Cardiff Disability Pride Cymru event celebrates talent
A celebration of the talents of people with disabilities has been staged in Cardiff Bay.
About 5,000 people attended Disability Pride Cymru 2010 at Roald Dahl Plass.
Among the entertainment laid on were disabled rock, magic and comedy acts, and food stalls and advice desks.
"It's a positive event looking at disabled people and what we have to offer," said Paul Warren, of Cardiff and Vale Coalition of Disabled People.
The free event, which heralds National Epilepsy Week, was last held two years ago, Mr Warren explained, but on a much smaller scale.
Speaking before the event he said: "We're looking to hold it as a regular event, at the moment every two years, but we are reliant on the time of volunteers to make it happen."
Mr Warren described the event, run by charities including Mind, Mencap, Disability Arts Cymru, Scope, Disability Cymru, Bobath Cymru and Epilepsy Wales, as a fun day out and a celebration of disabled people.
"Too often it's the negative stereotypes of disabled people that are portrayed in the media," he said.
"When you fill out a benefit form, they want to know what you can't do. It's always the negative. This event is very much looking at the positive."
"This is a celebration of what we can do and what we have to offer."
Up to 15 entertainers from magicians to rock bands appeared on the main stage on a bill topped by Brighton-based punk band, Heavy Load.
"They count Kylie Minogue among their fans and do a punk version of I Can't Get You Out Of My Head," Mr Warren explained.
Also appearing were the award-winning Julie McNamara, JJ & Co, Unusual Stage School, Contagious Spirit, Kaite O'Reilly's 'd' Monologues, Batuwe Beatz, Vaguely Artistic (Odyssey Theatre and Community Music Wales) and UCAN Productions.
The event, which ran on Saturday afternoon into the evening, was compered by actor, writer and musician Mat Fraser.
During the afternoon Fraser interviewed Cara Readle from BBC's The Story of Tracey Beaker and Wesley Nelson, who played the young Ian Dury in the biopic Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll.