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BAYWATCH 2022

Disabled Motoring UK is looking to build on last year’s record-breaking Baywatch campaign when in August they ask disabled motorists from across the country to report on issues they’ve faced with parking over the last 12 months.

The Baywatch campaign survey is held every year, and its results are taken to the parking industry to encourage problems faced by disabled motorists to be taken seriously. Simultaneously, the campaign also seeks to change the attitudes of the general public, and bring wider attention to how abuse of disabled parking bays can have a significant, negative impact on disabled drivers.

Heidi Turner, campaigns and communications director at Disabled Motoring UK said: “Disabled bay abuse is still one of the main concerns expressed to us by our members and the public. Our annual Baywatch campaign is an opportunity to focus the parking industry on the problems faced by disabled motorists when parking and sends the message that these bays need to be enforced and managed correctly.” Last year, the campaign gained over 850 responses, the most that Baywatch has ever received. This year’s survey will be printed in the August edition of Disabled Motoring, so if you receive a copy of this you are encouraged to fill it in and send it back to Disabled Motoring UK using the Freepost address. Alternatively, the Baywatch survey can be completed online through Disabled Motoring UK’s website: DisabledMotoring.org/ Baywatch. The survey will ask people to think back over the last year about their general parking experiences in supermarkets and other car parks, which will then be used to improve or tackle disabled parking policies.

NEW ACCESSIBILITY APP

Snowball, a brand new app for disabled people that asks them to review and rate how disabilityfriendly businesses and services are, has been launched.

Created by wheelchair user and co-host of the popular podcast The Grumpy Gits, Simon Sansome, the app allows users to find restaurants, shops, tourist attractions, coffee shops and much more, regardless of where they are in the world. As more places are reviewed and suggested, the app will grow larger and gain more momentum, hence its name, Snowball. Simon said: “Snowball will have a significant impact in giving people with physical disabilities, mental health issues and learning disabilities successful journeys and great days out. “In the last few weeks we have seen BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner stranded on a plane at Heathrow, a Guide Dog charity executive asked to leave a supermarket because of his guide dog, and disabled children unable to access playgrounds. “The app will give people the confidence to socialise with ease as they will be able to see what facilities and venues are available in their immediate location. They will also be able to plan days out, giving people more freedom to access their communities, explore and travel with confidence.”

Paralympians Hannah Cockroft OBE and Aaron Phipps MBE have hailed the app as a “long time coming”, with Hannah saying: “I am repeatedly told that disability access in the UK has improved out of sight, and whilst things are getting better, they are still not accessible. Snowball will change the everyday lives of many disabled people. “We will no longer have to turn up and pray we can get in, do hours of online research just to find out if we will be able to enter, or phone up and be told a venue is accessible, when it really, really isn’t – one step doesn’t make a huge difference, right? Snowball will give people back their time, freedom and independence and create an accessible space for all.” You can download the app from the Play Store or App Store by searching ‘Snowball Community’ to start reviewing today.

SEATING MATTERS LAUNCH SYDNEY GOFLAT™ CHAIR

“Time and again we were asked for a lie flat chair but built to the high Seating Matters clinical standard. The Sydney GoFlat was designed and refined in direct response to clinician feedback. We wanted to help advance early mobilisation, enabling patients to be discharged earlier from the ICU and ultimately from hospital.”

Seating Matters have launched a new seating solution to help transfer critical care patients at home or in a care setting. The Sydney GoFlat™ has been designed to enable the safe and efficient transfer of critical care patients from lying in bed to a fully seated, clinically optimised position offering care professionals new options in early patient mobilisation.

Speaking at the launch of the new model, Seating Matters director Jonathan Tierney said: “We are very proud to launch this new addition to the Seating Matters range. The Sydney GoFlat combines the traditional Seating Matters principles of seating with the benefits of our advanced GoFlat technology allowing lateral transfers.”

