Binder2 by 2A Publishing

Aug/Sept 2014

magazine

Nothing is Impossible...

Bridging The Gap

Breaking down barriers to employment

Visual Impairment

The support available for children and adults

Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games The Results

WIN AN AMAZING TRIP TO GERMANY AT CHRISTMAS! Cover_aug_sept_FINAL.indd 1

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ability

Welcome August/September 2014

Welcome to the latest issue of PosAbility Magazine. After nine months of learning a whole new job role as a mum, I am delighted to be back with my team at PosAbility. As hard as it was leaving my little girl, it is great to be back in the job I love doing. I must take this opportunity to thank Acting Editor, Jen McLean, who has taken such good care of PosAbility while I was off, it was great to know it was being left in such good hands. I returned to work just before the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games started, so it has been a whirlwind of activity and excitement as we attended some incredible sporting events across the city of Glasgow. You will find a round-up of all the ParaSport events on page 25 celebrating the achievements of the athletes. Also in this issue you will find a first hand review of Germany as Jen was invited by Visit Germany to experience the accessibility of the north-west of the country.

THE TEAM

Editor: Rosalind Tulloch Staff Writer: Jen McLean Sub Editor: June Bunton Designer: Abbie Bunton Sales: Allan Fleming Andy Singh Kris Thorsen Gillian Galbraith

CONTRIBUTORS in a five star hotel! Turn to page 59 to enter this amazing competition! It would be remiss of me not to mention that this is our 20th issue, we do not know where the time has gone! We would like to thank all of our readers and subscribers who have supported the magazine, we hope you continue to enjoy the next 20 issues. To celebrate we are giving away 20 subscriptions to new and current subscribers, all you need to do is ‘like’ us on Facebook! Turn to page 65 for more information. You will find all the regular columns, product features, holiday reviews and employment articles too. We hope you enjoy this issue and as always we encourage you to get in touch with your thoughts or any stories that may be of interest, email me at ros@2apublishing.co.uk.

The German National Tourist Office are also generously offering two people the chance to visit the Christmas Market in Frankfurt in December, this includes flights from Heathrow and two nights accommodation

Like us on Facebook Search for ‘PosAbility Magazine’

Mik Scarlet Lisa Newton Jane Hatton Mark Davidson Peter Rimmer Michael McEwan

Innovation not Imitation

PUBLISHING

Disclaimer

PosAbility Magazine is published by 2A Publishing Limited. The views expressed in PosAbility Magazine are not necessarily the views of the editor or the publisher. Reproduction in part or in whole is strictly prohibited without the explicit written consent of the publisher. Copyright 2014 © 2A Publishing Limited. All Rights Reserved. ISSN 2049-2251

Contact Details: Caledonia House, Evanton Drive, Thornliebank Ind. Est., Glasgow, G46 8JT Tel: 0141 270 8085 Fax: 0141 270 8086 enquiries@2apublishing.co.uk www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk Aug/Sept 2014

Ros

magazine

Nothing is Impossible...

Editor

BRIDGING THE GAP

BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT

VISUAL IMPAIRMENT

SUBSCRIBE TODAY...

For only £12 for 1 year or £20 for 2 years Call

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0141 270 8085 today!

THE SUPPORT AVAILABLE FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS

To find out more about subscribing to PosAbility Magazine turn to p82

GLASGOW 2014 COMMONWEALTH GAMES THE RESULTS

WIN AN AMAZING TRIP TO GERMANY AT CHRISTMAS!

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ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014 | ISSUE 20

WHAT'S INSIDE

Aug/Sept 2014

magazine

Nothing is Impossible...

BRIDGING THE GAP

BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT

IRMENT VISUAL IMPA RT AVAILABLE

Cover image: © Peter Rimmer

THE SUPPO ADULTS FOR CHILDREN AND

GLASGOW 2014 LTH COMMONWEA GAMES THE RESULTS ANY AT CHRISTMAS!

WIN AN AMAZING TRIP TO GERM

Visual impairment

41 14 Pimp my wheelchair

Online stories

19 07 FYI…

News, stories and quirky columns

14 TOP ONLINE STORIES

Popular stories from our website

17 THE DEEPEST CUT

- SUCCESS OR FAILURE Mik Scarlet talks about his experiences with the medical profession

19 VISUAL IMPAIRMENT

We look at the support available

22 NEW WEBSITE

A new look for our website

Enable Holidays

25 GLASGOW 2014

53 HOT STUFF

37 ENABLE HOLIDAYS

59 COMPETITION

All the action from the Para-Sports at the 20th Commonwealth Games

We look at the company’s accessible holidays across the globe as they celebrate their 10th anniversary

41 PIMP MY WHEELCHAIR Our favourite products for personalising your wheelchair

45 BARRIER-FREE GERMANY

We visit the north-west of Germany to see what the country has to offer as an accessible holiday destination

We take a look at the latest innovations on the market

Win a holiday in Germany

60 HOLIDAYS

PosAbility presents more Access Awards

65 20TH ISSUE

We celebrate with a special competition

The Commonwealth Games

44 www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk

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ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL

07 FYI

67 A mum speaks out

A mum shares her experience about the disabled childcare crisis

68 CHOOSING A CAR

Our guide to choosing the right car for you

from their recent research paper and how you can get back into work

76 GET THAT DREAM JOB

Jane Hatton shares her expert employment advice

WIN!

71 GETTING OUR VOICES HEARD

Michael McEwan gives his view on disability in the media

73 BRIDGING THE

A holiday in Germany!

EMPLOYMENT GAP We look at the Shaw Trust’s findings

Products

PosAbility Magazine has teamed up with The German National Tourist Office to offer our readers the chance to win an accessible holiday for two people in Frankfurt to visit the city’s Christmas Market this December

Check out p59 www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 05

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FYI...

FYI

News, stories and quirky columns.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

Laurence Greenough is one of the first non-military amputees in the UK to be fitted with a Genium X3, the world’s most advanced bionic leg.

Advanced waterproof bionic leg gets sailing champion back on the water

sustained resulted in an above the knee amputation of his left leg. Only two months after the accident, Laurence was back on the water, choosing to use crutches to get around as there were no suitable waterproof prosthetic legs on the market; using a normal prosthesis in the sea would cause it to corrode. Carrying on with his sailing dream, he was honoured with the prestigious Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year award in 2007, following in the footsteps of past winners including Olympic Gold medallist Ben Ainslie OBE and world class yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur. As time went on, Laurence stopped sailing as the difficulties of sailing and doing other activities without a prosthetic leg became apparent. After three years on crutches he was referred to and fitted by Richard Nieveen of ProActive Prosthetics with a computer controlled prosthetic ‘C-Leg’ which provided him with improved mobility but could not be worn on deck due to the risk of water damage. When Ottobock’s Genium X3 was released Laurence was keen to find out more about the bionic leg which was designed for people who lead an adventurous lifestyle. He has just been fitted at the ProActive Prosthetics clinic in Surrey.

Laurence Greenough, an 18 year old from Plymouth who lost his leg in a sailing accident, has had his ability to get back on the water restored with the help of the world’s most advanced bionic leg developed by mobility experts Ottobock. The Genium X3, originally designed for military personnel, is the only completely waterproof microprocessor prosthetic knee

and has a Bluetooth remote control to switch between sailing, walking, jogging and cycling modes. Laurence was just 10 years old when he lost his leg in a tragic accident in the sea. Sailing in Plymouth harbour, a routine capsize drill and subsequent incident with a safety boat went terribly wrong. The injuries Laurence

Laurence states: “The first thing I planned to do was to take it sailing! It also has a ‘walk to run’ feature and bespoke running mode; I had not run since 2006 and it was the most exciting thing to be able to do it again. It makes walking feel so natural – I trust it and don’t have to use so much energy. I feel safe and can just relax and let the leg do all the work.” For more information on Ottobock’s range of innovative solutions that restore mobility please visit www.ottobock.co.uk or follow @ottobockuk.

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FYI

Magical Moment For Visually Impaired Girl Leading charity, Blind Children UK recently presented visually impaired eight-year-old girl, Kayleigh Ann Hayes with the complete series of the Harry Potter books in a font large enough for her to read and signed by the author herself, JK Rowling. Kayleigh Ann only has 10% vision due to a congenital bilateral cataracts and microphthalmia – a condition where the eyes fail to develop. Despite this she can still read enlarged text and, thanks to Blind Children UK’s CustomEyes book enlargement service, Kayleigh can now read the Harry Potter series just like all her friends. Kayleigh lives with her mum Debbie, dad Stephen, and little sister, Lily Mai, near Winchester in Hampshire. Debbie said: “Kayleigh was delighted when she heard that she was getting the Harry Potter series in a font large enough for her to read and we were all thrilled that they had been signed by JK Rowling herself. We can’t thank Blind Children UK enough! “Lots of Kayleigh’s friends are into Harry Potter already, so she has been saying for

ages that she would like to read them. It’s great because now Kayleigh can read on her own; it makes her that little bit more independent. She can sit in bed and read with a torch, like any other child might, which is wonderful. She loves to write stories so I’m sure that reading by herself will improve her writing.” Kayleigh said: “I think it’s brilliant that my Harry Potter books have been signed by the lady who wrote them. She also sent me a nice letter, saying she was delighted I can read them for the first time and that she hopes I like them. I can’t wait to start reading them like all my friends!” “This is the largest version of the Harry Potter books we’ve ever produced,” said Nigel Betts, CustomEyes National Development Manager, at Blind Children UK. “I suspect it’s probably the largest in the world. It’s absolutely

wonderful to be able to help children like Kayleigh access books like this.” Blind Children UK helps children and their families tackle the challenges of sight loss so that they can enjoy their childhood and realise their potential as adults. www.blindchildrenuk.org

About Kayleigh’s Harry Potter books: • The text in each book is in 40 point print size, with 1.5 line spacing, so Kayleigh can see the text clearly. • The biggest book in the series – Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is 7,141 pages long, split into 28 volumes. • Over all seven Harry Potter books, Kayleigh’s large-print versions span 101 volumes – each one the size of a phone book.

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FOR

ADVANCE PAYMENT FORD KUGA with metallic paint and rear parking distance sensors for Nil* Advance Payment. To see what everyone’s talking about, visit ford.co.uk/motability or call 0845 60 40 019

Official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the Ford Kuga Zetec 2.0 TDCi 140PS shown: urban 44.8 (6.3), extra urban 60.1 (4.7), combined 53.3 (5.3). Official CO2 emission 139g/km. The mpg figures quoted are sourced from official EU-regulated test results (EU Directive and Regulation 692/2008), are provided for comparability purposes and may not reflect your actual driving experience. *Nil Advance Payment available only on Ford Kuga Zetec 2.0 TDCi 140PS FWD. This programme is subject to the standard conditions of the Motability 3-year Contract Hire Scheme. Full written details and quotations available on request from a Ford Authorised participating dealer of Motability Operations Limited. Under the Scheme the vehicles are leased from Motability Operations Limited (Registered Company No. 1373876), City Gate House, 22 Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9HB. Applications must be received and accepted between 1st July and 30th September 2014 by Motability Operations Ltd.

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FYI

2014

National Paralympic Day 2014 Building on the success of last year’s inaugural event, a day of celebrations is taking place across the country, including a free family festival in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, showcasing the very best in disability sports and arts from 12pm-8pm. It takes place on 30th August, exactly two years to the day since Great Britain won its first medals at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Sporting superstars, including 10 ParalympicsGB medallists from London 2012, will return to the water at the London Aquatics Centre for two thrilling sessions of racing.

Also set to excite spectators will be the stars of Boccia, Goalball and Wheelchair Basketball. Top athletes from these three Paralympic sports will be in action at the Copper Box Arena. Winter Paralympians, Jade Etherington, Caroline Powell and Charlotte Evans will also take part in a ‘meet the athletes’ part of the day. Plenty of free, family friendly activities and entertainment will also be taking place across the Park, including the chance to try out different disability and inclusive sports such as wheelchair basketball, inclusive cycling, tennis and boccia. Representatives from community groups and disability sports project Motivate East will be on hand to provide advice about opportunities to take up sports or get involved in the local area. There will even be the chance to meet

some of the stars of London 2012. The Mayor of London’s Liberty Festival, the hugely popular annual showcase of deaf and disabled artists will again be bringing an exciting line-up of street theatre, dance, live music, film, installations and children’s activities. Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Board Member of the London Legacy Development Corporation, said: “Thousands of families enjoyed a day of disability sport and culture at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in 2013 and we’re thrilled to be hosting an even bigger and better event this year. Events like this are vital to ensuring that the momentum from the London 2012 Paralympic Games continues to inspire disabled and nondisabled people to take up sport, try arts and make the most of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.’ National Paralympic Day will be reaching across the country too, with free activities taking place in both Liverpool and Birmingham. There will also be meet and greet opportunities with Paralympic heroes.

Details on ticketing for the sessions of sport in the London Aquatics Centre and the Copper Box Arena can be found at QueenElizabethOlympicPark.co.uk. www.paralympics.org.uk

Mitsubishi Motors Helping to Change Lives at National Star College Every day the staff at National Star help make a huge difference to the lives of young people with disabilities. And their job would be that much harder if it wasn’t for the fantastic fundraising that so many members of staff at Mitsubishi Motors in the UK (MMUK) head

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FYI

Looking for Love?

The Undateables is returning for a fourth series and they are looking for people to get involved. If you are interested in taking part in this programme get in touch by calling 0207 290 0223 or emailing undateables@betty.co.uk.

Evenbreak Announced as National Business Awards Finalist Our very own employment columnist, Jane Hatton, has been shortlisted for the Social Enterprise of the Year Award for the 2014 National Business Awards for her company Evenbreak.

category said: “Evenbreak has achieved dramatic growth and a meaningful impact on the lives of many disabled people, with this young social enterprise more than holding its own against more established entrants in this category.”

Evenbreak is an online specialist job board with three social aims - to help inclusive employers attract more talented disabled candidates, to help disabled job seekers find work with employers who will value their skills and to promote the business benefits of employing disabled people.

Jane Hatton, Director at Evenbreak commented: “We are thrilled to be a finalist of this prestigious award. We work hard to help both disabled jobseekers and inclusive employers and it is great for this to be recognised. It also proves that a business staffed purely by disabled people can be successful!”

Going up against nine other organisations such as Global Action Plan, Belu and Give as you Live, they will compete for the prestigious award, with the winner being revealed at the National Business Awards gala dinner held on 11 November at Park Lane’s Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

Finalists were chosen from the hundreds of businesses that entered or were nominated across 17 award categories. They will now prepare for live presentations to expert juries who will decide the overall winners that will be revealed at the awards ceremony on 11 November.

Katy Jones, Director, Financial Advisory & Capital, ClearlySo, who was a shortlist judge for the

Visit www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk for a full list of all finalists and to attend the event.

offices have been involved in since 2010. Through the amazing efforts and dedication of all the staff at MMUK the money raised now totals £77,942 against an original target of £75,000. The money has helped the college in Ullenwood, near Cheltenham, equip one of its three amazing sensory rooms that provides a range of vital therapies for more than 200 students, aged 16 to 25. Lance Bradley, Managing Director of Mitsubishi Motors in the UK said:

“We are proud to support and be a part of the National Star College fundraising vision. Since the early part of 2010 we have raised a staggering £77,942 towards the needed facility developments. The team at Mitsubishi will continue to generate ideas and take part in challenges to help the college raising more money for a very worthwhile cause.”

needs. While the students enjoy the activities they are a vital part to their learning process.”

