Ability Needs Winter Q1 2025

ABILITY NEEDS

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The essential journal on disability

Motoring & Mobility

Adapting Your Home

Kids

Travel

WINTER Q1 2025

£2.00 Quarterly

Baroness Grey-Thompson DBE

Moving Mobility forward with our range of vehicle adaptations and conversions

FlexiRamp™ conversions without limits

Alfred Bekker API Ltd 0800 334 5126

Call for a home demonstration

sales@alfredbekker.com www.alfredbekker.com

Any prices shown are correct at time of printing, are subject to availability, and may change

Charity No. 283931

ABILITY NEEDS

ABILITY NEEDS

ABILITY NEEDS The essential

journal on disabil ity

Motoring & Mobility

Adapting Your Home

Kids

7 Montgomerie Terrace, Contents Ayr, KA7 1JL 3 Motoring and Mobility - Featuring the latest vehicles and products available in the mobility Tel 01292 287574 marketplace Fax 01292 266656 22 Tanni’s View Travel

WINTER Q1

2025

£2.00 Quarterly

Baroness Grey-Thompson DBE

email: abilityneeds@btinternet.com web: www.abilityneeds.co.uk

All Rights Reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any way without written permission of the publisher. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher and although every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate, the publishers take no responsibility for errors and omissions. No responsibility can be accepted by the publishers for any claims made by the advertisers in this publication.

Front cover ph otograph court Medi-Care esy of AKW

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- Baroness Grey-Thompson DBE – Tanni speaks about the ‘new’ Parliament settling in and some legislation going through at the moment

28

Sam Stannah Interview - Angus Long interviews Sam Stannah about the launch of Stannah’s new Uplifts

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Eddie Peacock - Auntie Doris – Eddie points out the importance of utility companies supplying simple versions of devices to elderly and infirm people

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Industry Insight - Auf Wiedersehen “Pet” – Angus discusses the use of ‘inclusive’ language by organisations that are now causing more problems than they solve

40

Cheryl Everitt - A snowy break in Aberdeenshire – Cheryl tempts us with a visit to Aberdeen and the surrounding countryside

Purchase a digital copy of Ability Needs at www.magzter.com

Follow us on

S P E C I A L O F F E R – Receive £200 discount until the 30 th April 2025.

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Ability Needs Magazine

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Get out there with Triride

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RIRIDE ARE A market leader in the production of Power Add-on devices.

Whether you want full electrical assistance, or a Hybrid assisted handcycle we have you covered. Simply attach to your manual wheelchair in seconds and discover a new Freedom.

Intelligent Braking System makes driving with family and friends a breeze. Paired with Triride’s patented attachment method, fitting to most manual wheelchair is possible and customisable to each individual user requirements.

Wanting to go off the beaten track further?

Combine any one of our Triride or Tribike models with the ground breaking MTW Trekking system.

The Trekking Power system is an easily attachable rear axle system that provides you with three wheel drive power and ultimate traction to tackle almost any terrain, truly know no limits with Triride and the Trekking Power system. With it’s multi use you know have 3 systems in one, indoor with joystick, Triride only for the city and MTW power for your trekking desires.

Find out more information on www.triride.uk

The Triride Special Compact HT with all road tyre is a great all-rounder providing full electronic assistance. Small, compact, packed with plenty of

F R E E D O M

power to tackle those steeper inclines and handle some off-road use, but small enough and light enough to transport in the boot of your car.

Triride technology compliments the drive performance with Intelligent Cruise Control and Ability Needs Magazine

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Cold weather advice for powered wheelchair and scooter users

t’s important to be prepared when heading out on your scooter or powered wheelchair during the colder months, particularly when conditions are wintry. You may find yourself facing icy roads, ramps and pavements. So, we’ve put together a few tips to help you stay safe, warm and mobile this winter.

Staying safe when you’re out and about.

Make sure you’re visible

Winter’s shorter days mean you’re more likely to be travelling after sunset. So, make sure you’re as visible as possible. Many larger scooters have lights.

But if yours does not, it may be worth buying a highvisibility or reflective jacket or vest so that you’re more noticeable.

Check the weather forecast

Always check the weather conditions before you travel. And, if you have a smartphone, consider downloading a weather forecasting app to stay up to date with the conditions whilst you’re out and about.

Plan your route to avoid hazards

When it’s snowy or icy, it’s best to avoid any journeys unless they’re really necessary. If you must go out, try to stay away from hills and rural roads by taking an alternative route. And try to use roads and paths that are well-lit, well-maintained and free from snow and ice.

Watch out for kerbs

Fallen leaves can hide kerbs or make them appear lower than they are. So, it’s worth using dropped kerbs and official road crossings wherever possible.

Always be careful, and reduce your speed, when approaching pavements and kerbs.

What to do if you break down

Your all-inclusive lease with the Scheme includes breakdown cover. So, if you break down, Motability Assist (provided by Autohome) is on hand 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to get you and your powered wheelchair or scooter home safely. In an emergency, you can call them on 0800 953 5000. It’s a good idea to save this number on your mobile phone in case you need it.

Or, if you have a smartphone, you can download the Motability Assist app on the App Store or Google Play Store and follow the installation instructions. If you do break down, you just open the app, click ‘Rescue me’ and a text message is created that includes your exact location. Then you simply press ‘Send’.

Staying safe indoors

When indoors, be careful of surfaces that have been made wet or slippery by the weather conditions. Keep entrances clear of snow and moisture, and consider using non-slip mats and rugs to help prevent accidents.

Looking after your powered wheelchair or scooter Protect your vehicle’s battery

The cold weather can affect your scooter’s battery. So try to store your vehicle away from the elements. Ideally in a shed or garage. If this is not possible, keep it under cover to help prevent the battery from freezing. During long periods of non-use, the battery should be disconnected to help slow down the rate at which it drains.

Keep your vehicle dry

Moisture can be your scooter or powered wheelchair’s worst enemy. So, wipe it down when you come inside and keep it dry to help prevent parts from freezing. It’s particularly important to prevent moisture getting into your scooter’s control panel.

Use your weather-proof storage cover, if you have one.

Speak to your dealer about any concerns

If you have any concerns about your scooter or powered wheelchair, now is a good time to speak to your dealer to make sure everything is working as it should. It’s always best to be cautious and get any issues checked out as soon as possible, even if they’re only minor.

Remember, you don’t have to hibernate in winter.

With the right approach and preparations, you can confidently use your wheelchair or scooter during the colder months and continue to enjoy the activities you love.

Interested in joining the Motability Scheme?

Over 800,000 customers already enjoy the benefits of an all-inclusive lease. Explore our range of powered wheelchairs and scooters using our find a vehicle tool or request a free information pack.

For more information contact Motability by telephone on 0300 456 4566 or visit www.motability.co.uk

4

Ability Needs Magazine

drivedevilbiss.co.uk

Enhancing Lives Together From Hospital to Home

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WELCOME TO SCOOTER STORE LIMITED Scooter Store Limited is an established company with over twenty-ĨŝǀĞ LJĞĂƌƐ͛ ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ͕ ǁŚŝĐŚ has become very popular especially with the elderly and disabled community nationwide.

The concept is a small, secure store designed specifically for mobility vehicles, to be operated with minimal effort. This provides the user with more independence and effective storage for their scooter at home.

The Scooter Store was designed in response to a demand from the public as many mobility scooter users have struggled to store their scooters in living rooms, communal hallways etc, causing fire hazards and limiting their space. The Scooter Store is a fireproof, theft proof, compact alternative that will enable the user to securely store their scooter.

Our product has been extremely popular with the elderly and disabled community for over twenty-five years. tĞ͛ǀĞ worked with a multitude of local Housing Trusts/Associations, charitable organisations, County, City and Borough Councils to install Scooter Stores across the UK.

All Scooter Stores are manufactured from 2mm steel with a powder coated finish, push button controlled, fully lockable and include a socket for charging the scooter is provided inside the store.

Standard, Double and Bespoke sizes are available. The stores are delivered flat packed to allow installation to awkward sites. Stores can be relocated if required.

We also offer free site surveys to give advice on store locations, hard standing areas etc, if required.

Our Contact Details: Scooter Store Limited, Unit 11 Riverside Business Park, Cambridge Road, Harlow, CM20 2HE Tel: 01279 453565 www.scooterstoreltd.com info@scooterstoreltd.co.uk

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Ability Needs Magazine

CONVERSIONS

CONVERSIONS

CONVERSIONS

CONVERSIONS

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NICE recommends new drug to help prevent hearing loss in children undergoing cancer treatment

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or the first time, NICE has recommended an innovative new medicine that can help prevent babies, children, and young people undergoing cancer treatment from losing their hearing.

Cisplatin is a powerful chemotherapy medicine, which is routinely used to treat many cancers in children. Over time, cisplatin builds up in the inner ear and can cause inflammation and damage, known as ototoxicity, leading to permanent hearing loss.

Anhydrous sodium thiosulfate, also known as Pedmarqsi and made by Norgine, is recommended in final draft guidance for preventing hearing loss caused by cisplatin chemotherapy in children from the ages of one month to 17years-old with solid tumours that have not spread to other parts of the body.

About 60% of children having cisplatin-based treatment develop irreversible hearing loss, and 283 new cases of ototoxic hearing loss were diagnosed in people under 18 in England in 2022 to 2023.

The medicine, which is given as an infusion by a nurse or doctor, works by binding to and blocking the action of

cisplatin that has not been taken up by cells and preventing damage to cells in the ear.

Evidence from two clinical trials showed the treatment almost halves the incidence of hearing loss in children receiving cisplatin chemotherapy.

The trials also showed that, if children did develop hearing loss, it was less severe overall in children who had anhydrous sodium thiosulfate.

Speech and language development, functioning at school and at home, can all be affected if hearing is impaired through cisplatin chemotherapy, parents told the NICE independent committee.

Ralph Holme, Director of Research at RNID, said; “We are thrilled by the announcement that this groundbreaking drug will be made available to young patients undergoing cancer treatment to prevent hearing loss as a side effect of their cisplatin chemotherapy.”

Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE, said: “Hearing loss due to cancer treatment is devastating for children and their families so I’m pleased we are able to recommend this ground-breaking treatment.”

