£3 by subscription ‘ Autumn 2023

d sability
living with

THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, THEIR FAMILIES, FRIENDS & CARERS

TOMMY JESSOP
Downs Syndrome is no
barrier to being a superhero
SURF S UP

Catch
a wave
THE LITTLE BIG THINGS BRAILLE BRICKS
Disability takes centre stage LEGO helps children learn
in acclaimed musical touch-based alphabet
“Thanks to the carers from Promedica24 I am
able to live my life in the way that I want and
achieve my goals. ”- Tom N.
Tom was born with cerebral palsy and requires around the clock support. With the
help of a live-in carer from Promedica24, Tom now lives independently. Tom says,
“If I was giving advice to someone in a similar situation to myself, I would advise them
not to worry about their future and try to demonstrate to them that with the help of
a live-in carer they will be able to live their lives in the best possible way.”

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 Welcome
£3 by subscription ‘ Autumn 2023

d sability
living with

THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, THEIR FAMILIES, FRIENDS & CARERS

Welcome to the Autumn edition of Living with Disability.

TOMMY JESSOP
Downs Syndrome is no
barrier to being a superhero
living with
As someone writing about the achievements of disabled people,
SURFS UP daily, it’s very easy to fall into the trap of labelling everyone
Catch and everything as ‘inspiring’. But that’s also the last word that
a wave most of the people I write about want me to use. Stella Young,
a comedian and disability-rights activist, presented a TED talk in
THE LITTLE BIG THINGS BRAILLE BRICKS
Disability takes centre stage
in acclaimed musical
LEGO helps children learn
touch-based alphabet which she stated that by viewing disabled people as inspirational,
you are in fact objectifying them. Use of that particular word,

d sability
Published by Ability Promotions 2022 Ltd
‘inspiring’ came very much to mind when I was invited to attend
the opening night of the stunning and uplifting new musical The
Little Big Things in London’s West End.
Unit 4, Regent Business Centre, Based on the best-selling memoir by Henry Fraser, the
6 Jubilee Road, Burgess Hill,
musical tells the story of Henry’s life-changing accident on
West Sussex
RH15 9TL a lads’ beach holiday in Portugal in July 2009 that led to him
t: 01444 620401 being paralysed from the shoulders down, age 17. Henry is now
www.livingwithdisability.org.uk
a renowned mouth artist and motivational speaker. It couldn’t
App: Living with Disability
@lwdmagazineuk help but be inspiring, as is every tale of someone overcoming
/LivingWithDisabilityMagazine adversity and creating a new future.
But what I found even more inspiring was the production itself.
EDITOR At its heart is an ongoing dialogue between young able-bodied
Clive Davis
07496 147911 Henry, pre-accident (Jonny Amies) and the present-day Henry,
clive@livingwithdisability.org.uk now a wheelchair user (Ed Larkin). Both are trained actors, both
ADVERTISING give strong performances and both have received rave reviews.
Helen Lee
helen@livingwithdisability.org.uk What is inspiring is the fact that Ed is actually disabled as are
Kara Tuttle ĀƴåŅƋĘåųĵåĵÆåųŸŅüƋĘåϱŸƋ±ĹÚÏųåƵţeĹÚƵåĘŅŞåŅƋĘåų
Kara@livingwithdisability.org.uk entertainment venues will take note, as Soho Place, hosting
DESIGN & ARTWORK the musical, also has BSL, audio-described and captioned
Jo Grey
design@sussexliving.com performances. It also has lift access to every level of the theatre
ADMINISTRATOR and unisex adaptable toilets on each level. There’s a feature on
Hayley Osborne the show, one of the most inclusive and accessible to ever be
01444 620432
hayley@livingwithdisability.org.uk staged in London’s West End, in this edition.
PRINTED BY
eĬŸŅüå±ƋƚųåÚƋųƼĜĹčƋŅĬåƴåĬƋĘåŞĬ±ƼĜĹčĀåĬÚĜŸ±ÏƋŅų‰ŅĵĵƼ
ÏĬĜýåěåĹƋåųŞųĜŸåţÏŅĵ Jessop, who along with his brother Will, has produced a
Part of The Total Sense Media Group documentary for the BBC about pitching a movie idea to
Hollywood that shows that people with Down syndrome can
play superheroes. And don’t forget there is a lot more news
Every possible precaution has been taken to ensure posted regularly on the website www.livingwithdisability.org.uk.
that the information contained in this publication
is accurate at the time of going to press, but the So if you have a story you’d like to tell, please get in touch.
publisher cannot accept any liability for inaccuracies
or omissions however caused. Promotions Ltd does
not take responsibility for the content or reliability
of the websites or organisations listed herein and
any views expressed by them are not necessarily
those of the publisher.
No responsibility can
be accepted by the
publisher for the claims
Clive Davis
made by the advertisers Editor
in this publication.

ȴ
 In this issue
inspiration
7 8LI3EQIƶW/IWWST8SQQ]/IWWST
A BBC documentary produced by actor Tommy
I域ŅޱĹÚĘĜŸÆųŅƋĘåųœĜĬĬüŅĬĬŅƵŸƋĘåĜųåýŅųƋŸƋŅ
show that people with Down Syndrome can play
movie superheroes.
11 4EV'PMQI]
Novice adventurers Russell Davis and George Nelson
ŸåƋěŅýĹåƻƋĵŅĹƋĘƋŅųŅƵƐØĂLjLjĵĜĬ埱ÏųŅŸŸƋĘå
Atlantic Ocean to raise money for dementia charities.
15 3YVWIƶW+EF1EF&WWMWXERX
Chloe Hammond was diagnosed with Behcet’s
ÚĜŸå±Ÿå±Ÿ±ƋååűčåųØÆƚƋŸĘåĹåƴåųč±ƴåƚŞŅĹĘåų
dream of becoming a nurse. She’s now living the
dream with the help of her assistance dog Ocho.
20 GEVVIHFYXRSXGEVIH
Parallel Lifestyle’s Purple Sock Day helps fund
disabled entrepreneurs like National Diversity Award
winner Sylvia Mac set up their own business.
travel
25 :MWMX&GGIWWMFPI'VMXEMR
VisitEngland is working hard to show that disability is
ĹŅƋ±ƱųųĜåųƋŅƋų±ƴåĬØƋŅƴĜŸĜƋĜĹčƋĘåŞĬ±ÏåŸƼŅƚƵ±ĹƋ
to visit and to staying where you want to stay.
29 &PP;IPGSQI&FSEVH3SELƶW&VO
Award winning Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm makes everyone
üååĬƵåĬÏŅĵå±ĹÚŞųŅƴĜÚ埱ĹĜĹÏĬƚŸĜƴååƻŞåųĜåĹÏå
by listening to the needs and acting on the advice of
its visitors.
7 43
&PP;IPGSQI
&FSEVH
3SEL W&VO
8LI3EQI W/IWWST
8SQQ]/IWWST 29
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33 2EOI=SYV:SMGI-IEVH
Euan’s Guide has launched its annual Access
„ƚųƴåƼØčĜƴĜĹčÚĜŸ±ÆĬåÚŞåŅŞĬå±ĹŅŞŞŅųƋƚĹĜƋƼƋŅ
have their say on disabled access and the cost-of-
living crisis.
wellbeing
37 1MZMRK[MXL+*&7
‰ĘåÏʱųĜƋƼ8±Ïå)ƴåųƼƋĘĜĹč±ĹÚĜŸåŸƚŞŞŅųƋŸØ
educates and provides information to people facing
a life of feeding through an intravenous tube.
43 SYRHW&FSYX7MKLX
Music education charity Soundabout has been
empowering people with profound disabilities to
ĀĹÚƋĘåĜųƴŅĜÏåƋĘųŅƚčĘĵƚŸĜÏüŅųĵŅųåƋʱĹƖĂ
years.
47 &7IEP.RGSRZIRMIRGI
A Changing.org petition demands that Changing
Places Toilets (CPTs) are made mandatory in all
UK sports venues with a capacity of more than
ƐĂLjŞåŅŞĬåţ
independent living
52 &3I[*VEJSV5S[IV(LEMVW
‰ĘåŸåĬüěƱĬ±ĹÏĜĹčåĹƋ±ƚųĜŸƋĘåĀųŸƋŅü±ĹåƵ
generation of personal electric vehicles designed
to tackle the problems created by traditional
wheelchairs.
57 5SSGL5S[IV5EGOMRKE5YRGL
‰ĘåÚĜýåųåĹÏåŸƚŞŞŅųƋÚŅčŸĵ±ĩåƋŅŞåŅŞĬå
±ĹÚƋĘåĜųü±ĵĜĬĜ埱ýåÏƋåÚÆƼ±ƚƋĜŸĵØåŞĜĬåŞŸƼ
and physical disability is life changing.
SYRHW
&FSYX7MKLX

at leisure
63 Surf’s Up
Disabled people are riding on a crest of a wave and
åƻŞåųĜåĹÏĜĹčƋĘåƋĘųĜĬĬŅüŸƚųĀĹčƋʱĹĩŸƋŅ‰Ę圱ƴå
{ųŅģåÏƋűŸ±Ú±ŞƋĜƴåŸƚųĀĹčĘƚÆŸţ
69 In Tune with The Little Big Things
A stunning and uplifting new musical that tells the
story of Henry Fraser, who was paralysed from the
shoulders down at 17-years-old, lights up London’s
West End.
75 Your Choice Your Style
Realising how little information there is for stylish,
discerning people with mobility issues to keep
enjoying life, Fiona Jarvis has set-up Blue Badge
Style.
education
79 Changing Lives Brick by Brick
LEGO has launched a range of its iconic bricks
coded with braille to help blind and partially
sighted children learn to read the touch-based
alphabet.
82 RNIB Bookshare
RNIB opens a new chapter on a world of reading in
education for children with vision impairments and
learners with print-related disabilities.
fit for life
85 Touchdown for New Wheelchair Sport
American Football is the latest thrilling sport for
wheelchair users being trialled throughout the UK.
89 Go Goalball
A dynamic team sport of skill, speed and accuracy
for blind and partially sighted people. Find out how
you can play Goalball.
63
Surf's Up
living with disability contents
innovation
93 Trust in Wheelchair Nets Rewards
With an appearance on BBC’s Dragon’s Den and the
winner of the Stelios Awards for Disabled Entrepreneurs,
Christian Brownlee has had a stella year.
97 Accessible Tech Solutions
:ŅŅčĬåűŸeÏÏ域ĜÆĜĬĜƋƼ%ĜŸÏŅƴåųƼåĹƋųåĜŸƋĘåĀųŸƋ
research and development centre in the UK dedicated
to creating technology to help people with disabilities.
101 Game Changer
A range of thumb stick attachments are giving disabled
gamers more control of their controllers..
105 Wheelchair-Attachable Pushchair on a Roll
The race to bring a wheelchair-attachable pushchair
to market to help bring independence to disabled
parents with children is on.
world of work
109 .RXIVIWXMRKP])MǺIVIRX
œĘåųåƋŅŸĘŅŞüŅųĜĹƋåųåŸƋĜĹčĬƼÚĜýåųåĹƋŞųŅÚƚÏƋŸüųŅĵ
social enterprises providing training and employment
opportunities for adults with learning disabilities.
113 .1SZI(SǺII
A ground-breaking initiative that employs and trains
deaf individuals to become baristas serving perfect
ÏƚŞŸŅüÏŅýåååƴåųƼƋĜĵåţ
transport
116 Joy of the Open Road
The mum and dad who built a fully accessible camper-
van to take their severely disabled daughter on family
holidays give others the chance of a dream holiday.
119 Advertiser’s Index
116
Joy of the
Open Road
Go
Goalball 89
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 Introducing
Whizz Kidz
Whizz Kidz is the UK’s leading charity supporting young wheelchair users up to
25 years old, we understand that taking an active role in society is much harder if
you need to use a wheelchair. Everything from access to education to your social life
or simply navigating a work built around steps, curbs and narrow doorways comes
with a unique set of challenges.

That’s why we exist. To empower young wheelchair users with the equipment,
support, and confidence-building experiences they need and to create a movement
for progress towards a more open world.Our vision is for a society in which every
young wheelchair user is mobile, enabled and included.

We rely 100% on donations from our community and couldn’t perform our
life-changing work without the generosity of people like you.

Please join our community and help advance our movement for a more open,
accessible world.

If you would like to find out more about our services or how you can get involved
just visit whizz-kidz.org.uk

whizz-kidz.org.uk

The Name’s Jessop,
Tommy Jessop
Tommy & Will Jessop
Actor Tommy Jessop who appeared in BBC’s
iconic drama series Line of Duty is on a mission
to show that people with Down syndrome can
play heroes.
ƚƋĜüƋĘåųĜčĘƋųŅĬ埱ųåĹűƋÆåĜĹčŅýåųåÚƋŅ
you, what can you do? In Tommy’s case he
decided to take matters into his own hands.
œĜƋĘƋĘåĘåĬŞŅüĘĜŸÆųŅƋĘåųØĀĬĵĵ±ĩåųœĜĬĬ
I域ŅŞØ‰ŅĵĵƼØƐíØŸåƋŅýŅűĹåŞĜÏÏųå±ƋĜƴå
ģŅƚųĹåƼƋŅÚåƴåĬŅŞĘĜŸŅƵĹŸƚŞåųĘåųŅĵŅƴĜå
and pitch it in Hollywood.
Now, capturing the highs and lows of their
living with disability inspiration
When your television roles
have involved being arrested,
MRXIVVSKEXIHTYWLIHSǺE
GPMǺIPIGXVSGYXIHERHRIEVP]
drowned, you’re probably
ready to be cast as a
daredevil action hero – the
next James Bond perhaps!
ŧƚåŸƋŅĹϱĵåų±ØƋĘåÆųŅƋĘåųŸʱƴåŞųŅÚƚÏåÚ
a warm, funny and original documentary for the
BBC about daring to dream.
“Tommy has had a few major breakthroughs
in his career, but then they’re followed by kind
of fallow periods, and we sort of wondered, you
know, is this just the life of an actor?” said Will.
“Or is there something else going on here?
And as Tommy said, it’s about time that, whether
it’s him or someone else, we had a superhero
with Down Syndrome.
ٜåʱƴåÏŅĵå±ĬŅĹčƵ±ƼĜĹƋĘåŸÏųååĹ
portrayal of people with Down Syndrome and
there are some wonderful things happening. The
ƋåĬåƴĜŸĜŅĹŸåųĜ埱ĬŞĘ±ĹÚU±ƋĜåĜŸ±ĹŅÆƴĜŅƚŸ
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“James Martin, George Webster, Ellie
Goldstein, Sarah Gordy - there’s some wonderful
talent out there. But it’s also true that it’s not
yet a matter of course that people with Down
Syndrome are cast, or people with disability
more generally, and my slight worry is that f
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living with disability inspiration

Amazingly, the bolder and more ambitious

we’re in a kind of
temporary uplift, and then it’ll
ģƚŸƋÚųŅŞŅý±ĹÚƵåĹååÚƋŅÏŅĹŸŅĬĜÚ±Ƌåţ
“But we’re also still trying to break out of the
ƋƼŞåϱŸƋĜĹčŅüƋĘåÚĜŸ±ÆĬåÚ±ŸƴĜÏƋĜĵŸţFƋűŸƋĜĵåƵå
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eųĵåÚƵĜƋʱĀĬĵÏŅĹÏåŞƋرĹÚűĵĜĹčĘĜŸ
superhero Roger, in honour of his teddy bear,
Tommy based his hero’s superpowers on his own
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“We didn’t really
y quite know what we were
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±ĜĹåÚœĜĬĬţ
“We saw 10 of them
em all dressed
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relationship and their understanding of one
±ĹŅƋĘåųţ
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lark through La La Land, singing along to
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±ĹƋĘåÆųŅƋĘåųŸűƋųĜŞƋŅ‰ĜĹŸåĬƋŅƵĹÚåĬĜƴåų
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of my personal highlights
highligh are going to
Hollywood with my brotherbr Will, meeting
eěĬĜŸƋ±ÏƋŅųŸØŞĜƋÏĘĜĹčĵƼĵŅƴĜåϱĬĬåÚ
eěĬĜŸƋ±ÏƋŅųŸØŞĜƋÏĘĜĹč
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As for what’s
w next for

“
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himself,
himsel there is a role that
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 living with disability inspiration

Tommy
gets a rare view
from behind
the lens

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 Win a Short Break for Two at
Revitalise Respite Holiday Centres
We have a fantastic competition right
now for this incredible stay with a
choice of three or four nights at two
destinations - just subscribe to
o our
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The competition closes on January 31st 2024 - best of luck!


Oar Blimey
Russell Davis and
George Nelson (inset)
will face choppier
waters crossing the
Atlantic Ocean
Two novice adventurers are preparing to
row, row, row their boat across the world’s
second largest ocean in a challenge
dedicated to people who live with
dementia in their lives.
Christmas Day this year will be like any of the
other 90 days it will take George Nelson and
Russell Davis to row the 3,500 miles across the
Atlantic Ocean.
The daring duo known as Oar Blimey will be
way out of their comfort zone as they take on
the challenge of a lifetime to raise £250,000 for
services that help people live with dementia.
„åƋƋĜĹčŅýüųŅĵ{ŅųƋƚč±ĬĜĹ%åÏåĵÆåųƋĘå
men will take turns at rowing for 2-hours, then
resting for 2-hours, as they head independently
living with disability inspiration
and unsupported to Sint Maarten in the
Caribbean.
The middle-aged pair of adventurers from
a±ĹŸĀåĬÚôĵŅųåƋʱĹĂLjĵĜĬåŸüųŅĵƋĘå
Ÿå±ôƵĜĬĬü±ÏåÆĬĜŸƋåųŸØŸ±ĬƋų±ŸĘ埱ĹÚŸĬååŞ
deprivation during the challenge and every
ounce of physical and mental endurance will be
required to complete it within three months.
“The idea to do something as jaw dropping as
±ĹŅÏå±ĹÏʱĬĬåĹčåŸĜƋŸĀųĵĬƼƵĜƋʱŞųŅčų±ĵĵå
I watched years ago that documented the
successful attempt by Olympic rower James
Cracknell and television presenter Ben
Fogle to row across the Atlantic Ocean,” said
55-year-old George.
“I was fascinated by the sheer magnitude of
the challenge and of how Cracknell and Foglef
ȦȦ
living with disability inspiration

dealt with preparing for it and with everything
the ocean threw at them. It’s been at the back of
my mind ever since.”
8EGOPMRK)IQIRXME
After his mother was diagnosed with dementia
and watching her deteriorate, particularly
through the COVID-19 pandemic, George
decided he wanted to do something to alleviate
ƋĘåĜĵޱÏƋŅüÚåĵåĹƋĜ±ŅĹŸƚýåųåųŸ±ĹÚϱųåųŸţ
“My elderly dad cares unconditionally for my
mum and I wanted to do something to make
life easier for him and the many other unstinting
carers,” said George.
ىĘåޱĹÚåĵĜϱýåÏƋåÚåƴåųƼŅĹåØÆƚƋĜƋ
åŸŞåÏĜ±ĬĬƼ±ýåÏƋåÚƋĘŅŸåŞåŅŞĬåĬĜƴĜĹčƵĜƋĘ
dementia who lost much of their normal and
essential routine.
“Returning to normality has been complicated
with several dementia clubs, meetings and
events failing to restart. Getting people living
with dementia out and about again, giving them
some adventure, something to think about and
talk about has never been more important.”
“I wanted to do something about it and in a
jaw-droppingly unexpected way that would get
friends, family and the local community asking
incredulously ‘you’re doing what?’”
At that point, Cracknell and Fogle’s well-
documented row across the Atlantic Ocean
popped back into George’s mind.

“
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His 54-year-old brother-in-law Russell, a long-
distance lorry driver, agreed to pair up for the
challenge, although he had to admit he couldn’t
swim.
“I told him if he found himself in the water,
he would be so far from land it really wouldn’t
matter if he could swim or not!” said George.
Priority for George and Russell, who have
self-funded the challenge, was to get rowing
and not just on rowing machines in their spare
bedrooms. Luckily Andrew Baker, an ocean
rower who completed a solo Atlantic crossing
in 2021, was selling his beloved boat - a carbon
ĀÆųå±ĹĹŅÏĘeÚƴåĹƋƚųåƖLjƵĘĜÏĘĜŸÚåŸĜčĹåÚ
to cut through the surf and waves and self-right
after capsizing.
œĜƋʱŸƚÏÏ域üƚĬŸå±ƋųĜ±ĬŅýƋĘåFŸĬåŅüa±ĹØ
George and Russ immediately fell in love with
the 6.75m long, 1.6m wide boat and set about
refurbishing her.
Between rowing practice, preparing
and equipping the boat with critical safety,
navigation and communication gear, and
ŸƋƚÚƼĜĹč±ĘŅŸƋŅüűƴĜč±ƋĜŅĹ؟屟ƚųƴĜƴ±ĬØĀųŸƋ
aid and good seamanship courses, George and
Russell have been busy raising money through
sponsorship and donations.
“The support and encouragement we’ve
received has been humbling and I’m so glad
we’re taking on such a momentous challenge,”
said George. “Yes, it will be dangerous, but
living with disability inspiration
Our Dementia Choir, set-up by actre
[MPPFISRISJXLIGLEVMXMIWFIRIǻXX
ss Vicky McClure,
MRKJVSQ4EV
'PMQI] WVS[MRKGLEPPIRKI
as I’ve told my understanding wife Linda and
family, we’ve taken every possible step to
mitigate the dangers.
“Even food shouldn’t be a problem, according
to one youngster at a school I visited to tell
them all about the trip. When I said what I would
ĵĜŸŸƋĘåĵŅŸƋƵŅƚĬÚÆå±aÏ%ŅűĬÚűŸŅĹåŅü
ƋĘåÏĘĜĬÚųåĹŸĘŅƚƋåÚŅƚƋůĜƋűŸŅĩaųØaÏ%ŅűĬÚűŸ
deliver…they’ll bring it to you!’ Absolutely
brilliant…food situation sorted.”
All donations will help Oar Blimey to complete
the Atlantic Challenge and raise funds for helping
people to live with dementia. The money will
ÆåŸĘ±ųåÚÆƼƋĘåÏʱųĜƋĜåŸkƚų%åĵåĹƋĜ±ĘŅĜų
and Ladybrook Enterprises Ltd, to fund tangible
improvements in their dementia services.
“The common link between people living with
dementia and rowing across the Atlantic Ocean
is that at times, the physical and mental strain
will push Russ and myself to our absolute limits,”
added George.
8SHSREXIKSXSLXXTWSEVFPMQI]GSYO
donate/
Ȧȴ
living with disability inspiration

A D V E R TO R I A L

The Douglas Bader Foundation exists to advance and promote the physical, mental
and spiritual welfare of persons who are born without or have lost one or more limbs,
are otherwise physically disabled or who suffer from a diagnosed mental illness.

