Motoring and Mobility

WELCOME TO SCOOTER STORE LIMITED

Scooter Store Limited is an established company with over twentyfive years’ experience, which has become very popular especially with the elderly and disabled community nationwide.

The concept of a small, easy to use store for securing mobility vehicles has been extremely well received by many local authorities. Housing Associations, County, City and Borough Councils as well as charitable organisations have installed Scooter Stores throughout the country with great success; whilst thousands have been exported to Europe. This has solved storage and independence issues for many people.

In our experience we have found that many people who use mobility scooters find it very difficult getting their scooter in and out of their property without help or assistance. Storing them in living rooms and hallways is not always ideal as they take up a lot of room and can cause fire hazards. The scooter store itself is simple and was designed in response to a demand from the public. The standard unit is 1525mm long x 1220mm wide x 1070mm high and made of 2mm steel the store comes in a green finish. Bespoke scooter stores can be manufactured to different sizes to suit your specific mobility scooter requirements. Our Scooter Stores are delivered flat packed for installation to inaccessible places and are installed by our fully trained engineers. Our scooter stores are all push button controlled and fully lockable. A socket for charging the scooter is provided within the store. The Scooter Store requires very little maintenance. The Scooter Store is such a marvellous alternative which is secure and theft proof, and because it is so easy to use independence can be greatly improved for mobility vehicle users.

Our contact details are: Scooter Store Limited, Unit 11 Riverside Business Park, Cambridge Road, Harlow, Essex, CM20 2HE. Tel: 01279 453565. www.scooterstoreltd.com

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Tourneo Custom

*Special off er*

FREE Factory Fit Reversing Camera

on all Ford Tourneo Customs available for a limited time

4

2 3

Freeway

Explorer

Perfect for when more original seats are required, can seat 7 plus wheelchair passenger or 9 without wheelchair.

Duet

Supporting independent driving; with an automated tailgate, automated ramp and a six-way internal transfer seat.

Can carry up to two people travelling in their wheelchairs, retains two original rear seats, and tow bar compatible.

5

Family

Ideal when maximum internal space is required, o ering 5ft of headroom and a full length, at oor.

7McElmeel Mobility off er SEVEN diff erent conversion options across the range

Fortitude

Original seating throughout, tow bar compatible, can seat 7 plus wheelchair passenger or 9 without wheelchair.

1

Freestyle

A fabulous versatile conversion, with options of wheelchair positions and o ering original rear seating.

AWARD WINNING CUSTOMER SERVICE

Lifestyle

Our latest innovation, up to six original seats, 5ft of headroom for the wheelchair passenger and additional 3rd row seating options.

7 6

EXPLORING THE GREAT OUTDOORS WITH EASE

AS LIFE RETURNS TO NORMAL, there is certainly an appetite for us to begin visiting favourite places or more excitingly, exploring new ones! And with a plethora of wheelchair options including all terrain ones now available, it’s certainly tempting.

So, whilst the perfect wheelchair may have been found, we know that it is equally important for you to be able to transport this type of wheelchair just as easily as more conventionally sized ones. The Vapor Ricon Auto Electronic Ramp, which is part of the R Series range, is extra wide and can specifically cater for wider wheelbase chairs.

Bespoke Solution

Designed to give wheelchair users even greater levels of independence than ever before, the idea to create a wider vehicle ramp was derived from a conversation with a customer. Fiona, had just become the proud owner of a Terrain Hopper and was requiring a vehicle access solution to complement it. From that moment Vapor Ricon realised there was a demand for this type of vehicle access solution and so set about creating the unique ramp.

Innovations In Accessibility Innovations In Ac

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Ask your vehicle converter to only fit a Vapor Ask your vehicle converter to only fit a Vapor erter to only fit a V Vapor Ricon Lift – like, for example, the K SERIES. Ricon Lift – like, for example, the K SERIES.

Automatic folding lift Unobstructed view for driver and passenger Easy operation and maintenance Easy operation and maintenance 350KG lift capacity

Wide Electronic Car Ramp

The Auto Electronic Ramp offers users of wide wheelbase chairs the ability to enjoy complete independence both in their wheelchair and in their vehicle. The R-Series ramp is easy to install and operate and can be securely stowed during travel to reduce in-transit noise. Available in a wide range of lengths from 1800mm to 2500mm and in two widths 800mm and 900mm (with an extra 40mm when side rails are included) it offers a simplistic and convenient travel solution. With a manual override facility, complete peace of mind for users is provided.