For more information contact RNID by telephone on 0808 808 0123 or online at www.rnid.org.uk

AWARD WINNING

• Recommend by Healthcare Professionals ͻ ƚ ,ŽŵĞ ;ůŽŶŐ ƚĞƌŵ ƐŽůƵƟ ŽŶͿ ͻ ƚ ZĞƐƉŝƚĞ ;ǁŚĞŶ ƌĞƋƵŝƌĞĚͿ ͻ &ŝƚƐ ƚŽ Ăůů ĚŽŵĞƐƟ Đ ďĞĚƐ • Fits to all Hi/Lo Care beds ͻ KŶ Ă ŵĂƩ ƌĞƐƐ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ Ň ŽŽƌ • Lightweight – take anywhere • Machine washable • Fits to 200x90cm single bed • Fits to 190x90cm single bed • Fits to 180x90cm single bed

/ĚĞĂů >ŽŶŐ dĞƌŵ ^ůĞĞƉŝŶŐ ^ŽůƵƟ ŽŶ dŚĞ ůŽƵĚ ƵĚĚůĞ ŝƐ Ă ŵƵůƟ ĂǁĂƌĚ ǁŝŶŶŝŶŐ Ͳ DĂƌŬĞĚ Ͳ ĐůĂƐƐ ϭ ŵĞĚŝĐĂů ĚĞǀŝĐĞ͘ /ƚ͛Ɛ ƚŽƵŐŚ͕ ƌŽďƵƐƚ ĂŶĚ ĚƵƌĂďůĞ ĂŶĚ ŝŶ ũƵƐƚ ϱ ŵŝŶƵƚĞƐ ŝƚ ĐĂŶ ďĞ Į Ʃ ĞĚ ƚŽ ĂŶLJ ƐŝŶŐůĞ ďĞĚ ƚŽ ĐƌĞĂƚĞ Ă ƐĂĨĞ ĂŶĚ ĐĂůŵŝŶŐ ƉůĂĐĞ ĨŽƌ Ă ĐŚŝůĚ ƚŽ ƐůĞĞƉ ĂŶĚ ƌĞůĂdž͘

,G8:<,8M<I <;J Tel: 01905 347538 info@spacesaverbeds.co.uk www.spacesaverbeds.co.uk

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Ability Needs Magazine

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Ability AbilityNeeds NeedsMagazine Magazine

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More than half of carers juggling work and care can’t afford to take unpaid Carer’s Leave

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HOUSANDS of people looking after relatives and friends who are older, ill or disabled don’t feel they can use their statutory right to Carer’s Leave because they are worried about the financial implications of taking time off work unpaid.

Figures released by Carers UK and supported by TSB Bank show that this is the main barrier to unpaid carers accessing their rights under the Carer’s Leave Act. 56% of working carers responding to the Carers UK State of Caring Survey 2024 said they can’t afford to take Carer’s Leave, highlighting the importance of updating the act to introduce a statutory right to paid Carer’s Leave.

Unpaid carers in the UK are now providing care worth a staggering£184.3 billion a year, evidenced by new research published by Carers UK and Centre for Care at the University of Sheffield. This huge increase – up by £64.9 billion since 2011 - is because families are providing more care than ever before.

Despite the vital care they provide, many unpaid carers are finding it increasingly difficult to afford day-to-day living costs due to rising prices and additional bills associated with their caring role – making support to stay in work where possible vital.

On average, 600 people a day leave work to care. 78% of carers responding to the Carers UK survey said access to paid leave would better help them to balance their working responsibilities with caring for a family member, friend or neighbour.

Younger carers aged 18 to 44 were more likely to say they couldn’t afford to take unpaid Carer’s Leave than those aged 45 to 64 and more likely to be worried their manager or colleagues would respond negatively to requests for this.

This year’s survey also showed that there is more to do to promote understanding of the Carer’s Leave Act with employers and employees. 42% of carers said they were aware of the legislation and how it affects them, 24% said they had heard of it but didn’t know much about it, and 34% said they were not aware of it.

Just 18% of carers responding to Carers UK said they already had access to paid leave through

their employer.

Carers UK is now asking the Government to build on existing legislation within the Carer’s Leave Act, turning the existing statutory right of one week’s unpaid leave to paid Carer’s Leave through the passage of the Employment Rights Bill. It is also calling on employers to implement the Carer’s Leave Act thoroughly within organisations, become carer-friendly and to go further by implementing paid Carer’s Leave.

Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said: “As the value of care provided by unpaid carers continues to grow at an incredible rate, we need to ensure they get the recognition and help they deserve.

“Many carers find it increasingly difficult to juggle work and care, particularly if they are not receiving sufficient support. Whilst the Carer’s Leave Act was a huge step forward, benefitting over 2 million employees, it’s important that all unpaid carers who want to remain in work are able to do so.”

Ariam Enraght-Moony, Chief People Officer, TSB, said: “It's clear that working carers should be better supported to fulfil their caring duties. The reality is far too many simply cannot afford to take unpaid carer’s leave.

“Having offered two weeks of paid Carer’s Leave a year to TSB colleagues for over four years, we have seen first-hand the positive impact it has on our colleagues and the lives of those they care for.

We would encourage all big businesses to introduce this vital support."

Leading the research, Professor Matt Bennett, Centre for Care at the University of Birmingham said: “Our research shows the growing economic value of unpaid care across the four nations of the UK, which has reached an astonishing £184.3 billion. To put this into perspective, the combined NHS budget across the four nations of the UK in 2021/2022 was £189 billion – so carers are providing the value of care equivalent to a second NHS. The value of unpaid care was also approximately four times higher than the expenditure on adult social services across the four nations of the UK.”

For practical advice and information about caring, go to www.carersuk.org or email advice@carersuk.org or call our helpline 0808 808 777 12

Ability Needs Magazine

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Household Gadgets and Tech to Make Life Easier

f you, a relative, or friend struggles with everyday tasks, there is help available in the form of Assistive Technology. Assistive Technology is terminology used to describe useful gadgets that can aid independent living and Medpage Limited has been at the forefront of their introduction for over 40 years.

Our product portfolio focuses on personal safety and carer support in the home and community. Our devices to detect epileptic seizure movement have inspired a generation of product research and development since their introduction in 1996. We produce a range of fall detection and prevention products that are an integral part of NHS and Local Authority falls management strategies for seniors and falls risk patients. The same affordable technology is used widely by countless families to safeguard the ones they love.

Medpage Limited has collaborated with a leading UK manufacturer of crash mats to deliver a cost-effective tool for falls management strategies. The inclusion of the new TumbleCare full-length pressure mat sensor ensures that should a patient tumble out of bed, an alarm signal is generated to alert care staff to the incident. Beneficial for individuals who are at high risk of falling, such as older adults, patients recovering from surgery, or those with neurological conditions such as epilepsy.

Medpage, in collaboration with Atlinks, has developed a fall sensor bracelet that triggers automatic SOS emergency contact dialling using the Amplicomms BigTel 50 PLus. The Big Tel 50 is a big button landline telephone designed for simplistic use with extra loud earpiece, and ringer volume to benefit the hard of hearing. The waterproof fall sensor is of benefit to seniors, people with medical conditions, brain injury, diabetes, impaired balance and epilepsy.

Visit our website for comprehensive details www.easylinkuk.co.uk or telephone customer services on 01536 264 869

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Ability Needs Magazine

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Compact Home lifts, why compromise?

It’s your choice.

Terry Lifts’ ultra-compact Affinity Home Lift will fit virtually anywhere and is fully customisable.

One of the main issues when choosing a home lift is a lack of space. However, Terry Lifts, the UKbased specialist in mobility lift solutions, has developed a design to address this significant problem, offering an attractive alternative to a traditional stair lift.

The recently launched Affinity Home Lift has been specially designed to fit even the narrowest of spaces, such as alcoves or stairwells, which means it can be installed where others can’t. This solves a significant dilemma and makes this contemporary, two-person, two-stop standing home lift an exciting choice for homeowners.

Similar in design to Terry Lift’s best-selling Lifestyle Home Lift but with a more compact footprint, the Affinity Home Lift combines style and comfort with a choice of finishes to make your own. It safely and comfortably takes you between floors, enabling you to maintain your independence and continue to enjoy your home to the fullest.

You can forget bulky fittings, obtrusive rail supports as the Affinity’s discreet rail guides fit neatly against the wall, and its compact design enables easy installation without interfering too much on your furniture layout.

Additionally, the cabin’s clean, modern design means that colour and finish possibilities are endless, perfectly complementing your existing home decor.

With laminated safety glass as standard, pressure sensitive surfaces, and easy-to-use manual lowering, every feature has been carefully considered to elevate your home environment while prioritising your safety and comfort.

With over 50 years of experience designing and manufacturing both public access and domestic home lifts here in the UK, you can trust that Terry Lifts meets the highest standards in quality and safety and exceeds regulatory compliance. The Affinity Home Lift

is, of course, no different. Fitted by expert installers trained by the Terry Training academy, building control approval and lifetime testing to ensure reliability come as standard. More to come in 2025 - keep an eye out for our next innovative product.

Dave Allen, Managing Director, added: “With the new Affinity Home Lift, you can trust you’ve found the perfect home lift solution to meet your needs – no matter how tight you are for space.”

Terry Lifts has been a trusted name in the lift industry for more than 50 years, meeting the highest standards in quality and safety.

For more details about the new Affinity Home Lift, and the whole Terry Lifts range, visit www.terrylifts.co.uk

The One

TO TRUST When it comes to finding a lift, you can be sure the one you’re looking for will be the one you find at Terry Lifts.

Fully customised to fit your home, and your lifestyle. Proudly designed and manufactured in Britain. Built to the highest quality and safety standards, and installed by experts we train ourselves.

TRUSTED QUALITY & ॉ​ॉ[ǡȣ͏ǷǗ͡

Everything you’d expect and nothing less from your trusted lift provider.

FOR MORE, VISIT TERRYLIFTS.CO.UK Ability Needs Magazine

15

Des Gosling Mobility Ltd is the UK’s largest installer of vehicle adaptations for disabled people

Access Aids

Grab Handle

A secure and comfortable handhold to help with entry and exit from your vehicle

We provide a range of products to make transferring in and out of your vehicle as simple as possible

FAST ENTRY AND EXIT

STRONG DESIGN

VEHICLE SPECIFIC FITTING KITS

Retro-fitted unit to transform your Easy ramp manual ramp into an automatic one, controlled by a wireless handset

Moves seat back 100mm, extended increasing legroom and seat runners distance to the steering wheel

To see our full range of vehicle adaptations please visit our website.

Or give us a call to arrange a product demonstration or fitting at our showroom in Melbourne, Derbyshire or at your home address.

01332 863742

www.desgoslingmobilityltd.co.uk

New Product Range Available The S-Tran product family includes a NEW range of innovative and effective passenger transfer solutions to meet your specific needs

eRGONOMIC Swivel seat dESIGN Easily transfer in and out of your vehicle ~ Programmable, backrest automatically reclines during the manoeuvre to suit your specific vehicle ~ Adaptable design makes it suitable for almost all vehicles

Perfectly Suited to SUVs & other tall vehicles Seat lowers out of vehicle to reduce the distance to your chair ~ Backrest reclines up to 170° during manoeuvre, perfect for tall users or vehicles with reduced headroom ~ Attached using existing seat mounts so no permanent vehicle modifications

Wireless Trigger accelerator Another NEW product available is the Hand Held Wireless Trigger Accelerator.

aLL-IN-ONE wHEELCHAIR sOLUTION

Intuitive and easy to control acceleration Power reduction switch for adapting to traffic and parking Operable using either hand Ergonomic and light design Able to maintain a natural driving position No modifications to your vehicle required

Station Yard, Station Road, Melbourne, Derby, DE73 8HJ

No transfer required as seat becomes a wheelchair once outside your vehicle ~ Both manual and powered wheelchair options available ~ Simple docking system designed to give you security and independence

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Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) suppliers

HE Motability Scheme works with a range of expert Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) suppliers. They play a crucial role in helping customers get mobile.