DBF was formed in honour of Sir Douglas Bader in 1982 by family and friends – several of whom had
flown side by side with him during World War 2. Douglas Bader was honoured in 1976 with a
Knighthood for his work on behalf of the disabled.

“A disabled person who fights back is not disabled….

but inspired Group Captain” Sir Douglas Bader
This is the maxim that our charitable foundation, established in Sir Douglas Bader’s name immediately
following his death in 1982, uses as the fundamental precept of its work. In order to help more people
living with disabilities, we extended our remit to include support in relevant circumstances to adults
and children who suffer from a diagnosed mental health issue.

We achieve this through the various facets of the charity:

Bader Information supplies advice and information. We also
have a small team of people who are happy to talk on a one to one
basis and offer help and support with understanding that’s based
on personal experience.
Bader Grants gives financial support to help individuals or groups
to achieve personal goals.

Ȧȏ

Nurse’s Fab
Lab Assistant
A 32-year-old nurse who uses a wheelchair
MWXLSYKLXXSFIXLIǻVWXMRXLI90XSYWI
an assistance dog at work.
Chloe Hammond was one of the youngest
people in the UK to be diagnosed with Behcet’s
disease at just 14-years-old.
But she was never going to let that stop her
from achieving her goal of becoming a nurse.
Despite pain, fatigue and needing crutches
ƋŅĵŅƴå±ųŅƚĹÚôŸĘå±ĬŸŅŸƚýåųŸüųŅĵÏĘųŅĹĜÏ
ü±ƋĜčƚåŸƼĹÚųŅĵåŠ8„šØĀÆųŅĵƼ±ĬčĜ±Ø±ƼűƚÚŲŸ
syndrome and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos
living with disability inspiration
syndrome (EDS) - Chloe worked and trained hard
to graduate from the University of West London.
„ĘåŸåÏƚųåÚĘåųĀųŸƋģŅƱƋĘåĬŸå±±ĹÚ
Westminster Hospital as a children’s nurse.
“I loved it,” said Chloe. “As a child I was often
sick, and I met lots of wonderful, caring nurses. I
ģƚŸƋƵ±ĹƋåÚƋŅÆåĬĜĩåƋĘåĵØŸŅƋʱƋĀųŸƋģŅÆƵ±Ÿ
a dream come true for me.
“I spent 10 great years in London before
moving to the intensive care ward at Bristol
Children’s Hospital.
“Unfortunately, my health then took a turn for
the worse and I was struggling so much with f
Ȧȍ
living with disability inspiration

my mobility that I had to get Chloe the lifeline she needed

a wheelchair to get around. ±ĹÚƋĘåÏŅĹĀÚåĹÏåƋŅƋ±ĩåƚŞ
FƋƵ±ŸÚĜþÏƚĬƋƋŅÏŅĹƋĜĹƚå a community job – switching
working at the hospital. from paediatrics to re-train
“Prejudice is perhaps too as a nurse in elderly and
strong a word, but I was dementia care.
certainly discouraged from “Ocho is a mobility
carrying on. In hindsight I assistance dog who has
think a lot more could have ĘåĬŞåÚĵåüååĬÏŅĹĀÚåĹƋ±ĹÚ
been done to support me capable again,” explained
and ensure my nursing skills Chloe.
weren’t lost. “He can unload the washing
“At a time when the NHS is machine, get the post from
ŸƋųƚččĬĜĹčƋŅĀĬĬĜƋŸƴ±Ï±ĹÏĜåŸ downstairs, help undress
üŅųŧƚ±ĬĜĀåÚĹƚųŸåŸĜƋŸååĵŸ ĵåØŞĜÏĩƋĘĜĹčŸƚŞŅýƋĘå
barking mad not to make the āŅŅų±ĹÚčåƋĵåĵƼĵåÚŸŅų
profession more inclusive something from the fridge.
and accessible. Just because a person has “And if I’m working from home, he reduces
mobility issues shouldn’t be a barrier to being how much I have to move around by simply
a nurse. getting things I need, such as papers from the
“It’s simply shortsighted. Disabled people must printer or even my laptop.
adapt all the time, but the NHS is reluctant to and “He’s also passed a temperament test to be
it’s missing a massive opportunity to tap into a able to work with me in a nursing home. He
new stream of nursing talent by not doing so.” ޱŸŸåÚƵĜƋĘāƼĜĹčÏŅĬŅƚųŸŸŅĹŅƵĘåĘåĬŞŸ±Ÿ±
Chloe is one of only 3% of registered nurses with dementia therapy animal too.
a disability. “Thanks to him,
and the
8LI)VIEQ(SRXMRYIW
As Chloe struggled with her chronic health and
mobility issues, she was forced to take time out
of nursing and considered giving up altogether.
A young Labrador called Ocho from the charity
Dog Aid changed all that. The dog gave

ȦȰ
ȦȦȰ
Ȱ

“
I’m just doing what I dreamt
of doing and what I was
trained to do.
belief and faith in me of
Radis Community Care,
I’ve become a clinical
lead and wear the
dark blue uniform. The
dream continues.”
Award Winner
Appearing on ITV’s This
Morning show earlier
this year to mark International
onal Women's
W Day
and as the Winner of the Exceptional Home
Care Nurse Award in the Stars of Social Care
Awards 2023, Chloe is used to being referred
ƋŅ±ŸůĜĹŸŞĜųĜĹčűţeĹÚŸĘåĜŸƋĘåĀųŸƋƋŅ±ÚĵĜƋ
that she wants to inspire others to pursue their
dreams and consider jobs in the NHS, but she is
uncomfortable with the label.
“I’m just doing what I dreamt of doing and
what I was trained to do,” said Chloe.
“It saddens me that even organisations that
are set up to support people with disabilities are
too quick to make discriminatory comments or
suppress a child or young persons’ dreams just
because they have a disability.
“I hope that I can help encourage more
living with disability inspiration
Left, Chloe & Ocho (centre)
at the Stars of Social Care
Awards with Paula Hoggarth
from Radis Community Care
(left) and ITV's Josie Gibson
c
children and young people
to
t have dreams and
aspirations
a and that the
people
p around them can
support
s them.
“It
“ shouldn’t be a big
Úå±ĬţFĀĹÚĜƋƵåĜųÚƋʱƋģƚŸƋÆåϱƚŸåFűĵĜű
wheelchair and have an assistance dog makes
me special and worthy of an award.
“The only way I can look at all the fuss
being made is that if just one other person is
encouraged not to let their disability hold them
back then it’s probably worth it.
“Then again, when the organisers of the Stars
of Social Care Awards forget to build a ramp to
the stage for me to collect my award, you also
ĩĹŅƵƵåʱƴå±ĬŅĹčƵ±ƼƋŅčŅĜĹƋĘåĀčĘƋüŅų
inclusivity and accessibility!”
Chloe is shortlisted for the Nursing Times’
Nurse of the Year Award and the Royal College
of Nursing’s Patient’s Choice Award. Organisers
take note.
ȦȮ
 ADVERTORIAL
R
oyal Navy Commander Pete Reed OBE RN
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A former Oxford Blue and Commander in the
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For more information about what we do,
visit rnrmc.org.uk
living with disability inspiration

Scarred but
Not Scared
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]PZME2EGMWGEPPMRKSRTISTPIXS
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FYWMRIWWIWERHLIPTHMWEFPIH
IRXVITVIRIYVW

ȶȉ
 living with disability inspiration

Parallel Lifestyle’s Purple so I knew then he was

Sock Day on December 3 recording me. At that
will mark International Day moment something just
of Persons with Disability clicked in my brain and I
(IDPD) by helping fund decided that I was going
disabled entrepreneurs to to draw a line. I couldn’t
set up their own business. go on hating myself or
That includes people struggling with who I was
like Sylvia Mac who was and where I belonged in
just two years old when this world.
ŸĘåŸƚýåųåÚƋĘĜųÚěÚåčųåå “I realised there must
burns across her back, be many people like
legs and stomach. me, scared, unseen and
ŮFƵ±ŸŞĬ±ƼĜĹčĘĜÚåě±ĹÚě undervalued, but there
seek with my siblings,” was no support and no
explained Sylvia. campaigns showing real
“We often had power bodies.”
cuts, so my mum would So, Sylvia made a
boil water and keep the You Tube video
large pots in the bathroom revealing
r her scars
– just in case the power to
t the world. Then,
went out and we needed after
a struggling
hot water for a bath. ƋŅĀĹÚ±ŸƚŞŞŅųƋ
Ƌ
“I hid myself behind the čųŅƚŞØŸĘåŸåƋě
č
bathroom door, not realising ƚŞXŅƴå%ĜŸĀčƚųå
ƚ
there was a big pot of boiling to
t help others
water behind me. After a few embrace
e their
moments, the door was pushed bodies
b and raise
open, and I tumbled into the vital
v awareness of
boiling water.” visible,
v hidden and
Facing depression, anxiety invisible
i disabilities.
and post traumatic stress disorder,
er, Sylvia ŮeƋĀųŸƋØĜƋüåĬƋƴåųƼŸƋų±ĹčåƋŅŸĘŅƵĵƼŸÏ±ųŸØ
spent more than 45 years hiding her scars and and I was still afraid of what people might think.
üååĬĜĹč±ŸĘ±ĵåÚŅüĘåųÆŅÚƼØƚĹƋĜĬŅĹåÚåĀĹĜĹč But talking about them online meant that other
moment on holiday abroad when she decided burns survivors got in touch, and we shared our
to embrace her body and bared her scars for the experiences. It was so empowering to know that
world to see. I wasn’t alone.”
In 2017 Sylvia set up a swimwear photoshoot,
Everything Changed in collaboration with Swimwear365, of herself
“Over the years, I’d taught myself to fade into and others that had struggled to accept their
the background and pretend my scars didn’t ŸÏ±ųŸ±ĹÚÆƚųĹŸôƋĘåÚĜŸ±ÆĬåÚØÚĜŸĀčƚųåÚ±ĹÚ
exist,” said mum of three Sylvia. ÚĜýåųåĹƋ±ŸŸĘåϱĬĬŸƋĘåĵţ‰ĘåŞĘŅƋŅŸƵåĹƋ
“But it was whilst on holiday with my mum viral, and Sylvia made numerous television
that I had my epiphany. I had a bikini on and I and radio appearances calling for fashion and
noticed the guy behind us pointing his phone entertainment to be more inclusive.
towards me, so I decided to get up. “When I was younger, I was invited to do
“He moved his phone to follow me and every some modelling, but the moment I told them I
time I moved he followed me with his phone, f
ȶȦ
 living with disability inspiration

chaucer HER E A N D NOW

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Music Man project in nature deaf music fans hear

Could The Strawberry

you bring a
smile to
Field Origins
someone’s face Strawberry Field and the
every day?
original Victorian house were
Join national disability charity
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happen. See our latest job opportunities
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www.strawberryfieldliverpool.com

ȶȶ
 living with disability inspiration

“
ĀĹÚĜĹčŅŞŞŅųƋƚĹĜƋĜåŸ
ĀĹ
for people with
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unique. We should disabilities to work as
EPPEGGITXSYVFSHMIW models, actors and
XLI[E]XLI]PSSO ŸŞå±ĩåųŸţeŸ±„)c±ĹÚ
Ÿ
swimming
s teacher she
had scarring on my had
h never run her own
back, they told me I business
b and didn’t have
had to leave because the
th money to get any
I couldn’t be on a business
bu training.
catwalk or in photos
with burns,” said Sylvia.
a. Setting
Se Up Business
"I wanted to challengege “Parallel
“Pa Lifestyle pointed
the fashion and television industries in particular me to the enterprise
ƋŅÆåĜĹÏĬƚŸĜƴåŅüŞåŅŞĬåƵĜƋĘÚĜŸĀčƚųåĵåĹƋØ ŸƚŞŞŅųƋÏʱųĜƋƼØB±ƋÏĘ)ĹƋåųŞųĜŸåØƵĘĜÏĘØƋʱĹĩŸ
scars and conditions and let people know that to money raised through Purple Sock Day,
we can do anything, and nobody can tell us provides grants and professional support to
we can’t." kick-start disability owned businesses and help
Sylvia became the ‘go to’ person on the disabled entrepreneurs,” explained Sylvia.
issue, talking to MPs in the House of Commons ىʱĹĩŸƋŅƋʱƋƋĘåƋ±ĬåĹƋ±čåĹÏƼĜŸĹŅƵƚŞ
and bringing people together that were and running.”
ÚĜýåųåĹƋƵĜƋĘƋĘåĜųŸÏ±ųŸØŸĩĜĹÏŅĹÚĜƋĜŅĹŸØĘå±ĬƋĘ If you would like to take part in Purple
conditions, invisible illnesses and disabilities. Sock Day and raise money to help disabled
Determined to do more, 55-year-old Sylvia entrepreneurs set up their own business,
came out of Covid-19 lockdown with a new you can buy a pair of Parallel’s specially
ĜÚå±ôƋŅŸåƋƚŞXŅƴå%ĜŸĀčƚų剱ĬåĹƋečåĹÏƼØ ÚåŸĜčĹåÚea{ƚųŞĬå„ŅÏĩŸŅĹĬĜĹå±Ƌ
www.bambooclothing.co.uk for £6.
Isaac Harvey MBE “Support from traditional funders for D/deaf
supporting Purple and disabled entrepreneurs is under-served,
Sock Day
holding back the vast potential of this rich seam
ŅüƋ±ĬåĹƋ±ĹÚƋĘåÆåĹåĀƋŸĜƋϱĹÆųĜĹčƋŅŸŅÏĜåƋƼ
±ĹÚƋĘåŽUåÏŅĹŅĵƼØŰŸ±ĜÚeĹÚųåƵ%ŅƚčĬ±ŸŸØ
the founder of Parallel, a disability lifestyle
brand which champions 'no limits living' and
aims to enable disabled people to live life to the
fullest in mainstream society.
“Purple Sock Day encourages businesses and
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going towards helping disabled entrepreneurs.
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reinvested into the annual campaign and other
Parallel social enterprise projects.”
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XŅƴå%ĜŸĀčƚų剱ĬåĹƋečåĹÏƼčŅƋŅwww.
PSZIHMWǻKYVIXEPIRXSVK. For details on Purple
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living with disability travel

Dove Cottage • Garden–Orchard • Events

Woodland • Museum • Café • Shop
In the midst of the Lake District, we have created a space to take
time out and slow down.

Allow your imagination to roam to a different time and place

as you step over the threshold into Dove Cottage, and be
transported back to the early 1800s when the Wordsworth family
was beginning to grow, and William Wordsworth was creating
radical poetry.

Our open plan Galleries are light and spacious, with lift access
throughout. A stunning view of the landscape around Grasmere
can be appreciated from our accessible Viewing Station. A
hearing loop ensures that all visitors can enjoy the full sensory
experience of Wordsworth Grasmere facilitating access to the
introductory Dove Cottage film, the audio sound effects in the
Cottage and in the Museum Galleries. We have a team of staff
trained in disability awareness. Further access information can
be found on our website.

Nowhere else does so much of a great writer’s original work

remain in the place where it was inspired and written.

To book: wordsworth.org.uk or telephone: 015394 35544

Discovering the Northern Isles has never been

easier with NorthLink Ferries.
From booking, to boarding, then experiencing the
journey onboard, we have a range of services and
accessible facilities available that can be tailored
to your needs.

Operated by northlinkferries.co.uk

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Visit Accessible
Britain
The UK’s lushly beautiful countryside,
vibrant cities and dramatic coastline
are here for everyone to enjoy, including
disabled travellers and those with
access needs.
As travel and tourism continue to bounce back
after years of restricted travel, more people are
opting for a closer-to-home holiday discovering
the natural beauty of the UK. If you’re disabled,
living with disability travel
it’s not the distance that’s the challenge.
So, from help and assistance at railway
stations, to accommodation that has been
ŸŞåÏĜĀϱĬĬƼ±ŸŸåŸŸåÚüŅųƋĘŅŸåƵĜƋʱÏÏ域Ņų
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Britain have all the information and guidance
you’ll need on the best places to visit, where to
stay, and how to get there.
Whether you’re after a few days by the sea,
a rural escape or a bright-lights-and-bustle f
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living with disability travel
weekend in the city this winter, there is always
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knowledge and resources to capitalise on that
opportunity and to lead the way,” said Ross.
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disabled but perception needs to move beyond
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and visitor attractions need to understand they
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initiatives that not only help tourism businesses
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living with disability travel

Vose Farm
ENJOY A FANTASTIC HOLIDAY
Situated in the historic market town of Ross on Wye, Herefordshire.
Merton House Hotel is set in a beautiful location overlooking the Vose
Vose Farm
Farm Cornwall,
Cornwall, now has 3
now has 3 purpose
purpose built
built wheelchair
wheelchair
River Wye and across to the Black Mountains of Wales. friendly
friendly cottages, Hazel, Willow
cottages, Hazel, Willow&&Elm.Elm.
Please contact us for further details and current special offers. AllAllCottages
Cottages o
er
offer thethe ideal
ideal selfcatering
self-catering location;
location; close
close by by
one
*Rooms with ensuite wet rooms available. *Wheelchair accessible.
oneofofthethemost
mostbeautiful
beautiful coastal
coastalareas in Cornwall.
areas in Cornwall.
The cottages
The cottages havehave been
been specifically
specicallydesigned
designedto to
accommodate families, friends and the less mobile.
accommodate families, friends and the less mobile.
Guests
Guests cancannownow hire
hire a full
a full profile
profile bedbed for their
for their staystay in both
in both Hazel
Hazel
and Guest
Willow can now
and Willow
cottages. hireboth
cottages.
Also a Also
fullHazel
prole
andbed
Hazel for their
cottage
Willow stay.aariser
has
now have riser
recliner in The
recliner the prole
chair to aid
cottage onlyaidts
toguests into Hazel
independence
guests cottage.
independence & comfort.
& comfort.
Allenquiries
All enquiries please
please contact
contact Phil
Phil & & April
April Cooke.
Cooke.
Vose Farm
Vose Farm Holiday
Holiday Cottages,
Cottages,
Tregony, Truro,
Tregony, Truro, Cornwall.
Cornwall.TR2 TR2 5SH
5SH
Telephone01872
Telephone: : 01872 530520
530520
Email
Email:: enquiries@vosefarmcottages.co.uk
enquiries@vosefarmcottages.co.uk

Walled garden, woodlands, coastline and more...

