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Welcome to this week's Independent Living newsletter
21.09.16 Contents:
National Eye Health Week
Going out – accessibly
Life after Motability
Changing Places latest
Derek's View – Motoring aids
Diary dates - Shed Fest UK & QEF Mobility
1. National Eye Health Week

19 – 25 September is National Eye Health Week - Time for a reminder about what we can do to protect our eyesight.

As a nation, we are rather ill-informed when it comes to looking after our sight, despite the fact that 80% of us say that it is the sense we would least like to lose. Nearly half of us believe that deteriorating eyesight is inevitable, and have no idea how to look after our eyes. In fact, there are various things you can do to protect your sight.

Visit for tips on diet and lifestyle changes

We also have information about common eye conditions and low vision aids

 

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2. Going out – accessibly!

After a lovely burst of late summer, it's beginning to feel a lot more autumnal now, and if you are anything like me, that probably means you start thinking about going out to the movies or theatre, rather than being tempted to stay at home and potter round the garden!

With this in mind, we have just updated the "Going Out" bit of Independent Living, to include some of the latest accessibility features that have come our way. One of these is an online guide for booking theatre seats, which shows you exactly where any accessible seats are positioned and what sort of view you can expect. Seatplan covers London theatres now, and should also include major regional venues next month.

More details here

 

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3. Life after Motability

Last week, I included an update on Motability contracts. So far, 44% of Motability customers who have been reassessed from DLA (Disability Living Allowance) to PIP (Personal Independence Payment) have missed out on the enhanced mobility rate of PIP and therefore, have had to return their vehicles. 35,000 is the anticipated number of vehicle returns for this year, so it is a problem shared by many people.

One of our regular readers got in touch to point out that buying your current Motability vehicle may very well not be the best option: the price will be high, judging by her experience, and you will still face the problem of arranging an alternative when the time comes to replace the vehicle. A personal lease arranged through her dealership proved much more affordable, and is in fact covered by her current PIP benefit.

A pre-owned vehicle can also be a much better solution: adapted cars tend to be low mileage and well-maintained, and there are plenty available at competitive prices.

More info about the options in our motoring section.

 

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4. Changing Places Latest

Leicester is polishing its image as a truly accessible city, with the £13.5 million redevelopment of the Haymarket Bus Station. 

The main bus station for the city now provides a modern, comfortable environment with an attractive concourse building replacing the collection of 1990s bus shelters that previously stood on the site. Among the key features of the new building is a new Changing Places toilet, supplied and fitted by Clos-o-Mat.

Like all Changing Places, it is wheelchair accessible and offers a height-adjustable adult-sized changing bench, a celling track hoist, and plenty of space for carers. Leicestershire now has 20 Changing Places – more than any other area outside London. Read more about it here

 

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5. Derek's View – Motoring aids

I have noticed that it is becoming a bit trickier to get in and out of the car, though once I am in, everything is fine.

So I was interested to see one of the products featured in the September daily living aids feature is an auto access pack from Able2. Their Handybar is a simple practical grab handle that can be used in virtually any car to provide a bit of extra support as you get in or out, and combined with a soft swivel cushion that helps you turn from facing side to front, makes the car more readily accessible.

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

 

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6. Diary dates – QEF Mobility & Shed Fest UK

A couple of diary dates to share. QEF has a mobility event on 7th October at their premises in Carshalton, Surrey. This one is focused on the mobility needs of adults, and you can pre-book assessments. For more information, you can contact the charity directly by phone 0208 770 1151 or email mobility@qef.org.uk

 

And later in the month, the first national Shed Fest UK is coming up on 19th October in Birmingham. If you haven't yet come across Men's Sheds, it's a brilliant movement, with more than 350 sheds around the country and an estimated 7038 Shedders. You can find out more here!

 

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.

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!

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Until next time, all good wishes,

Frances

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Frances Leckie
Editor

e: editor @ independentliving.co.uk
t: +44 (0) 208 133 0628
Skype: francesleckie
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