It is entirely suited to all terrain wheelchairs such as Terrain Hopper and is suited to vehicles such as the Volkswagen T6 Transporter, which is easily converted by expert industry partners, to accommodate the ramp.

What our customers think

Call us now on 01509 635 920 01509 635 920Call us now on

Email: sales@vaporricon.co.uk www.vaporricon.co.uk .vaporricon.co.ukwww

After receiving her new Vapor Ricon ramp, Fiona said: “I find it hard to explain just what a difference this has made to my everyday life – exercising my assistance dog and just getting out on my own without having to rely on people is perfect.”

New Society of Authors fiction prize encourages positive representation of disability in literature

THE SOCIETY OF AUTHORSis excited to announce the ADCI Literary Prize, an annual literary award open to authors with a disability or chronic illness, for novels that include a disabled or chronically ill character.

Sponsored by Arts Council England, ALCS, the Drusilla Harvey Memorial Fund, the Hawthornden Literary Retreat, and the Professional Writing Academy, the prize will become part of the SoA Awards stable, joining ten other annual awards for fiction, poetry and non-fiction, worth more than £100,000.

The winner will receive £1,000 and two runners-up will each receive £500.

The co-founders of the prize, author Penny Batchelor and publisher Clare Christian, first identified the need for the prize while working together to publish Penny’s debut novel My Perfect Sister. Both Penny and Clare are vocal campaigners, calling for better representations of disability in publishing and bookselling, and advocates for disabled people navigating their way through a

Clare Christian and Penny Batchelor

publishing industry that often struggles to be accessible. Over the past six months alone, they have led the #KeepFestivalsHybrid campaign, calling for wider access to literary festivals and events post pandemic, and successfully lobbied Amazon to introduce a new Disability Fiction category to its books section.

Author and co-founder of the ADCI Literary Prize Penny Batchelor said about the launch: “I'm over the moon that after two years of planning, and with the support of the SoA and other organisations, the SoA ADCI prize is now a reality. The prize will make a great difference in highlighting the importance of positive disability representation in our culture, as well as raising the profile of DCI authors and their books to readers and the wider publishing industry. Huge thanks go to my fellow co-founder Clare Christian for coming up with the idea and approaching me with it. I'm humbled to be on the judging panel and look forward to getting stuck in reading once submissions are open. We're already coming up with ideas for Year 2, including ways to encourage more disabled and chronically ill people to pick up a pen, discover the joys of writing and consider a career as a novelist.”

The new prize opens for entries in August and will be awarded for the first time at the SoA Awards in June 2023. It will join the stable of other SoA Awards, which include the Betty Trask Prize and Awards, the Eric Gregory Awards, the Queen’s Knickers Award, the Paul Torday Memorial Prize and, awarded for the first time this year, the Volcano Prize. Together they form the UK’s biggest literary prize fund, worth over £100,000 annually.

For more information visit www.societyofauthors.org/Prizes/ Society-of-Authors-Awards/ The-ADCI-Literary-Prize

Six Royal Greenwich playgrounds to receive a makeover!

SIX playgrounds in the borough will see exciting improvements this summer, with the installation of high quality play equipment, much of which can also be used by children with disabilities.

The playgrounds are being refurbished with a wealth of modern equipment including climbing frames, compact zipwire lines, playhouses, swings, roundabouts, seesaws and springers, sensory play panels and much more.

At each playground, we’re installing key play equipment like roundabouts and seesaws which have been specifically designed for easy transfer from a wheelchair or with a more consistent and level surface.

The Council has planned the playground refurbishments with help from Friends of Parks groups and schools, who provided advice on what improvements were needed.

Cllr Adel Khaireh, Cabinet Member for Equality, Culture and Communities, said: “It’s great to see these playgrounds are being modernised in a way that will make them more accessible and inclusive for children of all ages and abilities. This will provide more interesting and valuable ways for children to play and learn, which is so important to help them develop their agility, coordination and social skills. We’re delighted to have the support and insight from local organisations on what will most benefit our children and young people.”