OPEN DAILY 10AM–5PM

St Andrews

VEGETARIAN CAFÉ
FRESH FLOWERS & PLANTS Cambo Gardens & The Stables Visitor Centre
CRAFTS & GIFTS 01333 451040 | www.cambogardens.org.uk
NATURE PLAY AREA Kingsbarns Registered charity No: SC028131
Cambo Estate

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Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm
took the top award for
Accessible and Inclusive
Tourism in VisitEngland’s
Awards for Excellence
2023.
All Welcome
Aboard Noah’s Ark
Award winning Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm is a unique
combination of zoo and farm set in 100 acres of
North Somerset countryside.
Its mission, to support, protect and care for
the natural world, inspires more than 20,000
visitors a year to get up close and personal
with more than 100 species, including African
elephants, lions, rhinos, gibbons and bears.
kŞåĹĜĹčüŅųĜƋŸĀųŸƋŸå±ŸŅűŸcŅ±ĘűŸeųĩ8±ųĵ
Centre in 1999, visitors were able to get hands-
on with bottle-feeding lambs and getting up
close to both farm animals and exotic animals
such as llamas, camels and wallabies. Anthony
and Christina Bush, dairy farmers since 1962,
living with disability travel
Larry Bush and Brand & Engagement Manager
Rhian Gunstone with Visit England's Accessible
and Inclusive Tourism award
ŅŞåĹåÚcŅ±ĘűŸeųĩ±Ÿ±ü±ųĵƴĜŸĜƋŅųÏåĹƋųå
in 1999 – giving visitors the opportunity to
get hands-on with bottle-feeding lambs and
getting up close to both farm animals and exotic
animals, such as llamas, camels and wallabies.
The original hands-on approach has continued
and today visitors enjoy close encounters with
some amazing animals. Now run by their son,
X±ųųƼƚŸĘØcŅ±ĘűŸeųĩ¬ŅŅƋ±ĩ埱ŞųŅ±ÏƋĜƴå
±ŞŞųŅ±ÏĘƋŅĵ±ĩĜĹčåƴåųƼŅĹåƵåĬÏŅĵå±ĹÚ
providing an inclusive visitor experience.
ŮeŸ±ޱųåĹƋƵĜƋʱűƚƋĜŸƋĜÏÚ±ƚčĘƋåųFĩĹŅƵ
that having a day out can be a challenge and that
tourist attractions are often not geared-up to f
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living with disability travel

Accessible theatre in the heart of Coventry city centre

www.belgrade.co.uk | access@belgrade.co.uk

We believe everyone should have access

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“
Noah’s Ark aims to
be a place which
is inclusive and
accessible to enrich
and enhance the
wellbeing of
every visitor.
accommodate disabled people, their family and
friends,” explained Larry.
“My parents and I didn’t want that to be the
case for Noah’s Ark and we set-up Ark for All,
a project to improve accessibility and promote
ƵåĬĬÆåĜĹčÆƼĀųŸƋĬĜŸƋåĹĜĹčƋŅ
the needs and advice of our
visitors.
“And we’ve worked hard
ŅƴåųƋĘåޱŸƋĀƴåƋŅŸĜƻƼå±ųŸ
to become as accessible and
inclusive as possible, acting on
that visitor feedback to provide
enhanced facilities to support
everyone’s visit.”
Welcome All
‰ĘåĀųŸƋŸƋ±čåØÏŅĵŞĬåƋåÚĜĹƖLjŎíØĜĹÏĬƚÚåÚ
the installation of a Changing Places toilet,
complete with hoist and changing bed,
accessible play equipment including a
wheelchair accessible roundabout and
child-friendly accessible signage.
A lot of other changes followed. The Ark
Arena, main Food Barn, Gift Shop, Farm Shop
±ĹÚƋĘåƋĜÏĩåƋŅþÏå±ĬĬʱƴåĘå±ųĜĹčĜĹÚƚÏƋĜŅĹ
loops, whilst speech transfer systems were
living with disability travel
installed to improve communication in the Food
±ųűĹÚƋĜÏĩåƋŅþÏåţ
Visual aids include highlighted steps, high-
contrast signs, and painted picnic tables.
The Zoo also works with Bristol’s Mobility
Centre to provide mobility
scooters to visitors as well as
ĜĹƋųŅÚƚÏĜĹčƋų±ĜĹĜĹčüŅųŸƋ±ý
on Dementia, Autism, Mental
Health and more.
‰ĘååýŅųƋƋŅÆåÏŅĵå±Ĺ
accessible and inclusive tourist
attraction has been recognised
with multiple awards, including
gold in Visit England Tourism
Awards for Excellence, gold at
Bristol Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards and
gold at the South West Tourism Awards.
“It is fantastic recognition of our team’s
continued hard work and dedication. We
will continue to follow our visitor’s feedback
through our Ark for All initiative and to improve
the overall experience for every guest here at
Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm,” added Larry.
‰ŅĀĹÚŅƚƋĵŅųå±ÆŅƚƋcŅ±ĘűŸeųĩ¬ŅŅ8±ųĵØ
including an accessible map that you can
download, go to www.noahsarkzoofarm.co.uk
ȴȦ
living with disability travel

Book your
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Specialising in self-catering
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Experience the stunning
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T: +44 (0) 203 036 0064

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Andy adds although motorhoming is all about the outdoors, most mo-
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of a motorhome is that you’ve got everything with you it’s your home from
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ȴȶ
 living with disability travel

Make Your
Voice Heard
Disabled access charity Euan’s
The UK’s largest
Guide is asking anyone who has ever
annual survey giving had to consider disabled access
disabled people an and the cost-of-living crisis to share
opportunity to have their opinions. The award-winning
their say on disabled charity has teamed up with Motability
access and the cost- Operations to ask people about their
of-living crisis has experiences.
This is the ninth survey and covers
been launched for
topics such as toilets, parking and
2023.
Euan MacDonald MBE general disabled access, as well
as the cost-of-living crisis for the f

ȴȴ
living with disability travel

They found that a lack of disabled access

made everyday experiences stressful, and
they soon learned that other disabled people
faced the same challenges, so they set up
EuansGuide.com as a place for disabled people
ƋŅĀĹÚ±ĹÚŸĘ±ųåÚĜŸ±ÆĬåÚ±ÏÏ域ĜĹüŅųĵ±ƋĜŅĹţ

second year. The results will support Euan’s
Guide in its mission to improve accessibility and
shape its work around highlighting the opinions
and experiences of disabled people.
Euan’s Guide was founded in 2013 by Euan
MacDonald MBE, a powerchair user, and his
sister Kiki after Euan was diagnosed with Motor
Neuron Disease in 2003.
.R2]4TMRMSR
Last year’s survey included the opinions of
ŅƴåųƀØĂLjLjŞåŅŞĬåØĿíŢŅüƵĘŅĵĜÚåĹƋĜĀåÚ±Ÿ±
ÚĜŸ±ÆĬåÚŞåųŸŅĹØŸƚÏʱŸIŅĘĹaÏĬ±ýåųƋƼţ
“Last year I passed comments regarding the cost-
of-living crisis and the energy prices hikes. I didn’t
think at the point of completing the 2022 survey
that things would gradually become worse.
“I was hit with my disabilities late on, and never
really had to worry about rising costs as I was
fortunate to have a good job. However, once my
disabilities forced me to leave my job, it became a
ƴåųƼųå±ĬåƼåŅŞåĹåųţåĹåĀƋŸ±ĬŅĹåüųŅĵƋĘå%œ{
ÚŅĹŅƋųåāåÏƋųå±ĬƵŅųĬÚŞųĜÏ埱ĹÚƴåųƼŧƚĜÏĩĬƼ
the struggles we all face hit me hard. These

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ȴȏ
 living with disability travel

realisations make you so aware that there is little message is slowly getting out there, but we are
to no help out there for people with disabilities. ±ĬŅĹčƵ±ƼŅýñţcŅŅĹåŸĘŅƚĬÚʱƴåƋŅƋĘĜĹĩ
“I felt I would have to choose between heating about making a choice of do I run machinery to
±ĹÚÆåĜĹčƵ±ųĵŅųå±ƋĜĹčţŅƚĬÚF±ýŅųÚƋŅŞŅƵåų live or do I eat, can I heat the house and keep
my machinery that uses electricity well and infection free or do I
w
so that I could breathe? Would I have a hot meal?
have to starve myself to do so? “I strongly urge that 15 minutes
“In 2023, these decisions I of your time is taken to get
believed I might have to make involved and take the Access
are becoming more of a reality. Survey. Hopefully with enough
Not only does it appear that voices all cheering for disabled
we are being placed into food people to be treated fairly, we
poverty, we are now also facing can get the government to listen.”
fuel poverty too. Thankfully The survey can be found online
with the help of Euan’s Guide, /SLR2G(PEǺIVX] at [[[*YERW,YMHIGSQ
our voices are being heard. The &GGIWWYVZI]

The 2022 Access Survey found that:

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ȴȍ
living with disability wellbeing

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        1 April – 31 October
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ȴȰ

Living
with FEAR
Acclaimed opera singer Luciano Pavarotti
said that ‘one of the very nicest things
about life is the way we must regularly
stop whatever it is we are doing and
devote our attention to eating’. But
imagine if you are unable to eat.
Kim Purkis was an international high board
diver and full-time teacher leading a very
active and sporting life, until a sudden illness
left her with intestinal failure aged 26. She was
diagnosed as having Gastroparesis.
She spent three months in hospital and was
left to face a life of Total Parenteral Nutrition
(TPN) – only able to receive nutrition via an
intravenous tube. All the nutrients that she
living with disability wellbeing
needs are contained in a solution administered
through a small permanent catheter which
is placed in a main vein, bypassing the usual
process of eating and digestion.
The catheter must be connected to the bag
of nutrient solution under aseptic conditions
to minimise the risk of infection – for Kim that’s
twice a day for a total infusion time of 15 hours.
“My life completely changed, and it was
terrifying,” said Kim, who has now founded
Face Everything and Rise (FEAR), a charity that
supports, educates and provides information to
ƋĘŅŸåĬĜƴĜĹčŅűųƋĜĀÏĜ±ĬĹƚƋųĜƋĜŅĹĬĜĩåĘåųţ
“When I left hospital, the medical advice was
that I should avoid swimming, golf, excessive
exercise, extreme sports and of course eating –
everything that I loved. f
ȴȮ
 ADVERTORIAL

Live-in Care: Living Life the Way I Want

Over 10,000,000 people in England and Wales live with some form of
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Tom, 29, lives with cerebral palsy. Until recently
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Since starting his care package, Tom has moved
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people as possible.”
living with disability wellbeing

“And that was on top of coping with my feeding tube is visible, swimming can leave you
own ‘new normal’ – always having to explain feeling vulnerable to people staring.
to everyone why I wasn’t eating, no dinner "This is why we run monthly swimming events
invitations because people felt awkward, never exclusively for children and adults, and their
again enjoying a favourite cake or treat and the ü±ĵĜĬĜåŸØƵĘŅ±ųå±ųƋĜĀÏĜ±ĬĬƼüåÚţ‰ĘåŸåŸŸĜŅĹŸ
hardest part, feeling hungry all the time. provide opportunities for families to swim with
“I immediately went online for advice and ÏŅĹĀÚåĹÏå±ĹÚŞųĜƴ±ÏƼØĜűüƚĹåĹƴĜųŅĹĵåĹƋţŰ
found nothing! Any mention of TPN was wholly FEAR’s team has also designed a range of dry
negative and usually a long list of things you suits that allow the wearer to be fully immersed
couldn’t or shouldn’t do.” in water, whilst keeping their central line dry.
With more than 40,000 They are available for hire
people in the UK on home for up to six months, for
enteral nutrition – which children and adults. At
means a feeding tube is £390 they are not cheap,
placed into the stomach so a good proportion
or small bowel – more of FEAR’s fundraising
than 2,000, as in Kim’s currently goes towards
case, on intravenous buying dry suits just to
TPN, and many others on keep up with the growing
central or arterial lines, demand.
Kim decided to take Kim also sends FEAR
action. Rather than simply Bears to children (and
accept all the things adults) who might need a
she was being told she cuddly companion. So far,
couldn’t do, Kim decided she has sent more than

“
to face up to everything 4,000 bears to people
and to rise above it all, around the globe for just
and concentrate on what the cost of the packing
she could do, and how she and postage.
could do it safely. )IWTMXIVIP]MRKSR853MRJYWMSRW “I’m sure we all once
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years she has travelled XSPMZIEREGXMZIPMJIHIWTMXIXLI and can remember how
extensively, been GLEPPIRKIWKim Purkis much it helped us when
skiing, cycled, run, been we were feeling upset or
paragliding, ice-diving, scared,” said Kim.
DŽĜŞěĬĜĹåÚØÏĬĜýěϱĵŞåÚرŸƵåĬĬƋå±ÏĘĜĹčÏĘĜĬÚųåĹ “Well, FEAR Bears were created for exactly
with special educational needs. that! They’re very special bears which help both
Having proved what could be done she then ÏĘĜĬÚųåűĹÚ±ÚƚĬƋŸØÚå±ĬƵĜƋĘƋĘåÚĜþÏƚĬƋƋĜĵåŸ
set up FEAR to pass on that information and that come with living with chronic and life-
provide support to others. limiting conditions.”
“As a high board diver I used to spend a lot ‰ĘåʱųĜƋƼ±ĬŸŅŅýåųŸĜĹüŅųĵ±ƋĜŅĹŅĹƋų±ƴåĬ
of time in swimming pools and I knew how and activities, and even has three mental
enjoyable swimming was for so many people,” Ęå±ĬƋĘĹƚųŸåŸƵĘŅ±ųå±ƴ±ĜĬ±ÆĬåƋŅŅýåųŸƚŞŞŅųƋ
said Kim. through what is a very emotional transition for
ūƚƋƵĘåĹƼŅƚ±ųå±ųƋĜĀÏĜ±ĬĬƼüåÚرÏÏ域ĜĹč those, and their families, who are going through
ŸƵĜĵĵĜĹčÆåÏŅĵåŸåƻƋųåĵåĬƼÚĜþÏƚĬƋüŅų± a similar diagnosis.
lot of families. Whether you wear a specialised +SVQSVIMRJSVQEXMSRZMWMXLXXTW
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living with disability wellbeing

“
With the right
mindset and proper
management of your
medical condition,
you can learn how
to adjust ȏȦ
living with disability wellbeing

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ȏȶ

Sounds
About
Right
Soundabout is a national music education
charity that has pioneered the use of
music, rhythm and sound to give disabled
children and adults a voice, and a way to
express themselves and be listened to.
Rock royalty Bono, lead singer of the band U2
said ‘Music can change the world because it can
change people’.
And that’s what Soundabout is all about. It’s a
unique organisation that has been empowering
ŞåŅŞĬåƵĜƋĘŞųŅüŅƚĹÚÚĜŸ±ÆĜĬĜƋĜåŸƋŅĀĹÚƋĘåĜų
voice through music for more than 25 years.
It’s based on the ethos that learning disabled
people with complex support needs should
have access to a musical life that is interactive
and life enhancing.
‰Ņ±ÏĘĜåƴåƋĘĜŸØĜƋŅýåųŸ±ƵĜÚåų±ĹčåŅü
music-making opportunities where children,
young people, and adults can thrive. Using
music as a means of communication, self-
expression and interaction it focuses on what
individuals can do and follows their lead.
living with disability wellbeing
“Music has the power to unlock the potential
ŅüŞåŅŞĬåƵĜƋĘŞųŅüŅƚĹÚĬå±ųĹĜĹčÚĜþÏƚĬƋĜåŸØŰ
explained Soundabout CEO Holly Radford-James.
“It does change lives. It can get through. To
hear somebody who is non-verbal react to the
music by screaming with joy is all you need to
ĩĹŅƵƋʱƋƼŅƚűųåĵ±ĩĜĹč±ÚĜýåųåĹÏåţ
“We believe that people with complex support
needs should have a life full of expression,
passion and enjoyment. That’s why we use
sound to enable learning disabled people to
express themselves, connect with others and
üååĬƋĘåƵ±ųĵƋĘŅüĵƚŸĜÏţŰ
Early Days
Soundabout was launched in 1995 in Oxford with
ƋĘå±ĜĵŅüåĵŞŅƵåųĜĹčŸÏĘŅŅĬŸƋ±ýƵŅųĩĜĹčƵĜƋĘ
children and young people with special needs
to make music interactively with their pupils with
severe and complex disabilities.
The overwhelming and enthusiastic response
ƋŅƋĘåŞųŅģåÏƋÆƼÆŅƋĘŞƚŞĜĬŸ±ĹÚŸÏĘŅŅĬŸƋ±ý
ŸƚččåŸƋåÚƋʱƋ±Şåųĵ±ĹåĹƋŸƋ±ýƋų±ĜĹĜĹč
programme would be welcomed in schools f
ȏȴ
living with disability wellbeing
A D V E R TO R I A L
World Horse Welfare is an international charity which
strives to support and improve the horse-human
partnership in all of its guises. With a vision of a
world where every horse is treated with respect,
compassion and understanding, the charity’s mission
is to work with horses, horse owners, communities,
organisations, and governments to improve welfare
standards and stamp out suffering in the UK and
worldwide through four key areas: Care, Research,
Education and Influence.
We are the only equine welfare charity to support the
responsible involvement of horses in sport and are in-
dependent welfare advisers to the Fédération Eques-
tre Internationale (FEI), the International Horse Sports
Confederation and the British Horseracing Authority
(BHA). We promote the concept that horse sport
needs to do more to maintain its social licence, i.e. the
support of the public, by demonstrably prioritising the
welfare of its horses throughout their lives.
To find out more about work opportunities and
volunteering opportunities please visit our website
www.worldhorsewelfare.org or call 01953 497 233.
ANTHONY
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ȏȏ
Accessib
le
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With up to 300 horses across our visitor
centres based in Norfolk, Somerset,
Lancashire and Aberdeenshire we make
a great day out for all the family.
Meet our horses, ponies and
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homemade cakes.
Please book your visit online at
www.worldhorsewelfare.org/visit-us
www.worldhorsewelfare.org
Registered charity no: 206658 and SC038384
For full details on opening times and special events
please visit www.worldhorsewelfare.org or call 01953 498682.
• PATENT APPROVED - No GB 2 596 265
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Powerchair Users ĿâāʇğīőÊěʇÜěāúʇ
ÆÊ¿åõåĦ¨ĦåûÝʇâ¨ûÆʇÀāûÆåĦåāûğʇ⨾ÊʇĦâÊʇ
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ĦâÊʇúåŕʇɜĘěÊʇ¨ŕ¨ÀâÊÆʇĦāʇĦâÊʇĘāĿÊěÀâ¨åěɝʇ
ÝåľåûÝʇĦâÊúʇÆåěÊÀĦʇÀāûĦ¨ÀĦʇĿåĦâʇĦâÊʇÀāûĦěāõʇ
ñāŅğĦåÀóʇ¿īĦʇʨğåõŅʇěÊúāľåûÝʇĦâÊåěʇâ¨ûÆʇ
ĦāʇěÊĦěåÊľÊʇåĦÊúğɉʇ
ğʇĦâÊʇĘāĿÊěÀâ¨åěʇúåŕʇ
åğʇ¨ŕ¨ÀâÊÆʇĦāʇĦâÊʇĘāĿÊěÀâ¨åěʇåĦʇěÊúāľÊğʇ
ĦâÊʇĘěā¿õÊúʇāÜʇĦâÊʇīğÊěʇÆěāĘĘåûÝʇÝõāľÊğɖ
úåŕÊûğʇĦāʇĦâÊʇŔāāěʇĿâÊûʇĦěŅåûÝʇĦāʇĘīĦʇ
ĦâÊúʇāûʇāěʇĦ¨óÊʇĦâÊúʇāőɉ
For more information, plus
user and carer reviews visit
ĿĿĿɉĘāĿÊěÀâ¨åěɨúåŕɉÀāɉīó

across the UK and in December 1997,
„ŅƚĹÚ±ÆŅƚƋƵ±ŸŅþÏĜ±ĬĬƼüŅƚĹÚåÚ±Ÿ±Ĺ
ĜĹÚåŞåĹÚåĹƋÏʱųĜƋƼţ„ĜĹÏåƋĘåĹØ„ŅƚĹÚ±ÆŅƚƋ
ʱŸÆĬŅŸŸŅĵåÚƋŅčĜƴåÏĘĜĬÚųåűĹÚ±ÚƚĬƋŸƵĜƋĘ
ÚĜŸ±ÆĜĬĜƋƼ±ƴŅĜÏåرƵ±ƼƋŅåƻŞų域ƋĘåĵŸåĬƴåŸ
±ĹÚÆåĬĜŸƋåĹåÚƋŅţ
ŮkƚųƋų±ĜĹĜĹčŞųŅčų±ĵĵåĜĹŸÏĘŅŅĬŸʱŸ
ÏŅĹƋĜĹƚåÚƋŅåƻޱĹÚ±ĹÚÚåƴåĬŅޱųŅƚĹÚ
ƋĘåŸŞåÏĜĀÏĹååÚŸŅüŸƋ±ýĜĹ„)cŸÏĘŅŅĬŸ±ĹÚ
ŞųŅü域ĜŅűĬŸƵĘŅŸƚŞŞŅųƋŞåŅŞĬåƵĜƋĘŸåƴåųå
Ĭå±ųĹĜĹčÚĜþÏƚĬƋĜåŸØŰŸ±ĜÚBŅĬĬƼţ
ŮFűÚÚĜƋĜŅĹØƵåŅýåųÏĘĜĬÚųåĹØƼŅƚĹčŞåŅŞĬå
±ĹÚ±ÚƚĬƋŸ±ĬŅĹčƵĜƋĘƋĘåĜųü±ĵĜĬĜ埱ĹÚϱųåųŸØ
ųåčƚĬ±ųÏŅĵĵƚĹĜƋƼŸåŸŸĜŅĹŸƵĘĜÏĘåĹÏŅƚų±čå
±ÆŸŅĬƚƋåĬƼåƴåųƼŅĹåƋŅƋ±ĩåޱųƋĜĹƋĘåĜųŅƵĹ
Ƶ±ƼØĜűųåĬ±ƻåÚ±ĹÚüųĜåĹÚĬƼåĹƴĜųŅĹĵåĹƋţŰ
living with disability wellbeing
Soundabout Choirs
kĹåŅü„ŅƚĹÚ±ÆŅƚƋűŸŸƋ±ĹÚěŅƚƋŸƚÏÏ域åŸ
ʱŸÆååĹĜƋŸĜĹÏĬƚŸĜƴåÏĘŅĜųŸô±ĹåƋƵŅųĩŅü
ŎĂƋŅÚ±ƋåƋĘųŅƚčĘŅƚƋƋĘåŽUôƋʱƋŅýåų
ƋĘåŅŞŞŅųƋƚĹĜƋƼüŅųŞåŅŞĬåƵĜƋĘŸåƴåųå±ĹÚ
ŞųŅüŅƚĹÚĬå±ųĹĜĹčÚĜŸ±ÆĜĬĜƋĜåŸŅü±ĬĬ±č埱ĹÚ
±ÆĜĬĜƋĜåŸƋŅÆåޱųƋŅü±ĵƚŸĜϱĬÏŅĵĵƚĹĜƋƼţ
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ʱŸÆååĹĜĹŸƋųƚĵåĹƋ±ĬĜĹŸåƋƋĜĹčƚŞƋĘåÏĘŅĜųŸüŅų
ŞåŅŞĬåƋŅÏŅĬĬ±ÆŅų±ƋåĜĹĵ±ĩĜĹčĵƚŸĜÏŸĜĹÏåƖLjŎĿţ
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ĬĜƴåĜűÏŅĵĵƚĹĜƋƼƵĜƋĘŅƚƋƱųųĜåųŸØ۱ÚÚåÚBŅĬĬƼţ
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living with disability wellbeing

