TRAINING providers from across Worcestershire and Herefordshire converged on Stourport in an initiative designed to help stamp out disability discrimination.

The Menzies Stourport Manor Hotel was the venue for a two-day seminar on the issue, organised by the Learning and Skills Council covering the two counties.

A range of workshops and role-play were held to get the event's overriding message across to more than 30 training providers who attended.

Garnett Foundation Forum Theatre Company helped portray the issues involved in an easily understood way, to improve understanding of the Disability Discrimination Act.

The event was also designed to help the training providers become more effective in delivering their services to people with learning difficulties and disabilities.

Lee Probert, equality and diversity advisor at the LSC, said: "This event will enable trainers to feel more confident in anticipating learner needs and also identify practical solutions to the challenges faced in delivering training to those with learning difficulties and disabilities.

"It is also an opportunity to share experience and knowledge."

He went on: "The event will, ultimately, benefit local companies.

"While most businesses have heard of the existence of the Disability Discrimination Act - DDA - few really understand the day-to-day, practical implications.

"Training the training providers who are operating at the heart of local businesses on a daily basis is a quick and effective way of giving the practical support business leaders need."

Trainers attending the seminar were told that, while wheelchairs and guide dogs were obvious signs of disability, the majority of disabilities were not readily recognisable.

People with ME, for instance, could experience severe fatigue and weariness, muscle and joint pain, confusion and memory loss but showed few outward signs of their disability.

With disabled adults accounting for around 10 million adults in the UK, spending over £80 million, business could not afford to ignore such a significant proportion of the population, delegates were informed.