day, a grand marquee will feature a brimming programme of entertainment, including key-note Speaker Chris Jones (a Devon based Para Athlete and ‘Adventurer’), well known bands Rockery and Soundwaves, Deaf comedy and a puppet show. Other zones will include the Craft Village, with accessible arts and crafts workshops giving visitors the chance to learn new skills. While soaking up the atmosphere, visitors can browse unique food stalls and tuck into tasty local produce. Local organisations in the area will be exhibiting, giving visitors the chance to find out more about disability groups and organisations that provide support and accessible experiences in the local area.

Diana Crump, CEO of Living Options said: “It’s thanks to the Big Lottery Celebrate Programme and the generosity of Devon County Council and all our sponsors that this event has been made possible. Living Options Devon is founded on the belief that all Devon disabled people should be able to live the lives they choose and have the same opportunities as others. We hope that this event will bring together the whole community and help spark conversations to keep improving accessibility.”

Living Options is a local disabled user-led charity, founded over 25 years ago by Peter Swain, OBE. Peter set up the charity to ensure that Devon disabled people have the same life chances as others. Living Options now provides a wide range of services to enable that to happen, from the Countryside Mobility project to a range of Deaf Led Services.

Diana continues: “We really hope that everyone enjoys this event as much as we’ve enjoyed planning it. We’re confident that this festival will be the first of many for Exeter!”

All of Living Options initiatives will be showcased at the event. For more information about the full range of projects and services LOD provides visit www.livingoptions.org