The first Blue Badge Style awards took place last week, recognising and rewarding venues which have made an effort to attract disabled guests. They also made an award for the most ludicrous loo, which seems like a good exercise in "compare and contrast".  

As did a conversation I had on the same day with my brother-in-law, who has recently become a full-time wheelchair user, and confessed his surprise at how many places he could no longer go... One of them being his (erstwhile) favourite restaurant, where he used to eat a couple of times a week, but is, apparently, no longer valued as a customer, since they "haven't got round to" providing a ramp. Incredible.

You can read more about the awards, find out where the most ludicrous loo is to be encountered, and access some helpful information resources, here

 

Once every four years, experts from around the world get together to work on ways of making life more accessible and inclusive for everyone. This year, RI Global is happening in Edinburgh, from 25th to 27th of October, hosted by The Shaw Trust.

Over the three days, delegates will be looking at the world of employment and education; independent living and ageing; international inclusivity and sport.

As well as VIPs including HRH The Princess Royal, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and high-level representatives of disabled people from China, India and Germany, there will be presentations by experts and opportunities to debate how the world can be made more inclusive and forward-looking.

More details here

  

There are now 878 fully accessible Changing Places facilities around the UK. The majority of them come about because of tireless campaigning by groups and individuals dedicated to enabling seriously disabled people to enjoy travelling, shopping, visiting attractions, just as everybody else can, without worrying about whether there is a toilet.

Later this month, Aveso are holding two "Championing Changing Places" days, in Nottingham on the 25th October and Surrey on the 29th October, where people can get together and find out about effective ways of campaigning, share tactics, and learn from successful campaigners their best strategies.

There are more details here

 

The October product focus on Independent Living is on new and interesting developments to help people with sensory impairments.

This is an area where technology has a great role to play, and Network Rail have just launched a clever app to help people who use British Sign Language (BSL). Called Signly, the free app scans a suitably enabled image, and a BSL interpreter pops up on your phone screen, explaining the message – in this case, information to help use level crossings safely.

You can read more here

 

I have a good example of technology harnessed to provide independence and comfort to share with you this week.

We all know that pressure ulcers are a huge risk for anyone who spends a lot of time immobile in bed. Just feeling uncomfortable and waiting for somebody to come and move you is pretty rotten, as well. Now, two high-tech systems are working together to improve the situation. Comfier is a repositioning system consisting of air-filled tubes which the user can alternately inflate and deflate to adjust their position – and they can do it using only eye movements, making it manageable for people who would otherwise be dependent on others. Combined with Sidhil's M.A.P system, which monitors areas of high pressure and displays the results in real time on a bedside screen, the person can independently keep a check on their own pressure risks, and adjust the support provided by the mattress accordingly. Clever!

You can read a case study here

 

If you provide high quality products and services, and you would like to reach our site visitors and newsletter readers, please email derek@independentliving.co.uk

 

A couple of subscriber page updates to share this week. First, Horizon Mobility – their page now features clever accessories for their British built scooters, including this windscreen

You can read more here.

Drive DeVilbiss has added a new transit chair to their range – the Expedition Plus has the practicality you would expect from such a wheelchair, with extra comfort and added features to benefit both user and carer.

More details here

 

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Until next time, all good wishes,

Frances