Kate Green, Director of Fundraising for National Star, said: “These rooms provide a much needed space where we can provide a wide range of therapies tailored to their

To find out more about the National Star College go to www.natstar.ac.uk

The three sensory rooms are packed with light floors, bubble tubes, projectors and sound systems and can be used to stimulate or calm the students, who come from all over the country.

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FYI INDUSTRY NEWS

FYI... INDUSTRY NEWS Dame Hannah Rogers Trust The Dame Hannah Rogers Trust, or Hannahs as we are known, has been supporting children, young people and adults with a range of disabilities for more than 230 years. Hannahs at Ivybridge is an Ofsted accredited Centre of Excellence and home to our School, Respite Centre, Community Hub, Children’s Home and Hannahwood – an innovative transition project for older students. Hannahs at Seale-Hayne is set within 90 acres of Devon countryside supporting adults with disabilities through employment, training and experiences such as art, music, animal care and

horticulture. It also runs as a social enterprise and is open to the public 7 days a week with a Bistro, shops, Health and Wellbeing Centre including hydrotherapy pool, outdoor pursuits and galleries. Hannahs has recently introduced a range of accessible accommodation at Seale-Hayne, including: Accessible glamping units – recently voted number 3 by a national website in a top 10 glamping poll, our tents boast a large open-plan lounge with a wonderful wood burning range. Short break accessible family apartment – the apartment is located in a wonderfully quiet and beautiful area of the site and adjacent to the hydrotherapy pool and horticulture area. Respite accommodation – this short break

New Wheelyboat Launched stunning loch to all abilities. There are other Wheelyboats in the area, however this is the first one to be used for wildlife spotting and pleasure boating. My aim is to be able to share the wonder of the wildlife, including red kites, otters and lots of seasonal birdlife as widely as possible and being out on the water is a really special experience.”

Photo (left to right): Andy Beadsley (Wheelyboat Trust), Richard Hermon (Galloway Activity Centre), Jennifer Tobin (SW Scotland RnR)

A wheelchair accessible Mk III Wheelyboat specially designed for disabled people was launched on Loch Ken at Galloway Activity Centre earlier this year. Loch Ken is southern Scotland’s largest loch and is largely inaccessible to disabled people. However, Galloway Activity Centre’s new Mk III Wheelyboat will provide disabled people, their families, friends and carers with safe and independent access to the water. Richard Herman, Director of Galloway Activity Centre explains, “I am delighted that we are now able to open up this

The Mk III Wheelyboat is boarded via a drop down bow door for roll-on, roll-off access. The deck is open and level throughout with room for eight adults, including wheelchairs. It has a drive-from-wheelchair console giving people even with severe impairments the ability to helm the boat themselves. The Wheelyboat will be used for pleasure boating, nature watching, coarse fishing, power boat training and instruction and as a support vessel for other activities. Andy Beadsley, Director of The Wheelyboat Trust said, “Being a wheelchair user myself, I understand how important it is for disabled people to take part in activities alongside and on equal terms with everybody else. Wheelyboats overcome the problems of access to waterborne activities and give

accommodation has 6 respite beds and an additional 4 rooms for carers or family members. There is also a social lounge and kitchen area. Coming soon...Clare’s House Clare’s House is managed by a small team of people under the umbrella of The Dame Hannah Rogers Trust, made possible thanks to the generosity of the Clare Milne Trust. Clare’s house is a fully accessible 4 bedroom home just a few minutes from the sea at Ladram Bay, Devon. It is situated within extensive gardens and has its own private, undercover hydrotherapy pool. Hannahs at Seale-Hayne, Howton Lane, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 6NQ 01626 325800 enquiries@discoverhannahs.org www.discoversealehayne.org

disabled people like me freedom and independence on the water.” Established in 1988, Galloway Activity Centre organises adventurous land and water based activities, courses and holidays for groups, families and individuals. The Wheelyboat was formally launched by Jennifer Tobin, Founder and CEO of South West Scotland RnR, a charity that provides adventurous holidays for injured service personnel. Funds for the project have been raised by The Wheelyboat Trust and generously provided by; Scotbelge Charitable Trust, Hugh Fraser Foundation, W A Cargill Fund, Barfil Charitable Trust, JTH Charitable Trust, RKT Harris Charitable Trust and Sylvia Patterson. The Wheelyboat Trust Andy Beadsley – 01798 342222 info@wheelyboats.org www.wheelyboats.org Galloway Activity Centre Richard Hermon – 01644 420626 gac@lochken.co.uk www.lochken.co.uk

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ONLINE

TOP Online Stories We bring you a snapshot of the top stories you have been reading on www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk.

International Award for ‘Choosing a Wheelchair’ film The latest film from Glory Film Co. Charitable Initiatives – ‘Choosing a Wheelchair’ has won an International Telly Award in the Charitable/Not-for-profit category. The hefty award is made by the same Chicago company that produces the Oscar™ and Emmy™ statuettes. The 53 minute film is possibly the most comprehensive film on wheelchair provision yet made. It features UK experts such as Pauline Pope MSc, BA, MCSP (Consultant and Research Physiotherapist), Lone Rose MPhil., MCSP, SRP (Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist), and Phil Swann B Eng., MMedSci., MIPEM (Clinical Scientist and Seating and Mobility Expert), as well as Professor Anba Soopramanien MD, PhD, FRCP (Consultant in Spinal Injuries and Rehabilitation Medicine), plus a team of experienced long-term wheelchair users, each explaining their different stories and needs. The freely available independent film is already being used by world-class centres such as The National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville, and at The Duke of Cornwall Spinal Injuries Treatment Centre, as well as SIA and BackUp.

Autism Awareness Day: ‘My autistic son isn’t invisible, you know’ “He doesn’t seem too bad.” How many times have I heard those words? Usually they are spoken by strangers who have met my son for the first time and learnt that he is autistic. Usually they are based on their first impression of this bright eyed, apparently “normal” child. Usually they are quite wide of the mark in their comment. The National Autistic Society recently commented on an “invisible generation” of elderly people with autism. The needs of older people on the spectrum were, they said, often misunderstood or unrecognised. As the father of an autistic six-year-old, I would argue that the invisibility of autism begins much, much earlier. Before my own son was diagnosed, autism registered on my radar very little. I guess that when you’re not looking for something, you don’t find it and even when it is there, when a person with autism comes into your life, recognising the extent to which it shapes and determines that person’s life is often not apparent. Shared via www.telegraph.co.uk Read the full story at www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk

Disability charity takes Disneyland to court A disability charity is taking Disneyland to court, accusing it of ‘intolerable acts against people with learning difficulties.’ The National Union of Charities for Parents with Disabled Children (UNAPEI), has lodged a legal complaint, accusing Disneyland of ‘institutional discrimination’. The French organisaton accused Disneyland Paris of using controversial practices, equivalent to racial profiling, to identify visitors with learning difficulties. The charity says those visitors are forced to identify themselves as ‘disabled visitors’ and are denied access to certain attractions, sometimes being pulled out of queues by workers in front of other tourists. Christel Prado, president of Unapei, told Le Parisien newspaper: ‘It’s humiliating. Mickey Mouse treats us like we are crazy’. Shared via www.dailymail.co.uk Read the full story at www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk Visit www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk to read more top stories and many more featured articles, updated daily to keep you abreast of the latest in the world of disability.

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16/06/2014

11:01

formation n i e or

Q6 Edge TB3 and Q600 Sport HD.pdf

n here f or Sca m

Introducing the next level Heavy duty power chair product from the ‘Quantum Rehab®’ range. Based on the Quantum® 600 Sport chassis, with all-round fully adjustable heavy duty suspension and HD 4 pole motors push the Quantum® 600 Sport HD to a maximum speed of 4 mph, along with additional improvements in torque over the Sport, to allow for a 35 Stone 10 lbs weight capacity.

With - TRU-Balance® 3 Power Positioning System

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CMY

formation n i e or

Coming soon to Quantum® seating and positioning, the new ‘TRU-Balance® 3 Power Positioning System’ features quick adjustment with minimum fuss. TRU-Balance® 3 offers a wide range of accessories, enabling you to create a seating system tailor made to meet your needs.

11110101010111010110010101010110111000111001001 11110101011011110111101011101011110101010111010 Tel: 01869 324600 11100011100100100110111101010111110101011010111 www.pridemobility.co.uk * Images used for illustration purposes only. * The TRU-Balance 3 isn’t available until late September 2014

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04/08/2014 10:05

Volvo with Motability

Accessible. Adaptable. Affordable. V40 Cross Country Advance Payment from £299* V60 Advance Payment from £1,899† V70 Advance Payment from £1,999†

Each model in our Motability Range has been specially selected to make your life easier. Take our Volvo V40 Cross Country. Increased ride height and a 5-door design make it easily accessible. While our V60 sportswagon and V70 estate both boast impressive load capacity and 40-20-40 folding rear seats – so you’ll always have plenty of room for the things you need most. But it doesn’t stop there. You’ll also enjoy cutting-edge safety systems as standard. Stylish ergonomic interiors. A choice of dynamic fuel-efficient engines. Eye-catching metallic paint comes as standard. And, with Motability, many adaptations – like push/pull hand controls – can be made at no extra cost. To find out more or book a test drive, talk to your local participating dealer or visit volvocars.co.uk/motability today. Official fuel consumption for the Volvo Range in MPG (l/100 km): Urban 18.6 (15.2) – 74.3 (3.8), Extra Urban 34.9 (8.1) – 91.1 (3.1), Combined 26.4 (10.7) – 155.2 (1.8). CO2 emissions 249 – 48g/km. MPG figures are obtained from laboratory testing intended for comparisons between vehicles and may not reflect real driving results. * Advance Payment of £299 is for the Volvo V40 D2 Cross Country SE manual, an Advance Payment of £499 is required for the Volvo V40 D2 Cross Country SE automatic. † For the Volvo V60 D2 SE Lux manual/V60 D2 SE automatic it’s an Advance Payment of £1,899 and for the Volvo V70 D5 Business Edition manual/Volvo V70 D2 Business Edition automatic it’s an Advance Payment of £1,999. For full terms and conditions, visit volvocars.co.uk/motability. Offer available to Motability customers only. Offers valid from 01/07/2014 to 30/09/2014.

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04/08/2014 10:07

Columnist Mik Scarlet

The Deepest Cut... Success or Failure? At the end of April I was rushed into hospital to have surgery. Luckily it all went well and I am healing much better than everyone expected. However while I was there something happened that really affected me and I am sure it was all because of the way many of the medical profession think about disabled people. You see just after I underwent the surgery I had agreed to, I had a procedure carried out that I had not given consent for. I went to sleep thinking I was having a test and woke up to find that I had been operated on against my wishes. The surgeon had ignored what I wanted, what was written in my medical notes and my explanation that while I had a spinal injury my body functioned at a much higher level than you would expect. Instead he proceeded as if I fitted neatly into a text book. I won’t go into too much detail as I am currently in the process of making a formal complaint, but the whole experience proved that many members of the medical profession really don’t understand disability. Throughout my life I have been in the hands of the medical types and have met them all. From the cold, officious “treat you like a piece of meat” types through to the friendly, chummy “I’m just like you mate” types, they pretty much all have one thing in common. They viewed me as a failure. By being disabled I was an advert for their profession’s failure to make me perfect. Thus they are driven by a need to fix me, even if I really don’t want to be fixed. I know that this was the reasoning behind my unwanted surgery. My surgeon could not believe that I was happy being the way I am, and so ignored what I said in favour of what he thought I wanted. I feel that not only am I very happy being the way I am,

but I am also a brilliant advert for the skills and expertise of the medical professionals who have treated me. I really think that this goes for ALL disabled people too. Lets consider my case history. I would say the medical world’s biggest success with me occurred when I was a small child. I was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma at the age of 6 weeks old, and my parents were told “go home and enjoy your time with him as he won’t make it past the age of five”. Yet this year I am celebrating my forty ninth birthday, so the treatment I was given surpassed everyone’s wildest dreams. Actually that treatment, which was experimental at the time, is now used to help cure many types of childhood cancer. However when I met with some experts in that field they made it clear they saw me as a failure as I was in a wheelchair. The same goes for my spinal injury. I was very lucky to only have a partial break when I had my first incident in 1981, and went on to build a very successful and happy life on wheels. Then in 2003, thanks to some amazing surgery following my second broken back (yes I broke my back twice!), loads of sensation and some function returned. Yet again I would expect every doctor who saw me would be full of admiration for the work of their colleagues, instead I am met with an attitude of defeat as I am not able to walk. No one understands I just don’t see walking as that big a deal! Of course it’s not just the medical profession, most of society considers disability to be a medical failure. We only need to look at the way we are described in the media to understand that becoming disabled means we were let down by

medicine in some way. Sadly it’s not only non-disabled people who feel this way, there are disabled people who do too. During my recent hospital stay many of my disabled ward mates were really unhappy with their lives as disabled people, even those who had been impaired for several decades. If we can’t see how amazing we are, how can anyone else? Disabled people should be looked upon as the embodiment of positivity, especially by the non-disabled community, as we are living proof of how resilient and adaptive the human body truly is, and most of us also prove mankind’s ability to invent ways of adding to that resilience with medicine. As well as that we also demonstrate how amazing the human spirit can be. So what if we don’t work quite the way it says we should in textbooks, or even the way we did before we became disabled? From a very early age I realised there was always more than one way of doing things, this human trait, that has allowed us to build the modern world, is reflected in the life of every disabled person. So all my fellow disabled types, next time you look in the mirror remember you are looking at one of the most amazing things in existence. You are proof of just how amazing all of humanity is, and never let anyone tell you otherwise. Especially a scalpel happy surgeon who is intent on trying to “fix” you.

we are living proof of how resilient and adaptive the human body truly is

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VISUAL IMPAIRMENT

Visual Impairment With the 5th annual National Eye Health Week taking place on 22-28 September 2014, we wanted to look further into visual impairment, the organisations that exist to support people with sight loss and how we can best take care of our eyes.

Sight is something that many of us take for granted, it is one of the most important senses we have and it is hard to imagine life without it. According to information from leading charity, RNIB, almost 2 million people in the UK are living with some form of sight loss. The main cause of sight loss is age-related macular degeneration, with other significant causes being glaucoma, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy. It is therefore of vital importance that we do everything we can to ensure our eyes are in the best possible health. The RNIB website has a list of recommendations for looking after your eyes:

1. Regular eye tests Everyone should have their eyes examined at least once every two years - even if there is no change in your vision. An eye examination can often pick up the first signs of an eye condition before you notice any changes in your vision. This can lead to you getting vital treatment at the right time, which could save your sight.

2. Stop smoking Did you know smoking can double the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration, the UK’s leading cause of sight loss? In fact, the link is as strong as the link between smoking and lung cancer.

