PosAbility – Feb / Mar 2023

DAY TRIPPING

Accessible attractions across the UK

CHAMIAH DEWEY

Designing clothing for every body

ACCESSIBLE GAMING

Making the gaming world more inclusive for all

Editor: Rosalind Tulloch

Assistant Editor: Katie Campbell

Production: Donna Deakin

Designer: Fionnlagh Ballantine CONTRIBUTORS

Sam Renke, Mik Scarlet, Dan White, Ian Taverner, Jane Hatton, Kat Paylor-Bent

FEB/MAR 23

Welcome Ros

EDITOR

You made it through January. Well done.

Now we are into February, which brings with it London Fashion Week. Think glamour, haute couture, and the word “darling” being thrown around far too often. As the elite take their seats in the front row, we hope disabled models and adapted fashion will take centre stage this year in an industry that is slowly but surely starting to accept that it needs to be more inclusive.

With fashion at the forefront this month, we spoke to Chamiah Dewey

about the brand she created for people of short-stature who are under 4ft 10”, or living with dwarfism. Chamiah’s beautiful designs are properly designed and made to fit perfectly, they are stylish, elegant and empowering. You can read all about Chamiah Dewey Fashion on page 17.

In keeping with the fashion theme we also spoke to Adaptista found Maria O’Sullivan-Abeyratne about the scholarship she has helped launch with the British Academy of Fashion Design. This £8,000 scholarship has specifically been opened for disabled candidates, to encourage more disabled people into the fashion industry. Kat Paylor-Bent, founder of Seated Sewing, also shares her thoughts on adapted fashion and driving the industry forward.

Making it through January can be quite a feat, but hopefully February is making you feel a bit brighter and ready to get out a bit more as the sun tries to shine. Turn to page 47 to find a whole host of accessible attractions across the UK to keep you amused at the weekend.

If you are visiting Naidex on 22-23 March at the NEC, Birmingham, please come and join us – we usually have sweets!

For only £15 for 1 year or £25 for 2 years visit PosabilityMagazine.co.uk

Cover image courtesy of Chamiah Dewey Fashion

07 FYI

News, stories and updates

12 FASHION FORWARD

Fulfil your dream of becoming a fashion designer with an inclusive scholarship

15 FIND YOUR VOICE

Sam Renke explores how therapy has helped her unpackage her internalised ableism

17 FASHION FOR EVERY BODY

We sat down with Chamiah Dewey to get the lowdown on her fashion brand for people under 4ft 10”

20 TIME FOR LUNCH

Ideas for your midday mealtime

23 COOKFULNESS

Ian Taverner guides us through making a delicious courgette and tomato crumble

25 A FORGOTTEN GENERATION

Mik Scarlet calls on us to remember the forgotten generations of disabled people

26 LOVE IS IN THE AIR

Essential products for you and your Valentine

28

FOR THE PLAYERS

Console giants Sony have announced they’re bringing an accessible controller to market for the PS5

30 SIGNING UP FOR SPORT

BT Sport will begin including BSL commentators across a range of games this year

34 THE I-WORD

PosAbility speaks to Emily Nicole Roberts and Jake Sawyer about their comedy sitcom, the I-Word

36 HOT STUFF

The latest must-have products on the market

42

WHEN YOU CAN’T JUST “TURN STUFF

OFF”

Euan’s Guide explains how the cost of living crisis disproportionately affects the disabled community

47 DAY TRIPPING

Accessible UK attractions for fun days out

50 THE FIGHT FOR FASHION

Kat Baylor-Bent discusses the importance of adaptive fashion

53 KIDS’ CORNER

Digital safety for young people, Dan White on why supporting the NHS strikes are imperative, and the value of inclusive sex education from Maria Hassan - this month’s Future Voices columnist

62 WE’VE GOT THIS

PosAbility Magazine caught up with Eliza Hull about her new book for disabled parents by disabled parents

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

News and stories from around the world

RNIB CALL FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO ACCESS TO WORK SCHEME ALFIE HEWETT WINS AUSTRALIAN OPEN

British wheelchair tennis star

Alfie Hewett won the Australian Open in Melbourne on Saturday 28 January – the first time he has won the men’s wheelchair singles title at this event. This victory brings his total number of Grand Slam titles to 23 and further strengthens his hold on his world No.1 ranking.