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ȏȰ

A Real
Inconvenience
More than 250,000 disabled people in the
UK rely on Changing Places toilets to use
the bathroom safely and with dignity. But
few sports venues have these facilities for
disabled fans or athletes.
A Change.org petition has been launched
calling for Changing Places Toilets (CPTs) to be
made mandatory in UK sports venues with a
capacity of more than 350 people.
FƋÏŅĵ埱ŸƋĘåŅþÏĜ±ĬʱĹčĜĹč{Ĭ±Ï埉ŅĜĬåƋ
map shows fewer than 10 percent of UK sporting
venues have Changing Places Toilets in place.
Changing Places are accessible toilets for
people with complex needs, such as cerebral
palsy, muscular dystrophy or motor neurone
ÚĜŸå±Ÿåţ‰ĘåƼűųåųåŧƚĜųåÚƋŅĵååƋ±ÚåĀĹåÚ
standard, and must include an accessible toilet,
height-adjustable basin, adult-sized changing
bench and hoist.
Without these facilities, many disabled people
ĵƚŸƋÆåĬ±ĜÚŅĹƋĘåāŅŅųŅüŞƚÆĬĜÏƋŅĜĬåƋŸƋŅÆå
changed.
FƋűŸƚĹÚĜčĹĜĀåÚØƚĹĘƼčĜåĹĜϱĹÚŞƚƋŸϱųå
givers at risk of injury. In most cases, people
will opt to stay at home rather than subject
themselves and their loved ones to the indignity.
Current legislation in England requires all
living with disability wellbeing
new builds for more than 350 people to have
a Changing Places facility, but there is no
requirement for existing venues to have these,
meaning many disabled fans are being denied
access to their favourite sports.
Time to Change
Now a group of disabled sports fans are calling
on the government to update legislation and
allow all people, regardless of their disability,
ƋŅƴĜŸĜƋ±ĹÚƋ±ĩåޱųƋĜĹŸŞŅųƋĜĹčĀƻƋƚųåŸÆƼ
“
ensuring Changing Places toilets are made
mandatory at all venues.
Disability still shouldn’t be a taboo subject –
this needs to change
Francesca Dean, Rachel Bury, and Zack Kerr –
who all have cerebral palsy and are wheelchair
users – are backing the #RiseForSport campaign.
Launched by RISE Adaptations – one of
the UK’s few Changing Places providers –
the petition calls for current legislation to be
updated to include existing sports venues.
Currently only new builds with a capacity of
350+ people must include CPTs. The petition calls
for this to apply to existing venues across the UK.
Zack Kerr has previously successfully f
ȏȮ
living with disability wellbeing
UNFOLD YOUR FREEDOM
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*Fixed front frame without rear wheels (9.9kg with rear wheels)

campaigned to introduce the toilets in
motorway service stations and is now turning his
focus to sports venues.
“I am a very sociable person and live
life to the full. I enjoy all sorts of
leisure activities and getting out
and about as often as I can,
but going to sporting events
is either a huge gamble,
taking a risk of having
no accessible facilities
available, or not going out
at all,” said 27-year-old Zack.
“Even leisure facilities such
as swimming pools and sports
centres rarely have Changing
Places Toilets, making visits as
a supporter, spectator, or participant
almost impossible.
“This restricts my ability to experience these
events and also, my ability to spend quality time
with family and friends at such events.”
„Ƌ±ĹÚ±ųÚ±ÏÏ域ĜÆĬåƋŅĜĬåƋŸÚŅĹŅƋŅýåųƵʱƋ
is needed for many disabled people.
CPTs provide a height adjustable changing
bench, hoist, privacy screen and extra space to
meet the needs of users.
“I love sport and it’s one of my most important
outlets when it comes to maintaining a good
headspace when things are getting a bit much
for me,” said 35-year-old Rachel Bury.
“For many years I have been able to manage
in a standard disabled bathroom facility
From left to right: Francesca Dean, Rachel Bury and Zack Kerr
living with disability wellbeing
because of my ability to be able to self-transfer.
BŅƵåƴåųÚƚåƋŅ±ÏŅĵÆĜűƋĜŅĹŅüÚĜýåųåĹƋ
health struggles within the last 18 months I have
come to appreciate that this might not
always be the case.
“One of the main things I do
to help myself in this situation
is to restrict the amount of
āƚĜÚFƋ±ĩåŅĹÆŅ±ųÚƵĘåĹ
I am outside of the home
to avoid embarrassing
situations.
“If I knew Changing
Places Toilets would be
available at these locations it
would mean so much to me and
ƵŅƚĬÚĘåĬŞčĜƴåĵåÏŅĹĀÚåĹÏåƋŅ
try things again or who knows - maybe
even some new hobbies.”
2EOMRKE)MǺIVIRGI
Through revised legislation, better education, and
the installation of more facilities, #RiseForSport
aims to put at least one Changing Places toilet in
every UK stadium by 2030.
“Unfortunately, it’s currently a choice between
staying at home, going out for just a couple of
hours or facing the prospect of changing the
ŞåųŸŅĹƼŅƚϱųå±ÆŅƚƋŅűŞƚÆĬĜÏƋŅĜĬåƋāŅŅųØŰ
said Jane Cooper, Changing Places campaigner
and Managing Director of Access & Inclusion UK.
“It’s a situation I have had to face many
times in the past with my, now adult, daughter
Megan. That’s not an option people
should be facing in 2023. Things are
getting better, and we are seeing
more and more Changing Places
Toilets installed in shopping centres,
attractions, motorway services and
leisure centers, but sports venues
are severely lagging. Hopefully this
petition can help change this.”
To support the campaign to get the
issue raised in parliament and to get
legislative change sign the petition
here: www.change.org/riseforsport.
For further information visit
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living with disability independent living

The
stylish new
self-balancing
Centaur in
use.

ȍȶ

A New Era for
Power Chairs
Paul Campbell
Eric Kihlstrom
A sleek
new power
chair designed to
look good and work
IǺSVXPIWWP]PSSOWWIX
to change the shape of
[LIIPGLEMVQSFMPMX]
British manufacturers Centaur Robotics are set
to bring a new generation of personal electric
vehicles to market - designed to make life easier
for millions of people with mobility issues.
‰ĘåŸƋƼĬĜŸĘĹåƵŸåĬüěƱĬ±ĹÏĜĹčåĹƋ±ƚųĀƋŸ
into the space of a standard dining room chair,
spins in its own footprint and can easily navigate
narrow doorways.
The Centaur is also powered to rise easily,
allowing the user to reach higher shelves and
adjust to the perfect height at a bar or a table so
users can enjoy eye-to-eye conversations with
others who are standing. Unique, self-balancing
technology allows it to do all of this on just two
wheels. As with all great innovations there is a
human, personal story that inspired and drove
the development of the Centaur.
Paul Campbell, chief designer at Centaur
Robotics, drew on his own father’s experiences
living with disability independent living
in a wheelchair to ensure
that the Centaur solved all
the problems created by
traditional mobility devices.
The Inspiration
“My father’s lived
experiences clearly
highlighted to me the need
to challenge outdated
attitudes to mobility - in
many ways a traditional
ƵĘååĬÏʱĜųĜŸŸĜĵŞĬƼĹŅƋĀƋ
for purpose when used in
practical everyday tasks,”
said Paul, former Chief
Designer at Ford Motor
Company.
“Including dad in family events could be
challenging. A visit to a restaurant was often a
üų±ƚčĘƋ±ý±ĜųØÏųå±ƋĜĹčƚĹƵ±ĹƋåÚ±ƋƋåĹƋĜŅűĹÚ
fuss as he tried to negotiate tables and chairs, only
ƋŅĀĹÚŅƚųƋ±ÆĬåƵ±ŸƋŅŅĬŅƵüŅųĘĜĵƋŅƋƚÏĩĘĜŸ
legs under, or positioned so close to the next table
that his wheelchair blocked other people’s access.
“At home, without major and expensive
adaptations, doorframes were too narrow for a
traditional wheelchair, kitchen counters were
too high and cupboards simply out of reach.”
After Paul’s dad died, the penny dropped. The
Ƌų±ÚĜƋĜŅűĬƵĘååĬÏʱĜųÚŅåŸĹűƋĀƋ屟ĜĬƼĜĹƋŅƋĘå
outside world. So instead of changing the world
ƋŅĀƋÚĜŸ±ÆĬåÚŞåŅŞĬåØ{±ƚĬŸåƋ±ÆŅƚƋÚåŸĜčĹĜĹč
ŸŅĵåƋĘĜĹčƋʱƋƵŅƚĬÚĀƋƋĘåƵŅųĬÚţ
“We all want to be included,” said Paul. “It is
human nature. But when you have to negotiate
raised kerbs, out of reach items on f
ȍȴ
living with disability independent living

living with

THE WEEKS d sability

DISABILITY NEWS IN
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ȍȏ
 living with disability independent living

ĘĜčĘĬĜčĘƋƋĘåĜųÚåĀÏĜåĹÏĜåŸØ۱ÚÚåÚ{±ƚĬţ
eŞųŅƋŅƋƼŞåĀƋƋĜĹčƋʱƋŸŞåÏØƋʱƋŸŞĜĹŸŅű
ŸĜƻŞåĹÏå±ĹÚĀƋŸĜĹƋŅƋĘåŸŞ±ÏåŅü±ÚĜĹĜĹčųŅŅĵ
ÏʱĜųØĜŸÏƚųųåĹƋĬƼƚĹÚåųčŅĜĹčƋųĜ±ĬŸţFü±ĬĬčŅåŸƵåĬĬØ
åĹƋ±ƚųƵĜĬĬčŅĜĹƋŅŞųŅÚƚÏƋĜŅĹå±ųĬƼĹåƻƋƼå±ųţ
“Getting to this stage has taken a
ÏŅĹŸĜÚåų±ÆĬåĜĹƴåŸƋĵåĹƋĜĹĹåƵƋåÏĘĹŅĬŅčƼ
and in factory tooling for the components, so
ŞųŅÚƚÏƋĜŅĹŅüƋĘååĹƋ±ƚųƵĜĬĬĜĹĜƋĜ±ĬĬƼÆåĬŅƵ
ƴŅĬƚĵå±ĹÚŞųĜÏåÚ±Ƌ±ŞųåĵĜƚĵĬåƴåĬØŰŸ±ĜÚ)ųĜÏ
UĜĘĬŸƋųŅĵØʱĜųĵ±ĹŅüåĹƋ±ƚųŅÆŅƋĜÏŸţ
ŮeŸÚåĵ±ĹÚĜĹÏų屟åŸØƵåϱĹčåƋƋŅ
åÏŅĹŅĵĜåŸŅüŸÏ±ĬåƋʱƋƵĜĬĬĵ±ĩåĜƋ±Ĺ

supermarket shelves and old-fashioned theatre

seating schemes, you can end up having a totally
ÚĜýåųåĹƋƴĜåƵŅüƋĘåƵŅųĬÚţXŅƋŸŅüƵĘååĬÏʱĜųŸ
ģƚŸƋÚŅĹűƋĀƋĜĹƋŅÚ±ƼűŸĵŅÚåųĹƵŅųĬÚţŰ
Over several years, Paul discussed and
ÚåƴåĬŅŞåÚĘĜŸĜÚ屟üŅų±ųåƴŅĬƚƋĜŅűųƼĹåƵ
ŞŅƵåųÏʱĜųÚåŸĜčĹØŅĹåƋʱƋƵŅƚĬÚĬŅŅĩŸƚŞåų
ÏŅŅĬ±ĹÚÆåĘĜčĘĬƼĵ±ĹŅåƚƴų±ÆĬåØƵĜƋĘüåĬĬŅƵ

“
åĹčĜĹååųŸ%±ƴĜÚ±ģ±Ĺ±ĹÚIŅĘĹååÚƵĘŅÆŅƋĘ
ʱÚÚĜŸ±ÆĬåÚŸŅĹŸţ

The Centaur gives you freedom to do what

you want, when you want. It’s empowering.” ±ýŅųÚ±ÆĬå±ĹÚü屟ĜÆĬå±ĬƋåųűƋĜƴåüŅų±ĵƚÏĘ
Paralympian Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson ƵĜÚåųčųŅƚŞŅüƚŸåųŸţ
ىŅ±ÏĘĜåƴåƋĘĜŸØƵå±ųåĜűÚƴ±ĹÏåÚÚĜŸÏƚŸŸĜŅĹŸ
‰ĘåƋå±ĵƵ±ĹƋåÚ±ÏʱĜųƋʱƋƵŅƚĬÚ±ŞŞå±Ĭ ƵĜƋĘƴ±ųĜŅƚŸ±ĜųŞŅųƋŸØĵƚŸåƚĵŸ±ĹÚŸĘŅŞŞĜĹč
ƋŅ±ÆųŅ±ÚŸŞåÏƋųƚĵŅüƚŸåųŸôüųŅĵƋĘŅŸåƵĘŅ ÏåĹƋųåŸƵĘŅŸååƋĘåÆåĹåĀƋŅüŸåƋƋĜĹčƚŞĘĜųå
ĹååÚ±ĬĜƋƋĬåĘåĬŞƵĜƋĘƋĘåĜųĵŅÆĜĬĜƋƼŅűÆƚŸƼ schemes for the Centaur to help on-site visitors
Ú±ƼØƋŅŞåŅŞĬåƵĘŅĹååÚüƚĬĬěƋĜĵåĵŅÆĜĬĜƋƼ ƋʱƋĹååÚŸŅĵåĵŅÆĜĬĜƋƼĘåĬŞƋŅčåƋ±ųŅƚĹÚţ
±ŸŸĜŸƋ±ĹÏå±ĹÚƵ±ĹƋ±čŅŅÚěĬŅŅĩĜĹčŞųŅÚƚÏƋţ لĜĵĜĬ±ųĬƼØƵåŸåå±Şų±ÏƋĜϱĬƚŸåüŅųƋĘå
eŞŅƵåųÏʱĜųƋʱƋƵŅƚĬÚčĜƴåŞåŅŞĬåƋĘåüųååÚŅĵ Centaur in retirement homes, hospitals and
ƋŅÚŅƵʱƋƋĘåƼƵ±ĹƋåÚØƵĘåĹƋĘåƼƵ±ĹƋåÚţ ĘŅŸŞĜÏåŸţ
“We’re championing a more inclusive
Innovative New Design ±ŞŞųŅ±ÏĘƋŅåĹŸƚųåƋʱƋ±ĬĬƋĘŅŸåƵĜƋĘĜĹŅƚų
“Centaur is built to a stylish and elegant ±čåĜĹčŸŅÏĜåƋƼϱĹåƻŞåųĜåĹÏåƋĘåƵŅųĬÚ±Ÿ
ŞųåĵĜƚĵŸŞåÏĜĀϱƋĜŅĹƋʱƋĵå±ĹŸƼŅƚŸåå ĜĹƋåų±ÏƋĜƴåĬƼ±ŸŞŅŸŸĜÆĬåţŰ
the person, not the chair, and that for the user ‰ŅĀĹÚŅƚƋĵŅųå±ÆŅƚƋåĹƋ±ƚųčŅƋŅ
ĘåĬŞŸƋĘåĵÚŅƵʱƋƋĘåƼƵ±ĹƋƋŅÚŅų±ƋĘåųƋʱĹ www.centaurrobotics.com

ȍȍ
living with disability independent living

A NEW CARE HOME

FOR RN AND RM VETERANS
Our brand new care home is located in Portsmouth,
the Home of the Royal Navy. We offer state-of-
the-art facilities, including support for those living
with dementia, within a caring environment which
reinforces the camaraderie of a life of service in
the Royal Navy and Royal Marines.
For further information or to arrange a visit,
call us on 02392 000996 or visit the
RNBT website rnbt.org.uk/ajh

Registered Charity Number 206243

ȍȰ
 living with disability independent living

Pooch Power
Packing a Punch
Rita Hewson and was based in a
volunteered with the hut in the grounds
charity Support Dogs of a cottage hospital
a year after it was on the outskirts of
founded in 1992, and „ĘåþåĬÚţ
has worked her way Support Dogs is
up from training dogs now a national charity
to her current position ƵĜƋĘĉLjŸƋ±ý±ĹÚƖLjLj
as Chief Executive. volunteers who, with
And she still gets a lot of help from the
happy goosebumps canine companions
seeing how much they train, help to
Rita Hewson with support dog Rodney
ÚĜýåųåĹÏ屟ƚŞŞŅųƋ transform lives.
dog can make to Support Dogs is a national charity providing, The dogs are
every single person trained to carry out a
training and supporting specialist assistance
and their families wide range of tasks
when their lives are
dogs dedicated to saving and improving the that make a life safer
±ýåÏƋåÚÆƼ±ƚƋĜŸĵØ lives of children and adults with various and easier for their
epilepsy and physical challenging conditions. clients. From giving a
disability. 100 per cent reliable
Support Dogs provides 15 to 20 dogs a year alert before an epileptic seizure, keeping a child
across the UK and has successfully partnered with autism safe and picking up dropped items,
up more than 300 dogs to children and adults to loading and unloading washing machines,
for autism assistance, seizure alert and disability opening and closing doors, fetching medication
assistance. and going for help if required.
It gets more than 4,500 inquiries a year from “The wider impact on the
people desperate for a dog to help them. ĵåĹƋ±ĬƵåĬĬěÆåĜĹčŅüƋĘå
“We know that we’re just scratching the client and the impact
surface of need, but every story about the that having a support
ÚĜýåųåĹÏåŅĹåŅüŅƚųÚŅčŸʱŸĵ±ÚåĜŸƵʱƋ dog has on partners,
keeps us going and drives us on to be more parents and the wider family
ambitious,” said Rita. is immeasurable,” said Rita.
“Our aim is to gain greater awareness for Support Dogs provides
the work that our amazing dogs do, so we can an entirely free service –
åƻޱĹÚ±ĹÚčųŅƵرĹÚŅýåųƋʱƋĬĜüåěÏʱĹčĜĹč relying solely on voluntary
help and support to greater numbers of people.” donations – and Rita is
hopeful the charity will be
Early Days able to expand its activities
Back in 1992 when dog behaviourist Val Strong and take on more dogs to
set up Support Dogs, she had just three dogs train by moving into a new f

ȍȮ
living with disability independent living

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ȍȁ
 living with disability independent living

Support Dogs
has trained more
than 300 dogs to
save and improve
lives

ȍȟ
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has gone right up, and I am not fazed by uneven
ƧȌɐȁɈȲɯɈȲƊǞǶȺ‫˛ة‬ƵǶƮȺƵɈƧ‫ث‬ƦȺȌǶɐɈƵǶɯǐȲƵƊɈ‫ث‬
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Ȱȉ
 living with disability independent living

training centre with more dogs – and was there to

Wendy Martin with her
space and more land. support dog Penny help when her previous
“There are so many canine lifeline, Kevin,
ways people can support had to retire suddenly
us, from making a after losing his sight to a
donation to fundraising,” genetic condition.
added Rita. It was a comfort when
“And locally in the Support Dogs was able
„ĘåþåĬÚ±ųå±Ƶå to train new assistance
need volunteer puppy dog Penny, a Red Fox

“
socialisers to look after Labrador, as Wendy’s
our puppies from eight right-hand pooch.
weeks old until they are After it was established
ready to start full-time that Penny got on well
training at 14 months old. Everything we do is underpinned by our with Wendy’s cat, she
“We provide all the values and dedication to improve not only began her training. Five
support our volunteers people’s lives but also the lives of dogs. months later, the pair
need from individual ŧƚ±ĬĜĀåÚ±Ÿ±ĹŅþÏĜ±Ĭ
ongoing training to covering costs for food, toys, Support Dogs partnership.
bedding and vet bills.” Now three-year-old Penny helps Wendy with
‰ŅĀĹÚŅƚƋĵŅųåƴĜŸĜƋwww.supportdogs.org. a range of tasks – she can load and unload the
uk/volunteer or phone 0114 261 7800. washing machine, picks things up for her, helps
her to get dressed and undressed and lies on
Penny’s Priceless Support her, to help put pressure on Wendy’s legs.
Wendy Martin is a lady full of passion when “It was nice to get back out so I could do
speaking about the charity, Support Dogs. things and knew I had got help and support with
It’s a charity that has helped her to live more Penny being by my side,” said Wendy.
independently for the past 16 years. Wendy “I had noticed people don’t tend to bother with
has limited mobility due to disc degeneration you when you’re in shops, but as soon as you
in the base of her spine and neck, as well have a dog, you always get someone coming up
as osteoarthritis and the pain syndrome asking ‘Are you okay? Do you need any help?’.
ĀÆųŅĵƼ±ĬčĜ±ţ„ĘåƚŸåŸĵ±Ĺƚ±Ĭ±ĹÚåĬåÏƋųĜÏ Without the dog, it was as if I was invisible.”
wheelchairs, crutches or a walking frame, ‰ŅĀĹÚŅƚƋĵŅųå±ÆŅƚƋĘŅƵ„ƚŞŞŅųƋ%ŅčŸ
depending on how she is feeling that day. helps people like Wendy, please visit
Support Dogs has trained three of her assistance www.supportdogs.org.uk or call 0114 261 7800.