3. Eat healthily and watch your weight Eating a diet low in saturated fats but rich in green leafy vegetables such as spinach and broccoli may help delay the progression of cataracts and AMD. Oranges, kiwis, nuts, seeds and oily fish may also help prevent and slow down some eye conditions. Taking supplements is not a substitute for a healthy diet. It is important to maintain a healthy weight. Obesity can increase the risk of developing diabetes, which in turn can cause sight loss.

your eyes. Only buy sunglasses that have a CE mark or carry British Standard BSEN 1836:1997.

5. Safety first DIY causes thousands of eye related injuries each year. Always wear safety goggles (European Standard BS EN 166) to protect your eyes from flying debris and fine particles. Sport (especially racquet-based sports) also causes lots of eye related injuries each year. Investing in a good pair of protective sports goggles will help prevent serious damage to your eyes.

Living with sight loss

4. Keep your eyes covered in the sun

Adjusting to life with sight loss can be a very challenging time, filled with difficult emotions and practical worries. However, there are charities and organisations that exist solely to support people who are blind or partially sighted to lead their lives with confidence.

UVA and UVB rays in sunlight can harm your eyes and may increase the risk of cataracts and AMD. Wearing sunglasses, glasses or contact lenses with UV filter will protect

Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) is probably the most widely recognised charity to offer support to www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 19

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we know that people who are blind or partially sighted are more likely to become depressed, so it’s good to have someone to talk to

those affected by sight loss. They offer an extensive support network through their helpline (0303 123 9999) that allows you to speak to specialist teams including, the Advice Service, Legal Rights Service, Eye Health Information Service and an Emotional Support Service. As well as having a wealth of information on their website, to help with everyday living, visit www.rnib.org.uk.

is our aim.’

We spoke to Jessica Hall from RNIB to find out more about the support they offer to recently diagnosed patients.

Jessica explains that only 47% of eye clinics in the UK have a sight loss advisor in place, this is largely due to inconsistent funding – another area RNIB hope to tackle through their 5 year strategy.

Jessica explained that in April 2014 RNIB set out their new 5 year strategy, with their key aim being to ensure they are there for people immediately after diagnosis. ‘Ultimately what we want to achieve by the end of 2019 is to have a sight loss advisor covering every single eye clinic in the UK.’ Jessica goes on to explain the role of a sight loss advisor, ‘They provide that vital emotional and practical support to people who have just found out they are losing their sight. ‘A sight loss advisor is someone that people can talk to in their own time really, it might be immediately after an eye clinic appointment, it might be a few weeks later. They can do really practical stuff as well, they can make sure you are getting accessible information, help guide you through the process of completing the certificate of your visual impairment if necessary and other things like that.

Sight loss advisors can provide a vital link to information that someone newly diagnosed with an eye condition would need. They can refer people to the right rehabilitation clinics, to workplace support, counselling and benefits advice, whilst also providing emotional support from someone specially trained in sight loss.

To find out more about RNIB and the support they can offer visit www.rnib.org.uk or call 0303 123 999.

Blind Children UK (BCUK) Blind Children UK is a charity that provides help and support to visually impaired children and their families. We spoke to Mike England of BCUK who explained that they are able to offer support and advice ‘from birth or from first diagnosis’ and throughout their lives. They offer vital support to families ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge they need. “Family support is about helping them to understand the services that are available to them, to help and support them when they are in the health system, going to different clinics and different health professionals. Also to know which other organisations might be local to them and who may be able to assist and which

‘In addition to the practical side of things, we know that people who are blind or partially sighted are more likely to become depressed, so it’s good to have someone to talk to. Having those details freely available and passed on to you when you need them,

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VISUAL IMPAIRMENT

support groups might be available to help give them information on their child’s eye condition.” Mike goes on to explain that BCUK also provides support to parents to help them understand the education system, “It’s about empowering parents, so the parents are in a position to understand what they ought to be able to claim from the local authorities. It’s about ensuring they have the right school placement for their child and that it gives them the necessary support.” Another area they provide support in is mobility and life skills for children. Their Movement Matters service provides training to help blind children and young people get around safely and independently. It also teaches important life skills such as handling money and preparing food. Movement Matters provides personalised training and support in mobility, orientation and independence skills from the early years. These are the skills that will help a blind child to do things like buy a snack, walk down the street and make new friends. It is designed to show children and their families that sight loss does not have to be a barrier to achieving their dreams. They also provide a great service called CustomEyes ® Books that allows visually impaired children to read the same books as their friends by providing them in large print. Each book is tailor-made, producing it in the font size, paper colour and format which suits an individual child’s specific eye condition. If they can best see black writing at font size 24 on yellow paper, then that’s what is produced.

choose from, with more titles being added all the time. These include the latest fiction and non-fiction bestsellers and they also provide school textbooks including GCSE and A Level English texts. For more information on Blind Children UK visit www.blindchildrenuk.org or call their Support Line 0800 781 1444.

Action for Blind People Action for Blind People is a national charity with local reach, providing practical help and support to blind and partially sighted people of all ages. They offer a wide range of services to help people live independent lives, from advice on assistive technology, welfare rights and housing issues to help developing career skills and finding employment. The website offers a great online resource to hear the voices of people with visual impairments, either through reading about their experiences and following regular blogs or listening to podcasts and interviews. Kiesha Meikle is a communications officer and blogger for Action for Blind People and she also launched a fantastic website called StyleAble. This is a fashion and beauty website with a difference, Keisha and her fellow journalists write about the latest trends, beauty tips and places to go but gear all of their articles towards people who are blind or partially sighted with handy tips and recommendations to help overcome any obstacles. Visit www.styleable.co.uk to find out more.

They have over 3,000 large print books to

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ONLINE

Check out OUR

NEW WEBSITE! www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk

PosAbility Magazine is proud to announce the launch of our new website

• News... all of the latest news relating to disability. Our news items are also separated into sections of interest including politics, employment and education, technology and arts. • Holidays... view profiles of accessible accommodation from around the UK and abroad, many of which have been awarded the prestigious PosAbility Access Award. • Sport... as well as all the latest news from the world of disability sport, our sports section provides you with all the information you need to get involved in a variety of sports. All this plus: • Enter our competitions • Subscribe to PosAbility Magazine • View the latest digital issues of PosAbility • Read the latest from our columnists • Preview stories featured in the current issue • Sign up for our email newsletter Visit www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk today! You can also keep up to date with PosAbility Magazine on Facebook and Twitter For regular updates ‘like’ PosAbility Magazine on Facebook and follow @PosAbilityMag on Twitter.

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04/08/2014 17:59

COMMONWEALTH GAMES

GLASGOW 2014

©Peter Rimmer

The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games got off to a spectacular start with a star studded Opening Ceremony that celebrated Scottish talent and culture through music, dance and humour. Highlights of the night included performances from Rod Stewart and Amy MacDonald, a beautiful rendition of Loch Lomond by violinist Nicola Benedetti, a moving piece from Scottish Ballet and the amazing volunteers who danced, sang and helped create an unforgettable atmosphere in Celtic Park. ©Mark Davidson

Leading each nation into the arena was a Scottish Terrier adorned with a coat with that nation’s name on it – a very nice touch. 41 ‘Scottie’ dogs were used, so some did have to do a costume change to accommodate the 71 nations and territories. Despite some initial problems opening the baton to retrieve the message placed in it 288 days before by the Queen, before it made its journey across the world, it was handed to the Queen for her to officially declare the Games open, which was met with resounding applause from the crowd. All in all, it is fair to say that Glasgow made its mark on the world and succeeded in putting on a show to make Scotland proud.

©Peter Rimmer

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COMMONWEALTH GAMES

ATHLETICS Hampden Park set the scene for the Athletics. The integrated sports schedule went down spectacularly with the crowd and the Para-Sports received equal coverage throughout the Games. It was great to hear the roar of the crowd for all the athletes of the home nations and it was clear to see why the Commonwealth Games has become known as the ‘Friendly Games’. That’s not to take away from the fierce competition taking place in the arena as the athletes gave us some incredible performances to remember.

Jodie Elkington took Gold in the T37/38 Long Jump ©Peter Rimmer

©Peter Rimmer

Bethy Woodward secured Silver for England ©Peter Rimmer

©Mark Davidson

©Peter Rimmer

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Women’s Long Jump T37/38 Final Gold – Jodi Elkington – Australia – 4.39m Silver – Bethy Woodward – England – 4.00m Bronze – Johana Benson – Namibia – 3.82m (Olivia Breen and Beverley Jones from Wales came 4th and 6th respectively and Fiona Clarke from England came 8th)

Women’s 100m T12 Final Gold – Libby Clegg and Mikail Huggins (guide) – Scotland – 12.20 Silver – Maria Elisa Muchavo and Anelton Tinga (guide) – Mozambique – 13.33 Bronze – Lahja Ishittle and David Ndeilenga (guide) – Namibia – 13.48 (Tracey Hinton from Wales came 4th)

©Mark Davidson

Libby Clegg and Mikail Huggins running to Gold in the T12 100m

Men’s 1500m T54 Final Gold – David Weir – England – 3:21.67 Silver – Kurt Fearnley – Australia – 3:23.08 Bronze – Alex Dupont – Canada – 3:23.62 (William Smith from England came 5th)

David Weir winning Gold in the T54 1500m ©Mark Davidson

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COMMONWEALTH GAMES

ATHLETICS

Women’s 1500m T54 Final Gold – Angela Ballard – Australia – 3:59.20 Silver – Diane Roy – Canada – 3:59.55 Bronze – Jade Jones – England – 4:00.19 (Samantha Kinghorn from Scotland came 5th, Shelly Woods from England came 6th, Meggan Dawson-Farrell from Scotland came 7th and Lauren Rowles from England came 9th)

Women’s T54 1500m ©Mark Davidson

©Peter Rimmer

Men’s Discus Throw F42/44 Final Gold – Dan Greaves – England – 59.21m Silver – Aled Davies – Wales – 46.83m Bronze – Richard Okigbazi – Nigeria – 39.38m ©Peter Rimmer

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COMMONWEALTH GAMES

CYCLING The home nations excelled at the Chris Hoy Velodrome with England and Scotland dominating on the track. The Velodrome is an incredible venue for watching cycling, the heat is almost oppressive, the music is blaring throughout the races and the proximity to the track is unlike any other sport drawing you into the tactical battles going on around the steep track.

Sophie Thornhill and Helen Scott won 2 Golds for England

Neil Faiche and Craig MacLean won 2 Golds for Scotland

Wales and Australia going head to head

©Peter Rimmer

©Mark Davidson

Women’s Sprint B2 Tandem Finals Gold – Sophie Thornhill and Helen Scott – England Silver – Aileen McGlynn and Louise Haston- Scotland Bronze – Brandie O’Connor and Breanna Hargrave – Australia (Laura Cluxton from Scotland came 5th and Rhiannon Henry from Wales came 6th)

Men’s 1000m Time Trial B2 Tandem Gold – Neil Fachie and Craig Maclean – Scotland – 1:02.096 Silver – Kieran Modra and Jason Niblett – Australia – 1:02.244 Bronze – Matthew Ellis and Ieuan Williams – Wales – 1:04.095 (James Brown from Northern Ireland came 5th)

Men’s Sprint B2 Tandem Finals Gold – Neil Fachie and Craig Maclean – Scotland Silver - Kieran Modra and Jason Niblett – Australia Bronze – Paul Kennedy and Thomas Clarke – Australia ©Peter Rimmer

Women’s 1000m Time Trial B2 Tandem Gold - Sophie Thornhill and Helen Scott – England – 1:08.187 Silver - Aileen McGlynn and Louise Haston- Scotland – 1:09.771 Bronze - Brandie O’Connor and Breanna Hargrave – Australia – 1:10.543 (Laura Cluxton from Scotland came 5th and Rhiannon Henry from Wales came 6th)

Aileen McGlynn and Louise Haston won 2 Silvers for Scotland ©Peter Rimmer

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SWIMMING Tollcross International Swimming Centre was home to some memorable races in the pool. However, the star of the show had to be our Scottish cover star, Erraid Davies. The 13 year old from Shetland stormed to a bronze medal in the 100m Breaststroke SB9 final. A look of shock was her first expression as the young swimmer was clearly astounded by her own success at her first ever Commonwealth Games. Needless to say the predominantly Scottish crowd went wild with raucous applause and support for this young star. We are sure we will be seeing a lot more of Erraid Davies in the not too distant future.

Men’s 200m Freestyle S14 Final Gold – Daniel Fox – Australia – 1:57.89 Silver - Thomas Hamer – England – 2:00.27 Bronze – Jack Thomas – Wales – 2:01.27 (Craig Rodgie from Scotland came 5th)

Men’s 100m Freestyle S9 Final Gold – Rowan Crothers – Australia – 54.58 Silver – Matthew Cowdrey – Australia – 56.33 Bronze – Brenden Hall – Australia – 56.85

Women’s 100m Freestyle S8 Final Gold – Maddison Elliott – Australia – 1:05.32 Silver – Stephanie Slater – England – 1:05.73 Bronze – Lakeisha Patterson – Australia – 1:08.98

Scotland’s Erraid Davies ©Peter Rimmer

Women’s 100m Breaststroke SB9 Final Gold – Sophie Pascoe – New Zealand – 1:19.36 Silver – Madeleine Scott – Australia – 1:21.38 Bronze – Erraid Davies – Scotland – 1:21.68

Men’s 200m Individual Medley SM8 Final Gold – Oliver Hynd – England – 2:22.86 Silver – Jesse Aungles – Australia – 2:31.25 Bronze – Blake Cochrane – Australia – 2:32.72

Women’s 200m Individual Medley SM10 Final Gold – Sophie Pascoe – New Zealand – 2:27.74 Silver – Katherine Downie – Australia – 2:31.98 Bronze – Aurelie Rivard – Canada – 2:32.09

Ann Wacuka of Kenya

©Peter Rimmer

©Mark Davidson

©Peter Rimmer

Australia’s Brenden Hall ©Peter Rimmer

©Mark Davidson

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COMMONWEALTH GAMES

LAWN BOWLS

A game of skill and accuracy, Lawn Bowls was set in one of the most picturesque areas of Glasgow. Kelvingrove Museum and the stunning Glasgow University building were the backdrop to this competition and luckily the sun shone for the majority of the games. Lawn Bowls is one of the most accessible sports that disabled people can get involved in. A great example of this can be seen in the images below of Bob Love, an English competitor who uses only his feet to bowl.

Stunning view of the Lawn Bowls venue at Kelvingrove ©Peter Rimmer

Steve Simmons bowling for England

Irene Edgar bowling for Scotland

©Peter Rimmer

Mixed Pairs B2/B3 Gold – South Africa Silver - Scotland Bronze – Australia

Open Triples B6/B7/B8 Gold – South Africa Silver – New Zealand Bronze – England

England’s Bob Love in action ©Peter Rimmer

©Peter Rimmer

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BMW on Motability

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Figures may vary depending on driving style and conditions. *The BMW range available on the Motability Contract Hire Car Scheme starts from £999 Advance Payment for the BMW 116d SE 5-door Sports Hatch. Price is correct at time of going to press for orders placed and accepted between 1 July 2014 and 30 September 2014, subject to availability and change without notice. All models on the Motability Contract Hire Scheme include optional metallic paint at no extra cost. The facilities offered are for the hire (bailment) of goods. The Motability Contract Hire Scheme is administered by Motability Operations Limited (Registered Company No. 1373876), City Gate House, 22 Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9HB. To qualify you must be in receipt of either the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance, the Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (WPMS) or the Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP), which will be taken in lieu of the four weekly rental. Terms and conditions apply and are available on request. BMW EfﬁcientDynamics reduces BMW emissions without compromising performance developments and is standard across the model range.