Clinical director Martin Tierney added: “Extensive research demonstrates the many benefits of getting patients out of bed as rapidly as tolerated and the negative impact that long term bed rest can have on muscle mass, bone mineral density and impairment in other body systems. “Feedback we have heard during the fieldtesting phase of this exciting new chair is that in addition to the many significant physical and functional benefits there have been untold mental and emotional benefits for patients. Our very first patient was in an ICU unit in Australia and her occupational therapist thought the Sydney GoFlat was a game changer in her patient’s treatment.” Seating Matters specialists are providing free demonstrations of the Sydney GoFlat across the UK and Ireland, details can be found on SeatingMatters.com.

GET YOUR SUPERHERO CAPE ON!

It’s time to get ready for the largest mass participation sports series in the UK, dedicated to disabled people and their families, Superhero Tri! Taking place on 20 August at Dorney Lake, Windsor, the event encourages disabled kids and adults to get involved alongside family, friends and carers. You can choose from three different distances to suit any ability, and you can choose to fly solo or share the fun as part of a team.

You are allowed to use any equipment you need to enable you to complete the course, whether that be flippers or a float for the swim section, or you need to be towed in a vessel across the water. All types of adapted bikes and wheelchairs are welcome for the cycling stage, and for the run/push stage everything from buggies, race runners, and powerchairs are actively encouraged. It truly is the most inclusive, fun and exciting sporting event for families and friends to take part in this summer. They even have some great Paralympians and celebrities involved as Team Captains, and you must not forget to look out your superhero outfit! You can sign up to take part at SuperheroSeries.co.uk.

LAPTHORNE LIFTS FIRST BRITISH OPEN QUAD SINGLES TROPHY

Wheelchair tennis number four Andy Lapthorne has claimed his first quad singles title after beating Australian third seed Heath Davidson at the British Open Wheelchair Tennis Championships in July. Lapthorne had a point to prove after losing to Davidson at Wimbledon, beating the Australian 6-4 6-3 in his sixth attempt at the title. “After losing here five times in the final, that was needed,” Lapthorne said. “It’s just amazing to win here, I know what it’s like to lose here. I’ve lost finals from match point up and I’ve obviously lost to Heath in the last two tournaments. He’s been playing great tennis so congratulations on a great summer mate, you’ve done great things.

“I knew I was going to have to play well out here today. One of my great friends from home, Pistol Pete, who used to play here a lot, he’s not great at home at the moment and just tried to use that to inspire me and push me on and he got me through. Thanks to everyone for the support in the crowd this week, you’ve been amazing for an ITF one. It’s probably the best in the world so thank you to everyone for coming.” British number one Lucy Shuker’s first British Open Wheelchair Tennis Championship singles final did not end on such a happy note, seeing her lose out on the title to the Netherlands’ Aniek van Koot. The Dutch top seed won 6-2 6-3 in her sixth attempt at securing the British Open women’s singles title. Shuker said: “I’m really happy to get to the final this week. It’s a shame I couldn’t go one further and win but Aniek you were pretty awesome today. Your backhand slice is ridiculous. I’m really happy overall to get to the final, it’s been a good week. I’d like to thank the LTA for all their support and it has been great to play in front of a British crowd again.”

LATEST TWEETS

Katie Bennett-Hogg @npo_speechie

Today I was tutted at when parking in a disabled space. I had all these tubes hidden under my clothes, so I looked like a young, healthy person. But in reality, I still have a disability, despite choosing to hide my tubes. Friendly reminder that most disabilities are invisible!

Jonathan (Jono) Greenwood (IT’S TIME) @JonathanGwood

Disability is a spectrum. Some disabilities are visible. Others are invisible. But what do they all have in common? They’re all worthy of respect. Ableism has no place in modern society; let’s get to know others and stop assuming things about people with disabilities.

Charlie Park

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@MeanderingPark

Things I want people to say about my chronic illness: - What can I do to help? - What’s the best way for us to stay in touch? - That sounds challenging. - What things have you found help you? - What have you been working on with your health? - Wishing you spoons and less pain.