You might already know the role they play in converting vehicles into WAVs, but do you know all the other things that WAV suppliers look after?

Read on to find out how your WAV supplier will support you during your lease.

What do WAV suppliers help you with?

Your WAV supplier is your main point of contact during your lease with the Motability Scheme. They will be able to support you with a range of things, such as: Helping you choose the right vehicle for you Ordering and delivering your new vehicle Making sure you are comfortable with your new WAV Offering assistance when arranging your servicing, maintenance and repairs Carrying out your annual WAV check All of our dedicated WAV suppliers offer a nationwide service and can visit you at home for any demonstrations and test drives.

• • • • •

Choosing the right vehicle First and foremost, WAV suppliers aim to help you choose the best vehicle for your needs. They will offer expert advice on everything from seating layouts to ground clearance, to help you decide which WAV is right for you.

They will also arrange for a home demonstration and test drive, to give you the chance to make sure that you choose the right vehicle before placing the order.

Ordering and delivery Once you’ve decided which WAV you’d like to order, your WAV supplier will then place your application and get to work converting the standard, or ‘base’ vehicle, into a WAV. Depending on the complexity of the vehicle you’ve ordered, this can take several weeks or months, but your WAV supplier will keep you up to date throughout the process. They will also get in touch with the adaptation installer if you are also having adaptations fitted to your WAV. Once your vehicle is ready, they will deliver your WAV to your home address and give you another demonstration to make sure you are comfortable with your new vehicle.

After delivery From 1 January 2025, we’re no longer asking WAV suppliers to visit you after your first month to check how things are going. But your supplier is on hand if you have any problems getting used to your new WAV. They’ll do everything they can to help you feel more confident and comfortable with it and answer any questions you might have.

Servicing, maintenance and repairs The next thing your WAV supplier supports you with is the routine servicing and maintenance of your vehicle.

As WAVs are converted from standard vehicles, you need to keep up with the manufacturer’s servicing schedule to keep the vehicle in good working order. Your supplier will make sure that your WAV is serviced and has its MOT test when it’s needed during your lease.

Your Motability Scheme lease package is allinclusive, which means that all servicing, maintenance, and breakdown assistance are covered.

Annual WAV check annual WAV check for the conversion elements of your WAV. This is carried out each year, usually at your home address, and will cover things like the ramp or lift and wheelchair tie-downs to make sure they’re working correctly and still meet your needs.

If the supplier sees something needs fixing, they’ll try to do it right away if they have the parts.

If not, they’ll set up another time to fix it and will aim to complete these repairs.

For any mechanical issues outside of your annual WAV check, your WAV supplier should be your first point of contact.

For more information on Motability Scheme visit www.motability.co.uk

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Ability Needs Magazine

Driving Mobility centres Helping you with driving, accessibility and independent living • Advice for drivers of all ages affected by restricted mobility • Driving and passenger assessments • Wheelchair and scooter assessments • Driving tuition • Retirement from driving • Vehicle adaptations • Provisional drivers • Mobility equipment loading

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Awareness of disability representation grows, yet significant barriers persist

irector of Strategy and Innovation at Proximo Group, David Dew-Veal joined renowned disability advocate, TV personality, and consultant, Simon Minty for a powerful podcast discussion. The podcast focused on exploring identity, creating inclusive environments, and empowering businesses to engage effectively with the disability market.

The podcast addressed key challenges in representation within businesses/ arts and highlighted significant opportunities: The Evolution of Disability in Business While progress has been made in creating career development programmes and awareness and focus on disability representation has improved within an organisation, especially in terms of seniority, there are still some real structural barriers in place. Businesses should adopt a more proactive approach to inclusion, ensuring that disabled voices are heard at every level.

Representation in the Arts and Media From subtle, everyday portrayals of disability to the powerful narratives of disability arts, visibility matters.

Whether on stage or behind the scenes, inclusivity in the arts can challenge perceptions and inspire change.

The Crucial Role of Accessible Transport Access to transport is integral, connecting people to opportunities in work, arts, and daily life. As a key enabler, accessible transport should be addressed with innovative, cost-effective solutions from the outset of planning.

One company makes travel accessible to everyone.

Open Road Access (ORA) is a groundbreaking service redefining transport for wheelchair users. ORA’s nationwide wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) hire service is transforming the way people travel.

Accessible transportation goes beyond getting from point A to point B, it creates and opens up new opportunities. Access to reliable transport is essential, as it allows individuals to participate in social activities and access healthcare and education. Innovations like those demonstrated by Open Road Access show how advancements in transportation can transform lives and expand possibilities.

It is crucial that businesses prioritise accessibility from the outset. By integrating inclusive practices, businesses unlock not just social impact but untapped market opportunities, contributing to a world where inclusivity benefits everyone.

“Representation, visibility, and planning with accessibility in mind from the start are key,” added Dew-Veal. “We need to show that change is not only possible but powerful.”

Want to know more? Discover the full podcast at www.openroadaccess.co.uk/simon-minty-podcast/

www.openroadaccess.co.uk

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Ability Needs Magazine

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Tanni’s View Baroness Grey-Thompson DBE writes for Ability Needs

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he ‘new’ Parliament is now starting to be bedded in with the new MP’s getting to know the building, and also the procedures that they need to be familiar with. It is a hard few months where they have to hit the ground running and for many it is a major lifestyle change. With every intake there are also those who have young families, and trying to balance that and being away from home is really not easy. My daughter was 8 when I joined the House of Lords, and it takes careful balancing and a lot of organisation to try and get it right.

Especially around things like this time of year, when there are lots of Christmas school events. But I would expect people to know what they are getting into. Before I agreed to join the House of Lords, I spent time working out what it would mean for me 22

and my family.

The Government have a lot to do at the moment and working out their priorities is not easy. The Conservatives were going to be looking at the whole of the welfare system and it is recognised by everyone that it is not sustainable in the current format. The same can be said of the NHS. But working out the way to fix them both is not easy. I agree that people should be working and contributing to society as far as they possibly can. We also need to keep people out of the NHS. On the back of the Paris Games, Paralympics GB wrote to the Department of Education to ask what was being done about PE in schools. I was incredibly lucky that I went to mainstream school at a time that most disabled children didn’t. I also got to do some PE in that school and there was a special Ability Needs Magazine

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school close by where I started doing wheelchair racing. But it cannot be right that disabled children still don’t have the chance to be active. We know all the reasons that being active is good for you. It helps with every part of your life, and being active is even more important for disabled people. However, there is still a fear amongst some that if they are seen to be ‘too’ active then they won’t be able to get the other support that they might need in their lives.

A piece of legislation that is going through at the moment is Kim Leadbeater’s Bill for Terminally Ill adults to enable them to end their lives. The support for assisted dying is highest when people think it actually means palliative care. That support drops when they know what it does mean. The Bill got through the first stage in the House of Commons and is now going to go into what is called Committee.

There are many who are working on this, because they are worried about coercion but also how disabled people may be affected.

When we talk about terminal illness, we think of cancers etc but what the bill says is that anyone who is likely to have six months left to live, and this puts a much wider group of

people into that category. There is no organisation of or for disabled people who support this bill, and they are fighting hard to protect disabled people.

We are likely to have legislation on the welfare system in the New Year. Any legislation of this nature is pretty tough going and complicated, but I would like to see a system that looks at how the support could help people do more things, rather than within the system having to prove what you can’t do. I think that this is a negative and is the wrong way to go about supporting disabled people. I tried the last time that we did this work to shift the way we looked at this but there was no system that could be put in place that measured this (and it probably would have cost more, not saved money).

There are still far too many barriers that disabled people face and while the Paralympics can nudge some of the behaviours of nondisabled people, it is not enough. I think it is time for the Equality Act to be revamped and offer genuine protection to disabled people where everything doesn’t have to be a fight, and protections are more of a given. Hopefully we will get the chance to do that.

Crelling Harnesses Ltd. Tel: 01253 852298

Email: info@crelling.com

www.crelling.com

Crelling Harnesses manufacture a full range of special needs harnesses suitable for use on all kinds of equipment including wheelchairs, buggies, scooters, shower chairs, bathing equipment, stair lifts and seats in cars, buses and aircraft etc.

The vehicle harnesses are designed to be worn in conjunction with the existing safety belts to provide additional postural support and/or to offer a certain degree of restraint when used for those passengers with behavioural problems or learning difficulties.

We make simple belts and full supportive harnesses for all kinds of special needs, including challenging behaviour Ability Needs Magazine

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TfL funds 55 new community groups to unlock barriers to walking and cycling for Londoners

RANSPORT for London (TfL) and the London Marathon Foundation have awarded more than £580,000 of funding to 55 new projects run by community groups as part of the Walking and Cycling Grants (WCGL) programme. Each investment will make a difference to communities across the capital, funding local organisations to deliver projects that will get more Londoners walking and cycling. More than £328,000 of the funding has been awarded to 134 existing projects, to continue their important work in the community.

WCGL aims to make walking and cycling more representative of London’s diverse communities, with successful projects targeting a wide range of traditionally underrepresented backgrounds. These include those from minority ethnic backgrounds, those living with disabilities, people on low income, homeless people, refugees, asylum seekers and people from the LGBTQ+ community. The projects aim to improve participants’ confidence in walking and cycling in London, while enabling people to connect with their local communities, learn new skills, and improve their physical and mental health.

They will also help to break down the barriers that prevent people from getting active and ensure everyone in the capital can enjoy the health and economic benefits of walking and cycling.

Newly funded projects include: London Hand Cycling Club run by Regain the Trust for Sports Tetraplegics; Silver Cycling by Wheely Tots: Professional cycling sessions for adults over 60 to improve health and reduce social isolation; Motion Makers by Creative and Connected Communities: Walking and cycling to support ethnic minority groups, disadvantaged individuals, and young people to improve health and well-being; Re/Walk by InspiralLondon CIC: Themed walks to support cultural exchange and environmental awareness among ethnic minority groups and those with non-physical health issues.

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The WCGL scheme is jointly funded in partnership with The London Marathon Foundation and is part of a five-year programme to inspire Londoners to cycle and walk. Since it began, TfL's Walking and Cycling Grants London programme has supported 339 projects across the London boroughs. This has encouraged more than 77,000 participants across London to walk and cycle.

Miranda Leedham, Head of Customer Marketing & Behaviour Change at TfL, said: "We are very excited to award grants to 55 new projects this year and continue to make walking and cycling accessible for all Londoners. Walking and Cycling Grants London has played a vital role in increasing representation of London’s diverse communities and we're looking forward to seeing the results of these inspiring projects, which are removing the barriers for people from diverse backgrounds to travel more actively and sustainably around the capital."