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04/08/2014 16:44 10:11 07/07/2014

COMMONWEALTH GAMES

POWERLIFTING Vaster Kyalimpa of Uganda ©Mark Davidson

Power, grit and determination. The Powerlifting highlighted the unbelievable strength and technique of these incredible athletes. The medals are decided from a formula that takes the athletes bodyweight and the weight they lift into consideration and the Clyde Auditorium showcased some of the best in the world with Nigeria dominating in all events. ©Peter Rimmer

Sakina Khatun of India ©Mark Davidson

Natalie Blake of England ©Mark Davidson

Scotland’s Michael Yule just missed out on a medal ©Peter Rimmer

Women’s Lightweight (up to 61kg) Gold – Esther Oyema – Nigeria – 136.0 Silver – Natalie Blake – England – 100.2 Bronze – Sakina Khatun – India – 88.2

Women’s Heavyweight (from 61.1kg) Gold – Loveline Obiji – Nigeria – 122.4 Silver – Bose Omolayo – Nigeria – 113.4 Bronze – Joyce Wambui Njuguna – Kenya – 68.6

Men’s Lightweight (up to 72kg) Gold – Paul Kehinde – Nigeria – 221.0 Silver – Rolland Ezuruike – Nigeria – 220.2 Bronze – Ali Jawad – England – 209.4

England’s Ali Jawad ©Peter Rimmer

Men’s Heavyweight (from 72.1kg) Gold – Abdulazeez Ibrahim – Nigeria – 197.0 Silver – Rajinder Rahelu – India – 180.5 Bronze – Jong Yee Khie – Malaysia – 178.0 Scotland’s Michael Yule came a close 4th place with 172.9 points.

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HOLIDAYS

Enable Holidays

The company that’s been enabling more people to enjoy the world for 10 years

Above: Paradise found at Paradise Bay on the island of Malta Below: The pretty white-washed Canarian architecture of Hotel Lanzarote Village

Above: Hotel Vulcano, Tenerife – especially for adults

It’s now 10 years since Enable Holidays first emerged onto the travel scene with a promise to introduce a new standard of service for disabled holiday makers. At the time it seemed like the company had a mountain as big as Mount Teide to move. There was a great deal of apathy surrounding travel for disabled people – especially those who were determined to venture overseas and discover new horizons. Airports and airlines were constantly in the news for failing to meet the requirements of customers with special needs, adapted services in resorts were very limited and hotel facilities left a lot to be desired. In short, disabled people were constantly

facing too many barriers which were turning their holiday aspirations into holiday nightmares. From the outset, Enable Holidays set its stall out to do things very differently to the mainstream operators. Above all else, the firm’s directors wanted to remove as many of the risks as possible for its customers, and this meant having the most in-depth information relating to accessibility, facilities and suitability readily on hand. There was only one way to do this thoroughly – and that was to personally visit 100s of prospective hotels to check their suitability, as well as linking up with airports, airlines and other service providers to communicate needs and establish

trusting relationships. The challenge was indeed a big one, but if it wasn’t to be accepted Enable would end up being no better than any other tour operator in the market and there had to be a better way.

All hotels graded for accessibility By introducing a unique auditing system, Enable Holidays became the first UK tour operator to be accredited for its competence in auditing the accessibility and grading the suitability of accommodation abroad for people with mobility impairments. The stringent process not only covers wheelchair manoeuvrability around the hotel, apartment or villa but also includes www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 37

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HOLIDAYS Below: The superb pool with easy access ramp at Hotel Golden Residence, Madeira

adapted rooms with wheel-in showers. Adapted taxi transfers are offered to and from the airport.

everything from door widths and bed heights to detail about floor surfaces, the number of steps and the availability of special equipment. To identify the standard of accessibility being offered, Enable grant each property an E-grading, with E-1 being the entry level and E-3 being the best. Ten years on, members of the Enable team have travelled millions of miles in search of accessible resorts and hotels to create a current portfolio of more than 250 properties in over 30 destinations. The company became one of the first to guarantee the availability of adapted rooms upon confirmation of a booking and ensure that adapted bathrooms and wheel-in showers are featured in as many properties as possible. Comfortable and hassle-free travel between the destination and hotel has also been taken into consideration with adapted transfers being offered in many destinations. But despite the inroads that have been made since 2004, Enable Holidays’ managing director Lynne Kirby believes there’s no room for complacency. ‘’The market is constantly evolving with many of our customers looking for new adventures and experiences. Traditional holiday favourites, such as mainland Spain, the Balearics and the Canary Islands, continue to be sought-after destinations, but we are now finding a definite shift towards ‘something out of the ordinary’, which has led us to introduce twin centre cruise and stay opportunities in Egypt and the exotic Golden Triangle Tour of India. We also offer more experiences and excursions than ever before and cover everything from hot air ballooning and swimming with dolphins to scuba diving and pony trekking. The world is becoming more accessible and we’re here to ensure

Mar-y-Sol, Tenerife

our customers enjoy as much of it as possible. ‘’

Head for the sun this winter As we approach the end of summer, our thoughts turn to planning an escape to sunnier climes during Britain’s colder months. This is an especially good time to visit places like Malta, Madeira and the Canary Islands, where the climate is very pleasant and there is a good choice of quality hotels featuring well adapted rooms and facilities. Malta is oozing with medieval magnificence and drenched in beautiful sunshine. The island is awash with Renaissance cathedrals, Baroque palaces and the oldest known human structures in the world. The 4-star Hotel San Antonio in St Paul’s Bay is superb value with Enable Holidays and the Paradise Bay Resort Hotel (also 4-star rated) is surrounded by the clear waters of the Mediterranean with views towards Gozo and Comino. Both hotels feature wheel-in showers, and adapted taxi transfers are offered to and from the airport. Madeira is known as the pearl in the Atlantic and has been attracting sea traders, explorers and settlers for centuries - and now it’s the turn of tourists, who are drawn by its fine climate, natural beauty and welcoming people. Enable Holidays offers six 4 and 5-star hotels on the island. All are given E-3 accessibility gradings and include

The Canary Islands continue to be Enable’s most popular year-round destination, with over 30 hotels in Tenerife, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria. The vast majority are given E-3 accessibility gradings with very good adapted facilities and services. No company is solely responsible for the improvements that have been made for disabled travellers over the last ten years, but Enable Holidays has certainly played a part; and the company is as dedicated today as it always has been in providing the best possible holiday service for its customers.

£200

** Exclusive saving for PosAbility readers ** To celebrate Enable’s first 10 years in business, PosAbility readers are being offered a saving of £200* per booking for two or more people on any 2014/15 holiday being featured by the company, when confirming before 31 October 2014. Please quote promotional code PA 08 to qualify for discount. For more details on Enable Holidays’ range of accessible holidays, please visit www.enableholidays.com or call one of the company’s hotlines: London & South 0203 598 3865 Midlands & Wales 0121 374 2094 North of England 0161 713 3323 Scotland 0141 438 2367 For your security and peace of mind, Enable Holidays is a member of ABTA (W7335) and ATOL (6261) *The £200 saving relates to new overseas bookings only

38 www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk

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02/08/2014 12:30

At TBC Mobility Conversions,

we convert our VW Caddy Maxi Life wheelchair accessible vehicles with intelligence, empathy and care.

Full European Type Approved

6 Seater Capacity

(Driver + Wheelchair User + 4 Passengers)

Advance Payment on your new VW Caddy Maxi Life

£3,525* 1.6 Manual

£3,825*

1.6 Auto DSG

Standard features include: • Original VW fuel tank • Full size spare wheel • Quieter and warmer due to continuous rear door seal

FREE

Navigation System**

• Gas strut assisted-lightweight ramp • Replacement vehicle available from your supplying VW Commercial Centre • Rear parking sensors

Before you make any decision on choosing your next wheelchair accessible vehicle please call:

0844 656 2928

and arrange for a no obligation home demonstration

or log onto

www.tbcmobilityconversions.com

*Available until 30th September 2014 **Available with any Caddy Maxi Life purchased before 30th September 2014 ad_pages_aug_sept_14.indd 14 TBC2.indd 1

Quote ref.

TBC2 04/08/2014 11/06/2014 10:12 09:31

Blazer Powerchair

a Narrow base only 60cm a Available in 4mph or 6mph a Crash tested a Available on Motability a Up to 60Amp batteries a Optional attendant control a Optional lighting a Optional tilt-in-space

S T Y L E I N N O VAT I O N C H O I C E Karma Mobility Ltd Unit 6 Target Park, Redditch, Worcestershire B98 8YN T: 0845 630 3436 E: info@karmamobility.co.uk www.karmamobility.co.uk

Liberated Living with MS “My Mybility All Terrain Wheelchair has Liberated Me” EŽƚ ŽŶůǇ ĚŽĞƐ ŝƚ ŚĂŶĚůĞ ĚŝĸĐƵůƚ ƚĞƌƌĂŝŶƐ͕ ŝƚ ŐŝǀĞƐ ŚƌŝƐ ƚŚĞ ĨƌĞĞĚŽŵ ƚŽ ĞŶũŽǇ ůŝĨĞ ŝŶĚĞƉĞŶĚĞŶƚůǇ without always feeling exhausted when trying to get around and get on with things. The seat riser ŵĞĂŶƐ ƚŚĂƚ ŚĞ ĐĂŶ ĞīŽƌƚůĞƐƐůǇ ŐĞƚ ƵƉ ƚŽ ĞǇĞ ůĞǀĞů ŝŶ ĐŽŶǀĞƌƐĂƟŽŶƐ ŝĨ ŚĞ ǁĂŶƚƐ Žƌ ǁŝƚŚ ƚŚĞ ^ƚĂŶĚ hƉ ŵŽĚĞů ŚĞ ĐĂŶ ƌĞƉůŝĐĂƚĞĚ Ă ƐƚĂŶĚŝŶŐ ƉŽƐŝƟŽŶ ŝĨ ŚĞ needs to.

“It had truly changed my life”

The Mybility All Terrain Wheelchair comfortably and safely handles even the most challenging of terrain including: Mud, Grass, Snow, Steep Slopes, Cobbles, Steps and even Snow. Best of all its extraordinary manoeuvrability means that it can ŚĂŶĚůĞ ƟŐŚƚ ĐŽƌŶĞƌƐ ŝŶĚŽŽƌƐ ĂŶĚ ŝƐ ŬŝŶĚ ƚŽ ǇŽƵƌ ĐĂƌƉĞƚƐ ĂŶĚ ŇŽŽƌƐ͘

Ăůů ĨŽƌ Ă &ƌĞĞ ĞŵŽŶƐƚƌĂƟŽŶ Tel: 0330 555 0545 or See Our Videos at www.mybility.co.uk/videos Mybility-MSmatters-hpadvert-V3.indd 1

ad_pages_aug_sept_14.indd 15

Mybi li £9,75 ty DL 0 All I n& Ready To Go 07/11/2013 15:48

04/08/2014 10:14

ACCESSORIES

Pimp My Wheelchair Adding your own personal touches to your wheelchair is a great way to express yourself and show off your unique personality to the world! There are so many options available, from funky spoke guards to colourful frames, wheels and upholstery! Take a look at some of our favourite products, available for kids and adults, to customise your wheelchair and really make it your own.

ZIPPie range

Sunrise Medical’s Zippie range of wheelchairs for kids is a great example of how you can use colour to add your own personal touch. Sunrise Medical 0845 605 66 88 www.SunriseMedical.co.uk

C Spoke Guards

1D spoke guards Spokz 0845 25 77 496 info@spokz.co.uk www.spokz.co.uk

Spoke Guards

Princess spoke guards Sticker FX Graphics 07854 063 990 Stickerfxgraphics@hotmail.co.uk www.stickerfxgraphics.co.uk

Cushions

The JAY Zip Cushion from Sunrise Medical is a comfortable and practical cushion designed especially for kids. Available in black, pink and blue, the cushion features a soft, stretchable outer cover that is machine washable and quick to dry. The inner cover is easy to wipe and features an Aquaguard zipper that resists moisture as well as anti-wicking seam thread that protects the foam base. Sunrise Medical 0845 605 66 88 www.SunriseMedical.co.uk www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 41

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ACCESSORIES

Wheelchair gloves

Check out the Blossom website to have a look at these funky wheelchair gloves for kids made by Kiddimoto. Available in a variety of designs in age 2-5 and 5+. Blossom 01892 710 978 Blossomforchildren.co.uk

Spoke Guards

Sticker FX Graphics 07854 063 990 Stickerfxgraphics@hotmail.co.uk www.stickerfxgraphics.co.uk

Add a splash of colour

Sunrise Medical offers a variety of colourful options with their Built 4 Me custom-made wheelchairs. Castors, upholstery and anodised handrims can all be in the colour of your choice. Sunrise Medical 0845 605 66 88 www.SunriseMedical.co.uk

Custom spoke guards

As part of Sunrise Medical’s Built 4 Me custom service you can also create your own spoke guards using a picture or drawing. All you need to do is send a jpeg of your design. All images must be copyright free. Available for 24”, 25” and 26” rear wheels. Sunrise Medical 0845 605 66 88 www.SunriseMedical.co.uk

42 www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk

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04/08/2014 15:01

m ed imo t io n G E T M OVIN G EVERYDAY...

Take enjoyable effective exercise at home with MOTOmed’s passive, assisted & active therapy system Easy to use software with a range of training programmes, spasm control and analysis

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INTEREST FREE HIRE/BUY PLAN AVAILABLE Call now for a FREE demonstration: 01559 384097

Wide range of arm and leg accessories

Sole UK importer for

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tel: 01559 384097 sales@medimotion.co.uk Medimotion A4v5.indd 1 ad_pages_aug_sept_14.indd 16

www.medimotion.co.uk 17/04/2013 10:14 00:01 04/08/2014

www.germany.travel

With a warm and enthusiastic welcome, many cities and regions in Germany are able to provide some exciting facilities for visitors who may need assistance. BarrierFree Germany means you can explore anything from national parks to a wealth of hands-on museums and tourist attractions without having to worry about everyday obstacles – leaving you to concentrate on the beauty of all that Germany has to offer. To discover more visit: www.germany.travel/barrierfree

ad_pages_aug_sept_14.indd 17

Erfurt: Relaxing at the egapark © ETMG/B. Neumann

Discover Germany BarrierFree

04/08/2014 18:01

TRAVEL

Below: A view over Hannover

BarrierFree

y Germany PosAbility Magazine finds out what Germany has to offer as an accessible holiday destination

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TRAVEL

Below: The Old Town Hall, Hannover

Below: Hannover’s Old Town

Earlier this year PosAbility Magazine was invited to Germany by the German National Tourist Office to take part in a ‘barrier-free’ tour of the northwest of the country. With Hannover, Münster and East Frisia awaiting us, we weren’t quite sure what to expect from our visit, but we set off with high hopes of discovering locations that would inspire our readers of all abilities with ideas for their next holiday.

characteristic we were to discover in each of the cities we visited. A total of 45% of Hannover is dedicated to recreational areas, such as parks, gardens, and even its very own forest, Eilenriede. Europe’s largest city forest, Eilenriede covers 642 hectares and is twice the size of New York’s Central Park. Popular with walkers, joggers and cyclists, there are even a number of cafes and restaurants to stop at and relax.