The six playgrounds undergoing refurbishments are: • Abbey Wood Park, Abbey Wood • Altash Gardens, New Eltham • Fairy Hill Park, Eltham • Horn Park, Eltham • Hornfair Park, Charlton • Southwood Road Park, Eltham

The six sites were selected following an annual inspection of our playground equipment across the borough, which found the existing equipment was approaching the end of its lifespan. Complementary works will also take place to update signage, seating, fencing and bins where it’s needed.

Work started in June and, subject to weather conditions, is expected to take four to five weeks. Where possible, playgrounds may reopen earlier. Updates will be provided on the Council’s social media channels when refurbishments are complete.

Find your nearest alternative playground at royalgreenwich.gov.uk/playgrounds

“I Used to Be Shy”, An Illustrated Story With Songs About Inclusion, Belonging, And Compassion

WRITTEN by Mike Mirabella and Lenny Lipton (writer of the song “Puff, the Magic Dragon”), “I Used to Be Shy” is the second book in The Carla Stories series. Book One is “Sister Butterfly.” Book Three, coming in 2023, is “Special People”.

Does your child or grandchild ever sit by themselves – alone and seemingly friendless?

Meet Carla, our selfappointed social committee of one, who makes everyone at summer camp feel welcome. Carla spots a shy new boy who hides from others in his cabin, closing his curtain. Carla follows her heart and gathers a small group of fellow campers to coax him

out to play games. With Carla’s encouragement, our new camper builds up his selfconfidence, loses his fear and learns to enjoy his new friends. Mike Mirabella, a well-loved musician and award-winning author of children’s books, and Lenny Lipton, writer of the classic folk song “Puff, the Magic Dragon,” sat in their living rooms on rainy days and wrote songs while their young disabled daughters played.

About The Illustrator:

Amy O’Hanlon is an artist in a family of musicians who illustrates children’s books as well as doing stage projection design for Bay Area musicals, one of which was the Bay Area Children’s Theatre’s “She Persisted”, based on the book by Chelsea Clinton.

You can find out more at www.mirabellabookswithsongs.com

A unique, multi award winning, take anywhere bed surround that creates a safe and calming sleeping environment for children and peace of mind for parents and carers

The Cloud Cuddle bed tent has been specially developed to allow a child with a disability to sleep safely wherever they are. The Cloud Cuddle can be fitted to nearly all types of single bed in only 5 minutes. It then creates a safe sleeping environment that allows a child to relax and unwind in a truly calming space as well as being safe and secure, for peace of mind of parents and carers.

Tasked with finding a solution to the request of parents with children with special needs, who were restricted in travelling on holidays and visits to families because their child wasn’t safe in bed when they arrived at their destination, students at Delft University in the Netherlands designed and developed the Cloud Cuddle bed tent, before introducing it for use in the Netherlands in 2017.

The rest is history, as they say, as the product has proven a huge success with use by parents, carers, respite care centre managers and healthcare professionals who work with children in the community and consequently the designers of Cloud Cuddle have won a succession of awards in Europe.

The product is tough, robust and durable but the fact it is lightweight and fits into a small carry bag for transportation, so making it a take anywhere product, whether by motor vehicle, plane, train or coach has hugely assisted parents when travelling and made it so popular.

Not only can the Cloud Cuddle be used on your travels, it can be used at home on a domestic bed or with a medical bed, so allowing you to take your child’s familiar sleeping environment with you wherever you go.

The Cloud Cuddle is available in the UK from SpaceSaverBeds Ltd. Tel: 01905 347 538 info@spacesaverbeds.co.uk www.spacesaverbeds.co.uk

AWARD WINNING

• Recommend by Healthcare

Professionals • Fits to all Hi/Lo Care beds • Lightweight – take anywhere • Machine washable • Fits to 200x90cm single bed • Fits to 190x90cm single bed • Fits to 180x90cm single bed

Tel: 01905 347538 info@spacesaverbeds.co.uk www.spacesaverbeds.co.uk

Disabled entrepreneurs show their skills at Stelios Awards

ASUPPLIER of metal polishing products, a Christmas tree grower and the creator of an innovative skill-matching jobs board are among the winners of this year’s Stelios Awards for Disabled Entrepreneurs.