The emotional win came after a scintillating performance that ended in a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Japan’s world No.4 Tokito Oda. Contesting his third successive Australian Open singles final, Hewett managed to resist the big serving game of 16-year-old Oda to come from 3-1 down in the opening set, with a backhand down the line winner wrapping up the first set in 41 minutes.

This major win came just a day after he secured the men’s doubles title with partner Gordon Reid. “Praising his team, Hewett said: “For me, this was one heck of a battle, really – mentally more than anything. Those tears you

saw, they were like seven years in the making. I remember my first time on this court, three or four years ago and I think I cried after that, as well, because I’d just won my first (singles) match here, which to me, after four years, too.

“To make two finals and lose in three sets in those, it really starts to eat up at you over some time, so to get the opportunity to come out here today and get the win and finally get my hands on that trophy is something I’m very proud of. I couldn’t do it without you guys.”

Hewett’s latest Grand Slam success at the Australian Open not only takes him to 23 Grand Slam titles in singles and doubles, one more than doubles partner Gordon Reid, but also sees him become the most successful British wheelchair player in singles competition at the majors as he now surpasses the six titles, two at the US Open and four at the Australian Open, won by Peter Norfolk in quad singles between 2007 and 2012.

Leading sight loss charity Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) is demanding that the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) make drastic improvements to the Access to Work scheme.

A recent report has uncovered that in December 2022 there were 25,103 outstanding applications for support from the Access to Work scheme – this is an increase of more than 10,000 in 12 months.

The lengthy delays can often be as long as six months and are putting thousands of jobs at risk for disabled people and people living with chronic illness. Many blind and partially sighted people are having job offers withdrawn or are unable to start work.

For blind and partially sighted people, Access to Work can pay for a range of support, including support workers, adaptations to work premises and specialised equipment. The scheme also pays for travel to work where there are no practical public transport alternatives as well as awareness training for colleagues.  David Clarke, RNIB chief operating officer, said: “We are calling on the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), which runs Access to Work to take decisive and comprehensive action to cut the backlog urgently. RNIB has repeatedly raised concerns about their ongoing inability to administer the scheme since December 2021. Six months is far too long for people with sight loss to be without support with many having job offers withdrawn or finding their careers in limbo due to the delays.

“We have met with the DWP on numerous occasions to discuss the delays, but little progress has been made and the situation is rapidly worsening with 15,000 outstanding applications in December 2021 rising to 25,103 in December 2022.”

Photo: Alfie Hewett with his Australian Open men’s singles trophy

ASTRIID CONSULTING LAUNCHED

Astriid Consulting is a new employment service that is designed to bridge the gap between the invisible talent pool of people living with long-term health conditions and inclusive employers.

Head of Astriid Consulting Catherine Hale, has drawn on her own experience of living with ME to create a supportive, innovative offering for both employers and candidates looking for employment or volunteering opportunities. The service is designed to match talented individuals living with long-term health conditions with meaningful work and aims to offer a much-needed alternative to mainstream recruitment channels.

On the firm’s website, Catherine writes: “We’ve learned that there’s still a barrier that stands

in-between our candidates and inclusive employment. That barrier is a huge knowledge gap. All too often, we see that line managers, hiring teams, and business leaders don’t truly understand the value that our candidates bring to the workplace. They don’t always realise that with adjustments that are often simple to make, and a more inclusive workplace culture, people with long-term conditions can thrive in their work and be the ideal fit for all kinds of roles in all kinds of sectors.”

Find out more at Astriid.org

FIRST-EVER CHESS OLYMPIAD FOR DISABLED PEOPLE

The first-ever Chess Olympiad for people with disabilities represents a historic event for the International Chess Federation (FIDE – French acronym) and the chess world. Over 100 players from 33 countries will gather in Belgrade, Serbia, making a landmark moment for the chess world as the Chess Olympiad for people with disabilities becomes a part of the Chess Olympiad family, following the success of the online tournaments.

