Delamere launches Offaly Disability Awareness Information Day

Comedian Neil Delamere launched Offaly Disability Awareness Day last week in the Bridge Shopping Centre. Organised by Co Offaly Disability Advocacy Service together with Co Offaly Citizens Information Service, the aim of the day was to highlight awareness of disability issues. Launching the event, Neil said he was delighted to support this local event and he generously gave his time for free. He talked about the importance of raising awareness of disabilities, saying we all know somebody whether it's ourselves or family members who are affected by disability. He was impressed with the disability awareness leaflet that was developed by Offaly Disability Advocacy Service and mentioned that he only realised from reading the leaflet that 17% of the population of Ireland have hearing loss. Neil officially launched the day by slicing a delicious chocolate cake, which was eagerly consumed by all the participants! Meandering his way through the information stands, Neil chatted to all those participating in the day and was impressed with the array of information available to the public. The organisers thanked John Cusack, Manager of the Tullamore Bridge Shopping Centre, for providing the premises. They also thanked Midlands 103's Liam Dumpleton who broadcasted a lively show from the Bridge Centre, featuring amongst others Susan Ryan Offaly Citizen's Information Service, Siobhan Egan Deafhear.ie, Margaret Bassett Brainwave Irish Epilepsy Association and Molly Buckley who championed disability awareness for the local community. There were 19 stands with 22 different groups available on the day, providing a wide variety of information. Some of these include the Adult Learning Centre, Alzheimer Society of Ireland, Midland Employment Support Agency, DeafHear.ie, Regional Disability Services, Centre for Independent living, Citizens Information Service, GROW in Ireland, APT, National Council for the Blind in Ireland, Brainwave Irish Epilepsy Association, to name but a few. There were very positive responses to the event with many people visiting stands and raising disability related questions. Offaly Disability Advocacy Service issued an invitation to any groups who would like to join in on Disability Awareness Day, Contact Tullamore CIC at 057 9352204.