ȰȦ
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Ȱȶ

Surf’s Up
When a mum turned up at The Wave Project in North Devon asking whether they
would take her quadriplegic son surfing, it planted the seed of a six-year project
to open the first official surfing centre specifically for people with disabilities.
The Wave Project, set in the heart of the UK’s
beautiful West Country, was set up to explore
ĘŅƵŸƚųĀĹčÏŅƚĬÚ±ÏƋ±ŸƋĘåų±ŞƼƋŅĘåĬŞƼŅƚĹč
ŞåŅŞĬåĜĵŞųŅƴåƋĘåĜųåĵŅƋĜŅűĬ±ĹÚŞĘƼŸĜϱĬ
ƵåĬĬÆåĜĹčţ
œ±ƴåŸƋ±ųƋåÚĜĹŅųĹƵ±ĬĬĜĹƖLjŎLjØƵĘåĹƖLj
ƼŅƚĹčŞåŅŞĬåƋŅŅĩƋŅƋĘåƵ±Ƌåų±ŸޱųƋŅü±Ĺ
cB„ěüƚĹÚåÚŸƚųüƋĘåų±ŞƼŞĜĬŅƋ
ŸÏĘåĵåţ‰ĘåƼʱÚ±ĬĬÆååĹ
ÚĜ±čĹŅŸåÚƵĜƋĘĵåĹƋ±ĬĘå±ĬƋĘ
ÚĜŸŅųÚåųŸØų±ĹčĜĹčüųŅĵĵĜĬÚ
ƋŅŸåƴåųåţ
‰ĘåƼ±ĬĬųåŞŅųƋåÚ±Ĺ
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ÏŅ±ŸƋØƵ±ĹƋåÚƋŅŸƚųüţ
living with disability at leisure
Catching a Break
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ʱųÚƋŅÆåƋŅƋ±ĬĬƼĜĹÏĬƚŸĜƴå±ĹÚƋŅĵ±ĩåŸƚųĀĹč
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sure the other volunteers
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Ƶ±ƋåųüŅųƋĘåŎĉƋĘƋĜĵåţ f
Ȱȴ
living with disability at leisure

We want everyone to be
able to access and enjoy all
that Aberdeen Performing
Arts has to offer.
• Audio described performances
• BSL interpreted performances
• Captioned performances
• Relaxed performances
• Hearing assistance
• Touch tours
• Essential companions
Find out more at
aberdeenperformingarts.com/access

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Ȱȏ
 living with disability at leisure

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wave.

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living with disability at leisure

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ȰȰ
 living with disability at leisure

eĹÚƋĘåƵŅųĩʱŸޱĜÚŅýţ
)±ųĬĜåųƋĘĜŸƼå±ų„ƚųĀĹč)ĹčĬ±ĹÚØĜĹ
partnership with Surf South West
Surf School and The Wave
“In the early days it was {ųŅģåÏƋرĹĹŅƚĹÏåÚƋĘåĀųŸƋ
a case of learning as we ŅþÏĜ±Ĭů±Ú±ŞƋĜƴåŸƚųĀĹčĘƚÆű
went along. Surfers with in Croyde, North Devon – a
disabilities also put a lot of centre for excellence for
trust in us to do the right people with disabilities
things in getting them ƵĘŅƵ±ĹƋƋŅƋųƼŸƚųĀĹč
Ÿ±üåĬƼŅýƋĘåÆå±ÏĘŅĹƋŅ or improve in the sport,
the water and back again,” backed by the beach
said Ian. owners, Parkdean.
“Somewhat naively I was Ů)ŧƚ±ĬĬƼĜĵŞŅųƋ±ĹƋʱŸ

“
totally shocked by the cost been the installation of a
of any type of adapted sports Changing Places Toilet in which
equipment. It seemed if you added disabled people can get ready
the words ‘disability use’ to üŅųƋĘåĜųŸƚųĀĹčŸåŸŸĜŅĹƵĜƋĘ
anything it automatically doubled ;ILEZIEGUYMVIHXLI dignity and in spacious comfort,”
the price. I remember literally necessary skills, training added Ian, now The Wave
buying a surfboard and securing ERHWTIGMEPMWXIUYMTQIRX Project’s Adaptive Lead.
a chair to it for wheelchair bound XSHIPMZIVWEJIERH ŮƼĵ±ĩĜĹčĵŅÚĜĀϱƋĜŅĹŸ
youngsters to use. enjoyable surf sessions for to equipment and the way we
“These days, after much fund TISTPI[MXLE[MHIVERKI teach, we constantly learning
raising, we have more than £25k SJTL]WMGEPHMWEFMPMXMIW new ways that people can
worth of adapted equipment, from ޱųƋĜÏĜޱƋåĜĹŸƚųĀĹčƵĜƋĘ
beach chairs, surfboards with chairs or simple čųå±ƋåųĜĹÚåŞåĹÚåĹÏåØÏŅĵüŅųƋرĹÚÏŅĹĀÚåĹÏåţ
grip handles to special wet suits.” More adaptive hubs are planned, and a
second hub was recently introduced at The
Crest of a Wave Wave Project’s Scarborough surf centre.
‰Ę±ĹĩŸƋŅF±ĹØƵĜƋĘĘåĬŞüųŅĵ„ƚųĀĹč)ĹčĬ±ĹÚØ kĹƋĘåčĬŅƱĬ±čåĹڱرڱŞƋĜƴåŸƚųĀĹčĜŸ
Surf South West and Activity Alliance, the national currently being considered as a sport for the
charity for disabled people in sport and activity, Paralympics.
±üųååŧƚ±ĬĜĀϱƋĜŅĹƋų±ĜĹĜĹčŞųŅčų±ĵĵåüŅų ‰ŅĀĹÚŅƚƋĵŅųå±ÆŅƚƋ±Ú±ŞƋĜƴåŸƚųĀĹč
±Ú±ŞƋ±ƋĜƴåŸƚųĀĹčƵ±ŸÚåƴĜŸåÚţ‰ŅÚ±ƋåĵŅųåƋʱĹ email inab@waveproject.co.uk or go to www.
250 volunteers have been trained nationwide. [EZITVSNIGXGSYOSV[[[WYVǻRKIRKPERHSVK

ȰȮ

In Tune with The
Little Big Things
A new musical that puts disability movingly
and unapologetically centre stage is a
stunning tribute to the resilience of one
man and the seemingly small moments
that shaped his life.
‘It’s a terrible idea for a show’ says Ed Larkin,
the actor playing Henry Fraser in the early
moments of new musical ‘The Little Big Things’.
You could be forgiven for thinking he might
ÆåųĜčĘƋţBåűŸĹŅƋţFƋűŸƋĘåĀųŸƋŞųŅÚƚÏƋĜŅĹüųŅĵ±
brand new British musical theatre writing team
and, unprecedently, has two wheelchair users in
the cast.
Staged @sohoplace, a West End venue whose
commitment to accessibility and outreach is very
evident, this is an uplifting, heart-swelling show
about hope, triumph over adversity and of the joy
of being alive. Based on the best-selling memoir
by Henry Fraser, the musical is built around
Henry’s life-changing accident on a lads’ beach
living with disability at leisure
holiday in Portugal in
July 2009 that led to
him being paralysed
from the shoulders
down, age 17.
“It was a glorious
day. Blue sky,
sunshine, friends all around me on that golden
beach,” explains Henry, who was in the audience
for the opening night of ‘The Little Big Things’.
“I ran into the sea thinking it was a good depth
to dive forward – turns out the seabed kicked up
ŸĬĜčĘƋĬƼųĜčĘƋĜĹüųŅĹƋŅüĵåţFÏŅĬĬĜÚåÚĘå±ÚĀųŸƋ
and momentarily blacked out. I opened my eyes
expecting to stand up, walk out the sea and join
ĵƼüųĜåĹÚŸţFŅŞåĹåÚĵƼåƼåŸāŅ±ƋĜĹčĜĹƋĘåŸå±
completely unable to move.”
A Moment in Time
The scene is set for the journey of a once
promising young teenage rugby player to a man
who overcomes the challenges and changes f
Ȱȟ
 ‰ų±ĹŸüŅųĵĜĹčƋĘ剚)ƻŞåųĜåĹÏå׉Ęå{ŅƵåųŅü
‰åƻƋěƋŅ섪ååÏĘüŅų„ĩƼ‰ššĜåƵåųŸƵĜƋĘšĜŸƚ±Ĭ
FĵޱĜųĵåĹƋŸ±ĹÚå±ÚĜĹč%ĜþÏƚĬƋĜåŸ
By Barry Hill

Have you ever thought about how people with disabilities might watch TV? For
åƻ±ĵŞĬåØĘŅƵÚŅŞåŅŞĬåƵĜƋĘƴĜŸƚ±ĬĜĵޱĜųĵåĹƋŸŅųųå±ÚĜĹčÚĜþÏƚĬƋĜåŸÏŅĹƋųŅĬƋĘ剚
ŅųĀĹÚƋĘåĜųü±ƴŅƚųĜƋåŸĘŅƵŸũ

For instance, Melody who is blind and lives alone, enjoyed watching quizzes and
soaps on her TV. Once a week, she would have an assistant come into her home to set
ųåÏŅųÚĜĹčŸüŅųĘåųü±ƴŅƚųĜƋåŸĘŅƵŸţ‰Ę屟ŸĜŸƋ±ĹƋƵŅƚĬÚƋĘåĹƋåĬĬaåĬŅÚƼĘŅƵƋŅĀĹÚ
the shows in the recordings via key presses on the remote, such as, “Press this button,
ƋĘåĹĬåüƋƋƵĜÏå±ĹÚÚŅƵĹƋĘųååØƋĘåĹåĹƋåųţŰ

‰ĘĜŸĵåƋĘŅÚƵ±Ÿü±ųüųŅĵĜÚå±ĬţeƋ„ĩƼØƋĘåƼƵ±ĹƋåÚƋŅĵ±ĩåƋĘåĜų‰šĜĹƋåųü±Ïå
±ÏÏ域ĜÆĬåüŅųŞåŅŞĬåƵĜƋĘÚĜŸ±ÆĜĬĜƋĜåŸØŸŅƋĘåƼÏŅƚĬÚåĹģŅƼƵ±ƋÏĘĜĹ艚ĜĹÚåŞåĹÚåĹƋĬƼ
ƵĜƋĘŅƚƋƋĘåĹååÚüŅųŸĜčĘƋåÚĘåĬŞŅųÚĜþÏƚĬƋŲƵŅųĩ±ųŅƚĹÚŸţ„ĩƼ±Ĭųå±ÚƼŞųŅƴĜÚå±ƚÚĜŅ
ÚåŸÏųĜÆåÚŞųŅčų±ĵŸ±ĹڱűÏÏ域ĜÆĬå±ŞŞüŅųĵŅÆĜĬåÚåƴĜÏåŸØÆƚƋƋĘåƵ±ƼƋʱƋ
people control the TV was not accessible.

šŅĜÏå:ƚĜÚ±ĹÏå„ŅĬƚƋĜŅĹ
„ŅØ„ĩƼÚåƴåĬŅŞåÚ±ƋåƻƋěƋŅěŸŞååÏĘüå±ƋƚųåϱĬĬåÚšŅĜÏå:ƚĜÚ±ĹÏåŅĹ„ĩƼ}±ĹÚ„ĩƼ
:Ĭ±ŸŸţ‰ĘĜŸüå±ƋƚųåŞųŅƴĜÚåŸŅĹěŸÏųååĹüååÚƱÏĩüŅųƴĜåƵåųŸƵĜƋĘƴĜŸƚ±ĬĜĵޱĜųĵåĹƋŸ
Ņųųå±ÚĜĹčÚĜþÏƚĬƋĜåŸţšĜ±±Ęƚĵ±ĹěĬĜĩåÚĜčĜƋ±ĬƴŅĜÏåØƴĜåƵåųŸϱĹĹŅƵĜĹÚåŞåĹÚåĹƋĬƼ
navigate through channels, menus, and programming with ease, receiving spoken
ÚåŸÏųĜŞƋĜŅĹŸ±ĹÚűƴĜč±ƋĜŅĹĘĜĹƋŸŅüå±ÏʱÏƋĜŅĹƋĘåƼƋ±ĩåţ

ٚŅĜÏå:ƚĜÚ±ĹÏåŅĹ„ĩƼ}Ƶ±ŸĬĜƋåų±ĬĬƼĬĜüåÏʱĹčĜĹčüŅųĵå±ĹÚĵƼƵĜüåţåüŅųåš:Ø
ĜƋƵ±ŸĵƼƵĜüåűŸĬ±ÆŅųĜŅƚŸųåŸŞŅĹŸĜÆĜĬĜƋƼƋŅÆåĵƼƋ±ĬĩĜĹ艚čƚĜÚåţœĘåĹš:Ƶ±Ÿ
ĜĹƋųŅÚƚÏåÚØĜƋĵå±ĹƋƋʱƋFÏŅƚĬÚĜĹÚåŞåĹÚåĹƋĬƼƋ±ĩååŧƚ±ĬųåŸŞŅĹŸĜÆĜĬĜƋƼüŅųƋĘåųåĵŅƋå
ÏŅĹƋųŅĬţFűĵĹŅƋŸƚųåFűÚŸƋĜĬĬÆåĵ±ųųĜåÚƵĜƋĘŅƚƋĜƋú۱ųųƼBĜĬĬØÆĬĜĹÚ„ĩƼ}ÏƚŸƋŅĵåųţ
Ȯȉ
Understanding Challenges
To make sure that their technology would meet their needs, Sky worked hard to
understand the challenges that people with disabilities face in their daily lives by talking
ƵĜƋĘåƻŞåųƋŸĜĹƋĘåĀåĬÚŅüÚĜŸ±ÆĜĬĜƋƼŸƚŞŞŅųƋرŸƵåĬĬ±ŸƵĜƋĘŞåŅŞĬåƵĜƋĘÚĜŸ±ÆĜĬĜƋĜåŸ
themselves. Sky also reached out to the visually impaired community to get feedback
ŅĹšŅĜÏå:ƚĜÚ±ĹÏå±ĹÚųåĀĹåƋĘåŸŞååÏĘޱƋƋåųĹŸŅüƋĘåüå±Ƌƚųåţ

Sky TV went much further than regulatory guidelines to make the whole User Interface
talk, providing independent access to the full TV experience for blind customers like
Melody and Barry in a way that made sense, was short and to the point, and let them
know how to navigate. Sky even chose a digital voice that was both pleasant and
universally appealing!

Voice Guidance was developed on Sky Q and is now being improved for Sky Glass and
Sky Stream. These improvements include better navigation instructions, system sound
feedback, and customization options like adjusting the speed of the speech to suit
individual needs.

Inspiration
Sky's Voice Guidance feature has had a profound impact on the lives of people
ƵĜƋĘƴĜŸƚ±ĬĜĵޱĜųĵåĹƋŸŅųųå±ÚĜĹčÚĜþÏƚĬƋĜåŸØåűÆĬĜĹčƋĘåĵƋŅåĹģŅƼƋåĬåƴĜŸĜŅĹ
programming with greater ease and independence. They have showed a commitment to
accessibility, usability, and user collaboration that sets them apart from other television
providers. Through their technology, they are transforming the lives of
people with disabilities, enabling them to live more independently and
with greater dignity. They believe that their solution could inspire the
sector to go further than regulators dictate, potentially making a positive
impact on the lives of millions of people around the world.
ȮȦ
living with disability at leisure

An uplifting
showstopper from
the actors playing
Henry Fraser in
The Little Big
Things

Ȯȶ
 living with disability at leisure

that one little thing, role to reinforce the point that

one brief moment, when something life changing
set in motion. happens, a refocused set
And it’s always of expectations is essential
the little big things for survival. And it’s Amy who
that happened along propels Henry to recover and
the way that led to reinvent himself to draw and
Henry’s life today. The paint by holding the utensils in

“
out-of-date passport that his mouth.
was urgently renewed so he The supporting cast is
ÏŅƚĬÚƋų±ƴåĬƋŅ{ŅųƋƚč±ĬØĘĜŸųåāåÏƋĜŅĹ spot on too. Henry’s dad is
in the glass doors of the hospital that played by Alasdair Harvey,
I taught myself how to
strengthened his resolve to accept and with all the pent-up
draw and paint with
adapt and the moment he found an feeling of a man unable
actual pencils and
app on his iPad that meant he could to properly express
paint by attaching the
draw by holding a stylus in his mouth. himself, and his mum by
utensils to a mouth
An ongoing dialogue between young Linzi Hateley, the beating
stick
able-bodied Henry pre-accident (Jonny heart of the Fraser family.
Amies) and the present-day disabled Henry But when the two male
(Ed Larkin) is at the heart of the show. Both give Ĭå±ÚŸƋ±ĩåƋŅƋĘå±ĜųĜĹÚåĀ±ĹÏå
strong performances that will have you in tears, Ņü±ÆŅÚƼƋʱƋʱŸÆååĹÚ±ĵ±čåÚěƋĘåāƼĜĹč
of sadness and joy in equal measure, as they ƵĘååĬÏʱĜųĜŸ±ĹŅƋĘåųĀųŸƋüŅųƋĘåœåŸƋ)ĹÚ
battle to come to terms with a new life and let - your spirit will ascend with them, and you’ll
go of the old one. know you don’t have the best seat in the house.
The upbeat songs written by Nick Butcher You will however have witnessed one of the
and Tom Ling are jolly enough, if not memorable most inclusive and accessible shows to be
±üƋåųƋĘåϱŸƋʱŸĵ±ÚåĜƋŸĀűĬÆŅƵţƚƋƋĘå staged in the West End. Four of the cast have a
ŸƋ±čĜĹčØĜĹXŅĹÚŅĹűŸĀųŸƋĹåƵěÆƚĜĬÚƋĘå±ƋųåĜĹĂLj disability – two in wheelchairs – and the crew
years is truly stunning. includes the deaf choreographer Mark Smith
Whilst an almost-bare stage glows with paint and the associate director Nickie Miles-Wildin,
ŸŞĬ±ƋƋåųŸŅüÏŅĬŅƚųƋŅŸĘŅƵÚĜýåųåĹƋåĵŅƋĜŅĹŸØ who is in a wheelchair. Which just goes to
director Luke Shepherd and choreographer underline another of Agnes’ truisms, that we
Mark Smith bring a vibrancy and pace to the should all ‘stop being a bunch of can’ts!’ Highly
production that cannot help but uplift your spirits. recommended – go see it.
Several songs are sung while the actors
simultaneously use British Sign Language. Book Now
The Little Big Things is at @sohoplace, W1, until
Coming to Terms „±ƋƚųÚ±ƼØa±ųÏĘƖƖLjƖĉţƵƵƵţŸŅĘŅŞĬ±ÏåţŅųč
There’s a good dose of comic one-liners too, eĬĬāŅŅųŸŅüƋĘåƋĘå±Ƌųå±ųåüƚĬĬƼƵĘååĬÏʱĜų
particularly from Amy Trigg as Agnes, the seen- accessible, both from the front of the theatre
it-all-before wheelchair using physiotherapist where the audience enters and the stage door
who is perhaps the hidden gem of this talented ƵĘåųåƋĘåŞåųüŅųĵåųŸ±ĹÚƋĘå±ƋųåŸƋ±ýåĹƋåųţ
cast. You can’t argue with her premise that ‘sxxt All hospitality and rehearsal areas are fully
happens’. wheelchair accessible. There are access toilets
She both represents disability on stage, and on every level, with three lifts of a good size
actively celebrates it. She has an important job, going to all levels. The number of wheelchairs
a sexy husband, and a ‘can-do’ attitude matched that can be accommodated in the building is
only by her compassion. She’s no victim. It’s her currently nine.

Ȯȴ
living with disability at leisure

Baltic Centre for

Contemporary Art
Free
Experience bold and daring Entry
exhibitions, panoramic
views, a quirky gift shop
and a warm welcome.

With step-free access and a

quiet space to decompress.