29 January to 5 February will see the Serbian capital host the first chess Olympiad for people with disabilities, and it has been described as “a watershed moment for the chess world”. Making the move to an in-person event was a high priority for FIDE and President Arkady Dvorkovich said: “Chess is a unique sport where disabled people can reach a high professional level and flourish both as players and as individuals. We want to encourage that further! FIDE is fully dedicated to making chess inclusive and accessible to everyone.”

HEARING AIDS FOR TEDDIES

The not-for-profit organisation

Toy Like Me, well-known for the work they do to represent children’s impairments in toys, are working with the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital Audiology Department to offer every child fitted with hearing aids over the next 12 months a set of toy hearing aids for their favourite

cuddly toy.

Thanks to generous funding from Septagon Trust, Toy Like Me will send each child away with a set of toy hearing aids just like their own to put on their best cuddly friends.

The importance of representation in toys for young disabled children is vital to help them feel confident and secure, and to give them a sense of belonging. Toy Like Me continues to undertake incredible work in this area, and you can also buy the toy hearing aids on their Etsy shop, with all proceeds going towards their nonprofit work in communities.

DAWNcil @dawncil

“I wish for a world that views #Disability, mental or physical, not as a hindrance but as unique attributes that can be seen as powerful assets if given the right opportunities.”

— Oliver Sacks

#MondayMotivation

Stickman Communications ltd @stickmancrips

Nearly got caught out by #disability overconfidence! I successfully (albeit narrowly) avoided landing head-first in the toilet at work today, but I must remember that ‘feeling a [bit] better’ doesn’t mean I can stop concentrating on standing!

#Hypermobility #PoTS

Get Yourself Active at Disability Rights UK @GetYrselfActive

�� ”It is not rocket science: the less money you have, the less active you can be.”

Thank you, @Monforte92 for writing about how the #CostOfLivingCrises is affecting activity levels for Disabled people ��

BBC Access All @BBCAccessAll

Blind Dr Amit Patel applied for 104 admin jobs and didn’t get a single interview, until he “left out the visual impairment” and got a call back for “every single one of them”

Hear him on our latest podcast

BLUE BADGE BUNCH

An award-winning, interactive kids’ game show is aiming to teach the next generation to see disability differently.

Created by comedian Benny Shakes who lives with cerebral palsy, the show is hosted by Benny and autistic stand-up comedian Mark Nicholas, and they are joined by different comedy guests on each show. Dubbed the “disability Taskmaster”, the show has the panel and audience members experiencing how it feels to have a disability through different interactive games, including Below the Belt, where participants draw with their bare feet, work out

sentences from a speaking aid in ‘Jamie’s Gamey’, and guess the price and purpose of disability equipment in ‘The Price is Wrong’

Benny has been awarded £30,000 from Arts Council England to develop and tour the show, with support from Attenborough Arts Centre (Leicester), The Quarry Theatre Bedford, New Art Exchange (Nottingham). This money is giving disabled artists more paid opportunities and raising awareness of the issues they face in a fun and engaging way.

Shakes said: “With Blue Badge Bunch I wanted to create a comedy show that could make the next generation think differently about disability. It’s a fun game show about something so important that offers audiences a chance to see how disabled people live each day, and we had an amazing response

from audiences at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival last year.

“It feels like this show is more important now than ever. There are still so many misconceptions around disability; in recent months I’ve experienced abuse about the way I speak, or people assuming that I’m less intelligent than them because I speak differently to them. Blue Badge Bunch gives us the opportunity to educate audiences about disabilities like cerebral palsy and autism in an accessible, interactive way and hopefully change attitudes.”

You can catch the show at the VAULT Festival, The Vaults, Leake St, London, SE1 7NN on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 March, 2.50pm.

Visit VaultFestival.com/Events/BlueBadge-Bunch for more information and to book tickets.

FASHION FORWARD

Ever dreamed of pursuing your dream of being a fashion designer?

It’s January 2023, and I have just read that a scholarship competition from inclusive online retailer Adaptista and the British Academy of Fashion Design, has been launched to encourage disabled people to pursue an education in fashion.

