We are heading towards the second national Disabled Access Day, which takes place this year on 12th of March.

Disabled Access Day is sponsored by Euan’s Guide, the listing and review site that helps disabled people and their friends and families know which venues are truly accessible.

Last year’s inaugural event came about after Paul Ralph, a powerchair user and Euan’s Guide supporter, went to a ‘try it out day’ at his hometown bus company. It was the first time he had even thought about using a bus, because he wasn’t sure how the ramp worked, how to get a ticket, and whether his power chair would fit on-board.

The demonstration organised by the local bus company gave him the opportunity to explore a stationary bus, with staff at hand to explain the process of getting on and off safely. Now a frequent traveller on buses, he thought it would be great if there were similar opportunities for companies to demonstrate their accessibility, and people with disabilities to try something new, happening across the country on one specific day. More details here

We have now completed the first in our regular series of product round-ups. We looked at some new ceiling track hoists, standing transfer aids, emergency lifting, pressure management for turning immobile patients, bariatric transfers, shower benches, a versatile stairclimber and even a gait trainer.

If you haven't received the email round-up, which was sent out earlier this week, and you would like to see it, you can read online here.

The next monthly product focus is on developments in the bathroom. If you would like to sign up to receive the highlights by email, this is the link.

Only 17% of people with a disability take part in sport regularly, compared with just under half of the population generally, despite the fact that keeping physically active is an important part of maintaining health and well-being.

For those with acquired disabilities, sport can play an extra role; not only helping with rehabilitation but also with coming to terms with a new life.

Don't Quit Do It is a new campaign from Irwin Mitchell, highlighting the value of team sports, in particular. It is supported by two Paralympic champions – swimmer Giles Long and wheelchair racer, Hannah Cockcroft.

You can read more about it here, and also take part in a new survey from WheelPower about how sport could be made more accessible for wheelchair users.

If you have ever wondered how occupational therapists first get a handle on what makes independence at home difficult, and what sort of adaptations they should be recommending to make people safer, the University of Salford has an answer!

A new ADL (activities of daily living) simulation suite enables their OT students to prepare for real-world work experience by practising their skills safely in a realistic home environment, complete with trip hazards and useful aids to daily living.

You can read more about it here

My lovely sister-in-law used to save up sad thoughts for when she was chopping onions, so that she didn't let her tears go to waste.

Tears are surprisingly complex, and of course the tears you produce chopping onions – reflex tears – aren't quite the same as those produced by sorrow or pain, which are known as psychic tears. They do all come from the same place, though: an incredibly thin "tear film" which sits on the surface of your eyes, and plays an important part in keeping them healthy.

You can find out more about tears, and who is the worst culprit when it comes to "crocodile tears", here!

And we have a section of Independent Living concerned with vision and eye health.

Last Sunday was Valentine's Day, and a rather blatantly commercial celebration it has become. As an antidote, I thought you might like to hear about a group of older Londoners referred by Contact the Elderly to take part in a video and photography project called LoveLived.

Filmed in their own homes, the subjects of the videos, including Harry who is pictured here, share their thoughts on what it has meant to them to love someone and to be loved. There are some moving stories of romance, lifelong love and loss: perhaps a truer reflection of what Valentine's Day ought to mean... see more here.

If you have something you'd like to get off your chest, don't forget our Readers' Letters. Share your thoughts with the rest of the Independent Living community...

As always, there are various ways you can get in touch with Independent Living: email me; visit our Facebook page and leave a message there; or if it's short and sweet, Tweet!

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

Previous newsletters are archived here.

If you are reading a copy of the Independent Living newsletter that has been passed on to you by a colleague or friend, why not sign up for your own free subscription – it's quick and easy, and won't lead to your inbox being bombarded with other stuff!

Until next time, all good wishes,

Frances