David Pitcher, CEO of Wheely Tots, said: “Support from WCGL for Silver Cycling will enable us to support people over 50 who are based in and around Tottenham to positively engage in cycling, participate regularly in physical activity and connect with each other and the outdoors. This funding means that sessions can be free, and we can provide equipment and bikes, ensuring the provision is safe, accessible and inclusive to all.”

The community groups will be able to use London’s growing cycleway network. TfL and London boroughs have more than quadrupled the size of the London-wide strategic cycle network, from 90km in 2016 to over 400km in June 2024.

Delivering high-quality new Cycleways will support Londoners of all backgrounds and abilities to cycle safely, encouraging greater diversity in cycling.

Contact Information The full WCGL programme will be administered

by Groundwork London, with details found on the Walking and Cycling Grants website www.wcgl.london

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Churchill Chairs know that choosing the right Riser Recliner or Healthcare Chair is a big decision

It’s about your comfort and well-being. That’s why they offer you a truly personalised experience with their “Choose at Home” service. Your mind can be put at ease by trying a range of chairs in the comfort of your own home.h With expert, friendly advice that’s all about your needs – no pressure, just caring, thoughtful guidance, you will know exactly what you’re getting, with no surprises along the way.

What sets Churchill Chairs apart is the strong, trusting relationships they’ve built with their customers. More than 60% of their new enquiries come from word-of-mouth recommendations and happy customers who have been so pleased with their professional, compassionate service that they want to share their experience with others. It's clear why people trust them to provide the support and comfort they need, which is also reflected in their FIVE STAR Google reviews.

It’s also no wonder that Occupational Therapists and Carers turn to them too, knowing they can rely on Churchill Chairs for solutions that are as unique as each individual’s needs.

Led by Lee Calvert, with nearly 40 years of experience in the chair business, Lee says “We are here to guide you through every step of your journey in helping you find your perfect chair.”

Lee has even written a helpful guide for anyone thinking about a new chair, and ABILITY NEEDS readers can get a free copy by visiting www.churchillchairs.com.

“We’re committed to supplying you the best chair for you and good old fashioned

Ability Needs Magazine

friendly caring service” said Lee. Request a Brochure and Price List, it’s clear and transparent so there’s no guessing about costs before you request your FREE, no-obligation home demonstration.

Churchill Chairs offer a level of service that is simply unmatched. With their wonderful, British-made Chairs, you can be sure your comfort and mobility needs will not only be met but exceeded.

Contact them on Freephone 0800 7022101 or visit www.churchillchairs.com

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Angus Long interviews Sam Stannah about the Launch of Stannah’s New Uplifts

N THE current economic climate, many companies have slowed or even ceased to invest in new products and new designs. However, one company is doing the opposite. Stannah recently unveiled a range of new domestic lift products at the OT show at the NEC Birmingham.

Ability Needs caught up with Sam Stannah, to find out more about these new products and the company’s plans.

Sam Stannah is the sixth generation of the Stannah family business, a company with a long-standing legacy in home accessibility solutions. When he was 15, during school holidays, he used to help with company service and maintenance engineers. After graduating from the University of Exeter with a First Class BSc in Economics and achieving a Distinction for his MSc in Management from the London School of Economics, Sam decided not to join the company business but instead went into investment banking at Berenberg, where he worked in small/mid cap institutional equity sales.

However, his father Jon persuaded him to join the family business, and he started as a Project Manager before founding the strategic projects team. Currently, Sam is focused on building Uplifts, Stannah's dedicated homelift business.

As a leader, Sam is committed to crafting a compelling narrative that resonates with all stakeholders, prioritising opportunities for growth, and a strong sense of pride and purpose among employees. His vision for Stannah extends beyond stairlifts, focusing on the development of innovative solutions for global home accessibility. Sam is also

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Sam Stannah

dedicated to positioning Uplifts as a market leader in the homelift sector, driving the company's future growth and expansion.

Sam is motivated by the challenge of building impactful, sustainable businesses, continuing the family legacy while driving innovation, and expanding Stannah's global presence in home accessibility. He sees his role as planting seeds for future growth, much like previous generations did with the introduction of stairlifts.

Stannah are perhaps best known for their range of stairlifts, but as Sam explained there is so much more to Stannah than stairlifts: “Actually, stairlifts are relatively new to Stannah as the company began with supplying and servicing public elevators and escalators. However, in recent years the domestic stairlift and home elevator business has grown considerably as elderly and disabled people look to have their homes adapted to allow them to remain in them.

“The company has always had a policy of making and supplying high quality products and we are continually investing in new technologies and designs to ensure our products not only look great, but also provide our users with comfortable, easy to operate products that can help them access their homes and gardens more easily. Certainly, our stairlifts will be familiar to many Ability Needs readers, and we are always updating and improving the range. We also provide other products such as rollators, through-the-floor lifts and other access solutions.”

Sam’s vision for Stannah extends beyond stairlifts and in his new role he’s focused on building Uplifts, Stannah's dedicated homelift business. As such he is dedicated to positioning the Uplifts as market leaders in the homelift sector, driving the company's future growth and expansion.

Sam pointed out that when it comes to developing and supplying new products Stannah leaves no stone unturned: “When it comes to the researching and designing of our new products or

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features, we want to make sure we fully appreciate the difficulties and disabilities our customers face. That is why, for example, when designing our latest products we worked closely with Kate Sheehan.”

Explaining why Sam added: “Kate Sheehan is a wellrespected Occupational Therapist with 36 years of clinical experience. Her specialist area of practice is accessible housing design, championing the need to understand the meaning of home to an individual and how poorly designed modifications can have a significant impact on the wellbeing of clients.

“So having Kate help with the design of the Uplifts was crucial to ensure the homelift reflected not just physical accessibility, but also the emotional and social aspects of remaining independent at home.”

As homelifts are not new, we wanted to know what makes the Stannah Uplift special.

Sam was more than happy to explain the key features and benefits of why one should choose the Stannah Uplift.

“We have two models, the S2 (two people) and S3 (3 people and/or a wheelchair). There are a few key things that people need to consider when selecting a domestic through-the-floor lift.

Given these lifts are installed into people’s homes, the key issues are space, integration, décor, installation, service and maintenance.”

With regard to these issues, Sam explained how innovative the Uplift design is: “The external footprint allows more space for the same footprint as it uses hidden guide rails built from the ground up. As they are for domestic use they can be adapted to fit home décor with various colours and lighting etc.

They weigh less than 300kg so easy to transport. They are also easy to install and can be fitted in a day as opposed to 3 or 4, thus making it quicker to use and creating less disruption to the home. Once installed Ability Needs Magazine

they will quickly become vital for the people who use them, so easy and quick maintenance will be an added piece of mind. Stannah is a large company with many engineers based all over the country so service and maintenance can be done quickly if there is a problem.

Smaller competitor rivals, with fewer staff, will be slower to respond. Another benefit is they are manufactured in the UK at our factory in Andover.”

It certainly seems to tick all the right boxes, so it was interesting to know how the new Uplift was received at the OT show.

“The OT show was great.

We had lots of positive views from the many Occupational Therapists and other healthcare professionals attending. Another big positive was the Uplift won the ‘Innovation Award’.”

The ‘Innovation Award’, created and judged by occupational therapists, celebrates manufacturers which demonstrate exceptional creativity and thoughtfulness in developing solutions that enhance clients' ability to engage in meaningful activities. The award specifically recognises equipment and adaptations that incorporate unique elements and show clear consideration of end-user needs throughout the design process.

Speaking of why the Uplift won, the judges said: “Uplifts' revolutionary homelift solution combines cutting-edge technology with thoughtful design to transform how people navigate their homes.

The innovative lift system features a compact footprint, whisper-quiet operation, and customisable options that seamlessly integrate into any home environment, enabling users to maintain their independence and quality of life with dignity.”

The Uplifts range of Ho melifts can be fo und at www.stan nah.co.uk, or a t www.u pl ifts.co.uk

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Eddie Auntie Doris

next prompted me to put some of it down on paper.

When we arrived, and I am writing this in ' December, her house was freezing cold. Her central heating was not on and, she told us, it had been off for a few days. My wife, being a resourceful lady (this is particularly necessary being married to me) sprang into action and sent me into the garage to inspect the boiler. My knowledge of gas boilers is comparable to my knowledge of nuclear fusion, but I still took to the task with reassuring confidence and aplomb. As I expected, there was no sign of life at all. There were no flashing lights and certainly no pilot light. There was not even a place where a pilot light might have been. Having used up my lexicon of naughty words I ! went back indoors to report to the expectant ladies.

Our next task was to look at the highly ! sophisticated ! ! ! ! ! controls ! the whole ! ! ! thermostat which ! ! ! ! ERE! is a true ! tale, ! told ! ! ! ! heating !system. ! ! with a gentle ! ! central ! !

A thermostat smile, but with a serious message.

It ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! was once a very simple device, stuck on the wall, by which the is about our aunt. Whilst she is a ! ! ! particular ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! temperature was controlled treasure to us, she is but one of by pushing a small lever an many thousands of elderly people living inch or two (oops, alone and suffering from medical ! ! problems ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! these days!). ! ! centimetres scattered about our country.

So now, ! ! ! ! ! may!I introduce ! you! !to Auntie ! Doris. ! ! This !is no !longer the! case. which she ! ! ! Although ! ! !is our! real aunt, her!name ! is not Doris. ! ! ! This ! thermostat, ! ! ! admittedly, is far more She would be horrified if she knew that I was writing ! sophisticated, ! ! requires ! a ! ! !about her ! and! would ! certainly ! not want!to be the ! ! of any attention. ! ! ! ! ! So, !“Auntie! Doris”! it is. To! ! comprehensive ! ! ! procedure ! ! centre she ! lives ! ! ! ! provide ! a little! background, ! ! ! alone ! and !has ! ! with endless ! ! scrolling ! ! through screens whilst ! mild cognitive impairment which is, sadly, very likely to ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! setting “on / off times” and temperatures. It also lead to a form of dementia. As she lives 250 miles ! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! away from us and as my wife is her next of kin and her !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ! ! ! ! Power of ! Attorney, ! ! it is not! that! easy! to! keep! a close!

Eddie Peacock has worked in the mobility eye on her. We spend a lot of time on the industry for “rather a long time”. He ! telephone ! ! ! ! !and! the conversations ! ! ! !can be !worrying,! but,!in equal ! ! ! !enjoyed a challenging career having started measure, hilarious.