My first thoughts are joyous, what a positive move to encourage disabled people to pursue their dreams of fashion design and hopefully help educate the fashion industry on the need for adapted clothing. However, I am also plagued by the question “why are we still having to fight for appropriate clothing for disabled people in the year 2023?”

These sentiments are echoed by Maria O’Sullivan-Abeyratne, founder of Adaptista, and the driving force behind the scholarship programme. Talking with Maria, you can hear the passion in her voice when she talks about affecting change in the fashion industry. She is a straight-talking Irish woman that steers clear of the limelight and shies away from press opportunities believing “that actions speak for themselves”.

Maria doesn’t want to waste time talking about good intentions, she just wants to see things get done. It is this no nonsense attitude that has seen her launch Adaptista with her husband John, and join forces with the British Academy for Fashion Design to launch this amazing scholarship programme worth £8,000.

Adaptista, is a small but vital marketplace for inclusive brands to showcase and sell their items. It is home to a wide array of brands

dress – a dress she subsequently changed out of halfway through the day to hit the dancefloor more comfortably. This experience sparked

POSITIVE CHANGE

There is no doubt that there has been positive changes in the fashion industry over the last few years, as Maria agrees: “The amount of small adaptive brands I have seen come up is fantastic, and it’s great to see them thriving. And it’s great to see that they are producing quality items, which is so important.

“I get so many emails from students around the world asking me what they can do to make their collections more inclusive, so you know the want is there.”

The fashion industry is slowly stepping out of its comfort zone to recognise that it must take a more inclusive approach, and not just by including models of different body shapes, abilities and race. There is an overwhelming need for disabled people to infiltrate the fashion industry at every level, to broaden the scope of people’s views of designing clothing that will be universally inclusive, and the benefits that this can bring across the board.

Maria recognises that the lack of diversity within the fashion industry simply breeds a lack of understanding that there is actually a need for different designs and attitudes: “You can’t expect people to understand disability if they have never been disabled or been in the company of anyone disabled.”

Maria wants to see “disabled people in all facets of the workforce, from design, photographers, hair, makeup, 3D design, everything.” Then, and only then, will true change be affected, and this scholarship is an excellent stepping stone towards making that change.

THE SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION

Launched by Adaptista and the British Academy of Fashion Design, the scholarship is worth £8,000 to study the Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Fashion Design, with the opportunity to progress to the Higher National Diploma (HND).

The scholarship competition is open to candidates who identify as disabled, as defined by the Equality Act 2010, you must be over 18 (there is no upper age limit) and be resident in the UK for the duration of the course. The competition will be judged by representatives of Adaptista, the British Academy of Fashion Design and another judge is to be announced.

The scholarship is supported by Includability who will provide career mentoring as well as a one year membership to Microsoft 365 and Adobe Creative Cloud, and John Lewis City who will supply a beautiful new sewing machine to the successful applicant. In addition, Adaptista will also provide 100m of calico fabric, as well as a hamper of design and drawing tools.

To apply, you must write a 500-word essay outlining why you are the perfect candidate, and a mood board to represent your creative vision for an outfit. Applications must be in by 31 March 2023.

why are we still having to fight for appropriate clothing for disabled people in the year 2023?

SAM RENKE

my address and after a handful of attempts I became enraged. Yet, my immediate thought was, what am I doing wrong?

I caught myself in a mindful moment, a moment of clarity I suppose. Why do you always do that Sam? Why is it always something you’ve done? It was not my fault, it was a system error, but I’d already berated myself and felt like I was incapable of doing the simplest of tasks. Such a non-event quickly turned into thoughts of not being independent enough and being incapable.

FIND YOUR VOICE

Speak up. Stop doubting yourself. Stop justifying your decisions to others.

Grand statements, but life lessons I am becoming more and more comfortable implementing in my own day-to-day life.

