We are fast approaching October, or Stoptober, as the quit-smoking people would have it. There is little doubt that giving up the tobacco habit is one of the best things you can do for your health, so the idea of having a whole month when people can look for a bit more support to help them quit is, I think, a good one.

The number of smokers is definitely on the decrease – but there is still a way to go, particularly amongst disabled people, where rates of smoking are 50% higher than in the general population. A new website, Quitza, is one of the free resources available to help if you have decided to take the plunge, and eschew the evil weed!

Read more about smoking, vaping and quitting, here

 

Embarrassment has turned flatulence into a taboo subject for many of us, but at the same time, it can make life miserable if you suffer.

You might be surprised to learn that the average person passes a total of about a half to two litres of a mixture of nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen and methane gases in around 14 little explosions a day (“raspberry tarts” in Cockney rhyming slang), which is quite normal. Often we are quite unaware of these contributions to the ozone layer – but where does it come from? And why does it sometimes smell so awful?

What you need to know about flatulence, here

 

Over the summer, evidence was gathered for a second independent review of the PIP (Personal Independence Payment) assessment procedure, and how well or otherwise it is working.

As I still receive bewildered emails on a regular basis from people with serious disabilities which are never going to go away, who find themselves being summoned for assessment and reassessment for PIP, where they had previously had a lifetime award of DLA (Disability Living Allowance), I can certainly think of one way in which the process could be improved...

That two thirds of appeals are successful probably tells you all you need to know about the quality of PIP decision-making.

There are more details here

 

Accessibility is, not surprisingly, a regular topic of interest at Independent Living. From stations with escalators and stairs but no lifts, to shops with steps and no ramps – everywhere you look, there are examples of no-go areas where town planners and architects have failed to take account of the needs of the whole community.

The Women and Equalities Committee of the House of Commons is inviting evidence about disability and the built environment – an opportunity to contribute your thoughts about how well current building design, architecture, planning procedures and legal regulations are contributing to private and public spaces that are accessible to all. Submissions need to be in by Wednesday 12th of October.

More details here

 

Eating is something we all do, on a regular basis – a real "daily living activity" which can contribute a lot of simple enjoyment to everyday routine. If you are unable to feed yourself independently, however, taking pleasure in food is more of a challenge.

The Neater Eater has been helping in this regard for 30 years, so a new design which encapsulates the expertise of three decades in a streamlined, modern version of the original is worth celebrating. The new Neater Eater includes, amongst other features, a redesigned spoon, optimised to work with the system.

There are more details 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

 

None of us are thrilled about charities that cross the line when it comes to fundraising, so you may not be surprised to hear that the Fundraising Regulator has already received hundreds of complaints, even though the charity preference scheme is not yet up and running properly. Once in action, you will be able to use it in much the same way as the telephone or mail preference schemes, to make sure you are only contacted by charities you want to hear from, if any. More details on their website.

 

And finally, a quick mention for the Changing Places map. From time to time, people ask us for their nearest fully accessible toilets, or even the location of each facility along a particular route. The best way to find out is by consulting the interactive map on the Changing Places website. New facilities are being added all the time!

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!

Previous newsletters are archived here.

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Until next time, all good wishes,

Frances