DAD International
Disability Awareness Day is a real example of Partnerships in Action. We would like to thank everybody who supports DAD, especially our sponsors for their financial and in-kind contributions.
DAD around the world
DAD Worldwide
Events inspired by DAD
Organisations across the world run their own Disability Awareness events, inspired by the model created in Warrington.
India
The MESSAGE Institute
Based in Rajasthan, the MESSAGE Institute continues their tradition of supporting Disability Awareness Day with events at Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan’s Vidyashram, Pratap Nagar, Jaipur.
Cameroon
Closing the Gap
A user-led disability organisation holding annual events to celebrate Disability Awareness Day. Coordinator Takang Aya Ayuk has helped expand DAD into three additional African countries.
Uganda
Centre for Disability & Rehabilitation
Holding their second Disability Awareness Day Expo across four days in July, aiming to reach out to over 15 million Ugandans with disability awareness and support information.
Egypt
St Mark’s Universal Care
Based in Cairo with links to their UK headquarters in Warrington, building bridges between disability communities across continents.
Thailand
1 Step 2 Step
An international aid charity supporting disabled children’s homes across Thailand, raising awareness of partnerships with the UK and disability awareness in general.
New for 2024
Zambia · Sierra Leone · Nigeria
Three South African countries joined the DAD family in 2024, holding celebratory events thanks to negotiations by Cameroon-based coordinator Takang Aya Ayuk.
The Global Story
From Warrington to the World
During the past 33 years we have received hundreds of contacts from individuals and organisations across the world interested in organising a Disability Awareness Event — from small guest-speaker talks to full-scale exhibitions similar to ours.
2014 saw an even greater level of worldwide interest. Coverage included BBC and ITV television, regional and national radio stations, The Guardian newspaper, and all of the leading disability press. Internationally, references to Disability Awareness Day appeared on websites of organisations in India, Cameroon, Mexico, and America.
This prompted the team to set up an international section of the website to collect and share activity from around the world, and to provide a toolkit for organising your own DAD.
How DAD spread worldwide
Key milestones in DAD's international journey, from Cornwall to Cameroon.
Early inspiration
DAD inspires similar events in Cornwall, Rotherham, Wigan, Rhyl, Knowsley, and Crewe across the UK.
International enquiries begin
First enquiry from the USA. DAD receives the Queen's Award for Voluntary Services.
Japan connection
Working relationship with Osaka established. Scott Barron and the International Arts Collaborative exhibit at DAD 2008.
European expansion
Ongoing communications with Hilden in Germany, Nachod in Czech Republic, plus established DAD events in Gibraltar, Denmark and Sweden.
Reaching new continents
Enquiries from South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. India's MESSAGE Institute holds their first DAD event.
DAD reaches Africa
Closing the Gap organisation runs the first DAD-inspired event in Cameroon.
Worldwide media attention
BBC, ITV, The Guardian, and disability press coverage. International references from India, Cameroon, Mexico and America.
Three new African countries
Zambia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria join the DAD family, coordinated by Cameroon-based Takang Aya Ayuk.
Start your own DAD
Download our free toolkit with everything you need to plan, fund, and deliver your own Disability Awareness Day event.