The prestigious awards, first launched in 2007, are jointly run by the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation and Leonard Cheshire. This year they attracted entrepreneurs from a wide range of sectors including technology, recruitment, sports and rehabilitation, wellbeing, fashion and adaptive clothing.

The Awards offer one of the largest financial prizes for disabled entrepreneurs in the UK. A top prize of £30,000, as well as two finalist prizes of £20,000 and £10,000, meant there was £60,000 in cash up for grabs for 2022.

Following a shortlist of five top candidates, this year’s winners are: • First prize (£30,000): Joe Waggott

www.metalpolishingsupplies.co.uk

• Second prize (£20,000): Clive Collins

www.catsfieldchristmastreefarm.com

• Third prize (£10,000): Joseph Williams

www.getaclu.io

First prize winner Joe Waggott, 52, is based in Hampshire and hails from Harare, Zimbabwe. After

Joe Waggott, Clive Collins and Joseph Williams

settling permanently in the UK in December 2005, when political unrest in Zimbabwe left him with just £35 in his pocket, Joe now has a thriving metal polishing supply company. Joe was born with spina bifida, a condition affecting mobility.

Joe said: “When I heard I’d won, I was overwhelmed and very emotional. There were tears in my eyes and I was so happy. As well as developing my business further, I want to champion disabled people in business and offer mentorship to people looking to start up a company.”

Since the Awards started in 2007 Sir Stelios and his foundation have donated a grand total of £1,196,000, including this year’s sum, as prize money through the Awards, giving disabled entrepreneurs an opportunity to showcase their talents.

The Stelios Awards were relaunched this year with new criteria following a two-year postponement due to the pandemic. The three winners celebrated in a virtual ceremony held on Monday 13 June.

Level Playing Field away fan survey results

DISABLED FOOTBALL FANS who travel large distances at considerable cost to attend away match days in England and Wales are not getting what they pay for.

Nearly 50% of respondents said that poor views were barriers to attending away matches, while 28% of respondents have stated that not being in the away end with their own fans contributed to a poor away matchday experience. An additional 23% said that the lack of disability awareness from other fans contributes to a negative away day experience. The lack of disability awareness may have contributed to the fact that 43% of the disabled respondents stated that they had experienced some form of abuse or negative attitude at an away game in the last five years.

The survey also showed that over half of the disabled fans who don’t currently attend away games said that they had done previously, suggesting that many disabled supporters are now opting not to attend away games.

Level Playing Field Chair Tony Taylor Said: “It’s a sad situation that the access to live sport, which most supporters take for granted, is clearly not being provided in the same way for disabled supporters at away matches. The ability to watch a football game without blocked sightlines and fear of abuse or judgment is a basic expectation not being met.

“Clearly, there is a need for greater education within football. Level Playing Field will continue to take the lead in this by raising awareness amongst supporters and sharing best practices with clubs and governing bodies. We will be looking to these organisations and other fan-led groups to work with us to improve the issues highlighted in this survey, which continue to beset the away fan experience of disabled supporters.

“In recent years, there have been significant steps taken by many clubs to improve the matchday experience of disabled fans in general. However, this survey shows that there is still much work to be done and that the away fan experience, in particular, should be an area of focus for improvement by clubs.

“The away day experience for disabled supporters needs considerable attention if football is serious about providing ‘access for all’.”

For more information visit www.levelplayingfield.org.uk

Auracast™ – new Bluetooth technology for people with hearing loss

Brand new audio sharing technology, Auracast™ , could transform the way hearing aid and cochlear implant users listen to audio

RNID is really excited about the announcement of Auracast™, a brand new assistive listening system.

Auracast™ has been designed specifically for people with hearing loss, to stream audio to devices such as hearing aids and cochlear implants. This will make audio in public places and on personal devices, like smartphones, much more accessible. For instance, you will be able to use your smartphone to listen to public announcements in busy stations or airports, or to share music with friends.

Since Bluetooth’s announcement of this new technology in early 2020, RNID has been excited about the new audio sharing technology and the benefits it might bring to our community. We’ve been working with the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), the trade association for Bluetooth® technology, to ensure the new technology is easy to use, safe and that the rollout is as smooth as possible.

