Swiss Handicap'15: Exhibition for people with and without disabilities

FAIR December 3 is International Day of People with Disabilities. The largest national trade fair event Swiss Handicap'15 for people with and without disabilities takes place at Messe Luzern at almost the same time.

Ex-Miss Switzerland Dominique Rinderknecht will also be back at the celebrity cookie baking event at Swiss Handicap'15.Over 150 exhibitors will be showcasing their products, services and innovations relating to disability and accessibility from November 27 to 28, 2015. The approximately 10,000 expected visitors can look forward to highlights such as attractive event and sports activities with prominent top athletes, a varied lecture program with controversial panel discussions, biscuit baking with Swiss celebrities and much more.1.4 million people with a disability or impairment live in Switzerland, according to the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). On the weekend before December 3, the International Day of People with Disabilities, the only national fair for people with and without disabilities opens its doors for the third time. René Plaschko from the city of Lucerne, initiator and member of the exhibition management team, is delighted: "More than four years ago, the four of us - in a private circle - began the rough planning of an 'extraordinary' major event. Our aim was to organize a trade fair event that would promote inclusion and self-determination. We are therefore incredibly proud that we have realized a matter close to our hearts that has been discussed in the Swiss disability and rehabilitation sector for over 10 years. "The third edition of the Swiss Handicap'15 trade fair is all about "Sport, Leisure, Travel" and will inspire visitors with over 150 committed exhibitors who will show interested parties ways to experience barrier-free sport and leisure activities as well as obstacle-free travel.Inclusion with sport and exerciseIn the event and sports hall, PluSport, the umbrella organization and competence center for Swiss disabled sports, offers a varied programme for integration through sport for people with disabilities: fencing, football, bungee trampolining, climbing and much more provide unforgettable experiences. These self-awareness programs are supported by the multiple gold medal winners at the Paralympic Games, Heinz Frei and Urs Kolly, among others, and the Cerebral Foundation will also be presenting one of its two new aid projects in the Event & Sports Hall this year: A wheelchair-accessible ice rink, which visitors to the fair can try out on site.Baking biscuits with Swiss celebrities - for a good causeIn the staged Swiss Handicap Bakehouse in Hall 2, children bake biscuits for a good cause together with over 20 Swiss celebrities from the fields of TV, sport, entertainment and business. This popular Swiss Handicap trade fair highlight will once again be supported by former Miss Switzerland Dominique Rinderknecht, former Mister Switzerland Renzo Blumenthal, comedian René Rindlisbacher and singer Jesse Ritch, among others. Many new faces among the Swiss celebrities can also be expected at this year's fair. For example, musician Damian Lynn, Olympic and world champion in artistic gymnastics Donghua Li, radio presenter Michael Zezzi and many more, who will be auctioning off freshly baked biscuits afterwards for the Denk an mich foundation, among others.Free lecture program, show acts and panel discussionsThe exhibition will be opened on the event stage in Hall 1 by Christian Lohr, National Councillor and himself an affected person, and Councillor Adrian Borgula, Director of Environment, Transport and Safety for the City of Lucerne. Regula Späni will then moderate the exciting panel discussion "Accessible travel information" with renowned panelists. As part of the varied program on both days of the fair, visitors will experience a robot show on Saturday at 1 p.m., sponsored by ETH Zurich and NCCR Robotics Professor, Robert Riener: with the help of live demos, four teams from the Bern University of Applied Sciences and ETH Zurich will present their projects to support physically disabled athletes. The projects include, for example, bikes with functional electrical stimulation (FES) or electrically powered exoskeletons as well as other advanced projects from the world of robotics. Another part of the varied program is the screening of the current film "Multiple Destinies". The realization was supported by the Swiss MS Society.Celebrate at the barrier-free party nightOn the Friday evening after the end of the first day of the fair, visitors will experience a unique party night: at the barrier-free Swiss Handicap Night with DJs and artists, there will be an exuberant celebration in Exhibition Hall 1 from 18:00 after a lavish aperitif. Everyone is welcome at this probably most unusual Swiss party night for people with and without disabilities. Admission to the Swiss Handicap Night is free!