Kidz to Adultz exhibition image

Supporting children with disabilities in their transition to becoming young adults and ensuring they have the right equipment and services to ease that shift will be one of the key topics at a large exhibition organised by charity Disabled Living in March.

More than 100 exhibitors and 1,200 visitors are expected to attend the Kidz to Adultz Middle exhibition at Coventry Building Society Arena on 17 March 2022.

The exhibition showcases equipment and services for children and young people with additional needs, their families, carers and the professionals who support them.

Organisers of the Kidz to Adultz Middle exhibition say this will be one of the first opportunities since 2020 to try out equipment and get a feel for if it is right for a family member or young person cared for.

Exhibitors will be providing expert advice and guidance on topics including mobility, funding, seating, beds, communication, continence, sensory, transition, education, housing, employment, accessible vehicles, transport, style, sports, leisure and more.

Carmel Hourigan, Senior Manager of the Kidz to Adultz team at Disabled Living, said: “It is fantastic to be back hosting physical events and returning to the Midlands for the first time in two years. Over the course of pandemic the needs of thousands of young children with disabilities across the Midlands have changed so this year’s event will have even more resonance.

“While the industry has pivoted where possible to digital during the pandemic, it is clear that professionals, families and carers are desperate to get back to in-person events.

“You can always get advice over the phone but it’s important to actually see equipment and be able to test it. If you are buying a bed for a child who has cerebral palsy, you need to make sure they can fit, be happy and are safe in that bed. You cannot do that virtually.”

A comprehensive free programme of CPD accredited seminars will be held at the exhibition, covering topics including toileting issues, autism, transition, seating and more.

Kidz to Adultz exhibition image

Carmel continued: “A big issue facing the industry is that for two years this type of physical testing has been largely impossible and therefore thousands of young children haven’t been able access the equipment they need during the transition period to being a young adult.

“We have seen fantastic growth of this event at Coventry Building Society Arena and after one year away due to the pandemic we are excited to be back.

“The venue is centrally located and helps us to attract visitors from across the wider Midlands region, including Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and further afield.”

Kids to Adultz Middle is free to attend. For more information, click here.

In 2020, Disabled Living launched a virtual exhibition called Venue to Virtual due to ongoing coronavirus restrictions at the time, which prevented physical events from going ahead.

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