Hannover

After checking in at the hotel, we were met by our tour guides who would be leading us around Hannover's various sights and attractions.

After a short flight from Edinburgh our tour group awaited us in the first destination on our tour, Hannover. The group was made up of writers, bloggers and tour operators from around the world, four of whom were wheelchair users, all keen to see first hand what this region had to offer and how accessible the destinations are for visitors with disabilities. It was while in the taxi to our hotel, the Wyndham, that we were struck by just how green a city Hannover is, a

Photo: Lee Macleod

Hannover is a very vibrant and cosmopolitan city that offers plenty for visitors to see and do. Lovers of culture can enjoy a varied programme of arts and theatre, as well as the many museums and monuments the city is home to. Street art also plays a prominent part in Hannover’s landscape, with 170 pieces situated around the city. There’s plenty to explore in the old town and shoppers will enjoy all the stores at the Ernst-August-Galerie and the extensive pedestrian precinct in the centre. We travelled as a group in a fully accessible coach, equipped with a lift at the rear. For those using public transport while visiting the city, Hannover has excellent transport links in place, the most popular of which is the city’s tram system. The majority of the stations are barrier-free. A ‘hop on, hop off’ city tour bus is also an excellent way to see the sights. There are two wheelchair bays available with safety

europe’s largest city forest, hannover’s eilenriede covers 642 hectares and is twice the size of new york’s central park

46 www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk

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TRAVEL

barriers, but these may not be suitable for those in larger wheelchairs or power chairs due to the space restrictions. Our first stop was a visit to the city’s beautiful Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen. These were created back in the 17th century as a recreational space for the Royal family. Now open to the public, the gardens are a popular spot with residents and visitors alike. Joggers particularly enjoy the 2km long avenue, while others can enjoy a relaxing stroll while enjoying the fantastic horticulture. A variety of events take place here throughout the year, such as firework displays, theatre performances and concerts. The gardens have good accessibility, with level access, disabled parking and toilet facilities, however assistance may be needed on gravel pathways. Mobility scooters are also available to hire from the visitors centre.

Above and right: Park der Garten, East Frisia

From here we made our way to one of the city’s most popular attractions Hannover Adventure Zoo. Home to over 200 species including polar bears, penguins, elephants, monkeys and kangaroos, the Zoo aims to take you on a worldwide adventure visiting the likes of Africa, India, Australia, Canada and of course Germany with seven zones themed by locations around the globe. As well as visiting animals native to each country, each area also has a variety of shops and restaurants. A particular favourite of visitors is the homemade ice cream made on site at Yukon Bay in the Canada zone. We sampled the classic German meal of schnitzel with asparagus in the fantastic setting of the traditional German restaurant, Meyer’s Inn. Located in an old-age farmhouse, the restaurant has a really rustic feel, with oak beams, bull’s-eye window panes and the open fireplace all adding to the homely atmosphere.

The zoo has a very modern feel, having been slowly renovated over the past 15 years, however it is in fact 150 years old. The zoo is all on one level and accessibility has been a consideration, with the likes of glass panel barriers enclosing the exhibits to allow wheelchair users to adequately view the animals. The only issue we encountered was the many slopes around the grounds, which manual wheelchair users are likely to need assistance with. As well as the various animal exhibits, a number of tours and animal shows also take place throughout each day. The Zambezi Boat Cruise offers an excellent opportunity to get that bit closer to the animals, if they decide to come out and say hello! The tour is accessible for manual wheelchair users as each boat can be adapted to accommodate one manual wheelchair. Unfortunately the boats are not suitable for electric wheelchairs, however, use of a manual

Photos: Lee Macleod

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TRAVEL

known as the ‘capital of bicycles’, cycling is definitely the favourite mode of transport for most of mÜnster’s residents

Above: St Lambert's Church in Münster's Prinzipalmarkt

wheelchair is available if the wheelchair user is happy to transfer. www.zoo-hannover.de

MÜnster The beautiful city of Münster was the second stop on our tour of North-West Germany. Münster’s old town is a stunning example of traditional style German architecture and the cobbled streets add to the historical feeling. Having been almost completely destroyed during World War 2, the old town was restored to its original state as much as possible but also with accessibility as a consideration. Most impressive was the adaptations made to the cobbled streets. These have been made accessible for wheelchairs by creating smooth pathways at various points in the road for wheelchair users to cross at. A city steeped in history, to this day Münster still has a watch person who looks out over the town. The first female to fulfil the role started earlier this year

and every evening she blows the town horn to reassure the people she is watching. Where the city walls once stood is now a promenade created at the end of the 18th century encircling the city centre. The 4.5km pathway is lined with Linden tress and serves as an avenue for pedestrians and cyclists. Known as the ‘capital of bicycles’, cycling is definitely the favourite mode of transport for most of Münster’s residents, with a third of the town’s 300,000 population choosing to ride their bike Below: Münster's Old Town

every day. Pedestrians and cyclists share the pavement with designated lanes for each. This can take a bit of getting used to as you have to be aware of when cyclists could potentially cross your path. Parked bikes can also pose an obstruction to wheelchair users. Münster’s Prinzipalmarkt is the heart of the old town. The characteristic gabled houses and colonnades of the buildings offer a stunning backdrop to this vibrant centre. Here you will find the Münster’s 14th century Gothic inspired Town Hall, as well as a variety of shops and restaurants. Also in the old town you will find St Paul’s Cathedral, St Lambert’s Church and the Krameramtshaus. As beautiful at night as it is by day, Münster also has a thriving night life, centred in the Kuhviertel with plenty of bars and entertainment. With pubs and bars ranging from the modern to the traditional there is plenty of opportunity to sample the vast array of German beers and wines the country produces. www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 49

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Photos: Lee Macleod

TRAVEL

Above: A hoist is available at Physiosail

Above: Physiosail on the River Aa

As part of our tour we were taken to Overschmidt sailing school on the River Aa to find out more about Physiosail, an innovative form of therapy led by physiotherapist and keen sailor Christina Groll. Combining sailing and physiotherapy, Physiosail offers opportunities for people with disabilities to learn how to sail independently. There are four boats available that can be used by disabled people to sail solo with no assistance. A number of our group gave it a go and were amazed at the ease in which the boats could be operated using just one hand. www.physio-groll.de

East Frisia

Above: Hannover Adventure Zoo Zambezi Boat Cruise

east frisia has a reputation as tea country, as there are few places where so much is consumed

From Münster we made our way to East Frisia, an area in the far north-west corner of the country. The area’s coastline is right on the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, where the neighbouring East Frisian Islands are located. Here you can explore the mudflats and enjoy the abundant wildlife, sealife and water birds that inhabit the area. Three-wheeled sand wheelchairs are a way for wheelchair users to take part in a tour across the seabed at low tide. They are fitted with large, tread-free wheels, making them easy to push without them sinking into the soft mud. These are available at the Wadden Sea visitor centre in Wilhelmshaven and the national park houses in Norddeich and Wangerland. Further inland, East Frisia has plenty to offer visitors keen to learn about the history and culture of the region. Medieval churches, old brick farmhouses,

mills, lighthouses, theatres, museums and art galleries all tell their own stories about the area. Tradition also plays a big part, most notably the East Frisian ‘teetied’ or teatime. The region has a reputation as tea country, as there are few places where so much is consumed. We were told by one local that it’s the East Frisian water that is the key. For those in search of a more active holiday, the region is popular with cyclists due to the flat landscapes and varied cycle trails. We visited Park der Garten, a horticultural centre located in the scenic Ammerland region. The 14-hectare gardens offer a fascinating insight into garden design, with over 90 themed gardens to offer inspiration or just to be admired. A number of the gardens offer an enhanced experience for the senses such as a touch garden with information in Braille and a scent area. The visitor centre and gardens are all wheelchair accessible however the sandy paths can prove difficult for wheelchair users if there has been wet weather. The viewing tower is also only accessible by stairs. www.park-der-garten.de It was here that our tour came to an end and we returned to Glasgow impressed with what we had seen. Each city we visited had something different to offer potential holidaymakers but it was obvious in each that accessibility is a priority and that work will continue to be done to ensure these destinations are barrier-free for both residents and visitors.

50 www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk

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04/08/2014 17:32

An exclusive collection of luxury apartments in Fulham, SW6 By award-winning developer St James A selection of 1 and 2 bedroom apartments adapted specifically for wheelchair users are available Call us on 020 8246 4199 or visit www.hurlinghamwalk.co.uk

Visit St James at Hamptons International 193-195 New King’s Road, Fulham, SW6 4SS Open daily 10am – 5pm

Proud to be a member of the Berkeley Group of companies CGIs are indicative only. Subject to change. Details correct at time of going to print.

9629_048_PosAbility Magazine_Advert_AW.indd 1

01/08/2014 10:06

Wheelchair Accessible Home Ownership across London Notting Hill Home Ownership is proud to offer a range of apartments that can be adapted for wheelchair users, considerately designed to allow you to comfortably enjoy your new home.

The Bloom Shepherd’s Bush 2 & 3 bed apartments

The Exchange Bermondsey Spa 1 bed apartments

W12

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Contact our customer sales team for more details. Call: 020 8357 4444 | Email: sales@nhhg.org.uk | www.nhhg.org.uk/accessible Eligibility criteria may apply, please speak to a member of the Sales Team for more information.

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18/07/2014 12:49

04/08/2014 10:16

801_PosAbility_Jan14

missing distant friends? Skype them!

insurer missing the point? talk to the ombudsman or find us on twitter @financialombuds

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04/08/2014 10:17

PRODUCTS

HOT STUFF We bring you a mix of the most innovative and helpful products on the market today…

HydroFlex Small The HydroFlex is the most flexible chair in the CareFlex range for children, combining an articulating back, back angle recline, Tilt-in-Space and integral pressure management. The wide variety of positions that can be achieved, together with the comprehensive range of options and accessories that are available, including pelvic and knee straps, adjustable laterals, and varying headrests, mean the chair can accommodate specific postural adjustments or form part of a rehabilitation programme. CareFlex 0800 018 6440 enquiries@careflex.co.uk www.careflex.co.uk

Prices from £2,400

SoundBox

Prices from £130.00

Designed for people with hearing loss, SoundBox reinforces TV, radio and other music players’ sound. The amplification is optimised, producing a volume of up to 120dB’s whilst reducing distortion. SoundBox has adjustable voice enhancing hi-fidelity and rich sound at all volume levels, so you can hear television dialogue much clearer. The tone adjustment ensures you will hear your TV better than ever before, whilst the Independent Volume Control allows you to mute the sound on your TV so you won’t disturb others in the house. The lightweight SoundBox is totally portable, with a sturdy carry handle. It will reach up to 30 metres without losing the signal; simply connect the base to the sound source and take the speaker into a different room or out to the garden. The speaker has an 8-hour battery life before it needs placing back on the base charger. It also features a socket for headphones or a neck loop for an even more personal sound. Enjoy detailed sound and dialog with TV SoundBox as recommended by Action on Hearing Loss (formerly RNID). Action on Hearing Loss 01733 361 199 Textphone: 01733 238 020 solutions@hearingloss.org.uk www.actiononhearlingloss.org.uk/shop

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PRODUCTS

WalkOn Reaction Ottobock has launched a new lightweight, low profile ankle support for people struggling to walk due to stroke, MS or brain injury. The Ottobock WalkOn® Reaction Ankle-Foot Orthosis (AFO) is designed to help lift and support slight to severe drop foot. It is comfortable, discreet and works like a spring to improve walking, stability and conserve energy.

Black & white folding polkadot cane This is a very neat and elegant folding cane with a petite handle suitable for smaller hands. Both the light and strong aluminium shaft and the plastic handle are patterned. The shaft folds into four sections that meet with an end-to-end ‘easy-joint’, which is easily managed by those without much strength in their wrists.

The WalkOn® Reaction is suitable for a wide range of conditions including; weak dorsiflexion, post-stroke, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, neuromuscular atrophy and peroneal paralysis, slight knee extension impairment and partial foot amputation. It is also suitable for almost any patient weight. Due to its unique anatomical design and quality carbon fibre prepreg material, the WalkOn® Reaction allows users to walk naturally, whether on a level pavement or tackling steep terrain while hiking. In addition to being lightweight and highly durable, the WalkOn® Reaction features smooth edges – so there is no risk of chafing, discomfort or pressure points, making it an ideal solution for active users. In addition to supporting dorsiflexion, the new WalkOn® Reaction employs ground reaction forces to influence the knee and ankle joint. The energy return supports toe-off and heel strike, thus reducing compensatory movements such as hip hike. At the same time, it prevents uncontrolled foot contact and foot slap during heel strike. The cover and calf-strap adapt to the contours of the wearer and is made of soft, breathable and washable fabric. The specially shaped sole footplate features a trimable, elastic border making it easy to fit. The WalkOn® Reaction comes with a two year warranty and is designed to last for two million steps and yet lose only 20% of its strength over this period. Ottobock 0845 2666 514 www.ottobock.co.uk

Fitted with a rubber ferrule and smart metal collar. Height adjustable from 77cm to 85cm.

Prices from £34.50

Classic Canes 01460 75686 www.classiccanes.co.uk

Mobile Device Holder The Sunrise Medical mobile device holder lets you use your smartphone or tablet with your powerchair. The holder features Bluetooth technology so you can operate your device with your R-net controller and easily call, text or surf the internet from the comfort of your chair. Sunrise Medical 0845 605 66 88 www.SunriseMedical.co.uk

Prices available on request

54 www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk

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PRODUCTS

Bibetta Pashmina

The Bibetta Pashmina offers a dignified solution for keeping clothes dry and clean. The product offers consumers a fashionable accessory combined with the practical protection of a bib. The silk-like fabric on the front is absorbent, wicking away moisture, and helping to keep skin dry. It has a middle absorbent layer to offer total protection to clothes. The garment is quick fastening at the back of the neck. They are machine washable (40°C) and tumble dryer proof. Bibetta 01223 840 236 enquiries@bibetta.com www.bibetta.com

Prices from £17.99

Chunc 45° The Chunc 45° children’s wheelchair makes a vital contribution to a 24 hour postural management programme. It can be tailored to the individual’s needs with a wide range of adaptations and its versatility ensures that the most biomechanically efficient position of the pelvis and spine can be achieved as well as ensuring excellent support to the thighs, feet and head. It is designed to help the child achieve an improvement in the facilitation of cognitive, communicative and functional skills, providing a solid foundation for enhanced participation with friends, carers and parents. Chunc Wheelchairs 01432 377 512 sales@chunc.co.uk www.chunc.com

Muggi

Prices available on request

Prices from £9.95

The Muggi is an innovative new product that enables hot drinks to be safely served in any busy environment. It can be carried safely in one hand, leaving the other hand free for support. The Muggi securely holds most shapes and sizes of mugs, cups and glasses and will catch any unwanted spillages. It also has four non-slip rubber feet which allows it to rest safely on uneven surfaces. Finger and thumb holds also make it easy to carry. Made from lightweight Polypropylene, the Muggi is available in blue, grey, red and purple. Muggi 07970 029 346 trotski@muggi.co.uk muggi.co.uk

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Observer 4x4

Arrange a free home demo ■ Steps ■ Curbs ■ Hills ■ Mud ■ Beaches ■ Snow Access 4 Wheelchairs Ltd, 3 Raleigh Court, Access 4 Wheelchairs Ltd, 7 Pondside, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 4TH Priestley Way, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 9PD Tel: 0330 223 0405 Email: info @access4wheelchairs.com 01293 534014 info@access4wheelchairs.com

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08/10/2013 11:27:31

No more working for a week or two? Livability provides holidays for more than 4,000 people a year. Our fully-accessible catered accommodation and self-catering holiday homes offer great breaks. We specialise in providing affordable holidays for disabled people as well as their families and friends. Let us book you in.