Katie Jameson @Katie__Jameson

Im just a mom, over here reminding you that kids with #disabilites don’t have the opportunity to attend summer camps with their siblings or peers, because support is not built into those programs. My kid wants to play, too. #DisabilityTwitter #DisabilityRights

FUNDING FOR INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS DOUBLE PODIUM FOR TEAM BRIT

WeWALK has been awarded £1.7million from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), to use for their Designed for Ageing project.

WeWALK are the organisation behind the Smart Cane – a walking cane for people living with a visual impairment that uses a front-mounted ultrasonic sensor that detects obstacles and warns users with vibration feedback. It has transformed the lives of many blind and visually impaired people, and the team at WeWALK are dedicated to continuing the creation of software-enabled products to aid independent living.

Their new project Designed for Ageing, sees them partnering with Imperial College London and the Royal

National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), and aims to develop a new computer vision-aided solution to help people facing mobility challenges, from catching the right bus to navigating the busiest streets.

The £1.7million of funding will be used to focus on promoting the widespread use of computer visionaided navigation, including environmental mapping and situational awareness. The project team aims to build on existing WeWALK architecture while also developing new technology that is accessible and easier to use for key target groups. The project has the potential to enhance the lives of up to 253 million visually impaired and 700 million older people globally by improving access to the spaces where we live, work, and play.

WeWALK co-founder Kürşat Ceylan said: “We are delighted and excited to be embarking on this new project with our partners, thanks to the support of UKRI.

“Computer vision has limitless potential in solving mobility problems experienced by visually impaired and older people, from identifying landmarks to navigating complex spaces. Our specialist knowledge and that of our partners, which have an in-depth understanding of overcoming the barriers to using mobility technology, provide an ideal platform in developing new and effective solutions.”

Robin Spinks, principal manager of digital accessibility at RNIB, said: “We’re delighted to be working with WeWALK and Imperial College London on this exciting project which gives us an immense opportunity to enhance navigation for people with sight loss. “We will be heavily involved in user testing working with a large group of blind and partially sighted people to harness their day to day lived experience. We will also be working with our user experience team to develop a game-changing product that will improve the lives of visually impaired individuals worldwide.” eam BRIT, the world’s only competitive all-disabled racing team, have taken a double podium in the

British GT Championship. The race, held on Sunday 24 July at Spa Francorchamps in Belgium, was the 7th in this year’s championship, in which the team has made history as the first ever all-disabled team entry. Drivers Aaron Morgan and Bobby Trundley raced the team’s Mclaren 570S GT4 in the Pro-Am category and qualified P2 in class and 10th overall in GT4. Following this, after some initial problems with a tyre failure in warmup, the team and crew put in a flawless performance to secure their biggest ever victory. The crew, under the leadership of engineering director Al Locke have been praised by commentators and teams alike for their incredible efforts in what has been a major step up. They were completing top-class pitstops in just 0.9 seconds over the minimum time requirement, whilst also running the team’s pioneering hand control technology which enables Aaron, who is a paraplegic to race in the same car as Bobby.

31-year-old Aaron Morgan broke his back in a motocross accident when he was 15 and was the youngest ever disabled person to achieve a national ‘B’ race licence when he got back into motorsport following his accident. Aaron took the first stint of the day, delivering some of his best ever driving before handing over to 22-year-old Bobby. Bobby was diagnosed with severe autism as a child and went on to become a five time national karting champion before joining Team BRIT in 2019. This race saw their first class win in the championship and first ever GT4 podium finish. Last year, Aaron and Bobby competed in the Britcar Endurance Championship and 2022 has seen them step up to British GT, racing at their highest ever level. Engineer director Al Locke said: “This is a real milestone moment in our history. Today’s victory is down to the efforts of every crew member and both drivers. We gave absolutely everything we could to ensure the car was as competitive as it could be and that our drivers were as prepared as possible. It worked. I couldn’t be prouder of every one of my crew and of Bobby and Aaron. “Both drivers gave the performances of their lives and these trophies are so thoroughly deserved. Stepping up to British GT has been a massive learning curve for every one of us and we’re growing and improving with every race.”