I must mention that Auntie Doris is ! ! ! ! ! ! scooters and ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! !wheelchairs, ! ! ! by! selling a load of fun. At 85, she has a sharp sense of humour stairlifts for Sunrise Medical, eventually !!!! ! ! !! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! and is always up for a jolly jape! working his way to the position of UK sales ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! manager. ! ! ! After! a period as a self-employed ! we went to stay ! for! a few days, ! ! ! ! ! A week!or so!back ! ! ! consultant ! ! ! ! ! ! ! which we do as often as possible. We know that her ! this! decline ! will ! ! ! ! ! ! he was ! invited to manage ! is! deteriorating ! ! ! and that ! ! ! ! condition ! ! ! ! movingpeople.net, ! ! ! then !Handicare ! ! Ltd,! in ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! inevitably take!its regrettable!course. !What happened

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Peacock connects to the boiler by a blue tooth connection.

Now this is certainly an amazing facility unless the operator is 85, has no knowledge of modern technology and has lousy eyesight. It also means that when the heating goes off….the ramifications are obvious.

The ensuing telephone call to the gas company was even more concerning. My wife, who is competent with modern technology, spent 10 minutes answering a computer generated answer system. She needed to give up once and start again, having been side-tracked to the special winter offer for free theatre tickets and failing to know the time of high tide in the Bristol Channel. I made that last bit up, but she did answer one question incorrectly and started over again out of frustration. Eventually after a severe cross ! examination ! by !a computerised ! voice, a real person/“voice” answered.

To be fair, after even more questions, “the voice” did agree to send an engineer but “not today”. Whyever not? Surely, having answered every conceivable question during the digital interrogation surely this information should have been accessible to “the voice” who could have been well prepared?

One needs to be cautious and understanding at this point, but it would help no end if “the voice” spoke English fluently. This one did not. The engineer did arrive the next day (between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. of course) and he fixed the problem. He told us that the thermostat was not connected to the boiler. I couldn’t help reflecting that this was a fundamental feature of a gas company who were not too hot at connecting with

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the UK. In recent years he held the post of Marketing Manager for Mobility which also involved supporting and working with the ! ! ! ! !

BHTA. He has now retired and is looking ! ! ! forward to finding the time to perform ! ! ! ! useful tasks in the industry, playing drums ! in a blues ! !band, travelling ! ! ! ! most and ! ! ! silly ! with his! grandchildren. important, being

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their customers. He also agreed that “the voice” was, on occasion, a hired hand somewhere.

He sounded disillusioned and had little positive to say about his employer. He even suggested “going locally” in the future! A final nail in the coffin, and I am sorry about the black humour, he, like many these days, referred to his employer as “they”. At least he should have had the gumption to admit that “they” pay his wages and use the pronoun “we”. I suggest that he should take these sad inadequacies to his management in the interests of safety and their customers.

The crucial issue here is that our auntie spent 3 or 4 days (she couldn’t remember exactly how many) in December, in a house with no heating. Bluntly this should be unacceptable. There will be many cases just like ours and the worst scenario could, and possibly does, lead to horrible outcomes.

Modern technology has provided some wonderful benefits but my message to utility companies is straight forward. Surely devices such as thermostats do not have to be so complicated to use. A simple version should be made available for the less computer literate. It is also obvious that employing people to answer telephone calls is much more expensive than using a “chat bot” and subcontracting the real work to a “voice”.

I suggest that the supply of gas, water and electricity is crucial, particularly to the elderly and infirm. Start your process with these people. They deserve the best attention. If it means that possibly shareholders receive slightly less in their annual bonuses, so be it.

This rant is meant to aid Auntie Doris’s everywhere… !

To contact Eddie send an email to ! abilityneeds@btinternet.com. ! ! ! ! ! !or! write ! to! him at!

Ability Needs, 7 Montgomerie Terrace, ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Ayr, ! !

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Its Back – Disability Awareness Day Sunday 13th July

arrington Disability Partnership, the organisers of the UK’s and possibly, the worlds, largest voluntary led pan disability exhibition are finalising the plans for their 34th annual event that will be the finale of a week of complementary mini events.

DAD 2025 will be held on Sunday 13th July at Walton Hall and Gardens in Warrington off the A56.

Event founder and co-ordinator Dave Thompson MBE DL said, “We are very pleased to announce that disability education specialists Expanse Learning Group and the North West’s water supplier United Utilities, are leading our list of sponsors for DAD 2025”.

The aim of this year’s event is to promote “It’s what disabled people can do that matters”. DAD 2025 exhibitors will highlight solutions supporting independent living and mobility, with equipment, products, transport, employment, education, training, health and social care, leisure activities, alongside over 100 charities/support groups.

Most of the exhibitors will be housed in a huge, tented village of marquees that will be supported by; a Sports Zone, a Main Arena, a Performing Arts Marquee, two further Arts Marquees for art and crafts, a Silent Disco and play areas.

Entertainment will also be available adjacent to the entrance bridge and Heritage Yard.

On the day, visitors can gain an insight into the help and support that is available locally, regionally and nationally from statutory organisations, businesses and voluntary sector groups.

Ability Needs Magazine

They can “have a go” at sports activities including Tennis, American Football, Snooker, Rugby League, Martial Arts, Tai Chi, and Scuba Diving in the onsite pool. In addition, Warrington Youth Zone’s giant sports inflatables.

For those looking for a more relaxed day we will have a fantastic line-up of talent in the Arts Marquee with some of the UK’s leading disabled artists including national favourites the Ella Performance Group. Alternatively, sit alongside the Main Arena watching the Guide Dog display team, Batida Rio !

Samba Band, Reach Sled Dogs Display Team, Royal Marines Corps of Drums and sports demonstrations. Children can visit Walton Gardens accessible onsite zoo, crazy golf, high ropes and pitch and putt.

Support services at DAD 2025 will include a free accessible Park and Ride service, free accessible buses from Warrington Town Centre, a free scooter and wheelchair loan service with trained enablers, British Sign Language interpreters, additional unisex wheelchair accessible toilets and over 100 trained stewards and helper’s eager to make it a day to remember for everyone.

Over the past few decades, Dave and his team have worked with organisations from across the world, who organise events in Cameroon, Gibraltar, Egypt, Sudan, Thailand, Uganda and many more countries.

For more details visit the DAD website www.disabilityawarenessday.org.uk or call Kate on 01925 240064

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HMV Back Local Musician’s Debut Album

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oshua Henderson, who is a learning-disabled artist, officially launched his debut album Songs of Liverpool for Friends with a special performance at the Bluecoat in June of this year.

Upon release of the album Josh was hoping to reach a target of 500 streams of his album online but has smashed this target receiving over 2,500 streams of his songs in less than 6 months. Josh is now again receiving recognition for his work by having music giants HMV agree to stock CDs of his album at a local store.

The album of original songs was recorded at the city’s The Cabin studio with the support of innovative Liverpool disability arts organisation DaDa and with the assistance of a grant from the Youth Music, using public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England. The Youth Music Next Gen Funds aim to help young creatives across the UK realise their dreams.

Josh first became involved with DaDa through the DaDa Young Ensemble project more than a decade ago, which works with young disabled musicians to compose and perform original music. The organisation has continued to work with Josh to nurture his talent, and source the funding to produce his debut album.

‘Songs of Liverpool for Friends’ is a love letter from Josh to the city he grew up in and features artwork created by Josh with support from Blue Room of his favourite Liverpool Landmarks.

Josh speaking passionately about his inspiration behind his album explained: “Liverpool is my home city.

Liverpool is my favourite place. It’s where I do my art and I like the buildings, they make me calm. I like to go down on a sunny day and get on the ferry; I love feeling the breeze and looking over at the city.”

‘Songs of Liverpool for Friends’ by Joshua Henderson is now available in HMV Liverpool to pick up with exclusive CD copies for just £9.99.

For more information on DaDa visit www.dadafest.co.uk

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INDUSTRY INSIGHT

Auf Wiedersehen “Pet”

Angus Long

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he British Red Cross has been in the news recently following new staff guidelines on how to use ‘inclusive’ language. It seems staff are being urged to avoid terms like 'biological female' and 'maiden name’.

It’s reported the centuries-old charity, which boasts the King as a patron, has circulated a 12-page dossier detailing the new "suggestions". Indeed, descriptions such as "born a man or woman" and "biological male or female" are to be avoided. Elsewhere in the guide, staff planning on "solely referring to women" have been told they should instead say "women, girls and people who menstruate" or "people who have periods" instead.

So, it seems the Red Cross has now joined the list of many institutions and public service organisations to introduce so called Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Guidelines.

In my home town of Newcastle, the university has also published its own EDI language guideline. It covers, in great detail, all the same concerns other institutions have with EDI language. However, it also 36

suggests that people should cease using regional colloquial terms of endearment such as “pet”, “hen” or “duck.”

I think this is just sad. One of the things I like when visiting areas of the country is to enjoy the differences the regions have to offer.

The customs and traditions that are home to the various regions are wonderful. Cornwall, Yorkshire, The Midlands and my own North East all have quaint idiosyncrasies that make the regions and the people who live there different. Language, terms and phases are part of that. The Geordie term “pet” is very much a part of the colloquialisms of the region where I live. Indeed, popular TV shows set in the region such as; The Likely Lads, Vera and of course, the extremely popular, Auf Wiedersehen Pet all used colloquial terms of endearment without upsetting or offending anyone.

It does seem much of the modern idea behind the EDI language guidelines and trigger warnings on the likes of books and films are all done on the premise of trying to reduce the potential of upsetting or offending people.

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There is nothing intrinsically wrong in wanting to reduce upsetting or offending, but I do think there needs to be a sensible level.

In most cases of offensive language it’s not so much the words used but rather their tone and delivery.

There is also the worry that if we wrap ourselves up in too much cotton wool it can reduce our ability to deal with hardship, which in turn could lead to much greater suffering. Indeed, in researching this, it was surprising to find out that there are over six different classifications of human emotions and over forty different actual emotions. Happiness, love and compassion, for example, have a positive connotation, whereas the likes of anxiety, frustration and suffering a negative one.

Clinicians and social scientists have long acknowledged the importance all human emotions, both positive and negative, play in how we think and behave. The emotions we feel each day can compel us to take action and influence the decisions we make about our lives, both large and small. In fact, contrary to this modern politically correct inspired anti-offence dogma, anger and sadness are an important part of life, and new research shows that experiencing and accepting such emotions are vital to our mental health.

Attempting to suppress thoughts and emotions could backfire and even diminish our sense of contentment. So there we have it; danger, hurt, upset and offence are perfectly natural experiences that ought not to be contained or managed by society or the state.

While largely noble in cause, much of our modern woke inspired doctrines, are now causing more problems than they solve. Like being trapped in quicksand, the greater the movement, the further one sinks into the mire.

We need our schools to educate, our NHS to treat the sick, our police to uphold the law, Ability Needs Magazine

our military to defend the realm, our athletes to win medals and our businesses to compete on an international stage. We can’t do that by holding back and worrying about who may, or may not, get upset by anything we do, say or depict.