We expect new Auracast™ products, including hearing aids and cochlear implants, to start coming into the market in early 2023. RNID will continue to work with Bluetooth SIG and with our supporters to encourage venues and product developers to adopt Auracast and make the transition from existing systems, as it has the potential to make a significant difference to the lives of people with hearing loss.

RNID trustee Gideon Hoffman said: “Auracast™ could transform the everyday lives of people with hearing loss and make the world much more inclusive. RNID really wants to encourage this kind of inclusive technology, and we were thrilled to be able to contribute to its development and rollout.

“While traditional systems like loop systems are useful, this new technology will be in devices everyone uses, which makes it inclusive and easy to access music, video and conversations with friends and family.”

Contact RNID Information Line on 0808 808 0123 or visit www.rnid.org.uk

About Auracast™

How assistive listening systems work: Assistive listening systems can be used to help people who struggle to hear audio in difficult environments. This can include hearing speech in noisy places, music, dialogue on television and the telephone. There are different technologies that can help do this such as loop systems. Auracast is the newest one. Existing Bluetooth streaming: For hearing aid and cochlear implant users, streaming audio using Bluetooth from personal devices like smartphones has been available for some time. However, currently, it only allows you to connect to a single device at a time and sometimes only works with specific devices.

How Auracast is different

Access to audio for everyone: Assistive listening systems can be used to help people who struggle to hear audio in difficult environments. This can include hearing speech in noisy places, music, dialogue on television and the telephone. There are different technologies that can help do this such as loop systems. Auracast is the newest one. Share the experience with others: The new Auracast™ will be the first truly universal Bluetooth connection. You will be able to stream audio from any Auracast™ capable device to your Auracast ™ enabled Bluetooth earbuds or hearing aids. This means you can all listen to the same music from one phone together.

When Auracast ™ will be released

The Bluetooth SIG are currently finalising the specifications that product developers and venues will have to meet in order to use Auracast™. This is expected to be released in the next few months with new Auracast™ products including hearing aids and cochlear implants to then start coming into the market in early 2023.

It will take a long time to move from existing systems to new technology. It is therefore important that existing technology like loop systems continue to be used to provide vital communication support for those who need it.

STANDING WHEELCHAIR

Providing independence & comfort through standing

Designed and developed in the Midlands over the past 15 years the Genie V2 is one of the most advanced wheelchairs available. Combining advanced engineering and practical design, the Genie provides independence and comfort for all levels of dependency.

At Genie Wheelchairs we pride ourselves on developing practical and affordable solutions that make your day to day life that little bit easier! Appropriate for all levels of dependency from our basic model through to a complete care system tailored to each individual.

The Genie V2 has been designed with your everyday needs in mind, providing upper and lower body support to allow washing, air circulation and relief from pressure pain. The ability to stand opens up many possibilities such as access to previously inaccessible places or even getting back into the workplace as many of our Genie users have, whilst providing everyday health benefits such as aiding circulation and digestion. Standing is an important part of maintaining good health. The Genie can aid in the prevention of bladder problems and assist with bone development and pressure management.

The Genie V2 is incredibly easy to manoeuvre, light and compact when stored. It is easily folded away into a cube which is ideal for transportation on planes or in non converted vehicles, enabling you to do more and go further in comfort. Providing independence for yourself and your carer is our main aim.

With its range of control options from the attendant control system, which allows a carer or family member to drive, stand and manage comfort to our unique head control system allowing you to use all functions of the Genie just by head movement alone. The Genie V2 comes complete with hygienic, easytouse toilet facilities that can revolutionise your quality of life. All features are removable depending on your needs. When you can sit, recline, stand up and be mobile in safety without leaving the chair the possibilities are endless.

Everyone’s needs can change.

All the Genie’s facilities and functions can be added or removed easily at any time to suit your requirements as an individual. Our base unit is easily adapted to accommodate a wide range of additional features, from vehicle docking systems to our unique head control system. And when it comes to one off customization at Genie wheelchairs nothing is impossible, from ventilator shelving to customised seating if you have any special requirements let us know. Nothing is too much when it comes to your comfort and independence.

