National Disability Care is expanding on its community events such as Feel Good Fridays with its first expo. Photo: Supplied.
National Disability Care is calling for stallholders for its first Wollongong NDIS Expo in February, which is expected to be the biggest and most inclusive expo ever hosted at the University of Wollongong.
National Disability Care customer engagement coordinator Riani Goodridge said the free expo featuring stallholders, speakers and inclusive activities on 14 February, 2025 was designed for individuals with disabilities, their families and carers, and NDIS providers in the Illawarra to connect, learn and grow together.
“This is the first time the National Disability Care: Wollongong NDIS Expo is being held, and it’s also the biggest expo the University of Wollongong has ever hosted, not just within the disability sector,” Riani said.
“The idea came from our passion for community-driven initiatives.
“At National Disability Care, we’ve organised smaller, free events like Feel Good Fridays: Move and Mingle, which have been highly successful, wholesome, and impactful networking events in venues like Ratha’s in Oak Flats.”
She said herself and director Jess Redfern were deeply committed to creating opportunities for connection and support within the Illawarra region.
“This expo was a goal we had in mind for the future, but when we were offered the opportunity to host at UOW we decided to go big now,” she said.
“The overwhelming support we’ve received from the community has been incredible, and it only reinforces our commitment to making this a landmark event for the Illawarra.”
With one of its top priorities to be an event accessible for all, she said they would have Auslan interpreters for live presentations, accessible seating and viewing areas, live captions during presentations, audio descriptions for key features and activities, and wheelchair access throughout the venue.
She said they were aiming for 80 stallholders offering services, products, and resources for people with disabilities, ranging from Bunnings Trade – Assisted Living NSW through to transport services.
“It will be a mix of innovative, practical, and supportive services that cater to a wide range of needs,” she said.
Riani said participants would also be able to attend inspiring talks by leaders and Ability Ambassadors driving inclusion and innovation.
“We’re working on finalising our speaker line-up, but one of the key presentations we’re aiming to include is on ‘Building Inclusive Communities Through Leadership and Collaboration’,” she said.
“We are reaching out to the NDIA and other industry leaders to secure speakers who can potentially address topics such as leadership opportunities for NDIS participants, how providers and participants can collaborate to foster inclusion; and NDIA resources to support participant growth and leadership.”
She said the goal was for attendees to gain actionable insights from the topics.
The event will also include fun and interactive activities for the whole family and allow participants to connect with NDIS providers and discover new opportunities for support and collaboration.
“This event is vital for fostering inclusion, empowerment, and collaboration within the Illawarra disability community,” she said.
“Expos like The Illawarra Disability Options Expo and Able Meet have been wonderful for the community, and this event aims to build on that tradition by offering a larger, more diverse platform at UOW.
“By creating this space, we hope to showcase services, provide education, and inspire collaboration between participants, providers, and other stakeholders.”
Wollongong NDIS Expo 2025 will be held 14 February, 2025, from 10:30 am – 2:30 pm at the University of Wollongong Sports Hub and registration is free.
Want to exhibit? Exhibitor booths are still available for service providers or organisations looking to participate. Email Riani at [email protected] or Jess at [email protected] for booth details and sponsorship opportunities.
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