While it is rightly unacceptable to be overly or deliberately offensive, we must be realistic about the degree and scope. We do our young no favours educating them to be too sensitive and expect them to be handheld and mollycoddled at every mishap or confrontation. This is important because, as they enter adulthood, they will face a very tough, challenging and competitive world where the more hardened and impervious people of Asia and other developing nations are simply and diligently getting on with a day’s work – thereby making them more efficient, profitable and attractive to investors. Perhaps we need fewer students of political correctness and more graduates in common sense.

I’ll leave this last thought on the subject.

The Newcastle University EDI guide lists around 47 different terms for gender and sexual orientation. Call me old fashioned but this does seem to be over the top and simply bizarre. However, when it comes to ensuring we don’t upset or offend anyone over sexual orientation or gender, I quite like the phase used by Radio 2 DJ, Sara Cox. When introducing her programme she refers to the listeners as “ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls and everyone in between”.

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E-scooters and dockless bikes ridden and left on pavements raises collision concerns for blind and partially sighted people

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EADING sight loss charity the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has released new research highlighting the daily challenges faced by blind and partially sighted people when walking in our cities and towns due to an increase in dockless bikes and e-scooters.

They are often ridden on pavements or left in public spaces, which could lead to people with sight loss falling over them and also force blind and partially sighted people to step into the road to get past them at risk of colliding with other vehicles.

RNIB’s new research of blind and partially sighted people showed: In the last three months, 4 in 5 (82 per cent) blind or partially sighted people have collided with an obstacle in the street. Nearly a quarter (24 per cent) said they had collided with a escooter, with a fifth (20 per cent) with a regular bike and one in ten (13 per cent) with dockless bikes.

In the last three months, a quarter (25 per cent) of blind and partially sighted people have said that e-scooters make walking journeys more difficult for them, with 15 per cent citing dockless bikes as a cause of concern.

7 in 10 (70 per cent) of bind and partially sighted people surveyed noticed a change in pavement obstructions due to e scooters over the last six months.

Nearly half (47 per cent) of blind and partially sighted people said that dockless and escooters stop them from getting out and about.

Nearly half (48 per cent) of blind and partially sighted people said they agreed or strongly agreed that dockless and e-scooters have an impact them from getting out and about.

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Erik Matthies, RNIB’s Policy Officer, who has sight loss, explained the issues that he and many blind and partially sighted people face: “It’s

worrying that so many blind and partially sighted people are colliding with or falling over e-scooters and dockless bikes. They’re often ridden on pavements or left strewn in public places which pose a serious threat to walking safely and can force people to step into the road to get by them, which then puts blind and partially sighted people at risk from other vehicles. They need to be kept separate from pedestrians.

“E-scooters and dockless bikes are fast-moving and often quiet. We urge riders to use them safely and to dock them sensibly to avoid causing issues for people with sight loss, mobility aid users, parents with prams and older people. Our research showed nearly three quarters of people with sight loss have noticed a change in pavement obstructions due to e-scooters alone in just the last six months. In short, our streets are getting more difficult to use for people with sight loss.

“RNIB wants all hire schemes to have fixed docking stations, that are off-pavement and on the road wherever feasible to avoid the risk of collisions and injury.”

RNIB wants to see consistent national guidance from the Department for Transport (DfT) on e-bike and e-scooter parking, that can be enforced by councils and police. The Minister for Local Transport should develop this guidance with input from disabled people and organisations which represent disabled people.

The charity will continue to work with the DfT, local and combined authorities and e-scooter operators to press for action on these concerns.

RNIB wants e-scooters to be more visually and audibly detectable to help reduce the risks and is calling for a system to report any incidents, accessible to blind and partially sighted people, and the monitoring of such reports by the operators and the DfT. RNIB is also calling for improvements to street design and appropriate road infrastructure - such as detectable kerbs and pelican crossings – to improve how blind and partially sighted people get around.

For more information call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or visit www.rnib.org.uk 38 26

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Who do you turn to when things go wrong in accessible air travel?

Christopher Wood MBE

RECENTLY asked a group of my friends, who do they go to when they need advice traveling by air or to resolve an issue.

They said the Airline or (maybe) the Airport. I suggested they could also go to the following aviation stakeholders as they all have advice on their website, IATA, CAA or even the DfT. No one had heard of the first two - one asked if the CAA was like the CIA!! But there was a vague recognition of the DfT (UK Department of Transport), but assumed they were trains, roads etc, not air travel.

I am aware numerous charities offer advice on their website; this is often the most basic and are unable to realistically resolve or signpost support. With that in mind I am putting together a strategy where Right On Flights build a portal for passengers with accessibility needs to turn to for advice and recourse etc.

In news across the pond. With a change of administration looming in January 2025, the current Biden administration is pushing through as much as they can before leaving office. On the 16th December the current Secretary for Transport, Pete Buttigieg, outlined new legislation in accessible air travel as detailed below. These sweeping changes will once again start the road to enhancing accessible air travel in the US. This is the most significant expansion of rights for disabled airline passengers in a generation • Airlines must provide assistance that respects passengers' independence and prevents harm.

• Hands-on, competency-based training for staff assisting disabled passengers and handling wheelchairs.

• Airlines are now required to promptly return mobility devices, repair damage, and reimburse costs for delayed or mishandled equipment.

• Clear communication of rights when checking or retrieving mobility devices.

• Free rebooking for flights where devices cannot fit and safe seating for waiting passengers.

2025 could well be that landmark year that brings positive and tangible change For further information visit: www.flyingdisabled.org.uk and www.air4all.net

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A snowy break in Aberdeenshire

FEW days before the November weather that saw the rest of the country blanketed in snow, I was very fortunate to be enjoying the delights of Aberdeenshire. The region already had the aforementioned white stuff, which led to a beautiful area being even more special as the countryside sparkled.

Arriving into Aberdeen airport, I was greeted with many posters singing the praises of the region. These whetted my appetite before I had even collected my bags! ‘Moray Firth. Salty sea spray. Dramatic North Sea. Homemade Ice-cream with all the toppings from childhood. Smell of seaweed…reminds you of being a child on holiday.’ How could that not make one want to visit? I learned that Aberdeen was possibly the home of football, with the first game akin to it being played in 1633. The first photograph of the moon was taken by an Aberdonian. Annie Lennox, one of the voices of my teenage years, was born here. So, I was already excited to visit.

Starting my trip, I stayed for a couple of nights at the newly built Aloft TECA hotel, part of the complex surrounding one of Scotland’s premier View from the Union Street Gardens in Aberdeen venues, the P&J Live. Only opened in 2019, this state-of-the-art venue offers a huge array of reasons to visit. Whether your preference is for live music, comedy or perhaps an exhibition, the choice is only rivalled by the ease of visiting. Both the Aloft and the nearby Hilton are at best a minute from the venue, which in itself is only a short car journey away from both the airport and the centre of Aberdeen. Accessibility is superb – the venue offers varied options while the neighbouring hotels offer accessible rooms and staff who are very able and keen to help in any way they can.

Aberdeen itself is an appealing city to visit. The Art Gallery is fabulous – recently renovated, the inside is beautiful. Through the entrance, the visitor goes into a large hall with a huge glass ceiling, which floods it with light. From there, doors go off to the different collections. Visitors can relive the Aberdeen of years gone by with a whole collection devoted to showcasing the city as it once was. There is an interesting collection of work where classic paintings have been displayed alongside others clearly heavily influenced by them. There is a frankly terrifying self portrait of artist Ken Currie. And no visit would be complete without viewing the gallery’s famous ‘Hairy Stick’, its most popular exhibit.

Culture lovers are further catered for at the trio of concert and music venues in the city – His Majesty’s Theatre, the Music Hall and the Lemon Tree are all fully accessible and offer a wide variety of entertainment options.

Royal Lochnagar Distillery And for a bit of sweet sustenance, Dough and Co is definitely worth a visit. Specialising in the most fabulous doughnuts, all are baked on site and often to order, resulting in gooey, warm mouthfuls of yum! The shop does have two steps to access it but inside is flat and one can always purchase to take away.

While I loved my time in the Granite City, the absolute highlight came when I ventured out into the surrounding countryside. It truly is spectacular and with the dusting of snow was even more so.

About an hour drive from Aberdeen, I reached the Balmoral Estate, in the grounds of which sit the Royal Lochnagar Distillery.

Visitors can take a tour of the site and learn more about how the namesake whisky is made. It was quite fascinating. The tour was mostly accessible except for a couple of areas, but staff will offer options of virtual tours to ensure that visitors can get the full experience.

Lunch was at the Cowshed, a family-owned restaurant Royal Lochnagar Distillery 40

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specialising in local food, cooked simply but exceptionally well. An unassuming exterior belies the incredible views from the inside, which offer an amazing outlook on the surrounding countryside. Fully accessible, with modern and quirky interior design, it was a great place to refuel before moving on to my next stop.

Crathes Castle, an hour from the Balmoral Estate, was the home of the Burnett family, from its completion in 1596, until it was gifted to the National Trust in 1951. It is essentially a tower house with a mass of turrets and as such accessibility is limited to the first floor. But the grounds surrounding it are glorious, with fabulous topiary, some of which was planted in 1702. There is also a Walled Garden but, unfortunately, I ran out of time to visit when I was there.

For families, or in fact anyone with an interest in the countryside, I would wholeheartedly recommend a visit to Westerton Farm – this family run farm offers the opportunity to get up close to their animals, pick your own’s for whatever is in season, see the farm in operation and play in their Crathes Castle park. All with, again, the most incredible views. And when you need some sustenance, their farm shop is other level. With a huge array of locally produced goods, the barn also provides comfy sofas to sink into and enjoy a hot drink and local treat in front of a roaring fire. It was perfect to defrost! The whole site is fully accessible, although it does lack accessible toilet facilities.

I had a wonderful day exploring the Scottish countryside. I would have loved to have longer to explore but it has certainly made me want to return.

One of the things that made my visit so memorable was the comfort and attention to detail that I noted wherever I went. As a region, they Sunset at Westerton Farm are investing a lot of effort into improving access for all visitors and this was evident throughout my trip. As a parent of two young people who use wheelchairs, my radar is always on to accessibility wherever I go, and it was a winner all round. I visited some fabulous holidays cottages set right on the edge of the Balmoral Estate. Crathie Opportunity Holidays have four fully accessible lodges with a huge range of mobility equipment on site to make your visit as straightforward as possible. Cosily decorated, they would make a wonderful place for a break, with visitors being able to venture out onto the estate without needing to get into a car. Dalriada Lodges on the coast also offer some accessibility features, The farm shop at Westerton Farm coupled with the most stunning views over the bay. I finished my trip in the Park Hotel right in the centre of the city. Once again it was fully accessible, with staff keen and eager to assist in any way they could.

Even transport is straightforward with local firms offering a choice of WAV’s either with or without driver to rent.

I love Scotland – having studied there for four years I feel very at home, but this was a new area for me, and I adored it. While many visitors to Scotland head straight towards Edinburgh and Glasgow, which are of course wonderful, the region of Aberdeenshire is spectacularly beautiful with glorious scenery, interesting cities and towns, a rich history, a vibrant cultural scene and delicious food. All coupled with excellent accessibility Accessible holiday cottages and a clear desire to get even better.