DO YOU HAVE SPEECH OR MOVEMENT PROBLEMS? WOULD YOUR LIFE BE IMPROVED BY THE PROVISION OF A COMMUNICATION AID TO HELP YOU LEAD A MORE INDEPENDENT LIFE? Then perhaps The Sequal Trust can help

We operate throughout the UK, fundraising to provide speech aids for disabled people of all ages.

3 Ploughman’s Corner, Wharf Road, Ellesmere, Shropshire, Sy12 0EJ Tel: 01691 624222 08456 584478 www.livability.org.uk

Registered charity no: 1116530

PosAbility

Access Award

ad_pages_aug_sept_14.indd 21

Sequal aims to provide speech aids to those people who cannot afford to purchase such very vital equipment, to allow them to lead more independent lives and especially when statutory bodies are unable to help.

04/08/2014 18:08

PRODUCTS

On Trial: The Neatebox A new invention designed to make crossing the road safer and easier for people with disabilities has gone on trial. The ‘Neatebox’ is the concept of former guide dog mobility instructor Gavin Neate, who has been supported by the Blackwood Foundation to turn his innovation into reality. After 18 years working with visually impaired people, Gavin wanted to create a simple aid to help them cross the road, harnessing technology in easily accessible smart phones. The result is the Neatebox, which allows people with disabilities to activate a pedestrian crossing by using their smartphone. The first trial unit is now undergoing live tests. The Neatebox, uses ‘Proximity Aware Technology’ which acts as a portable signal box and triggers the button, giving users time to get themselves into the optimum position for crossing. The user also receives a signal from their mobile device - a vibration, sound/voice alert or a visual depiction of the ‘Green Man’ so that they can cross safely and with confidence. Gavin added: “I first identified this problem years ago, but at that point there wasn’t the technology to do anything about it. However, recent advances have changed everything and I wanted to make the most of the technology already built into smart phones.

“So I created the Neatebox using an app, which can be easily downloaded, at no cost to the user, onto smartphones so that it’s accessible to all.” The potential to use this type of technology in numerous solutions is incredibly exciting and Neatebox aims to be at the forefront of this inclusive design and development.

Help My Mobility - Adjustamatic Help My Mobility is a website dedicated to bringing you a wealth of information on mobility products. They have compiled customer reviews, written articles and even published videos to show you the products, all designed to help you make an informed buying decision. This issue they have provided information on the Adjustamatic Elite range. Adjustamatic offer a range of adjustable beds and scored a very credible 3.86 out of 4 in our recent survey. They are British made and include state of the art massage systems along with a heat function. We have reviewed the Elite range, and felt both the quality and usability were very high. Users have commented:

Very happy with its adjustability

No problems except, after many years use the hand control became a bit tatty. For more information on Adjustamatic Beds visit: www.help-my-mobility.org/adjustable-beds.htm Adjustamatic 0808 115 6315 www.adjustablebeds.co.uk

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04/08/2014 20:40

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04/08/2014 10:22

COMPETITION

WIN! A holiday in Germany! PosAbility Magazine has teamed up with The German National Tourist Office to offer our readers the chance to win an accessible holiday for two people in Frankfurt to visit the city’s Christmas Market this December. The prize includes return flights from London Heathrow to Frankfurt with Lufthansa, travelling on the 19th December and returning on 21st December, plus two nights accommodation at the 5 star hotel, Villa Kennedy. Built in 1904 as a grand family home, Villa Kennedy has been immaculately restored and extended. Today, it combines contemporary elegance with old world touches, such as ornate ceilings and the original oak stairs. Located beside the Main River’s myriad museums, the hotel is a short walk from the city’s liveliest bars, boutiques and cultural attractions. Enjoy dinner in the hotel’s gusto restaurant, enjoy a drink or classic bite in the award winning JFK Bar or pamper yourself with one of 120 treatments at the Frankfurt Spa. All public areas of the Villa Kennedy are fully accessible for disabled guests along with a number of guest rooms, one of which can be booked at the winner’s request. The history of German Christmas markets goes way back to the Late Middle Ages and Frankfurt’s is one of the oldest in Germany. The massive Christmas tree is the timehonoured symbol of the market,

In what year was Villa Kennedy built?

a) 1904 b) 1914 c) 1924

If you would like to be in with a chance of winning this fantastic prize simply answer the question correctly and return your details to the following address, email 28 www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk

Competition_Germany_jm.indd 1

illuminating the old town centre with thousands of fairy lights. The market’s beautifully decorated stalls offer a wide variety of local and regional specialities such as gingerbread, “Bethmännchen” or the famous Frankfurt apple wine as well as Christmas ornaments, arts and crafts and typical Frankfurt creations like pottery and stoneware products. One of the market’s most unusual attractions is the huge honey shop in St Paul’s Square. Situated in a 300-year-old half-timbered house erected for the duration of the Christmas market, the two-storey shop sells honey, mead, candles and many other honey-based products that can be tasted or tested in the cosy first floor lounge. Visitors to the market can also enjoy a variety of music such as the tower horns sounding from the balcony of Old St Nicholas Church or Christmas carols sung from the stage. For your chance to win, enter our competition today! For more information visit www.germany.travel/barrierfree www.roccofortehotels.com/hotels-andresorts/villa-kennedy www.frankfurt-tourismus.de

posabilitycompetitions@gmail.com or visit www.posabilitymagazine. co.uk to enter online. Germany Competition PosAbility Magazine Caledonia House Evanton Drive Thornliebank Ind. Est. Glasgow G46 8JT

Terms & Conditions The closing date for entries is 13th November 2014. Winner will be selected at random on the 17th November 2014. The winners must claim their prize within 48 hours of being notified by email, otherwise another winner will be selected. Entrants must provide full name and email address. Winners will be notified by email or telephone. This competition is only open to UK residents aged 18 or over. Only one entry per person will be accepted. Prizes consist of 1 x trip to Frankfurt am Main for 2, including 2 nights stay at the 5* star hotel “Villa Kennedy” + return flights from LHR with Lufthansa. A BarrierFree wheelchair accessible room will be provided on request. The prize does not include any transfer costs, including to or from the airport. All prizes are subject to availability. The winner of the trip to Frankfurt am Main must be available to travel from the 19th December to 21st December 2014. The prize is non-transferable. For full terms and conditions visit www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk

Name: Address: Postcode: Tel: Email: ü

The German National Tourist Office, Villa Kennedy and Lufthansa would like to send you more information about their services. If you would prefer not to receive this, please www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 47 tick the box.

04/08/2014 15:38

Holidays Lisa Newton is the founder of Can Do Holidays, supporting people of all abilities to plan accessible holidays at locations across England and Wales. She has visited over 110 self-catering cottages, hotels, activity centres and B&Bs, most of which cater for wheelchair users and other special requirements. If you are planning your next holiday, Lisa would love to hear from you. For information, advice and recommendations on accommodation that meets your needs and budget, contact Can Do Holidays today. Call: 0800 298 3052 Email: lisa@candoholidays.com Website: www.candoholidays.com

The New Mayfair Blackpool Overview The New Mayfair is a newly renovated hotel which is designed to cater for disabled people, including wheelchair users. It is situated on the South Shore Promenade with some sea views. I have been to the New Mayfair twice and both times I have had a very warm welcome followed by some well deserved tea and cake.

Accessibility and Comfort The hotel has over 44 accessible bedrooms with en-suite wet-rooms, flat level access, accessible lifts to all floors and many bedrooms with stunning sea views. The hotel has a large array of mobility equipment including hospital profiling beds, hoists and shower-chairs. The hotel can also happily hire in mobility scooters for your stay.

Lisa’s top tips

Packing for a holiday takes time and effort especially when packing to go on self-catering holidays. My advice to relieve some of the stress of packing would be to shop online. Pack your essentials like spices, seasoning, tea and coffee and leave the rest to the delivery man. This way you will have less to pack, more room in your car and you will not have to spend the whole journey worrying about the milk spilling over everything.

It has its own in-house CQC registered care team who are happy to support you, allowing you to visit as a respite stay. There are nightly cabaret shows in the bar, featuring comedians, magicians and various cabaret artists and throughout the year The New Mayfair will host a range of soap stars from the nation’s favourite soaps including, Coronation Street, Emmerdale, and Hollyoaks.

PosAbility

Access Award

Day trips can be organised in adapted mini-buses if you would like to see what Blackpool and the local area has to offer.

Local Attractions Blackpool has so much on offer to keep visitors amused, from Blackpool Tower and Blackpool Pleasure Beach to day trips to an accessible waterpark and Blackpool Zoo. Take a donkey ride on the beach or stroll down the famous pier eating ice cream, Blackpool will guarantee a fun packed visit.

Overall Situated on the seafront The New Mayfair hotel is a high quality hotel offering a nice balance between luxury and accessibility. It is a must stay venue for a holiday as it has a great location, is very accessible and can offer some great entertainment as well as a variety of rooms to suit differing disabilities. www.safehandsholidays.co.uk

Make sure you book your food delivery for at least 3 hours after your expected arrival time. This way you do not have to worry about taking that extra toilet break or bad traffic.

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04/08/2014 15:10

HOLIDAYS Call: 0800 298 3052 Email: lisa@candoholidays.com Website: www.candoholidays.com

PosAbility

Access Award

Tiggs Caravans Blackpool Overview Tiggs caravans are all in the heart of the vibrant seaside resort of Blackpool in Lancashire. The caravans are based at The Haven Marton Mere Holiday Village only 3 miles from Blackpool’s seafront pier. Tiggs has three caravans on this site; two 8 berth and one 6 berth. The 8 berths have two twin bedrooms and one double and the 6 berth has one twin and one double bedroom. All the caravans have a pull down double sofa-bed in the living room.

Accessibility and comfort Whilerby caravan is 6 berth with two bedrooms and ramped access. Blue Bird caravan is 8 berth with three bedrooms and ramped access. Tiggs caravan is 8 berth with three bedrooms but there is no ramp access, instead there are three steps to enter. None of the caravans are fully wheelchair accessible as they all have showers with a

step of approximately 8 inches. The caravans have limited wheelchair turning space in the bedrooms and bathrooms. The site of the Marton Mere Holiday Village is all on one level with the restaurants and amenities all wheelchair accessible.

Tower Ballroom Blackpool Zoo Sandcastle Waterpark (wheelchair accessible) Blackpool Tower Blackpool Illuminations

The caravan owner has a child with a learning disability and understands how difficult it can be to find suitable accommodation. She has set up the caravans for families with a disabled child.

There is a heated indoor pool, an outdoor children’s splash zone, a space bowl flume, all-weather multi-sports court, adventure golf, kart hire, pic ‘n’ paint pottery, fun works amusements, kids clubs and much more.

Each caravan is cleaned personally by the owner and they are kept to a very high standard. All the caravans have fully fitted kitchens with all the essential utensils. The caravan price includes gas and electricity and linen, but not towels.

Local attractions You will never be bored in Blackpool there is so much to do, here are just a few of the attractions you could take advantage of on your visit: Blackpool Pleasure Beach The Blackpool Tower Dungeon Pasaje Del Terror The Blackpool Tower Circus

On site

There is also a selection of shops and eateries with some having accessible toilets. There is a bar and restaurant, traditional fish and chip shop, a SPAR convenience store, a gift shop, bakery, launderette, and WiFi hotspots.

Overall This is an ideal location for families and couples wanting a British seaside holiday with all the amenities on-site. Blackpool is a vibrant seaside resort with lots to do and see for all ages and abilities. www.tiggscaravans.co.uk

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02/08/2014 13:15

HOLIDAYS

Call: 0800 298 3052 Email: lisa@candoholidays.com Website: www.candoholidays.com

PosAbility

Access Award

The Bunk House Cumbria Overview Nag’s Head Farm Bunk Barn is in the heart of Cumbria on the site of Learning Fields care farming facility. The barn is set in 10 hectares of grassland and woodland, a perfect setting for a wide range of outdoor activities. The barn dates back to 1700 and was also a coaching inn until 1900, and was bought in 1999 by Alex and Douglas Chalmers. They developed the farm and formed a community interest company offering educational and environmental opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. As part of the renovation they converted the barn into an accessible bunk house.

Accessibility and comfort The Bunk house sleeps 11 people including 4 bunk beds and 1 hospital profiling bed. Adjoining the bunkroom there is a twin bedded room which can be a single room if required making it wheelchair accessible. The single beds are divans but can be put on blocks if a hoist is needed. The kitchen has a level entrance from the car park, a raised dining table, lowered

work surfaces, all modern amenities, dishwasher, a washing machine and is fully equipped with all utensils. There is a large wheel-in shower room with an array of handrails. This wet-room has a raised toilet with handrails to both sides and an emergency pull cord. The sink has access underneath and a handrail to both sides. The shower has a large pull down shower chair, two shower heads; one fixed, one movable. A separate shower chair on wheels and a manual hoist is available at a charge. At the end of the barn is a small teaching/ meeting room with local maps, books and games that you are welcome to use on your stay. The bunk barn can be used as a selfcatering venue only or you are welcome to take part in activities on the farm for a small charge. A meal can also be prepared for your arrival, if arranged at booking. The Learning Fields site is all wheelchair accessible and activities can be enjoyed by people of all abilities. The activities you can take part in are orienteering, pond-dipping, collecting the eggs, lambing, woodland work and more. There is also an accessible on-site building called Ernie’s Shed where you can go with support and do carpentry and work with your hands.

Local Attractions Sizergh Castle, Kendal Windermere Appleby’s world-famous horse fair Hadrian’s Wall Silverband Falconry Beamish Museum Cumbrian castles Woodland trails at Whinlatter Pass Visitor Centre near Keswick

On site There is so much to do and explore at Nag’s Head Farm, you will never be bored. Experience art and creativity within nature, take part in Environmental Improvement Projects, take part in night walks, join Outdoor Initiative Tests, experience the Sensory Area and so much more.