Gateshead, NE8 3BA

Wed-Sun 10am-6pm
baltic.art/access

FD14113 BALTIC - Living with disability ad_3.indd 1 05/10/2023 11:25

6SHFLDORɣHU
Turkish Baths Harrogate has been perfecting
the art of relation since 1897. We are a Grade 2
Quote AYAUG23 to recieve 20 oɣ
(II) listed building.
your Turkish Baths Experience.
Please call and available
speak to afor
member of the
Perfecting the art T&C - Discount
Reservations Team Baths
for Turkish to discuss
new bookings
accessibility in
Experience.
of relaxation since 1897 the heat
Mon to Thurs. Booking to beexperience.
taken before 31 October 2023.

turkishbathsharrogate.co.uk
01423 556746 unwind@turkishbathsharrogate.co.uk
@turkishbathsharrogate @turkishbathsharrogate

Ȯȏ
 living with disability at leisure

Your Choice,
Your Style
Blue Badge Style is on Blue Badge Style provides information for ÆåÏŅĵåĬŅÏĩåÚĜĹØÆŅƋĘ
a missionƋŅųåÚåĀĹå disabled people on what to do, where to ĵåĹƋ±ĬĬƼ±ĹÚŞĘƼŸĜϱĬĬƼţ
disability with style. go and what to buy – with style. FƋűŸÏåųƋ±ĜĹĬƼĹŅüƚűĹÚ
8ŅƚĹÚåų8ĜŅűI±ųƴĜŸ FűĵŞŅŸĜƋĜƴåƋʱƋüŅų
Ƶ±ŸÚåƋåųĵĜĹåÚĹŅƋ ĵ±ĹƼÚĜŸ±ÆĬåÚŞåŅŞĬå
Fiona Jarvis (centre) with Blue Badge Access Awards
ƋŅčĜƴåƚŞĘåųŸŅÏĜ±Ĭ Ambassador Michael Caines (left) and co-founder of ĜƋʱŸĬåÚƋŅĵ±ģŅų
ĬĜüåŅųĘåųŸåĹŸå the awards Robin Sheppard. ÚåŞų域ĜŅűĹÚĜĹ
ŅüŸƋƼĬåƵĘåĹŸĘå ŸŅĵåϱŸåŸŸƚĜÏĜÚåţŰ
Ƶ±ŸÚĜ±čĹŅŸåÚƵĜƋĘ
aƚĬƋĜŞĬå„ÏĬåųŅŸĜŸţ Getting Out & About
ƚƋ±ŸŸĘåÆåϱĵå „ååĜĹčƋĘåĹååÚ
ŞųŅčų域ĜƴåĬƼÚĜŸ±ÆĬåÚØ for some form of
she realised how ŸĜčĹŞŅŸƋĜĹčƋŅĘåĬŞ
ĬĜƋƋĬåĜĹüŅųĵ±ƋĜŅĹ ÚĜŸ±ÆĬåÚŞåŅŞĬå
ƋĘåųåƵ±ŸüŅųŸƋƼĬĜŸĘØ ʱƴå±ŞŅŸĜƋĜƴåØÏŅŅĬØ
ÚĜŸÏåųĹĜĹčŞåŅŞĬåƵĜƋĘ åĬåč±ĹƋåƻŞåųĜåĹÏåØ
ĵŅÆĜĬĜƋƼĜŸŸƚåŸƋŅĩååŞ 8ĜŅűŸĜčĹåÚěƚŞüŅų±
åĹģŅƼĜĹčĬĜüåţ ÏŅƚųŸå±ƋŽĹĜƴåųŸĜƋƼ
ŮFʱƴå±ĬƵ±ƼŸ ŅĬĬåčåXŅĹÚŅĹŅĹ
ųåüƚŸåÚƋŅčĜƴåƚŞ ĘŅƵƋŅÚåŸĜčĹ±Ĺ±ŞŞ
ÆåĜĹčŸƋƼĬĜŸĘØƵĘåƋĘåų ôĜĹƋĘåĘŅŞåƋʱƋŸĘå
ƋʱƋűŸå±ƋĜĹčĜĹŸĵ±ųƋ ÏŅƚĬÚÚåŸĜčĹŅĹåƋŅ
ųåŸƋ±ƚų±ĹƋŸØƵå±ųĜĹč ±ÏƋ±Ÿ±čƚĜÚåüŅųƋĘå
åĬåč±ĹƋÏĬŅƋĘåŸŅų ÚĜŸÏåųĹĜĹčĬ域±ÆĬåţ
čŅĜĹčŅĹčĬ±ĵŅųŅƚŸ eŸĜƋƋƚųĹåÚŅƚƋØŽX
ĘŅĬĜÚ±ƼŸØŰŸ±ĜÚ8ĜŅűØ ĬŅƴåÚƋĘåĜÚå±ØŞĜÏĩåÚ
ƵĘŅĹŅƵƚŸåŸ± ĜƋƚޱĹÚÚåŸĜčĹåÚ
ƵĘååĬÏʱĜųƋŅčĬĜÚåƋĘųŅƚčĘĬĜüåţ ĜƋƵĜƋĘرĹÚüŅųĘåųţeĹÚĜƋƵ±ŸŸŅŅĹčåƋƋĜĹč
ŮaŅÆĜĬĜƋƼØŅųƋĘåĬ±ÏĩŅüĜƋØÚŅåŸĹűƋ±ĹÚŸĘŅƚĬÚĹűƋ ĹŅƋĜÏåÚ±ĹÚŞĜÏĩĜĹčƚޱƵ±ųÚŸüŅųŸĘŅƵĜĹč
ĵå±ĹƼŅƚϱĹűƋʱƴåŸƋƼĬåŅųϱĹűƋčŅŅƚƋØ ƋĘå±ÏÏ域±ĹÚü±ÏĜĬĜƋĜåŸüŅųÚĜŸ±ÆĬåÚŞåŅŞĬåĜĹ
ƵĜƋĘŅƚƋĘŅƚųŸŅüŞĬ±ĹĹĜĹč±ĹÚųåŸå±ųÏĘĜĹƋŅ ĘŅƋåĬŸØųåŸƋ±ƚų±ĹƋŸ±ĹÚƱųŸƵĜƋʱĘĜčĘěŧƚ±ĬĜƋƼØ
ƵĘåƋĘåųƼŅƚűĬĬčåƋĜĹŅųűƴĜč±Ƌå±ųŅƚĹÚƋĘåŸĘŅŞØ ŞĜÏƋŅųĜ±ĬģŅƚųĹåƼƋĘųŅƚčĘƋĘåƴåĹƚåØĘĜčĘĬĜčĘƋĜĹč
ųåŸƋ±ƚų±ĹƋŅųĘŅƋåĬƼŅƚƵ±ĹƋƋŅčŅƋŅţ ƋĘåü±ÏĜĬĜƋĜåŸĜĹƋĘåŞƚÆĬĜϱų屟±ĹÚųŅŅĵŸüŅųƋĘå
ٜĘƼŸĘŅƚĬÚÚĜŸ±ÆĬåÚŞåŅŞĬåʱƴåƋŅ ŞĘƼŸĜϱĬĬƼĬ域±ÆĬåţ
ÏŅĵŞųŅĵĜŸåţ%ƚųĜĹčƋĘåŅƴĜÚޱĹÚåĵĜÏƵå Ů{åŅŞĬåƵĜƋĘĵŅÆĜĬĜƋƼĜŸŸƚåŸĹååÚƋŅÏĘåÏĩ
Ƶåųå±ĬĬŸĘƚƋƚޱƋĘŅĵåÚƚųĜĹčĬŅÏĩÚŅƵĹƵĜƋĘ ŅƚƋ±ĘŅƋåĬØųåŸƋ±ƚų±ĹƋŅųƱųŅĹĬĜĹåÆåüŅųåƋĘåƼ
ĹŅƵĘåųåƋŅčŅţœåʱÚĹŅÏĘŅĜÏåţ‰Ę±ƋűŸƵʱƋĜƋűŸ čŅØÆƚƋĜƋűŸŅüƋåĹƴåųƼÚĜþÏƚĬƋƋŅƵŅųĩŅƚƋƵʱƋ
ĬĜĩåüŅųĵ±ĹƼÚĜŸ±ÆĬåÚŞåŅŞĬåØÚ±ƼĜűĹÚÚ±ƼŅƚƋţ ƋĘåŅÆŸƋ±ÏĬåŸƵĜĬĬÆåüŅų±ޱųƋĜÏƚĬ±ųÚĜŸ±ÆĜĬĜƋƼØŰ
لĜƋƋĜĹč±ƋĘŅĵåÚƵåĬĬĜĹčŅĹƼŅƚųĬĜüåØƼŅƚ åƻŞĬ±ĜĹåÚ8ĜŅűţ f
Ȯȍ
living with disability at leisure

Exbury 4 UK
offers the Locations
perfect day out
Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway
is a spectacular 200-acre woodland
garden and narrow-gauge steam railway
located on the edge of the Beaulieu River.
Many of Exbury’s paths are wheelchair accessible
and are signposted on our visitor maps. The WARRINGTON MILTON KEYNES ROTHER VALLEY
MATLOCK BATH
steam railway has carriages specially adapted WA5 9YZ MK15 0DT S26 5QW
DE4 3PG
to accommodate wheelchair users and their

THEMED ACCESSIBLE
EQORCPKQPU:GQƍGTHTGGYJGGNEJCKTNQCP
accessible parking, free garden admission.

For more information or to

pre book, visit info@exbury.co.uk
or call 023 8089 1203.
ACCOMMODATION
Short Breaks for Everyone
www.exbury.co.uk
Exbury Gardens, New Forest,
Hampshire, SO45 1AZ
Exbury Gardens is a registered charity: 801349
GULLIVERSFUN.CO.UK

Bangor

Canolfan gelfyddydol yng

nghalon Bangor Theatr, sinema,
cerddoriaeth, comedi, celf a llawer
iawn mwy ar eich stepen drws.
An arts centre at the heart of
Bangor Theatre, cinema, music,
comedy, art and so much more on
your doorstep.

ȮȰ
 living with disability at leisure

Accessible
shower and bedroom
at Great Scotland Yard
hotel, last year's Best
Luxury Hotel winner at
the Blue Badge
Access Awards.

social inclusion by providing information on a

range of issues and accessories.

“
Mobility, or the lack of it,
doesn't and shouldn't mean
you can't have style!
“For example, a walking stick
user will want to know if there’s
a handrail on the stairs, whilst a
wheelchair user needs to know
whether there is a ramp. It’s all
about knowing what to expect
in advance. Blue Badge Style’s
Access Gallery enables potential
customers to make an informed
Fiona Jarvis
choice and ensure they have a
good time.”
Blue Badge Style is the UK’s only company
that looks at disability from a style & design
perspective, taking a stylish, pragmatic and
ÏŅŸƋěåþÏĜåĹƋ±ŞŞųŅ±ÏĘƋŅĜĹÏĬƚŸĜƴå±ÏÏ域Ø
working with venue management teams,
designers and architects to improve the
awareness of disabled facilities.
Information and reviews on the cool places
ƋŅƴĜŸĜƋØų±ƋåÚĀųŸƋŅĹŸƋƼĬåƋĘåűÏÏ域ĜÆĜĬĜƋƼ±ĹÚ
facilities, is provided via the Blue Badge Style
website, app and unique Access Galleries.
Additionally, Blue Badge Style aims to improve
Fiona is also co-founder of the Blue Badge
Access Awards to encourage hospitality industry
bosses, architects, and designers
worldwide to consider ways
in which they can address the
needs of disabled people and
to make their experience more
joyful and inclusive.
The 12 awards for
organisations that are getting
‘Accessibility with Style’ right,
range from Best Bar and Best
Spa to Best Historic Building
and Best Conceptual Design.
The Ludicrous Loo Award and
The Ridiculous Ramp Award are
also announced, although not
necessarily presented.
“We are looking for exceptional
accessibility across hotels, restaurants, bars and
other public venues worldwide, with a focus on
style, thoughtful design, innovation and liberty.
“We are also unafraid to give a couple of
awards which highlight the regular abominations
that sadly continue to exist, and we always
encourage nominations for Ludicrous Loos,
Ridiculous Ramps, Bewildering Bathrooms and
Obnoxious Obstructions in restaurants, hotels,
cafés and visitor attractions around the country!”
‰ŅĀĹÚŅƚƋĵŅųåčŅƋŅƵƵƵţÆĬƚåƱÚčåŸƋƼĬåţ
com or www.bluebadgeaccessawards.com

ȮȮ
living with disability education

What happens when great

minds don’t think alike?
Join today. Change tomorrow.

© 2023 Ernst & Young LLP. All Rights Reserved. ED None.

ukcareers.ey.com

Ȯȁ
 living with disability education

Changing Lives
Brick by Brick
Toy bricks coded with braille to help blind Feedback from parents, carers, grandparents,
and partially sighted children learn to children, and educators has shown the
read the touch-based alphabet have been positive impact the bricks have and how
they can transform the way children
launched worldwide.
with vision impairment can
Play experts at LEGO have announced the Ĭå±ųĹÆų±ĜĬĬåţ f
news that their bricks with studs corresponding
to braille numbers and letters are now available
ƋŅÆƚƼüŅųƋĘåĀųŸƋƋĜĵåţ
The new products - LEGO® Braille Bricks –
Play with Braille – are aimed at young people
aged 6+, and have been designed so that
anyone who wants to learn braille, whether
blind, partially-sighted or sighted, can have fun
čåƋƋĜĹčƋŅĩĹŅƵƋĘåĬ±Ĺčƚ±čåŸƼŸƋåĵ±ƋĘŅĵåţ
The Danish toymaker has been providing the
specially designed bricks, tested and
developed in partnership with visual
impairment organisations, free of charge
to a selection of schools and services
catering for vision-impaired children
ŸĜĹÏåƖLjƖLjţ

Ȯȟ
living with disability education

LEGO’s response has been to make to make it happen!”

the bricks more widely available and to The bricks’ design and wider
give families the opportunity to enjoy the ųåĬ屟åĵ±ųĩŸ±ŸĜčĹĜĀϱĹƋ
ÆåĹåĀƋŸ±ĹÚŞų±ÏƋĜŸåƋĘåĜųƋ±ÏƋĜĬåŸĩĜĬĬŸ milestone in the development of
at home. more
m inclusive learning through
play
p experiences.
.RGPYWMZI1IEVRMRK ŮkĬĜƴĜ±ĀųŸƋÚĜŸÏŅƴåųåÚX):k
“Play has the power to change lives; braille
b bricks at school and they had
play they learn vital
when children play, such
su a big impact on her curiosity
s we were thrilled
life-long skills, so for
fo braille,” said Lisa Taylor, whose
recept
by the reception that LEGO seven-year-old
se daughter has been
Bric received in
Braille Bricks ŅĹåŅüƋĘåĀųŸƋƼŅƚĹčŞåŅŞĬåƋŅŞĬ±Ƽ
ŅĹ
educational
educat settings,” with
wit the bricks.
said Rasmus Løgstrup, LEGO “Before then, she found it hard to
G
Group Lead Designer on get started with the symbols but now she’s
LEGO Braille Bricks. improving all the time. To have a set of the
“We’ve been inundated bricks at home changes everything. We can play
with
w thousands of requests with braille together as a family and she can
to make
m them more widely introduce braille to her little sister Imogen in a
available,
availab so we just knew we had way they both love.

LEGO's
Braille Bricks
are now widely
available

ȁȉ
 living with disability education

“LEGO braille bricks

are accessible for her
and accessible for the
he
rest of the family, so she
gets to play and learn just
like every other child. That
makes her feel included ed which
is so important, not justt to
Olivia but any child.”

A Journey Shared
LEGO Braille Bricks – Play with Braille includes
ƖíƀÆųĜÏĩŸĜĹĀƴåÏŅĬŅƚųŸ×ƵĘĜƋåØƼåĬĬŅƵØčųååĹØ
red and blue. All bricks are fully compatible
with other LEGO products and the studs on
each brick are arranged to correspond to the
numbers and letters in the braille system,
with the printed version of the symbol or letter
situated below the studs.
“For blind and partially sighted children, and
±ÚƚĬƋŸØĜƋĵ±ĩ埱ĬĬƋĘåÚĜýåųåĹÏåĜüƋĘåƼϱĹ
share their journey of learning braille with
the people they love and play with,” said
Martine Abel-Williamson, President, t,
World Blind Union.
“For the blind community, learningng
braille is not just about acquiring
literacy; it’s our gateway to
independence and inclusion into
this world. To have LEGO Braille
Bricks made available for the widerr
public is a massive step forward
to ensuring more children will
Ƶ±ĹƋƋŅĬå±ųĹÆų±ĜĬĬåĜĹƋĘåĀųŸƋ
Product Partners
“It’s been a fantastic journey collaborating with
children, families and experts from around the
world to develop the product and
online activity packs,” added Mr
Løgstrup.
“Our partners have been
instrumental in advising us on
which colourways should be used
for the bricks, product packaging and
digital experiences to ensure they are
optimised for individuals with low vision
and vision loss.”
With its ongoing commitment to make
its play experiences more inclusive, the

“
place. LEGO Group has also partnered with the
“Because it’s based on a free mobile app Be My Eyes.
product that so many families The popular app connects blind
already know and love, this is really LEGO braille bricks and partially sighted people with
an invitation for all family members make learning companies to help with everyday
to have fun building tactile skills and easy and are fun tasks through a live video call.
getting familiar with braille.” for all the family As part of the partnership, LEGO
The set also includes two to play with. Customer Service colleagues will
baseplates to build on and comes in ŞųŅƴĜÚåÏŅĹĀÚåĹƋĜ±ĬØĬĜƴåƴĜŸƚ±Ĭ
packaging with braille embossing. assistance through the app covering
To enhance the play experience and support support from a wide range of topics
pre-braille skill development, the LEGO.com from unboxing to general product support.
website has lots of additional play ideas, blogs For further information go to
and games. www.LEGO.com

ȁȦ
living with disability education

RNIB Bookshare
-IPTMRKGLMPHVIR[MXLZMWMSRMQTEMVQIRXW
ETTVIGMEXIXLI[VMXXIR[SVHXLIWEQIEW
XLIMVWMKLXIHTIIVW
8LI7S]EP3EXMSREP.RWXMXYXISJ'PMRH5ISTPIƶW
'SSOWLEVIWGLIQI 73.'opens up the world
of reading in education for children with vision
impairments and learners with print-related
disabilities.
It supports those who are unable to access
standard size print by providing a vast collection of
accessible textbooks and materials to support the
UK curriculum from early years to adult education.
The free service, which can be accessed by
giving students the same educational
opportunities as their peers.
Such as 10-year-old Jessica who was born
with cataracts, Microphthalmia and Nystagmus.
As her mum Samantha explains, she doesn’t
let her visual impairments hold her back.
Jessica uses an iPad at school and has a
Connect 12 with the Progiji software that she
uses at home. With this software she can
download books from RNIB Bookshare straight
onto the Connect 12 and it converts the text to
the correct format and size.
“Bookshare just makes everything more
accessible, because Jessica does need large

Photo Credit: RNIB

teachers, students, and parents, has a range of print, we can’t just go into a bookshop, buy a
accessible formats including braille, large print book and bring it home,” said Samantha.
and audio, so books can be read electronically “She needs to have something accessible,
or adapted to suit personal reading needs, which means something which we can enlarge.

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ȁȶ
 living with disability education

“Instead of having to order the book through • an early years centre

±ÏŅĵޱĹƼØčåƋƋĜĹčĜƋ±ĬĬŞųĜĹƋåÚŅýØŸåĹƋ±ĹÚ • a sensorycollege
a school, or university
customised, we can just download textbooks • an adult learning
support team
straight away from Bookshare and have the text • ‰ŅĀĹÚŅƚƋĵŅųåčŅƋŅ
centre.

“
adapted into her font size, quickly bookshare@rnib.org.uk
and instantly.”
Through organisational accounts, individual
learners can be allocated their own member
Bookshare just
account, so they may independently search,
makes everything
download and request the books they need.
more accessible.
RNIB Bookshare partners with over 1,100
publishers and many of them have a direct
feed, meaning they can upload new and
existing backlist materials directly onto
the system.
You can join and use RNIB
Bookshare for free if you’re:

Jessica with mum

Samantha enjoying
ƋĘåÆåĹåĀƋŸŅücF
Bookshare

ȁȴ
living with disability fit for life
POSITIVE
ABOUT
DISABILITY
www.pembrokeshire.ac.uk
Askham Bryan College and
University Centre Askham
Bryan welcome people from all
backgrounds and accessibility
requirements to work in an
inspiring environment, that
includes landscaped gardens,
DQLPDOVJUHHQࢉHOGVYLEUDQW
student groups and supportive
colleagues.
A place of possibility
We are Derwen! A specialist
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special educational needs and
disabilities (SEND).
We oDžer an vibrant and inclusive
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training.
In 2022, the College was
awarded the Queen’s Award
for Enterprise, recognising
the education and vocational
training it provides for young
people from across the UK.
Tel: 01691 661234
ȁȏ
d sability
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Download or refresh
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THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES,, THEIR FAMILIES,, FRIENDS & CARERS
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Short Breaks at
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Email: admissions@derwen.ac.uk www.derwen.ac.uk

America's Tampa Bay Wheelchair
Buccaneers in action
Photo credit: Kyle Zedaker
Touchdown for New
Wheelchair Sport
American Football is the latest thrilling
sport for wheelchair users being trialled
throughout the UK.
Do you enjoy the combination of strategy,
speed, agility, and contact of American Football?
Want to follow in the footsteps of Gridiron
ŸƚŞåųŸƋ±ų‰Ņĵų±ÚƼØÆƚƋ±ŸƋĘåŸŞŅųƋűŸĀųŸƋ
wheelchair sensation? Then according to Gee
:ųĜþƋĘŸØœĘååĬÏʱĜųeĵåųĜϱĹ8ŅŅƋƱĬĬĜŸƋĘå
sport for you.
:ååʱŸÆååűĀųĵü±ĹŅüeĵåųĜϱĹ8ŅŅƋƱĬĬ
since joining his local club Chester Romans as
a teenager. Some 35 years later he is working
living with disability fit for life
with the British American Football Association
(BAFA), the governing body of the sport in Great
Britain, to launch a more inclusive version for
wheelchair users.
“I remember seeing a group of guys playing
wheelchair rugby and it got me thinking about
whether American Football could be played
as a sport by wheelchair users,” said Gee,
Commisioner for Wheelchair American Football.
“At the time I was unable to work due to a
painful musculoskeletal condition and issues
with my spine, so rather than sit at home bored
senseless I decided to do some research.
f
ȁȍ
living with disability fit for life

ŮFŸŞŅĩåƋŅ±ĵ±ƋåĜĹƋĘ厄eØƵĘŅÏŅĹĀųĵåÚ
ƋʱƋÏŅĜĹÏĜÚåĹƋ±ĬĬƼœĘååĬÏʱĜųeĵåųĜϱĹ
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ƋĘåƼƵåųåƋŅŸƚŞŞŅųƋ±ƵĘååĬÏʱĜųƴåųŸĜŅĹŅü
eĵåųĜϱĹ8ŅŅƋƱĬĬØĜƋʱÚƋŅÆåĜĹÏĬƚŸĜƴåţŰ

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With Best
living with

d sability
THE WEEKS

Wishes
DISABILITY NEWS IN
Five minutes
from
Everton
Football
Club X SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE

ȁȰ
 living with disability fit for life

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with face guard, and a standard adult American

football is used for a traditional one-hour game
of four quarters.
“We’ve spent many months this year talking to
people with knowledge of the sport and trialling
the game with the help of club and university
players to see what works and what doesn’t,”
said Gee.
“We will initially set-up seven hubs
throughout the UK, in Sunderland, Birmingham,
London, Kent, one in the south-east, one in the
south-west and Wales. In some cases, we will
be partnering with existing American Football
clubs and in others with military charities, who
have shown a lot of interest in the new sport.”
The goal is to develop p local and regional
g
teams within a competitivetive league structure and
Gee is exploring opportunities
unities to enter
international competition n via events
such as the Inter-Spinal Games and
the Invictus Games.
If you’re interested in getting
involved as a club, a participant
rticipant
or a volunteer please contact
ontact
BAFA Wheelchair Football ball
Commissioner Gee
:ųĜþƋĘŸŅĹKIIKVMǽXLW% %
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ȁȮ
living with disability fit for life