Cheryl Everitt is the founder of A Wheel and Away, an accessible travel consultancy designed to help people with disabilities plan exciting and independent adventures.

She is also mum to two young people who are wheelchair users and, as a family, they share a love of exploring new destinations.

For more information about A Wheel and Away go to www.awheelandaway.com Ability Needs Magazine

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56% of UK motorways don’t offer accessible toilet facilities hile a road trip can be a fun adventure, the inevitable need to go to the bathroom on a long car journey and having to hold on can be unpleasant. Especially for those with accessibility needs and children and adults with continence or chronic issues, the experience can be especially uncomfortable.

According to recent estimates, the UK has lost half of its public toilets in the last decade. So how does this impact access to toilet facilities along the UK’s motorways?

Homecure collected data on the toilet facilities across 57 of the UK’s motorways, including data on accessible toilets and showers too. This uncovered how many toilet stops, accessible toilet stops and shower stops there were on average per mile, to rank the motorways by their access to facilities.

The study found that when travelling at the maximum speed limit on the UK’s motorways you are on average: 20 and a half minutes away from toilet facilities 41 and a half minutes away from an accessible toilet The UK average is in one toilet stop per 0.041 miles. If toilet stops were spaced out evenly across UK motorways, then this would be a toilet stop every 24.1 miles. If you drive at the full speed limit (70mph on a motorway) then you are around 20 and a half minutes away from toilet facilities on average.

However, 43.9% of the motorways in this study (25 out of the 57) do not list any toilet facilities. The longest of these were the ring road M60 (36 miles), the M53 (18.9 miles), and the M69 (15.7 miles).

On the other hand, the motorways with the most listed toilet facilities per mile were the M23 which has a toilet stop for every 3.2 miles of road (0.314 miles), the M74 which has a toilet stop for every 5.7 miles (0.175 miles), and the M42 and M876 which both have toilet stops every 8 miles (0.125 miles).

An accessible toilet is a toilet that is not just designed to meet the needs of most wheelchair

users. Accessible toilets are also vital to those with bowel and bladder conditions (such as colostomy bag users), those with physical impairments or mobility issues, or anyone who may need the presence of an emergency alarm.

The study found that 32 out of 57 motorways (56.1%) in this study still have no listed accessible toilets, the M8 (60.3 miles) the M20 (50.6 miles), and the M60 (36 miles) were the longest motorways in the study which had no accessible toilets.

On average, you can expect to find an accessible toilet for every 48.2 miles travelled (0.0208 per mile) – that’s 41 and a half minutes when driving at the maximum speed limit of 70mph.

This is double the time it takes to find a standard toilet (20 and a half minutes).

The best motorways for the frequency of accessible toilet stops are the M74 which has an accessible toilet for every 8 miles (0.125 miles), the M48 which has an accessible toilet for every 12.1 miles (0.083 miles) and the M42 which has an accessible toilet for every 13.3 miles (0.075 miles).

Although just 15.9 miles long, the M23 in the South East of England came out top for its density of toilets, accessible toilets, and showers. There are 5 listed toilet stops, 1 accessible toilet stop, and 1 shower stop available to travellers. This means that you are on average around 3.2 miles away from a toilet stop, or just under 3 minutes when travelling at the maximum speed limit.

If you’re taking a trip down one of Britain’s longest motorways, how long might you have to wait to access facilities?

The longest motorway in the study, the M6 (232.2 miles long) has 22 toilet stops, 12 disabled toilet stops, and 12 shower stops. Taking an average for all facilities, per mile the M6 has better provisions than the average motorway (ranking 7th out of 51). For example, to access a toilet, you need to travel an average of 10.5 miles (per 0.095 miles) or wait 9 minutes when driving at 70mph.

For the full findings visit www.homecureplumbers.co.uk/motorway-breaks/ 42

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Case study: paediatric seat enables quality mum and daughter time ORN 10 weeks prematurely, India Harvey has Cerebral Palsy, impacting her mental and physical capabilities. Doctors told mum Denise: “you’ve just got to give her the best life you can”.

Denise has taken that to heart, thoroughly looking into all the equipment options available, working closely with India’s Occupational Therapist. Denise’s research led her to AAT and ultimately AAT’s Chilli Bean infinitely remouldable bean seat.

Funded by Newlife, the charity for disabled children, a Chilli Bean has been purchased for India, replacing her existing fixed mould PPod positioning support chair.

Unlike fixed mould seating, Chilli Bean can be infinitely re-

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shaped, at home, by the family. Chilli Bean uses innovative vacuum technology, whereby the air between the beans is removed to whatever degree is required to achieve the desired shape and level of firmness and rigidity. The process allows exact moulding of the seat to form lateral support, pommels etc to correctly support India without pressure points.

India’s comfort and support is therefore a constant.

Chilli Bean’s flexibility and lightness of weight means that India’s quality of life has also been significantly improved, enabling Denise to move the Chilli Bean wherever she needs, for India to be sat and supported without the restriction of a harness, and mum and daughter to sit and read a book together.

“That intimate time is so special, and means so much,” says Denise. “We couldn’t achieve that flexibility with the PPod. India prefers the Chilli Bean too because we can adjust the firmness just right for her: she doesn’t like a hard seat. It’s so quick and easy to adjust the Chilli Bean, and the pump is small and compact- we don’t have to stow away lots of ancillaries.

“I originally asked AAT about its Gravity Chair foam positioning seat, but once we sat India in it, we didn’t think it supported her properly. AAT’s Dan suggested Chilli Bean as we could exactly adjust it ourselves to India: it’s proved to be perfect!”

Further details about Chilli Bean can be found on AAT’s website: https://www.aatgb.com/chilli-bean/.

Hoss R1 seated gyro wheelchair from AddMobility ith over 12 years of experience in selling gyro-

based wheelchairs, the team at AddMobility are

excited to add the Hoss R1 to the products it is offering. The Hoss R1 has been designed from the ground up as a seated gyro wheelchair with full integration of the parking to the drive system. With many now used to standing Segway conversions to seated solutions, including the AddSeat/Adapto that we offer, this new level of integration allows another level of safety to be built-in and not lose the sense of adventure that the two wheeled gyro chairs bring!

Ian Thompson, Chief Engineer at AddMobility, just loves the level of comfort and ride with its intuitive control system. With ease of service in mind, the engineers at Hoss have developed an exciting product with advanced monitoring that allows us to provide the quality service level that we at AddMobility want to provide.

AddMobility is focused on providing exciting mobility products that change users’ lives.

To find out more about the Hoss R1 visit www.addmobility.com

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Working together with

t has been hugely exciting to partner with the BioIndustry Association (BIA) and its members as their charity of the year throughout 2024. We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the BIA and all its member organisations for their incredible support, enthusiasm, and generosity.

Our partnership came at a pivotal moment for hearing therapeutics, helping to accelerate the progress being made to bring about treatments to prevent hearing loss, restore hearing for those who want it and silence tinnitus.

RNID is the UK’s only charity dedicated to funding hearing research, and we support the 18 million people in the UK who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus – that’s one in three of us. Given this prevalence, it’s no surprise that the BIA’s 2023 survey on Diversity and Inclusion in UK Biotech identified hearing loss as one of the most common disabilities in the sector.

Being deaf, or living with hearing loss or tinnitus, can profoundly affect people’s lives – impacting relationships, employment, and overall wellbeing. Yet, for the vast majority there are still no clinically approved treatments to prevent or restore hearing loss or to silence tinnitus.

This is a huge un-met medical need, and RNID is fully committed to finding effective, accessible treatments to prevent hearing loss, restore hearing, and silence tinnitus for those who want them.

Through this partnership with the BIA, we set out to:

• Expand RNID’s reach and build new •

• •

connections within the research ecosystem.

Promote knowledge exchange across the biotech sector and influence policy and regulatory pathways that support innovation in hearing therapeutics.

Increase diversity and inclusion within the biotech industry.

Inspire BIA members to fundraise for RNID and support the growing field of hearing therapeutics.

Across the year, BIA members raised nearly £60,000 for RNID’s biomedical research funding.

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to change lives in 2024 Beyond fundraising, this partnership has allowed us to raise the profile of hearing therapeutics within the UK’s biotech sector and highlight the potential commercial opportunities that this area presents.

We’re encouraged to see the growing interest in hearing therapeutics within industry, and we look forward to deepening our engagement with BIA members in the future.

Our collaboration has also allowed us to develop and test strategic ideas for future industry partnerships. For example, we are exploring how we can convene the sector to find solutions to key challenges in developing therapeutics such as the lack of consistency in the use of clinical trial outcome measures and accelerator models to strengthen translational research.

The launch of our partnership in January at the BIA’s Gala Dinner was spectacular.

We heard from Carla who shared her personal story and the hope RNID’s mission gives to her family, and the support from those in the room was amazing. Our team enjoyed meeting and networking with BIA members across the UK, presenting our work, and fostering new connections. We facilitated a series of blogs and webinars to share knowledge across the biotech sector and hearing research community.

In May, BIA member teams celebrated Deaf Awareness Week by “Stepping Up for RNID,” competing to raise sponsorships and travel the furthest. We were thrilled by the engagement and interest from BIA members committed to increasing accessibility and inclusion across the sector for those who are deaf, have hearing loss, or experience tinnitus. We offered free deaf awareness training sessions, spoke at workshops, provided bespoke advice, and delivered plaques welcoming people to company receptions in British Sign Language (BSL).

While this is the end of our Charity of the Year partnership, we intend to stay connected and continue our collaboration. Together, we have laid the groundwork for transformative change in the lives of people affected by hearing loss and tinnitus.

For more information you can contact RNID by telephone on 0808 808 0123 or online at www.rnid.org.uk Ability Needs Magazine

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Around 450,000 children with a common SEND being disadvantaged: Book launch highlights the shocking truth about colour blindness in schools

new book published by Routledge exposes how hundreds of thousands of children are being failed by the education system because they have a special educational need and disability (SEND) that is effectively unrecognised, not only by most schools but by most local education authorities and across society. So many myths surround this condition, often people still believe it just means you can’t tell the difference between red and green, but this isn’t true with colour blindness affecting how a person sees the whole visible colour spectrum.

Supporting Colour Blindness in Education and Beyond, by author Marie Difolco, hit the shelves on 2nd December 2024, shining a spotlight on one of the most overlooked SENDs in modern classrooms: colour blindness (also known as colour vision deficiency, or CVD).

Despite CVD affecting one in 12 boys and one in 200 girls (equating to one child in every average co-ed class of 30) most schools across the UK are failing to identify children with this SEND, leaving them to struggle in silence and even lose marks on exam papers, warns author Marie Difolco: “Routine screening for colour blindness was quietly removed from the Healthy Child Screening Programme in 2009, based on a review that relied on outdated and incorrect information and, through no fault of their own, teachers aren’t usually trained to spot the signs or to support it, often reporting they’ve never taught a colour blind child,” said Marie.