Overall This is an ideal location for couples, families and groups that would like a holiday in a beautiful, peaceful location but within a short drive to local amenities and places of interest. www.learningfields.co.uk

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Heated indoor pool with ramps and hoists : En-suite facilities including walk-in showers : Gardens with magnificent views : Licensed lounge : Pétanque (a version of bowls ideal for players in wheelchairs!) : Daily Island tours for sightseeing and shopping and evening tours in specially adapted minibuses: Nightly entertainments

Open from the beginning of April to the end of October

RATES per person per day include full board accommodation, daily excursions, entertainments and transfers to harbour and airport and return. or for further details of how Maison des Landes can meet individual or group requirements contact the General Manager. CONTACT US NOW FOR A BROCHURE



Maison des Landes is a hotel in Jersey catering exclusively for disabled guests and their families or carers in accommodation which has been specially designed to meet their needs. Set in glorious unspoiled countryside overlooking a major international heritage area.

Calvert Trust Exmoor enables people of any ability to experience challenging and enjoyable activity holidays. At our fully accessible residential centre on the edge of Exmoor National Park all activities are specifically designed and equipped to cater for everyone. Stay with us for a few days, a week, or come just for the day; however long you are here you will discover it's what you CAN do that Counts!

St Ouen, Jersey JE3 2AA Tel: 01534 481683 Fax 01534 485327 Email: contact@maisondeslandes.co.uk Website: www.maisondeslandes.co.uk

01598 763221  

exmoor@calvert-trust.org.uk 

AN INSPIRING CHARITY

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Products designed and developed to aid basic postural management. T Rolls

the hotel with care and support the hotel with care and support

the hotel with care and support

Glamorgan Holiday Hotel Glamorgan The SquareHoliday Hotel The Square Porthcawl Porthcawl CF36 3BW CF36 3BW Tel:01656 785375 Glamorgan Holiday Hotel Tel:01656 785375 Registered charity: 1061554

Situated in the seaside town of Porthcawl, Situated in thethe seaside town ofHoliday Porthcawl, South Wales, Glamorgan South Wales,comfortable the Glamorgan Holiday Hotel offers facilities for both Hotel offers comfortable facilities fortoboth elderly and people disabilities Situated in thewith seaside town ofenjoy Porthcawl, elderly and people with disabilities to enjoy a holiday short break. SouthorWales, the Glamorgan Holiday a holiday or short break. Hotel offers comfortable facilities for both Experienced care team available 24/7 elderly andcare people disabilities to enjoy Experienced team with available 24/7 All package rates include full board apackage holiday or and short break. All rates include full board Flexible arrival departure dates Flexible arrival departure dates Excursions andand evening entertainment Excursions andduring evening entertainment Experienced care team available 24/7 Activity breaks Autumn and Activity breaks during Autumn andfull board spring All package rates include spring Turkey and Tinsel breaks Flexible arrival and departure dates Turkey and Tinsel breaks Excursions and evening entertainment Visit our website Activity breaks during Autumn and Visit our website www.glamorganholidayhotel.com

T Rolls are used to control position of the body in supine lying. See our web site for our full range of postural control & support products.

Alternative Positioning Roll The APR is designed for use where more control of the abducted lower limbs is required.

www.glamorganholidayhotel.com or forspring more information email: and Tinsel breaks or for Turkey more information email: The Square hotel.enquiries@cartrefi.org Registered company: 3152544 Registered charity: 1061554 hotel.enquiries@cartrefi.org Registered company: 3152544 Porthcawl CF36 3BWapplicable for bookings Visit our website *Discount www.glamorganholidayhotel.com taken between Oct 4th 2014 to Tel:01656 785375 or for more information email: 28th Feb charity: 2015 (exception Registered 1061554 of 20th hotel.enquiries@cartrefi.org Registered 3152544 Dec 2014company: to 3rd Jan 2015).

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04/08/2014 18:11

POSABILITY

Oct/Nov 2012

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A PROFESSIONAL PHOTO SHOOT // A HOLIDAY IN SCOTLAND

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Here at PosAbility Magazine we are delighted to be celebrating our 20th Issue! Since it was launched in 2011, PosAbility Magazine has become the biggest disability lifestyle magazine in the UK. We would like to thank you, our lovely readers, for all your support over the past three years and we hope you continue to enjoy the magazine! This has been an exciting issue for us and we are thrilled to be able to report live from the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The Para-Sport programme was the biggest in the Games history and it was great to see athletes from all the Home Nations do so well. It was also our privilege to be invited over to Germany to see how accessible the country is for holidaymakers. We were so impressed by what we saw and the work that is continuing to be done to improve accessibility. All this plus all your favourite regular features: Products, Holidays, Employment and much more!

Competition To celebrate our 20th Issue we are giving away 20 free one year subscriptions to the magazine! To enter, all you have to do is visit our Facebook page and ‘like’ both the page and the post about the competition. If you already ‘like’ our Facebook page, great! Just ‘like’ our post and you will automatically be entered. Already a subscriber? Don’t worry! Enter the competition to have your subscription extended for a year.

Terms and conditions Entrants must ‘like’ both the PosAbility Magazine Facebook page and the competition post to enter. The prize is non transferable and cannot be exchanged for a cash alternative. Closing date 30th September 2014.

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Fittleworth Specialists in the Home Delivery of Ostomy, Urology and Wound Care Products

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04/08/2014 18:13

CHILDCARE

Mum Speaks Out About Disabled Childcare Crisis Parents of disabled children are in a constant battle to find suitable and affordable childcare in the UK. New research from charity Contact A Family has shown that 72% of mums have cut back or given up work because they can’t find appropriate childcare. A cross-party Parliamentary Inquiry into Childcare for Disabled Children took place on 17th June this year and here we are given an insight from Hannah Postgate, one of six parents who were invited to give oral evidence of the problems she has experienced in locating suitable childcare.

The Parliamentary Inquiry Hannah’s daughter, Rosy, has autism and complex learning disabilities and Hannah has been unable to find adequate one-to-one childcare for her daughter. Rosy even accompanied Hannah to the Parliamentary Inquiry because she had no one to take care of her that day. “No parent wants to leave their child in care they feel isn’t suited to them,” says Hannah, “yet parents of children with disabilities are forced to make that choice all the time.

“Perhaps I shouldn’t have brought Rosy along to such an important occasion – but you know what? I didn’t have any childcare! The irony was not lost on any of us that day.” Hannah went on to share her thoughts on the Inquiry: “We really felt that all of the MPs listened to what we had to say. In fact, they were shocked. The oral evidence from parents like us on the front line is a far cry from what they had been told the day before by the Local Authorities that gave evidence.”

Giving Up Work Hannah was forced to give up her career to be a full-time carer for her daughter. “I had no option but to stop work even though I didn’t want to,” she says. “I feel isolated and housebound in the school holidays. I can’t take both of my children out on my own.” Figures from Contact a Family show that 72% of mums of disabled children have cut back or completely given up work due to problems finding childcare. Another 39% say that they can’t use childcare because it’s too expensive and 33% add that they don’t use childcare because staff

don’t have the necessary experience. Determined to help other families in her situation and regain her own career, Hannah recently set up RosyandBo.com, a website which caters for the families of children with special needs and learning disabilities. “Being my own boss has given me the flexibility that I need to be a good mum to Rosy - but, unfortunately, other women in similar positions don’t have the same opportunities. “More needs to be done to fix the childcare crisis facing families today, and I am proud to have been part of the move towards better childcare for families with disabled children,” says Hannah.

Outcome Recommendations from the Inquiry reported that the Government needs to develop both a plan of action and a funded programme to ensure that all families have access to affordable, accessible and appropriate childcare. The report states that: “Ahead of the next general election, all political parties must commit to tackling the lack of affordable and quality childcare for disabled children, once and for all.”

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02/08/2014 12:20

Choosing C

Your Car

hoosing the right car for you can be a difficult decision and one that you should not undertake lightly. You may have an idea of the car you want but when you come to test drive it you may find that it actually doesn’t suit your needs or it might not live up to your expectations. It is therefore best to keep an open mind when looking for a car; perhaps make a shortlist of the cars you would like and do some research to find out what other drivers say about them before test driving them and making your final decision. Reading expert car reviews will give you a great insight into various good and bad points about the car, but in some cases these vary widely across the board so don’t rely solely on them. You can’t beat getting in the car and driving it yourself to know if it’s the car for you.

1) Type of Car Firstly you will need to decide what kind of car you require to cater for your accessibility needs. Can you transfer into a car easily and store your wheelchair safely in the back or do you need a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV)? If so, do you want a drive-from wheelchair vehicle that allows you to get straight up to the wheel via a ramp without you having to transfer or move from your wheelchair, or do you simply require a WAV so you can travel as a passenger? This then brings the question if

you would like to travel as an up-front passenger or in the back. The second thing you need to consider is what kind of car you would like. For many people a car is a reflection of their personality, so you need to decide what cars you would happily drive and what cars you definitely wouldn’t consider. Would you be embarrassed driving a pink car or would you be happy that the colour would turn some heads?

2) Adaptations There are over 400 adaptations available to ensure your driving experience is as comfortable and safe as possible. The adaptations available include • Hand controls, such as electronic accelerators or push/pull devices to action the accelerator or brake • Left foot accelerators for individuals who have limited mobility in their right leg • Steering wheel balls that assist with steering to give you more control • Attachments to allow you to reach standard controls in your car such as the indicator or lights • Electric person hoist that physically lifts you from your wheelchair into the driver’s seat • Easy release handbrake or electric handbrake, operated at the touch of a button This is just a small sample of the adaptations available. To get a clear idea of what you need you must speak to an

adaptation installer to discuss your needs or visit a Mobility Centre where you can have an independent assessment with an occupational therapist and a driving instructor who can determine the controls best suited for your needs. Be sure to look into the cost implications. Many of the adaptations are free with the Motability Scheme but some adaptations will cost. It’s also important to remember that adaptations are not suitable for every type of car, therefore you should speak to your installer about which cars are most likely to work with your required adaptations.

3) Small, Medium or Large Consider the size of car you need, if you have a family you may need a large car or even a people carrier but don’t forget to check the spaciousness of the vehicle inside – this can avoid too many sibling fights – and the boot space as you want to be sure it can accommodate family-sized luggage for a holiday. If you only require a car for nipping around town to visit friends or going to the shops, then you should look into the excellent and economical options available for small city cars. You would be surprised how far your money can go without compromising on style.

4) Fuel Consumption For most people this can be a major factor in choosing a car. With fuel prices on the

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ever-increasing spiral that they appear to be this should be something you take great consideration over, particularly if you use your car a lot. It would be advisable to take some time to work out your average mileage and also look into the benefits of choosing petrol or diesel. There are some very economical cars on the market today that offer a great mpg.

5) Safety Everyone wants to feel safe and secure in their car and if you have a family this may be even higher on your priority list. You can check how a potential car scored in the Euro NCAP crash tests. Visit www.euroncap.com to get a realistic and independent assessment of the safety performance. In addition to this, ensure you find out if the car is fitted with an immobiliser, an alarm and anti-theft devices, this will add to your peace of mind. There are also many additional safety packages that you can add with some models, including lane departure warnings and distance control.

6) Style and Comfort Even the most practical and frugal of us still want a car that exudes a bit of personal style. If you have a passion for cars you will probably have an idea of the make or model of car that you want, but be wary not to opt for style over substance. Feeling comfortable in your car is of great importance, if you spend a lot of time driving you do not want to end up complaining of back or neck ache from an uncomfortable driving position.

7) Cost As one of the major purchases in your life, whether you are buying or leasing, you don’t want to enter into your choice lightly and more importantly you don’t want to leave yourself out of pocket at the end of each month. Calculate everything from your advance payment, monthly payments, insurance costs and fuel costs to accurately work out if you can afford it. There is no point in stretching yourself uncomfortably and adding to financial worries.

Useful Websites Motability 0845 456 4566 www.motability.co.uk What Car? www.whatcar.com

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04/08/2014 18:15

Columnist Michael McEwan

Getting our voices heard

Michael McEwan is a disability activist from Glasgow who lives with cerebral palsy. He has worked on a number of radio stations over the past 14 years and with various Scottish charities.

When I was young we were asked about our dream jobs. I wanted to work in the media, that was my dream job when I was young and I have been lucky enough to make this dream a reality. I remember picking up a magazine one day and I saw that Able Radio, a disability radio station based in Wales, was looking for presenters so I thought I would give it a try. I had two minutes to speak about a subject of my choice so they could hear my voice. I passed the interview and I got my own show as the correspondent for Scotland. I did a few different slots and now my show is on every Thursday night between 7 and 8pm reporting on different issues. More recently I have been delighted to work for PosAbility Magazine, as well as doing freelance work for BBC Radio Scotland and I have also been doing work for the Sunday Herald to cover the Para-Sports in the Commonwealth Games programme. The media is a great way to get your views heard and get your voice out there. Disabled people have always been under-represented in the media, in terms of both the people and the issues that are covered. However recently we have seen an increase in coverage of disability issues, particularly on Channel 4. They have broadcast a lot of television shows covering disability, some of which I feel have been very positive while others have

been less so. It all kicked off back in 2012 when Channel 4 was live at the Paralympic Games every day. It was great for a national audience to see what disabled athletes can do. On the back of the Paralympics coverage, Channel 4 had a show every night called The Last Leg. It was presented by Australian Adam Hill and it was co-hosted by Josh Whittingham and Alex Brooker. Basically it was a magazine programme on the Paralympics that offered an alternative view on the day’s events and proved that disability and comedy can be a good combination. It was very funny and has been so popular that Channel 4 commissioned three more series since the end of the Paralympics. Also broadcast on Channel 4 was the comedy show Derek, featuring Ricky Gervais. People have lots of mixed comments about the programme. I was watching it one night and I turned it off. I personally don’t find it funny. In fact I think it was making a fool of disabled people rather than raising awareness while at the same time having a bit of fun, like The Last Leg managed to achieve. Channel 4 also broadcast a programme called the Undateables. It was a documentary series about disabled people

looking for love. Like Derek, the Undateables also divides opinion with many people arguing that the programme was making light entertainment out of disability. I personally feel it offers a great insight into the lives of people living with disabilities for people living outside the disabled community. The programme has been very popular and it has just been announced that it will return for a fourth series. Outside the mainstream media many people and organisations are using the internet to have their voices heard and raise awareness of particular issues. Back in June I went to meet the team at the Scottish Recovery Network. They have a website, www.scottishrecovery.net, which empowers people affected by mental health problems to write their stories and wipe away the stigma that we experience on a day to day basis. It helps people create and take control of their own personal stories and allows others to learn from them. All forms of media are a good way of putting your message across and it’s so important that the voices of people with disabilities are heard. There is good work being done and hopefully this will continue to increase in the future to give people a better understanding of disability.