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ȁȁ

Go Goalball
Goalball is a completely
unique, dynamic team sport
of skill, speed and accuracy
for men’s and women’s
teams that can be played by
sighted, blind and partially
sighted people.
The fast-moving sport was one of the highlights
at this year’s IBSA World Games and Goalball
UK is hoping to build on that success in the run
up to the 2024 Paralympic Games. Originally
devised in 1946 to help rehabilitate soldiers who
had lost their sight during the war, the sport
provides the perfect combination of physical
activity, use of the senses and teamwork.
Three players on each team try to score
čŅ±ĬŸÆƼĀųĜĹč±ŎţƖĂĩčƱĬĬ±ÏųŅŸŸƋĘåÏŅƚųƋ
living with disability fit for life
Photos: Goalball UK
CEO of and defending shots from the
Goalball opposing team using their entire
UK, Mark bodies, throwing themselves to
Winder
ƋĘåāŅŅųĜĹüųŅĹƋŅü±čŅ±ĬƋʱƋ
spans the width of the pitch.
Players wear opaque eyeshades
ƋŅåĹŸƚųå±ĬåƴåĬěŞĬ±ƼĜĹčĀåĬÚ
for all those taking part, whether
completely blind or with less
severe – but still acute – visual impairments.
The ball contains several bells so that players
can locate its position. In addition, the goalball
court is marked with raised lines so that players
can feel their location at any time.
To ensure that players can hear everything that
is going on and properly absorb the intensity of
the atmosphere, spectators must be completely
silent during play – unless a goal is scored!
f
ȁȟ
living with disability fit for life
Which is achieved by players using a bowling
motion to bounce, curve or spin their shots
around their opponents. The ball must hit in
the player’s own landing zone, and anywhere
in the neutral zone. So long as it hits each zone,
the style of throw is entirely up to the player.
At the last Paralympic Games, the ball was
measured leaving a player’s hand at more than
60 kilometres per hour (37 mph)!
Teams are made up of six players – three on
ÏŅƚųƋ±ĹÚƋĘųååŅýÏŅƚųƋØƵĜƋʱĵ±ƻĜĵƚĵŅü
three substitutions throughout a match. Games
are split into two 12-minute halves and are
played on a court that is 18m x 9m wide.
&R.RWTMVMRKTSVX
“Hand on heart I believe that anybody you
ask that plays goalball will tell you that it has
transformed their life,” said Mark Winder, CEO
You can
take a shot at
goalball at one of
more than 30
clubs throughout
the UK
ȟȉ
of Goalball UK, and the man charged with
developing the sport.
“I’ve been CEO of the national governing body
since 2017 and being involved with such an
inclusive and transformational activity has been
inspiring.
ىĘåÆåĹåĀƋŸüŅųƋĘŅŸåƵĜƋĘĬĜƋƋĬåŅųĹŅŸĜčĘƋ
are huge. By playing goalball, people with visual
impairments can improve their other senses
such as hearing, touch and spatial awareness.
All of these are needed in daily life which loss of
åƼåŸĜčĘƋϱűýåÏƋţ
“Communication skills can also be improved
through playing goalball. The players rely on
their teammates to speak as they cannot see
each other. By playing regularly, people can
improve these skills in a way that is fun but also
ĘåĬŞŸƋĘåĵčåƋ±ĹÚĩååŞĀƋţ
“Getting involved in goalball helps remove

social anxiety by
developing relationships
with other people in
the same situation. This
can massively help with
mental health as living
life without sight can be
very isolating.
“Being able to take
part in a sport with
others in the same
position can help build independence
epe and
ÏŅĹĀÚåĹÏåرĬĬŅƵĜĹčŞåŅŞĬåƋŅĬå±ųĹƋŅ
live with their disability instead of it being
something that holds them back.
“Even watching parents and carers on the
touchline talking to each other opens a whole
new world of support and advice for people. It’s
why we refer to everyone involved as being part
of the goalball family.
“There’s a famous quote that says that if you
ϱĹĀĹÚ±ģŅÆƼŅƚĬŅƴåƼŅƚƵĜĬĬĹåƴåųʱƴåƋŅ
work a day in your life. I’ve been lucky enough
ƋŅĀĹÚĜƋţŰ
Get Involved
There are more than 30 goalball clubs
throughout the UK where you can play for fun or
get involved in competitions.
Funded by Sport England Goalball UK has
developed structures to deliver 32 days of
competition across three levels of play every
living with disability fit for life
“
I believe that
anybody you ask
that plays goalball
will tell you that it
has transformed
their life.
Ÿå±ŸŅĹô±ƋųåčĜŅűĬØĜĹƋåųĵåÚĜ±Ƌå±ĹÚ„ƚŞåų
League. It delivers sessions in schools and has
launched a Goalball Academy and revamped
Ƌ±ĬåĹƋޱƋĘƵ±ƼƋʱƋŅýåųŸŅŞŞŅųƋƚĹĜƋĜåŸüŅųŅƴåų
30 aspiring future athletes.
For the current GB Men’s and Women’s
čŅ±ĬƱĬĬƋå±ĵŸØŧƚ±ĬĜüƼĜĹčüŅųƋĘåƖLjƖĉ
Paralympic Games is the dream. And for both
Ƌå±ĵŸƋĘåųåĜŸģƚŸƋŅĹåĵŅųåŅŞŞŅųƋƚĹĜƋƼƋŅ
book a place in France next year - at the IBSA
European Championships in Montenegro next
month (December).
Ů¥åŸØƵåƵ±ĹƋƋŅ±ÏĘĜåƴå±ƋƋĘåĘĜčĘåŸƋĬåƴåĬ
and for us that’s the Paralympic Games but it’s
±ŸŞŅųƋƋʱƋŅýåųŸŸŅĵƚÏʱƋåƴåųƼĬåƴåĬØüųŅĵ
ÏĬƚÆƋŅÏŅƚĹƋųƼØ۱ÚÚåÚa±ųĩţ
‰ŅĀĹÚƼŅƚųĹå±ųåŸƋ:Ņ±ĬƱĬĬÏĬƚÆØŞĬ屟å
visit the club teams section of the Goalball UK
website at https://goalballuk.com/the-sport/
clubs/ or register your interest by calling 0114
2235670 or emailing enquiries@goalballuk.com.
ȟȦ
 living with disability innovation

Trust in Wheelchair
Nets Rewards
The founder of a company run by disabled people to distribute cutting-edge
wheelchairs has won a prestigious award for Disabled Entrepreneurs.

with a unique design for a wheelch

wheelchair. His friend,
a paraplegic and wheelchair use user, although
üųååƋŅƚŸåĘĜŸƚŞŞåųÆŅÚƼƋŅƋ±ĩåޱųƋĜĹĀåĬÚ
üųååƋŅƚŸåĘĜŸƚŞŞåųÆŅÚƼƋŅƋ±
archery, struggled to get across
acros rough terrain.
Kevin set himself a challenge,
challeng to develop
a device that would increase his
friend’s mobility and
a give him the
freedom of movement
mov to be
able to compete as an equal.
“Stumbling o on Kevin’s
invention of a an electric
powered mobility
mo device
relieved any
that relieve
pressure points,
p could
provide freedom
Christian Brownlee, e, and independence,
in
the founder of Adaptapt and make
ma previously
Ability, has won £50,000
0,000 in inaccessible places
inaccess
this year’s Stelios Awards for accessible was a
neurs.
Disabled Entrepreneurs. revelation to mme and I
ĵå ± Ĺå±ų ü±Ƌ±Ĭ ųŅ±Ú Ƌų±þÏ
ĘųĜŸƋĜ±ĹŅƴåųϱĵå±Ĺå±ųü±Ƌ±ĬųŅ±ÚƋų±þÏ him,” said Christian
reached out to him” Christian.
accident to set-up a company distributing the ŮFƵ±ŸƋĘåĀųŸƋŞåųŸŅĹĜĹƋĘåŽUƋŅʱƴåŅĹå
ƵŅųĬÚűŸĀųŸƋŅĹĬƼʱĹÚŸěüųååŸåĬüěƱĬ±ĹÏĜĹč±ÏƋĜƴå and when Kevin asked me to help him develop
power chair. A serious motorbike accident left the it further, I agreed in a nanosecond. It had done
then 21-year-old permanently paralysed from the so much for my wellbeing that I wanted to shout
chest down with a T4 spinal injury. Depression about the Omeo from the rooftops.
and a sense of a future lost followed. ىƵŅƼå±ųŸĬ±ƋåųFƵ±ŸƋĘåŽU±čåĹƋüŅųƵʱƋʱÚ
“At the time I was not in a good place mentally become the Omeo mobility device, and my life
or physically,” said Christian. had changed, on so many levels, for the better.”
“Like so many other disabled people I
was using a standard wheelchair. It gave me Hands Free Control
constant pressure ulcers and I was always on The multi award-winning personal mobility
the lookout for something less restrictive and device changes the accepted thinking behind
more comfortable to use,” said Christian. personal transportation thanks to its patented
The answer lay on the other side of the world, Active Seat Steering system. This allows the
where New Zealander Kevin Halsall had come up user to control forward, reverse, braking and f

ȟȴ
living with disability innovation

Matthew Walker tests Matthew and Christian

the Omeo on Dragons' Den

steering with their torso – hands-free.
The torso acts as a joystick engaging often
unused core muscles. Alternatively, the Omeo
can be driven by moving the torso through
leveraging the arms and hands gripping the
handles, or by operating the small joystick.
“The Omeo changed my life, and I believed
so passionately in what it could do and the
and navigate troughs, while always remaining
level in your seat. Beaches, forests, tracks and
unmade pathways are now accessible.”
Manufactured in New Zealand and assembled
in the UK by Adapt Ability, the Omeo is not
cheap. But Christian and his colleagues believe
the expensive up-front cost can be recouped
by giving disabled people the freedom of

“
way it looked that I wanted to be able to movement to work.
ŸĘ±ųåƋĘŅŸåÆåĹåĀƋŸƵĜƋʱŸĵ±ĹƼŞåŅŞĬ屟 “One of our customers got an Access to Work
possible,” said Christian. grant to help pay for an Omeo and
“So, I set-up Adapt Ability to do just started up a dog walking business,”
ƋʱƋţaƼĀųŸƋÏƚŸƋŅĵåųƵ±Ÿa±ƋƋĘåƵ .KIRYMRIP]GER X explained Christian.
Walker who has a T10 spinal injury I\TVIWWIRSYKLMR
which has left him permanently [SVHWLS[QYGLQ] .RXVSHYGMRK&HETXS
paralysed from the waist down. 4QISLEWKMZIRQI “That said, we are producing a
If anything, he was even more Q]PMJIFEGO cheaper version called the Adapto
passionate about the Omeo and he which is as capable as the Omeo,
became my partner in the business.” ƋĘåŅĹĬƼÚĜýåųåĹÏåÆåĜĹčƋʱƋƋŅƋƚųĹĬåüƋ±ĹÚ
With an appearance on BBC’s Dragons’ Den right there is a handlebar at the front.”
ƚĹÚåųƋĘåĜųÆåĬƋô±ĹÚƋĘųååŅýåųŸŅüĜĹƴåŸƋĵåĹƋ And there are more exciting developments on
ĜĹeÚ±ŞƋeÆĜĬĜƋƼôĘųĜŸƋĜ±Ĺ±ĹÚa±ƋƋĘåƵƵåųåŅý the horizon. Earlier this year Adapt Ability merged
ƋŅ±āƼåųţ with Add Movement to form a new company,
“The Omeo has been a game-changer for so AddaptX, to develop the Adapto (I, V and X) to
many people. Its powerful two-wheeled self- ϱƋåųüŅųÚĜýåųåĹƋƋƼŞåŸŅüĵŅÆĜĬĜƋƼĜĵޱĜųĵåĹƋŸţ
balancing platform allows you to interact with “People often talk about the journey they’ve
the world in a new way." said Christian. been on,” said Christian. “Mine has certainly had
ىĘåÏŅĵޱÏƋüŅŅƋŞųĜĹƋ屟ĜĬƼĀƋŸƋĘųŅƚčĘ its ups and downs. Winning the Stelios Award
standard doorways and lets you turn on the is certainly a highlight and recognises that I’ve
spot, whilst the hands-free movement makes done some things right. I’m looking forward
ϱųųƼĜĹčĜƋåĵŸ±ĹÚŞƚŸĘĜĹčŅÆģåÏƋŸåýŅųƋĬ域ţ to the future and to changing the dynamic of
“Its all-terrain capability allows you to get to accessibility for disabled people everywhere.”
places that were previously unreachable. Now 8SǻRHSYXQSVIKSXS
you can travel over uneven terrain, scale inclines [[[Q]EHETXEFMPMX]GSYO

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living with disability innovation

Christian Brownlee,
winner of the 2023
Stelios Awards
for Disabled
Entrepreneurs.

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living with disability innovation

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˘˔˦˜˘˥ ˧˛˔ˡ ˬˢ˨ ˧˛˜ˡ˞ʟ ˛˘˟ˣ˜ˡ˚ ˬˢ˨ ˢ˩˘˥˖ˢˠ˘ ˔ˡˬ
˔˖˖˘˦˦˜˕˜˟˜˧ˬ˕˔˥˥˜˘˥˦ʟ˟˜ˠ˜˧˔˧˜ˢˡ˦ʟˢ˥˥˜˦˞˦˧ˢ˛˘˔˟˧˛ʡ

ʿ˘˧˨˦ˠ˔˞˘ˬˢ˨˥˛ˢ˨˦˘ˠˢ˥˘˛ˢˠ˘˟ˬʡ

ʴ˖˖˘˦˦˜˕˜˟˜˧ˬʙ˜ˡ˖˟˨˦˜˩˜˧ˬ˥˘˩˜˘˪˦
ʻ˔˥˗˧ˢ˛˘˔˧˛ˢˠ˘˦
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ȟȰ

Accessible
Tech Solutions
1SRHSRMWEXXLIGIRXVISJERI[TYWLF]
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[MXLERI[VERKISJTVSHYGXW
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research and development
centre in the UK dedicated to
creating technology to help
people with disabilities.
The Accessibility Discovery
Centre (ADC) in London’s Kings
Cross, was built in consultation
with groups including the Christopher
Royal National Institute of Blind Patnoe
People, the Royal National
living with disability innovation
Institute for Deaf People and disability charity
Everyone Can.
FƋűŸ:ŅŅčĬåűŸĀųŸƋe%ŅƚƋŸĜÚåƋĘ厄ţ
“Our new ADC is a dedicated space to
learn from, and partner with,
the accessibility and disability
communities so we can keep
improving and building helpful
products together,” explained
Christopher Patnoe, Google’s
Head of Accessibility & Disability
Inclusion for Europe, Middle East
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“People with disabilities live their
lives with problems created in a f
ȟȮ
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 living with disability innovation

world that was not designed with them in mind.
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ƋŅÚŅÆåƋƋåųţ It’s important we work with people in the
ŮeÏÏ域ĜÆĜĬĜƋƼĜĹƋĘåƋåÏĘĜĹÚƚŸƋųƼʱŸŸŅ community, not for people in the community.
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Research & Innovation ƋŅųåŞųåŸåĹƋ±ƋĜƴåŸüųŅĵÆƚŸĜĹ域åŸØÏʱųĜƋĜåŸ
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ƋŅ±ÏÏŅĵŞĬĜŸĘÚ±ĜĬƼƋ±ŸĩŸţeŸåޱų±ƋåŸŞ±Ïå adclondon@google.com

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Game Changer
Inventor David Chapman has put
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forefront of his Thumb Soldiers range of
accessories for game controllers.
The range of interchangeable thumb stick
attachments has been designed to give players
the ability to modify and customise their
ÏŅĹƋųŅĬĬåųŸƋŅŸŞåÏĜĀϱĬĬƼŸƚĜƋƋĘåĵ±ĹÚ
the game in hand.
David has designed and manufactured the
innovative, low-cost range of interchangeable
thumb stick attachments so individual players
can modify and customise their existing
living with disability innovation
ÏŅĹƋųŅĬĬåųŸƋŅŸŞåÏĜĀϱĬĬƼŸƚŞŞŅųƋƋĘåĵƋŅŞĬ±Ƽ
easily, enabling the right grip or control.
Now the Thumb Soldiers accessories promise
to revolutionise the market where players have
had to pay a premium for controllers produced
by some major gaming brands.
“The idea evolved from my personal desire
for greater control, improved performance and
a better connection to the games we all love
to play. I sometimes found my thumbs slipped
ŅýƋĘåÏŅĹƋųŅĬŸ±Ƌ±ƴĜƋ±ĬĵŅĵåĹƋĜĹƋĘåč±ĵåţ
As someone who likes solving problems, I
åĹčĜĹååųåÚ±ų±ĹčåŅü±ÏÏ域ŅųĜåŸƋŅĀƋŅƴåųƋĘå
controller, to stop that happening." said David.
ȦȉȦ
living with disability innovation
It’s all a long way from David’s previous
role, engineering and designing instore
merchandise stands for some of the world’s
leading cosmetic brands.
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“The idea and desire to improve the playability
of games with a simple attachment to the
thumb sticks had been bouncing around in
my head for years. But I couldn’t see how an
attachment would stay in place or, if it did, be
any better at suiting individual players.
“My epiphany moment was envisaging a
ƴĜųƋƚ±ĬĬƼŸŅĬĜÚÏŅĹĹåÏƋĜŅĹƋŅĀƋ±ĬĬŸƋ±ĹÚ±ųÚ
controllers that in turn would allow for a range
of attachments to assist with comfort, precision,
accessibility and personal set-up.”
First step was to design a game changing
knuckle or docking clip, to which all Thumb
Soldiers would attach, that would wrap and
lock securely to a controller with no tools and
no disassembly and that would maintain full
motion range.
“After numerous prototypes we had our ‘star’
accessory that would provide the means to
ĀƋ±ƵĘŅĬåų±ĹčåŅü±ƋƋ±ÏĘĵåĹƋŸüŅųÚĜýåųåĹƋ
games, abilities, moods, situations and
consoles,” said David.
ىĘåųåĜŸÚĜýåųåĹƋüŅŅƋƵå±ųÚåŸĜčĹåÚƋŅ
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ŸƚĜƋÚĜýåųåĹƋŸŞŅųƋŸØƋŅĬåƴåĬƋĘåŞĬ±ƼĜĹčĀåĬÚ
if you like. Why shouldn’t that be the case in
č±ĵĜĹčØƵĘåųåÚĜýåųåĹƋÏŅĹƋųŅĬĬåų±ƋƋ±ÏĘĵåĹƋŸ
±Ú±ŞƋåÚƋŅÚĜýåųåĹƋč±ĵ埱ĹÚŞĬ±ƼĜĹčŸƋƼĬåŸ
allow everyone from competitive players to
occasional players to improve their performance
and enjoyment.
“That very much includes people with health
conditions and physical impairments who
struggle with coordination, grip or deftness of
ƋŅƚÏʱĹÚƵåűƴåÚåŸĜčĹåÚŸŞåÏĜĀϱƋƋ±ÏĘĵåĹƋŸ
with them in mind.”
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One of Thumb Soldiers’ most popular accessories
is Shrooms, an attachment that simply provides a
larger surface area to assist gamers with cerebral
palsy, multiple sclerosis, dyspraxia or arthritis. Or
the Rest Kit that adapts a standard controller to a
more accessible and inclusive device, alleviating
uncomfortable positions.
The Sticks allow the controller to be
manipulated in an entirely new way, giving
accessibility to anyone with limited dexterity,
arthritis, congenital hand deformities or even in
hospital with an intravenous drip in their vein.
Other attachments, all priced at under £20,
include Navigation, Racer, Rock n Roller, Step
“
Up and Studs. But for David, they are just the
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www.thumbsoldiers.com

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Wheelchair-Attachable
Pushchair on a Roll
Designability has produced a wheelchair-
attachable pushchair that means parents who are
manual wheelchair users will be able to take their
babies and young children out independently.
In partnership with product design agency
JMDA Design, the national charity has unveiled
a prototype and is looking for a commercial
partner to bring the pushchair for wheelchair
users to market.
Meanwhile, a third year Product Design
ŸƋƚÚåĹƋüųŅĵ„ĘåþåĬÚB±ĬĬ±ĵŽĹĜƴåųŸĜƋƼ
has come up with his own state-of-the-art
wheelchair buggy.
Tom Baker’s design won this year’s Design the
ʱĹčåÏŅĵŞåƋĜƋĜŅĹØŸåƋěƚŞÆƼ±Ĭå±ÚĜĹčĀųĵŅü
solicitors, Bolt Burdon Kemp. The competition
living with disability innovation
A national charity and a
university student are leading
the way to design a wheelchair
-attachable pushchair to help
bring independence to
disabled parents with
children.
aims to raise awareness of the day-to-day
challenges facing people with spinal cord
injuries, and how innovative designs can make
±ųå±ĬÚĜýåųåĹÏåţ
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There are more than 16,000 disabled parents
ƋĘųŅƚčĘŅƚƋƋĘåŽU±ĬŅĹåƵĘŅ±ųåĵ±Ĺƚ±Ĭ
wheelchair users - yet there is no widely
available complementary pushchair available to
get to the shops or the park independently with
their young children.
‰ĘĜŸĬå±ÚŸƋŅŞų±ÏƋĜϱĬÚĜþÏƚĬƋĜåŸØƵĜƋĘޱųåĹƋŸ
resorting to having their child sitting on their
lap - often both unsafe and uncomfortable.
eŸƵåĬĬ±ŸåƻŞåųĜåĹÏĜĹčŞų±ÏƋĜϱĬÚĜþÏƚĬƋĜåŸØf
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disabled parents speak about the emotional

impact of being reliant on others to go out with
their baby or toddler, and that this means they
feel a ‘lesser’ parent, waiting on others or having
to ask permission.
“The Pushchair for Wheelchair Users project
is a game-changer that will help address one
of the main inequalities disabled people and
carers face; the ability to take their babies
and very young children out independently,”
said Matthew Ford, Director of Design and
Engineering at Designability.
“Our prototype passed rigorous safety and
integrity testing earlier this year to ensure

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 living with disability innovation

it conforms to international standards for

pushchairs and strollers and most importantly it
has been tested by disabled parents to ensure
that it meets their needs.”