“Most children affected by this SEND are boys, so they’re persistently exposed to in-direct sexdiscrimination due to common teaching practices that rely on colour. Further, anyone with colour blindness in the UK, including teachers with the condition, is not adequately protected by the 2010 Equality Act. The result? Discrimination, missed opportunities, and a system that is fundamentally failing to support them.”

Author Marie Difolco, whose son lives with severe

CVD, has spent the last decade campaigning for change. She works alongside experts at Newcastle University and volunteers for the Colour Blind Awareness organisation.

Marie added: “Children with this SEND are being excluded from fully accessing education. The implications of colour blindness are far reaching and need to be addressed with urgency. This book doesn’t just raise awareness and offer advice on best practice—it issues a call to action, because without urgent changes, hundreds of thousands of children will continue to face disadvantage affecting their learning, safety, self-esteem, and future prospects.”

Marie’s cause has been garnering the support of people including Liz Twist MP and Alan Hopper, Vice Principal (Academic) at Dame Allan’s Schools. Liz Twist said: “Testing in schools is something that I very much support.”

Alan Hopper believes: “It is vital that teachers are aware of the limitations of coloured labels, charts or codes used in textbooks or as teaching aids when there is a colour blind child in the classroom. We are aware that without intervention a colour blind pupil will be at a disadvantage right across the curriculum, including in sport.”

Marie Difolco added: “Mandatory screening for this SEND must be reinstated with mandatory training for teachers on how to support students with colour blindness being needed. An update to the 2010 Equality Act guidance to protect individuals with CVD is also essential. This will ensure all organisations recognise colour blindness as a protected characteristic, giving those living with the condition an understanding of what they are entitled to in terms of reasonable adjustments.

The public should be extremely concerned that one defective review can have such a devastating impact on the lives of many thousands of children. As such the government has a duty to act swiftly to protect the rights of those who live with this SEND and they need to consider how they evaluate expert reviews in future.”

Supporting Colour Blindness in Education and Beyond by Marie Difolco is published by Routledge and is available now from Amazon 46

Ability Needs Magazine

Be free.

ShopMobility UK co-ordinates a network of local ShopMobility centres which hire mobility scooters, powerchairs and wheelchairs for everyone, of all ages, to enjoy independence.

Find your nearest centre at:

www.shopmobilityuk.org Proud to be part of:

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02/12/2024 18:39

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New Delhi to host 2025 Para Athletics World Championships

T

HE 2025 Para Athletics World Championships will take place in New Delhi, marking the first time the event will be hosted in India, World Para Athletics (WPA) announced.

The Para Athletics World Championships, the world’s largest single Para sport event, will be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium from 26 September to 5 October 2025.

New Delhi 2025 will mark the 12th edition of the championships and the fourth time it is hosted in Asia, following Doha 2015, Dubai 2019 and Kobe 2024.

In addition, WPA announced that the Indian capital will host a World Para Athletics Grand Prix for the first time next year. Scheduled to take place from 11 to 13 March, also at the Jawaharlal Nehru (JLN) Stadium, the event will give fans an early opportunity to experience the excitement of Para athletics ahead of the World Championships.

Paul Fitzgerald, Head of World Para Athletics, said: “We are delighted to announce that the first major championships of the new Paralympic cycle towards Los Angeles 2028 will be hosted in New Delhi. The 2025 Para Athletics World Championships will be the largest international Para sport event ever to take place in India, representing a massive opportunity to grow our sport, our fan base, and to impact society’s perception of persons with disabilities in the world’s most populous nation.

“India is one of the best examples of the growth and development of Para athletics in the last decade. From winning two silver medals at the Doha 2015 World Championships to securing 17 medals – including six gold – at this year’s Worlds in Kobe, the progress is evident. This success reflects the work of the National Paralympic Committee of India and the investment being made

48

in sports, particularly Para athletics, in the country.

We have witnessed the impact major events can have and the legacy they can leave to make Para sports more visible and accessible to everyone. We believe this can happen in New Delhi, and we look forward to welcoming the world’s best athletes to India next year.”

In a statement, the National Paralympic Committee of India (NPC India), said: “NPC India is privileged to host the Para Athletics World Championships for the first time in India. This historic event marks a significant milestone in India’s journey to becoming a global sporting powerhouse and strengthens our bid to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"This prestigious championships will not only elevate India’s position on the global sports map but also play a pivotal role in accelerating the Paralympic movement within the country. With a population of over 60 million persons with disabilities, this event is a crucial step in fostering inclusivity, empowering athletes, and expanding opportunities for athletes with disabilities.

"We are excited to welcome athletes, coaches, and officials from around the world to showcase India’s unparalleled growth in the field of Para sports. This event will serve as a testament to India’s development, aligning with the vision of a "New India" as emphasised by Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi”.

Over 1,000 athletes from more than one hundred nations took part in the last edition of the World Championships in Kobe, Japan, in May. China topped the medals table with 33 gold and 87 podium finishes, while India finished in the top six for the first time.

For more information visit www.paralympic.org/athletics

Ability Needs Magazine

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N

New housing development will mark invention of braille orth Ayrshire’s largest-ever council house development will mark the invention of braille.

One of the streets in the new development at Ayrshire Central Hospital, which is now under construction, will be called Braille Gardens. It honours the 200th anniversary of Frenchman Louise Braille’s creation of the writing system used by people who are visually impaired.

At the groundbreaking ceremony for the new homes, one of the guests was James Adams, Director of RNIB Scotland. He said: “The naming of Braille Gardens is a wonderful tribute to Louis Braille’s pioneering invention, which continues to empower blind and partially sighted people. Braille is more than just a format to read and write; it is a lifeline to independence, privacy, education, and opportunity. As we celebrate the 200th anniversary of braille, it is fitting to see its legacy honoured in a way that fosters inclusion and accessibility within the community.”

The street name was approved by Irvine’s Locality Partnership and its chair, Councillor Shaun Macaulay, said: “It’s fitting that as we build 200 new modern council homes for our tenants that we mark the 200th anniversary of a major advancement for those who are

RNIB Scotland Director, James Adams (in the middle) holding the street sign for Braille Gardens with Paul McLennan, David Hammond, Shaun Macaulay and Anthea Dickson.

visually impaired.

“Braille remains a crucial tool which fosters inclusivity and equal opportunities for people everywhere. This life-changing innovation is recognised in the naming of one of our streets.”

Braille Gardens will form one part of the new development on the former site of the maternity unit at Ayrshire Central Hospital, Irvine.

The £50m proposal – supported by £24m Scottish Government grant - will see a mix of general needs houses, amenity bungalows and homes suitable for wheelchair users. With work now under way, it is currently expected that all homes will be completed by summer 2027.

For more information call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or visit www.rnib.org.uk

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Ability Needs Magazine

49

Tea Break Quick Crossword Quiz Tea Break Quick Said Crossword Who That? Thought of the Day Wordplay Knowledge boosting...Trivia! Tea Break Quick Crossword Quiz Who Said That?

Thought of the Day Wordplay Quiz Remember When . . .

Knowledge boosting...Trivia! Tea Break Quick Crossword Quiz Thought for the day Who Said That?

Thought of the “ ”Day Wo Wordplay: rdplay Knowledge boosting...Trivia!

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CROSSWORD CLUES

ACROSS DOWN 1. Tool used to cut metal (7) 1. Dissatisfied expression (5) 8. Shabby (7) 2. An author’s works (5) 9. Van which takes passengers (7) 3. Theme (7,6) 10. Drenching (7) 4. Solomon was known for it (6) 11. It’s used to hang a door (5) 5. Rebellious – diatribes on UN 13. Part of something (9) (anag) (13) 15. Endorse (9) 6. Do what’s asked (6) 18. Beneath (5) 7. Distance from top to bottom (6) 21. Headgear worn by Catholic 12. French notion (4) priests (7) 14. (Get) close (4) 22. Pop-up appliance (7) 15. It’s cut at the opening 23. Offensive (7) ceremony (6) 24. Eastern German city, heavily 16. Woman’s respectful gesture (6) bombed in the Second World 17. On cloud nine (6) War (7) 19. Foul-smelling (5) 20. Cook’s cover-up? (5)

All these events occurred in the same year but in which year was it?

• Grace Kelly starred in ‘To Catch A Thief’ • Jimmy Young had a UK No.1 hit with ‘Unchained Melody’ • Jazz musician Charlie Parker died • ‘This Is Your Life’ first aired on UK television

…Once you replace negative thoughts

with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results…

Willie Nelson

OPSIMATHY

The word may seem familiar but do you know what it means?

A – Joke in poor taste B – All-knowing statement C – Learning late in life

• An entrepreneur, I was born in Esher in 1931 with the middle name Orby.

• I opened my first Habitat store in 1964.

• My son Jasper is a fashion designer.

Who am I?

1. "…He did it! Hobbs did it!..." are the last words to which popular 1984 film?

2. Which popular 1960s UK band took their name from a Jack Kerouac term for tramps that hung around rail freight depots?

3. What was St Petersburg called during the 1917 October Revolution?

4. With 6 gold medals, the West German Kristin Otto was the most successful athlete at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul.

In which discipline did she excel?

5. Who was the second man in space?

6. Alex Leamus was the central character in which bestselling 1965 novel?

7. Shegjin, Durres, Sarande and Vlore are the four most important harbour cities in which European country?

8. Which pseudonym did Mark Feld use when he and his band had a string of 14 Top 20 UK hits in the 1970s?

9. Which of the four tennis Grand Slam tournaments was first played in 1925?

10. Which colour was a number one hit single in the UK charts in 1999?

ABILITY NEEDS

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Answers can be found on page 52

Ability Needs Magazine

51

AN_p52_Subs_p51-52_AN306_GoodService.qxd 19/12/2024 12:12 Page 1

TEA BREAK ANSWERS Quick Crossword ACROSS 1. Hacksaw; 8. Ignoble; 9. Minibus; 10. Dousing; 11. Hinge; 13. Component; 15.

Recommend; 18. Infra; 21. Biretta; 22. Toaster; 23. Obscene; 24. Dresden DOWN 1. Humph; 2. Canon; 3. Subject matter; 4. Wisdom; 5. Insubordinate; 6. Oblige; 7.

Height; 12. Idee; 14. Near; 15. Ribbon; 16. Curtsey; 17. Elated; 19. Fetid; 20. Apron

Quiz 1. The Natural; 2. Yard Birds; 3. Petrograd; 4. Swimming; 5. Alan Shepard; 6. The Spy Who Came In From The Cold; 7. Albania; 8. Marc Bolan (T Rex); 9. French Open; 10. Blue

Remember When . . .

Word play

1955

C – Learning late in life

ABILITY NEEDS Who Am I?

Sir Terence Conran

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