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Quarter page advert_Layout 1 03/06/2014 14:53 Page 1

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One of the largest, FREE UK exhibitions dedicated to children and young adults with disabilities and special needs, their families, carers and the professionals who work with them. • Over 100 exhibitors offering advice and information on funding, mobility, seating, beds, communication, access, education, toys, transport, style, sensory, sports and leisure and more...... • Running alongside the event is a full programme of FREE seminars for parents and professionals (CPD). Topics include: Challenging Behaviour, Sleep Issues, Self Direct Support, Continence Issues, Moving and Handling, Transition and Legal Advice and much more.

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04/08/2014 18:17

EMPLOYMENT

Bridging The Gap Despite recent economic growth and rising overall employment in the UK, the number of disabled people in employment has actually decreased according to the ONS Labour Force Survey, May 2014. With only 47% of disabled people currently in employment compared to 79% of non-disabled people who are in work, these figures paint a bleak picture of the employment market for disabled people and this is an area that national employment, learning and skills charity, Shaw Trust, are working hard to combat.

Stepping Up Shaw Trust recently published a research paper highlighting the large gaps in employment rates of disabled people in different areas of the UK. The research paper, called ‘Stepping Up’, identifies these distinct gaps in

employment across local areas and highlights ideas to bridge these gaps and remove barriers that disabled people may be facing at a local level to entering the job market. Through City Deals, the Single Local Growth Fund and new EU Funds, at least £15 billion will be devolved to local economic areas in the next parliament, including funding for employment and skills. This funding offers an ideal opportunity for local areas to address the barriers that disabled people face when seeking employment. By working to close the employment gaps at a local level, Shaw Trust claim that it would help two million people into work. This may seem like a huge undertaking, but Stephanie Kaye, Shaw Trust Head of Operations for Charitable Projects and Social Enterprise, explains:

“The evidence points to an urgent need for new local solutions to address the employment challenges the most vulnerable members of society face. There is now an ideal opportunity to act, as local economic areas can use new powers to help break down the barriers faced by people with disabilities, health problems and impairments who want to work. As a country, we cannot afford to allow brilliant and talented people to continue to be left on the sidelines.” ’Stepping Up’ further highlights the potential for community-based social enterprises to play a significant role in bridging local disability employment gaps through the provision of unique ‘stepping stone’ employment opportunities. This integrated approach – currently being rolled out across an expanding network of local Shaw Trust Enterprises – uniquely

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EMPLOYMENT

Action Points

In summary the report, ‘Stepping Up’ lays out the following action points: 1) Local authorities and local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) should carry out comprehensive local disability needs analyses to identify local barriers to work faced by people with disabilities, health problems and impairments, in order to underpin actions to break them down. 2) LEPs and local authorities should take full advantage of newly devolved powers and funding by placing robust policies for bridging local disability employment gaps at the heart of their economic strategies. This will be essential to ensure fulfilment of the public sector equality duty, as required by the Equality Act 2010. 3) The design of new local solutions to bridge disability employment gaps must involve clear steps to integrate and align local and national provision, including joint working between agencies and co-design of services where appropriate. 4) Wide access to community-based stepping stone employment opportunities should be a central feature of local efforts to support more people with disabilities, health problems and impairments into work. 5) Public, private and voluntary sector organisations should commit to the further testing and evaluation of new approaches to bridge the disability employment gap and to build the evidence base on ‘what works’. You can read the full ‘Stepping Up’ report at www.shaw-trust.org.uk.

local economic areas can use new powers to help break down the barriers faced by people with disabilities, health problems and impairments who want to work combines work placements, skills training and personalised employability support to help guide people facing serious barriers to work into long-term employment. This model has been shown to achieve not only sustainable employment outcomes in the mainstream labour market, but also improve participants’ confidence and social skills, reduce recidivism for exprisoners, and improve community wellbeing and the environment.

Shaw Trust Since 2010 Shaw Trust has helped over 14,000 people with severe disabilities, health problems or impairments into work. It is a leading national charity that has been in existence for over 30 years giving them extensive experience when supporting people into sustainable employment. Shaw Trust further supports people to gain skills and progress into work

through an expanding network of local social enterprise projects known as Shaw Trust Enterprises. In partnership with local government and others, Shaw Trust Enterprises offer unique stepping stone employment opportunities at community-based enterprises ranging from horticultural centres and wood recycling plants to catering services and community cafés. Shaw Trust also delivers a number of learning and skills contracts, operates 50 retail shops nationwide and runs a national volunteering programme. They are also an approved sponsor for academies through Shaw Education Trust, a multi-academy trust established to support special schools and mainstream schools serving disadvantaged communities. To find out more about Shaw Trust call 01225 716300 or visit www.shaw-trust.org.uk

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04/08/2014 18:20

CAREERS

Get that Dream Job Talk about achievements By Jane Hatton

When most people write CVs they tend to write about the tasks they have performed in previous jobs. The CV almost looks like a job description. Whilst the prospective employer needs to know what you can do, it is far more powerful to write about how well you can do it. For example, if they are looking for, say, three specific skills in particular (this will come up on the job advert or the job description), then you need to give examples of achievements you have made using those skills. If the job advert says something like “the successful applicant will have great attention to detail, show initiative and be a good team player”, then these three skills need to be evidenced in your CV. You can either describe them under the job you were doing at the time, or you can have a separate section called ‘Skills’ or ‘Achievements’ and write them there. Use real examples of where you have used these skills in practice. In the above scenario, the following would be powerful: • Discovered a small mistake in some coding that was resulting in a number of errors. Corrected the coding and the errors stopped.

• Noticed we were spending a lot of money on paper through using a range of different suppliers. Negotiated a better rate with one supplier for bulk purchase and saved the department over 20% in paper costs. • In appraisals, was praised for being a pro-active team member, supporting and motivating my colleagues. The person sifting through the many CVs that have almost certainly been submitted for the role you are applying for will be looking for CVs which stand out from the rest. If your CV gives them concrete evidence that you have the skills, and your previous employers have benefitted from them, you will be ahead of most of the competition. It is always a risk recruiting people, so recruiters like to have proof that you can do the job rather than just saying you can (which every candidate will say). In fact, it’s a good idea to mention the most important skills for the job you are applying for in the personal profile at the top of the CV. Sometimes, if there is a large number of CVs, this may be the only bit the recruiter reads before deciding whether to read on or

not. So you need to grab his or her attention in those first few sentences. What this means is that each CV you submit will need to be targeted to each job you go for. A general CV that you send to everyone is very unlikely to reflect the exact qualities that each different job requires. So, remember to tailor each CV for each different job you apply for and talk about your achievements. For example, for a customer-facing role, which do you think would be the most powerful statement in a CV: 1. I like serving customers and talking to people. 2. I have excellent product knowledge, and customers voted me “best customer service representative” three months running. I know which one I’d have more confidence in! For further tips, and jobs from inclusive employers who are looking to attract more disabled candidates, have a look on the Evenbreak website www.evenbreak.co.uk.

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We look forward to welcoming you

you

with disabilities. Located just accessible 15 minutes drive from Dublin city centre, the MDI “Home Self contained fully wheelchair apartment available for short term staysfrom for people Home” apartment consists bedrooms, three of Dublin which have electric with disabilities. Located justof15four minutes drive from cityHi-Lo centre, the beds MDIand “Home from ceiling track hoists. Two of these rooms also have en-suite facilities. For more details visit: Home” apartment consists of four bedrooms, three of which have Hi-Lo electric beds and www.mdi.ie. We look forward En-suite twin For more details visit: Wheelchair ceilingtotrack hoists. Two of wheelchair these rooms also accessible have en-suite facilities. welcoming you. .BOBSPT %PMGPS www.mdi.ie. We look forwardwith Ceiling Track Hoist bedroom accessible bathroom "CFSEBSPO 1XMMIFMJ to welcoming you.

Tel: (01) 6236414 Email: info@mdi.ie En-suite wheelchair accessible twin bedroom with Ceiling Track Hoist

Wheelchair accessible bathroom

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mmodation ment Dublin 20

Four star Self Catering Fully Accessible Accommodation “Home From Home” Apartment En-suite wheelchair accessible twin 75 Lucan Wheelchair Road, Chapelizod, Dublin 20Access Award

Dublin City Centre, e apartment ic beds and ceiling ormation :

www.mdi.ie

bedroom with Ceiling Track Hoist

En-suite wheelchair accessible twin bedroom with Ceiling Track Hoist

web: www.mdi.ie

PosAbility

accessible bathroom

Located 15mins drive from Dublin City Centre, Fully Wheelchair Wheelchair Accessible apartment equipped with Hi-Lo electric beds and ceiling accessible bathroom track hoists. For more information :

Tel: (01) 6236414 Email: info@mdi.ie web: www.mdi.ie

Clober Farm, Milngavie, Glasgow

d to welcoming ou

mmodation ment Dublin 20

Dublin City Centre, e apartment ic beds and ceiling ormation : web: www.mdi.ie

We look forward to welcoming you

Lower Cottage Flat • Level access throughout • Combined kitchen living area • 3 bedrooms 2 of which are wheelchair accessible • One of the bedrooms hosts a tracking hoist, height adjustable profiling bed with air mattress, shower chairs and an ensuite wet room. Four star Self Catering Fully Accessible Accommodation “Home From Home” Apartment • Fully accessible kitchen with fridge/freezer, 75 Lucan Road, Chapelizod, Dublin 20 microwave, induction hob and oven. Located 15mins drive from Dublin City Centre, For more information on this property: Fully Wheelchair Accessible apartment web: www.sisonline.org equipped with Hi-Lo electric beds and ceiling email: clober.farm@sisonline.org track hoists. For more information : tel: 0141 427 7686 Tel: (01) 6236414 Email: info@mdi.ie web: www.mdi.ie

d to welcoming ou

We look forward to welcoming you

We are a family run business providing 8 self catering cottages designed to suit both disabled and able-bodied guests. Situated on a converted farmyard on the outskirts of the quiet village of Bircham, about 5 miles from the Royal Estate at Sandringham and 7 miles from the North Norfolk Coast. There are many nearby attractions, pubs and family activities to ensure there is something for everyone. For more information or to book call 01485 578 354 or email lavinia@nd-fc.co.uk.

www.nd-fc.co.uk Treworgans Farm Holidays Cornwall

“Truly accessible self catering Treworgans Farm Holidays. Cornwall. accommodation”

“Truly accessible self catering accommodation”

In our specially converted and detac barns we can provide electric beds, mattresses, hoists, shower chairs, recliner chairs plus a wide range of e equipment to make your stay easier more comfortable. Care is also avail locally. We are only 15 mins from T In our specially converted and making Treworgans the ideal plac and 30 mins from the Eden Project, explorebarns this beautiful county. detached we can provide

Phone 01726hoists, 883240 / 07762 173860 electric beds, air mattresses, or visit www.treworgans.co.uk shower chairs, riser recliner chairs plus a wide range of extra equipment to make your stay easier and more comfortable. Care is also available locally. We are only 15 mins from Truro and 30 mins from the Eden Project, making Treworgans the ideal place to explore this beautiful county.

01726 883240 / 07762 173860

www.treworgans.co.uk

Four star Self Catering Fully Accessible Accommodation TRENONA FARM HOLIDAYS

mmodation ment Dublin 20

“Home From Home” Apartment

Dublin City Centre, e apartment ic beds and ceiling ormation : web: www.mdi.ie

d to welcoming ou

75aLucan Road,farm Chapelizod, Dublin High quality converted barns on working in an Area of20 Located 15minsCoast drive from City Centre, Outstanding Natural Beauty, close to the South ofDublin Cornwall. Fully Wheelchair Accessible apartment Free wifi. Fully accessible for wheelchair users with private parking equipped with Hi-Lo electric beds and ceiling and gardens. Children and pets welcome. Two or three bedroom track hoists. For more information : cottages available. All inclusiveTel: price with short breaks October to (01) 6236414 Email: info@mdi.ie web: www.mdi.ie March. We look forward to welcoming you

Contact: Mrs Pamela Carbis - 01872 501339 Trenona Farm, Ruan High Lanes, Truro, Cornwall

www.trenonafarmholidays.co.uk 80 www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk

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Ewe Pen

www.cotswoldcharm.com www.cotswoldcharm.com

Call CallMichael Michaelon: on: 01386 01385840164 840164 0788 0788964 9649812 9812

George Barn

www.vosefarmcottages.co.uk 01872 530520 enquiries@vosefarmcottages.co.uk Contact: Andy Beadsley, Director

Hoe Grange Holidays

Tel: 01798 342222

A real home from home

Help required with bathing?

M2 wheelchair accessible N Spacious, level outdoor decking N Full disabled wet-room shower N

· No need to replace your existing bath · Victor Hoist can be fitted to any standard, corner, raised or sunken baths along with hot tubs and internal pools · The flexibility of movement allows it to be fitted into confined spaces · Can be used independently or with assisted bathing

01452 531 494 // info@victorhoist.co.uk

www.victorhoist.co.uk

info@wheelyboats.org

Accessible self catering log cabins set in the spectacular Derbyshire countryside Hoist, shower chair & equipment N Service dogs welcome N On a working farm N

Wheelyboats provide disabled people with hassle-free and independent access to waterborne activities such as nature watching, pleasure boating and angling. 160 have now been supplied by the Trust to venues open to the public all over the UK. Contact David and Felicity Brown Hoe Grange Holidays, Brassington, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 4HP T: 01629 540262 e: info@hoegrangeholidays.co.uk

Contact our Director or visit our website to find out about Wheelyboats operating near you.

www.hoegrangeholidays.co.uk

www.wheelyboats.org

Park Hall Hotel Are you retired or disabled?

How about a holiday with a difference in Conwy, North Wales. Your holiday starts when we pick you up from your home and ends when you return.You just book, we do the rest. Call now for special offers or escorted holidays abroad. Big enough to cope, small enough to care Telephone: 01492 592 279 Park Hall Hotel, Bangor Road, Conwy, LL32 8DP www.posabilitymagazine.co.uk 81

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Exclusive competitions that give you the chance to win dream holidays, We have teamed up with brand new magazine, PosAbility, to send you a complimentary copy of the first issue. The amazing productsincluding, and once a to win a magazine is filled with useful articles, enjoyable stories and lots of competitions, the in chance sailing trip with us! Turn to page 26 for details on how to enter, goodexperiences. luck! lifetime Products An innovative mix of products to PosAbility is all about living independently and actively, something you will read a lot about in PosAbility. This in everyday living. Health Fitness issuesupport looks into you the Paralympic hopefuls for 2012 and gives some tipsand to those who are keen to take a sport up on a serious level. There is also an article on Extreme Sports for the moreat adventurous reader, a look at the Wheelchair We look sports and activities Like us on Facebook Challenge taking place next month and an overview of the Mobility Roadshow. available for you to get involved in to Employment and Education Search for ‘PosAbility Magazine’ youatlead healthy Regular columns and features on We hope you enjoy reading PosAbility, if you would like tohelp subscribe only a£10 for 1 yearlifestyle. or £18 for 2 years, please use the form below post back withProviding your payment or call 0141 582 1475 and quote ‘Jubilee’. getting yourtodream job. Follow us on Twitter advice on CV’s, interview tips and Days Out Many Thanks @ PosAbilityMag much more. Great ideas for the whole family to John Patten enjoy. your holiday.

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Aug/Sept 2014

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