Design for Change

Tom’s design, comprising of a lightweight
collapsible frame that uses existing wheelchair
±ĹÚĜĹü±ĹƋŸå±ƋĀƻĜĹčŸØƵŅĹƋĘåƖƐěƼå±ųěŅĬÚƋĘå
ƊƐØLjLjLjƋŅŞŞųĜDŽåØƵĜƋʱűÚÚĜƋĜŅűĬƊƖØLjLjLjÆåĜĹč
±Ƶ±ųÚåÚƋŅ„ĘåþåĬÚB±ĬĬ±ĵŽĹĜƴåųŸĜƋƼţ
“I’m delighted that my project to enable
ŞåŅŞĬåƵĜƋʱŸŞĜűĬÏŅųÚĜĹģƚųƼƋŅƋų±ƴåĬƵĜƋĘ
an infant safely and independently has been
recognised with this award,” said Tom.
The Design for Change competition is
supported by Bolt Burdon Kemp’s charity
ޱųƋĹåųåųåÆų±ƵĘĜÏĘƵŅųĩƋŅĜĵŞųŅƴåƋĘå
ĬĜƴåŸŅüÏĘĜĬÚųåĹƵĜƋĘĹåƚųŅĬŅčĜϱĬÏŅĹÚĜƋĜŅĹŸţ
Part of the charity’s work is to design bespoke
equipment to meet families’ needs at their
ĜĹĹŅƴ±ƋĜŅĹÏåĹƋųå±ĹÚ±ŸޱųƋŅüĘĜŸŞųĜDŽå؉Ņĵ
ƵĜĬĬʱƴå±ƵååĩűŸŞĬ±ÏåĵåĹƋ±ƋƋĘåÏåĹƋųåĜĹ
Wales next year.
“Tom engaged with a wide range of experts
Tom Baker
±ĹÚŞŅƋåĹƋĜ±ĬŞųŅÚƚÏƋƚŸåųŸƋŅč±ĜĹƴ±Ĭƚ±ÆĬå
insights into the realities of being a parent with
a spinal cord injury,” said Andrew Marsh, Course
Xå±Úåų±Ƌ„ĘåþåĬÚB±ĬĬ±ĵţ
ŮBĜŸÆƚččƼŞųŅŞŅŸ±ĬĜŸÆŅƋĘĘĜčĘĬƼĜĹĹŅƴ±ƋĜƴå
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Ÿå±ƋŸØĘåʱŸĵ±Ĺ±čåÚƋŅÚåƴåĬŅŞ±Ĺ±ýŅųÚ±ÆĬå
±ĹÚƚŸåųěüųĜåĹÚĬƼƵ±ƼüŅųƵĘååĬÏʱĜųƚŸåųŸƋŅ
Ƌų±ƴåĬƵĜƋĘƋĘåĜųÏĘĜĬÚųåĹØƵĘåųåĜƋĵ±Ƽʱƴå
ŅƋĘåųƵĜŸåÆååĹŞųŅĘĜÆĜƋĜƴåĬƼÚĜþÏƚĬƋŅųƚĹŸ±üåţŰ
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Tom Baker's
winning prototype
for a wheelchair-
chair-
attachable
ble
buggy

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Ȧȉȁ
 living with disability world of work

It’s Interestingly
Different
For every 100 adults with a learning
disability, 93 of them are not being given
the chance to show the world what they
are capable of and to meet their individual
TSXIRXMEP.RXIVIWXMRKP])MǺIVIRXMWNYWXSRI
of many social enterprises on a mission to
change that. Karen Stewart of Nickel
Support tells us how.
Take a moment and try to envisage a world in
which adults with learning disabilities have truly
åŧƚ±ĬŅŞŞŅųƋƚĹĜƋĜåŸţFƋϱĹÆåĜĹÏųåÚĜÆĬƼÚĜþÏƚĬƋ
to imagine it in our society in its current form… to dream this big dream and is working
king towards
but wouldn’t it be wonderful if it were possible? making this a reality.
„ƚųųåƼƱŸåÚFĹƋåųåŸƋĜĹčĬƼ%ĜýåųåĹƋĜŸ±Ĺ In 2011, 7.1% of adults with a learning disability
inspiring gift and homeware shop that has dared were in paid employment - an all-time high. f

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living with disability world of work

Support to work in the way

that’s right for you
Flexible working patterns,
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Work that makes a difference

www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/careers

ONE TO WATCH

We’ve equality at our core.

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process, and we will work for our colleagues to feel safe, supported and included at work.

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ȦȦȉ

But that number has been dropping, averaging
out between 5.5% and 6% prior to the Covid-19
pandemic. Following the pandemic, the
ĀčƚųåÏŅĹƋĜĹƚåÚƋŅÚųŅŞØ±ĹÚÏƚųųåĹƋĬƼŸĜƋŸ±Ƌ
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is shocking and unacceptable.
FĹ8åÆųƚ±ųƼƖLjƖƐFĹƋåųåŸƋĜĹčĬƼ%ĜýåųåĹƋ
ŅŞåĹåÚĜƋŸÚŅŅųŸØüƚĬĬŅüĜƋåĵŸÏųå±ƋåÚĜĹě
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Ƌå±Æ±čŸØ±ĹÚÆå±ƚƋĜüƚĬĬƼƚŞÏƼÏĬåÚüƚųĹĜƋƚųåšØ±ĹÚ
±ƵĜÚåų±ĹčåŅüŞųŅÚƚÏƋŸüųŅĵŅƋĘåųŽUƱŸåÚ
like-minded social enterprises who also aim to
ŞųŅƴĜÚåŅŞŞŅųƋƚĹĜƋĜåŸüŅų±ÚƚĬƋŸƵĜƋĘÚĜŸ±ÆĜĬĜƋĜåŸ
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FĹƋåųåŸƋĜĹčĬƼ%ĜýåųåĹƋرĹÚĜƋŸޱųåĹƋ
Ņųč±ĹĜŸ±ƋĜŅĹcĜÏĩåĬ„ƚŞŞŅųƋØÆŅƋĘŅýåų
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ŅŞŞŅųƋƚĹĜƋĜåŸüŅųƋĘåƋų±ĜĹååŸƋĘåƼƵŅųĩƵĜƋĘţ
‰ĘĜŸĜŸĜĹƋåčų±ĬƋŅÆŅƋĘFĹƋåųåŸƋĜĹčĬƼ%ĜýåųåĹƋ
living with disability world of work
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±ĹÚƋʱƋűŸüŅųåƴåųƼŞåųŸŅĹƵĜƋʱĬå±ųĹĜĹč
ÚĜŸ±ÆĜĬĜƋƼƋŅʱƴå±ŞƚųŞŅŸåüƚĬ±ĹÚüƚĬĀĬĬåÚĬĜüåţ
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apparent that there are indeed people out there
who are also striving towards the same goal.
„ååĜĹčFĹƋåųåŸƋĜĹčĬƼ%ĜýåųåĹƋűŸƋų±ĜĹååŸ
working in the shop - be it behind the till and
serving customers, or downstairs packaging up
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living with disability world of work

gifting service, which is helping companies

to make their gifting ethical and socially
responsible, whilst making the valuable gift of About Nickel
providing more opportunities to the trainees
they work with.
Support Company
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trainees in paid employment, a number they
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hope to increase soon as the shop gets busier.
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15 The Parade, Carshalton SM5 3RL or online at ERH3MGO;EPWL.X[SVOW[MXLSZIV
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Every purchase helps towards the greater ERHSVEYXMWQ
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an order and become a part of this positive PIEVRMRKHMWEFMPMXMIWXSWLMRI
movement for change? For more information
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 living with disability world of work

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three years
very best learning
and out in-house
they want to
do another
recommend team has over 135
Visit www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers to others TXDOLÀFDWLon
years experience

ȦȦȏ

Gary Hopkins (left)
with trainee barista
.1SZI(SǺIIMWSREQMWWMSR to promote
deaf employment, by showcasing the many
contributions the deaf can make to the success
of an organisation.
8ŅƚĹÚåÚĜĹ„ŅƚƋĘeüųĜϱĜĹƖLjŎƅØFXŅƴåŅýåå
is committed to being a force for positive change
üŅųÚå±üŞåŅŞĬåÆƼŅýåųĜĹčŸŞåÏĜ±ĬĜŸƋŸĩĜĬĬŸěƋų±ĜĹĜĹčØ
laying the foundation for their future career in the
hospitality industry. Today 70% of its workforce
is deaf or hard of hearing and it operates in 14
locations in Cape Town, Johannesburg and, since
earlier this year, London.
FĹޱųƋĹåųŸĘĜŞƵĜƋĘčĬŅƱĬÏŅěƵŅųĩĜĹčŸŞ±Ïå
provider WeWork, it expanded into the UK to
provide barista training and support to an initial
group of four hard of hearing people.
“There is a universal problem within the deaf
community around access to work,” said Gary
Hopkins, founder and managing director of I
XŅƴåŅýåå:ųŅƚŞţ
(SRRIGXMRK5ISTPI
ŮFXŅƴåŅýååƵ±ŸÏųå±ƋåÚƋŅåĵŞĬŅƼ±ĹÚƋų±ĜĹ
deaf individuals as baristas. Not only to create
more job opportunities for the deaf community,
but to break the barriers of communication
between the deaf and the hearing.
“In South Africa that is a huge challenge.
FĹƖLjŎƅØŸĜčĹƵ±ŸĹŅƋ±ĹŅþÏĜ±ĬĬƼųåÏŅčĹĜŸåÚ
language, deaf children were poorly educated,
there were very few teachers for the deaf and
living with disability world of work
“
)IEJRIWWMWRƶXEHMWEFMPMX].XƶW
EGYPXYVIERHEGSQQYRMX]
ģŅÆŅŞŞŅųƋƚĹĜƋĜåŸƵåųåĹŅĹěåƻĜŸƋåĹƋţŰ
It wasn’t until August this year that legislation
ųåÏŅčĹĜŸåÚŸĜčĹĬ±Ĺčƚ±č屟±ĹŅþÏĜ±ĬĬ±Ĺčƚ±čå
in South Africa.
ŮFƋűŸ±ƴåųƼÚĜýåųåĹƋÏƚĬƋƚųåĜĹƋĘåŽUØŰŸ±ĜÚ:±ųƼţ
“There is far more support for the deaf and hard of
hearing, so many more teachers and interpreters
and a real willingness of hearing people to learn
to sign. That said, even in the most inclusive and
supportive of countries, the deaf and hard of
hearing still struggle to secure employment.”
FXŅƴåŅýååĜŸĬŅŅĩĜĹčƋŅÏʱĹčåƋʱƋţFƋŸ
ĀųŸƋčųŅƚŞŅüƋų±ĜĹåÚƱųĜŸƋ±ŸĜĹƋĘåŽU±ųåĹŅƵ
ŸåųƴĜĹččųå±ƋÏƚŞŸŅüčųŅƚĹÚÏŅýååƋŅƵŅųĩåųŸ
at WeWork’s sites in Holborn, Waterhouse
Square, and Covent Garden, where customers
ƚŸåĜĹƋåų±ÏƋĜƴåĜ{±ÚŸƋŅŅųÚåųÏŅýååƋĘųŅƚčĘ
sign language.
The project is supported by partners such as
ʱĹčå{Ĭ屟åØ±Ĺ±Ƶ±ųÚěƵĜĹĹĜĹčŽUÏŅýåå
company and social enterprise, Insign Language
and BSL interpreters. By working with partners
ƵĘĜÏĘŸĘ±ųåĜƋŸƴĜŸĜŅĹØFXŅƴåŅýååĘŅŞåŸƋŅ
support more deaf people into work beyond
being baristas.
“As we look to expand operations beyond
baristas, we’re hoping to set up roasteries
establish a whole network of trainers and
ĵ±ƼÆååƴåĹŅŞåűŸƋ±ĹÚě±ĬŅĹåųåƋ±ĜĬŅƚƋĬåƋØŰ
±ÚÚåÚ:±ųƼţ‰ŅĀĹÚŅƚƋĵŅųåčŅƋŅ
[[[MPSZIGSǺIIKVSYTGS^E
ȦȦȍ
living with disability transport

Accessible
ϱķŤåŹƽ±ĻƐŇýåŹžƐƒĚåƐ
Ï̱ĻÏåƐŇüƐ±ƐÚŹå±ķ
ƐĚŇĮĞÚ±DžƐüŇŹƐü±ķĞĮĞåžƐ
ƾЃĚƐÚĞž±ÆĮåÚƐ
ÏĚĞĮÚŹåĻ

ȦȦȰ
 living with disability transport

Joy of the
Open Road
Jemima Alexander and Unfazed by the
Cody Selby have always challenge, the couple
loved camping under the set about designing the
stars, eating at places ĀųŸƋϱĵŞåųƴ±ĹŅüĜƋŸĩĜĹÚ
with amazing views – Accessible Iris. Using
and the freedom that their understanding of the
travelling in a campervan accessibility issues lots of
gave them. But the open families face when trying
road became a lot more to take a holiday, they
ÚĜþÏƚĬƋƋŅƋų±ƴåĬƵĘåĹ designed a cosy, well-
ƋĘåĜųĀųŸƋÚ±ƚčĘƋåųرĬĜØ equipped and thoughtful
was born with Edwards The open roads have just become a space that aims to take
Syndrome, leaving her little more open for disabled people as much stress out of
with severe disabilities, holidays and stays away
thanks to Accessible Iris, a game
unable to walk or talk, from home as possible.
needing oxygen and to
changing campervan. ٜĘåĹŅƴĜÚĘĜƋ±ĬĜ
be tube fed. had to shield and that
Now, thanks to their hard work, ingenuity and meant Jemima, our younger daughter Alba, and
a hugely successful crowdfunding campaign, ĵƼŸåĬüÚĜÚĹŲƋĬå±ƴåƋĘåĘŅƚŸåØŰåƻŞĬ±ĜĹåÚŅÚƼţ
the couple have designed and built a fully “It seemed like the perfect opportunity to
accessible campervan suitable for people with make our dream for an accessible campervan
a range of disabilities. And Accessible Iris is for families with a disabled child a reality.
now ready to hire out too, so other families can ٜåƋ±ĬĩåÚƋŅ}ƚĜųĩƼ±ĵŞåųŸĜĹųĜŸƋŅĬر
go camping, secure in the knowledge the van company that rents out hand-built campervans
comes with a wide range of features to make ě±ĹÚƋĘåĜųåĹƋĘƚŸĜ±ŸĵƵ±ŸƋĘåĀűĬŞƚŸĘƵå
it ideal for holidaymakers, festival goers or needed. So, we made a plan, got a loan, bought
overnight stayers. a van and named her Iris." said Jemima.
“We soon realised it was going to cost a lot
A Bump in the Road more money than we had to convert it, so we
“As a couple we had always loved the launched a crowd funder. Our target was £14k.
campervan life. We loved the freedom of We raised £32k. Further proof that the demand
making up our route as we went, eating outside for renting an accessible campervan was high.”
as the sky darkened and opening the door on a
ĹåƵƴĜåƵå±ÏĘĵŅųĹĜĹčţūŸ±ĜÚŅÚƼţ Family Road Trip
ŮƚƋŅƚųĀųŸƋÏĘĜĬÚƵ±ŸÆŅųĹƵĜƋʱŸåųĜŅƚŸ ‰ĘåĀƴåěÆåųƋĘϱĵŞåųƴ±ĹƵ±ŸÚåŸĜčĹåÚƵĜƋĘ
chromosome condition and all our assumptions the needs and comfort of the family with
about holidays changed.” multiple needs in mind. The heating and light
The problem was, accessible campervans for can be easily controlled, with plentiful storage.
families to rent didn't exist. ‰ĘåāåƻĜÆĬåÆåÚŸ±ųåĘåĜčĘƋ±ÚģƚŸƋ±ÆĬåŅųϱĹf

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 e
even b removed,
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depending on the
need.
n To make
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åĬåÏƋųĜϱĬŸƼŸƋåĵƋʱƋåƴåĹŞųŅƴĜÚåŸŞåŅŞĬå
ƵĘŅƚŸåŅƴåųĹĜčĘƋŅƻƼčåűĹÚƴåĹƋĜĬ±ƋĜŅĹƵĜƋĘ
ƋĘå±ÆĜĬĜƋƼƋŅŸĬååŞŅýěčųĜÚƚĹÚåųƋĘåŸƋ±ųŸţ
ٜåĩĹŅƵƋʱƋĜƋĜŸŅüƋåĹƋĘåÚåƋ±ĜĬŸƋʱƋϱĹ
ĵ±ĩåŅųÆųå±ĩ±ĘŅĬĜÚ±ƼƵĜƋʱÚĜŸ±ÆĬåÚÏĘĜĬÚŅų
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ٜåƵ±ĹƋåÚü±ĵĜĬĜåŸƋŅÆå±ÆĬåƋŅ±ÚģƚŸƋ
ĬĜčĘƋ±ĹÚƋåĵŞåų±ƋƚųåƋŅØƵåƵ±ĹƋåÚƋĘåųåƋŅ
Æå±Ú±ųĩØŸ±üåŸŞ±ÏåüŅųŞåŅŞĬåƋʱƋĵĜčĘƋüååĬ
ÚƼŸųåčƚĬ±ƋåÚØƵåƵ±ĹƋåÚƋĘåųåƋŅÆåĬŅƵĬĜčĘƋŸ
Iris' accessible
features
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ŞĵåĹƋ
in the night.
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Aberdeen Performing Arts 64
ADAllen Pharma Ltd (Sunvit) 50
Alive Healthcare 100
Anglian Water Services Ltd 110
Anthony Hill Designs limited 44
Art Academy London 30
Arts University Bournemouth 82
Askham Bryan College 84
Audit Scotland 110
Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art 74
Bassetlaw District Council 60
Belgrade Theatre 30
BLK.FX 108
ĬƚåÆåĬĬų±ĜĬƵ±Ƽ{X68
Bodleian Libraries 22
Booths Garden Studios 104
Briarlands Farm 32
Brintal Ltd 60
Bronze Services Europe Ltd 98
Brotherwood Automobility Ltd 58
BSkyB 
Burns Pet Nutrition Limited 104
Cambo Gardens 28
Canterbury Cathedral 36
Charles Sayer Ltd 98
Charnwood Borough Council 114
ĘåŸƋåųĀåĬÚŅĬĬåčå84
Christ Church 22
Christian Aid 108
Coleg Y Cymoedd 84
Conversor Ltd 56
COPE Ltd 22
Cornish Accessible Holidays Ltd 28
Cotswold Charm 36
David Kellett & Partners Ltd 98
Delphi Resort 36
Derwen College 84
Design Prosthetics Ltd 22
Direct 2 Florist 62
Douglas Bader Foundation 14
Dunbia 108
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)BŅĵåŸƋŅųåXƋÚ62
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Epping Forest District Council 114
living with disability advertisers index
Ernst & Young LLP 78
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F I C (UK) Ltd 58
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Holistic Thinking Holidays 36
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J Blundell & Sons Ltd 100
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Karaoke UK Ltd 66
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Northumbria Healthcare NHS
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Oase UK Limited 106
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Pembrokeshire College 84
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Pontio Arts & innovation Centre 76
Power Chair Mitt 44
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Promedica PLUS UK Ltd 
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Redditch Palace Theatre 34
Registers of Scotland 110
Roger Harper RN 98
Royal Borough of Kensington &
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RSR Jixxu 62
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Steamship Sir Walter Scott Ltd 34
Steren Suveyors 96
Strawberry Field 22
Sunrise Medical 48
Superdrug Stores PLC 114
Sweetzone Ltd 104
‰åĬåāåƻŽU46
The Fan Museum 30
Theatre Royal Dumfries 66
Thermoguard 92
Trek Logistics 100
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Turkish Baths Harrogate 74
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Unite the Union 108
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Wigan Council 114
Wilderness Cottages 30
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World Horse Welfare 44
WWT Arundel Wetland Centre 66
ȦȦȟ
 Win a Short Break for Two at
Revitalise Respite Holiday Centres
We have a fantastic competition right
now for this incredible stay with a
choice of three or four nights at two
destinations - just subscribe to
o our
magazine for free!

Revitalise is offering a free short break for two at one of their two fully accessible, respite
holiday centres! Revitalise’s breaks offer a fantastic holiday experience with the reassurance of
24-hour care support. The short break is for either 3 or 4 nights (4 nights Monday – Friday or
3 nights Friday to Monday) and is suitable for people with almost any disability or care needs.

To enter, just subscribe to our free online magazine at

www.livingwithdisability.org and weekly newsletter for your chance to win!
If you’ve already subscribed then we’ll enter you automatically.

The competition closes on January 31st 2024 - best of luck!