Details of the first Birmingham Disability Festival, hosted by Birmingham City University (BCU), have been announced today. 

Created by Birmingham Disability Festival Committee (BDFC), this free inaugural event showcases a wide range of disabled talent through performances, sport, interactive games and disabled business owners and aims to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in the UK’s second city.

Taking place on Saturday 6 July, the festival features a packed day of events including live performances, arts and crafts, a ‘Human Library’ featuring key speakers, invaluable networking opportunities and essential resources to empower disabled people to thrive in their future life.

Highlights of the festival include; dance performances from wheelchair based Freewheelin and Cerebral Palsy West Midlands, and music from DJ Ben Linstead, a wheelchair user who has a regular set at Birmingham’s famous The Night Owl.

Games and sports for people of all abilities will also be on offer including boccia, curling, blind football, volleyball, wheelchair basketball and RUN OF A KIND, Birmingham’s first and only Running Tour Team, will be providing a tour for blind/visually impaired runners and a disability friendly walking tour.

Attendees can take part in workshops including: Ways for Wellbeing UK and Birmingham Metropolitan (BMet) College's nature and wellbeing workshops around the themes of planting; and Tai Chi and on the spot muscle therapy from Release and Repair’s Roland Baskerville.  Running alongside these events is a dedicated market place featuring a  variety of organisations run by people with disabilities who will be sharing their experiences and services.

The day will also feature a ‘Human Library’ where people can attend discussions with keynote speakers. The ‘Human Library’ is facilitated by Dr Shani Dhanda the multi-award-winning disability inclusion and accessibility specialist, social entrepreneur and broadcaster (Loose Women, This Morning). The ‘Human Library’ also includes, amongst others,  Dr Amo Raju, Amit Ghose, Charlie Fogarty MBE., Alice Hargreaves and Charlotte Berisford. 

The first Birmingham Disability Festival is free to attendees and takes place at the Curzon Building, Birmingham City University (near to Millennium Point) on Saturday 6 July between 12 noon and 4pm and is fully accessible. 

British Sign Language interpreters and quiet spaces will be available. Assistance dogs are fully welcomed. Food and drink and seating areas on site. Festival organisers will be present throughout the day for information and guidance.

Free parking at Millennium Point car park is available for blue badge holders. Whether travelling by train, bus, tram or car, please check for delays, cancellations or road closures ahead of your journey. 

Although the event is free, attendees will need to register for a ticket.   For more information and to register your attendance, visit bit.ly/BrumDisFest24.