Easy transfers from bed to • sitting or standing Custom built to suit all needs • Comfortable & maneuverable • Enhances quality of life• Provides dignity,• independence & mobility Provides many health benefits • Removes boundaries•

Designed & Manufactered in GREAT BRITAIN

Man spends inheritance on creating picturebook disabled superhero

When Rob Martin, from Greater Manchester, inherited money from his late mum, he decided to forgo the usual kitchen extensions and fancy holidays in favour of a more meaningful project. Instead, the 56-year-old opted to use the cash to publish a children's book with an important message.

Joe and Dusty Save The World tells the tale of a young disabled boy called Joe and his trusty sidekick and support dog, Dusty, an English bull terrier.

In the picturebook, which is written entirely in rhyme, best friends Joe and Dusty are abducted by aliens who are set on blowing up planet earth. But thanks to Joe's unwavering devotion to his dog and his infectious love of music and dancing, he manages to change the minds of his extra-terrestrial captors by teaching them all about kindness, fun and love.

The book's importance, says its creator, is that it focuses not on its disabled hero's challenges, but on how Joe's differences are in fact strengths. Though Rob had already written an outline of the plot, it was hearing a poem written by his sister at their mother's funeral in December 2019 that made him commit to fleshing out the storyline in catchy verse.

For Rob, who grew up on the Wirral, writing a book that starred a disabled character was a very personal affair. Aged just six, the freelance copywriter and marketing consultant lost his severely disabled teenage sister Pauline, who had lived with multiple conditions

Rob and the real life Dusty with children from Urmston Primary School

and spent much of her life in hospital. The loss had a huge impact on the rest of the family, including Rob and middle sister Carol, and he says he is still affected by it today, 50 years later.

The author had a further shock when he himself realised he was living with his own disability. A late diagnosis of autism, a matter of weeks after his book was published, initially left Rob reeling. But after reflecting on his new discovery, Rob decided that knowledge was power. "Suddenly everything started to make sense," he said. "Even I could spot that I shared many traits in common with Joe, and when I asked my sister and my husband if they had ever suspected I was autistic, they both said that they had."

Rob says he now feels the significance of his disabled young champion to be even greater. He said: "Joe and Dusty is a book about a young boy who just happens to be disabled. I deliberately don't name Joe's disability because it is not a book about what he finds difficult or can't do. The story's happy ending relies entirely upon Joe's strengths.

“Whilst it's a book about space and aliens, the underlying message is about celebrating people for their differences. It is also about the power of human connection, which is a very important message for everyone after the isolation we have all experienced over the last couple of years."

Rob said that publishing Joe and Dusty felt like the best way to honour the memory of his mum and sister and to get a handle on his new understanding of himself as an autistic man. "Joe and Dusty shines a light on the positive contributions disabled and neurodivergent people make to their families and to wider society," he said. "I could have spent my inheritance on an extension or a fancy holiday, but publishing a book can have a much bigger impact.”

Part of that impact has seen Rob and Dusty, Rob’s real-life dog, being asked to talk about the book and why being different is a strength at schools and events.

Rob already has a number of other ideas for further adventures for Joe and Dusty and hopes the book will be the first in a successful series.

You can buy a copy of Joe & Dusty from £9.99 at joeanddustybooks.com

LAZAREHAB is the exclusive distributor in the United Kingdom for Hernik (German company) specialist car seats. Our car seats are specially designed for children with special needs from babies up to teenagers up to 75 Kg (aprox.12 stones). In all our car seats you can have swivel base to facilitate the transfers. You can also find several accessories to provide the best postural support to your child such as a supportive headrest, thoracic supports, 5-point harness, abduction block, padded tray, footplate, tilt-inspace, and recline options for children who have poor sitting balance.

Our car seats can be fitted with or without ISOFIX system and have been successfully crash-tested.

We do free assessments –Home visits or by video call.

These car seats can be funded through Motability (if you have a vehicle from Motability scheme) or through charities. Please get in contact with us so we can give you more information about how to fund your car seats.

Design, comfort, safety, great postural support, and easy for transfer. Everything you are looking for in a car seat you will find within our range.

You can visit our website at www.lazarehab.com or you can contact us on 075 345 775 83 or info@lazarehab.com Please follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to see successful experiences with our special car seats.