These revelations have, for the most part, been triggered when I started therapy towards the end of last year. I’ve always been envious of those who seemed to be ahead of the game and prioritised their mental health. I appreciate therapy is a privilege, but it’s also something that needs to be done organically, you can’t be forced into it. It’s like giving up booze or cigarettes, you have to want to do it for yourself and no one else. I guess that’s why it’s taken me so long, but I’m now ready and totally open to exploring Pandora’s Box, for me and only me.

I am so blown away by how impactful therapy has been in such a short pace of time. I’m open to, and allowing myself to, unburden and get rid of many of the shackles associated with my internalised ableism - like being a

people pleaser, thinking I am always at fault, and apologising for my decision making. Before starting therapy, small daily activities could spiral into total meltdowns of self-loathing and feeling completely out of my depth, having to feel guilt for my decisions or apologise for my needs.

For example, as I pondered as to whether or not I can justify spending £100 on a pot of paint, my hand and my subconscious made the decision for me as my index finger - now having a life of its own - clicked ‘add to basket’.

“Sod it, YOLO,” I thought to myself, plus you can’t beat a bit of Farrow and Ball even if it means living on those dusty lentil soup tins at the back of your cupboard for the foreseeable future. As I came to the checkout, the computer said no. It didn’t register

I’ve come a long way in the past few months, even terminating one of my PA’s contracts. It wasn’t right for a long time, just a miss match, but I felt like my needs and my voice were secondary and really thought it was up to me to solve a broken situation. I’d been programmed for so long to “shut up and put up”, so that I wasn’t hurting or inconveniencing others.

This year I made a vow to make sure I was listened to and respected. I asked my therapist if I should explain why I was terminating the PA’s contract, if I should send a text or call to give an explanation and thank them after the care agency had made them aware of my decision?

She told me flat out “no”, and challenged me as to why I felt the need to do this?

I felt guilty for putting myself first and felt compelled to justify my actions. This was learnt behaviour and resulted in every decision feeling so heavy with guilt or self-doubt.

I spoke my truth, made a decision, stuck to my decision, didn’t question my actions and didn’t people please. It was darn hard, but so bloody empowering.

It takes time to change years of thinking a certain way, but I know I owe it to myself to feel unburdened from years of oppression stemming from ableism – so please know that your voice is valid, you don’t have to explain your decisions to anyone and doing this does not make you a bad person.

Your life, your rules!

Our favourite teacher-turnedactress, Sam Renke, brings you her take on life and the colourful experiences it throws her way.

“I’d been programmed for so long to “shut up and put up””

CLOTHING FOR EVERY BODY

BY KATIE CAMPBELL

In the last few years, there have been stirrings in the fashion industry which show it may be closer to recognising the need for accessible clothing: just to name a few, Tommy Hilfiger released their adaptable clothing line, and Nike introduced zip- and lace-free accessible trainers into their ever-

growing repertoire.

Chamiah Dewey Fashion is the UK’s first clothing brand to create garments for people under 4ft 10" and people living with dwarfism. Made in small runs in London, the brand - and its namesake Chamiah - are proud to create quality clothing that’s designed

Meet Chamiah Dewey, whose eponymous fashion brand is creating beautiful and bespoke clothing for people living with dwarfism

for the bodies of people who are 4ft 10” and under, not average-sized clothing with pieces of it lopped off. Everything is designed to fit, to be complementary, and to make people feel beautiful in clothes that were designed for their bodies.

“I was very naive in the beginning to think I can just chop off a hem,” Chamiah told PosAbility Magazine, “because bodies are completely different. The main thing I’ve learned really is that there are a lot of nuances to short-stature bodies. A lot of people will assume that their torsos are average height and they just have small limbs. But actually, from a design point of view, everything is different. There’s a smaller crotch depth, there’s a smaller shoulder-to-bust depth, the shoulder’s usually a bit more narrow; all these things make clothing fit really differently if you’re a small person, and there’s also a pretty big misconception that they can just wear children’s clothes.

“But if you think about it, if you’re a small person but you’re also plus size, children’s clothes aren’t going to fit. Or if you’re a small person and you’re pregnant, or postpartum, any of these things that mean you’ve got a different body shape to a child, essentially. And as women know, when you grow up and start getting hips, and boobs and all those things, kids’ clothes aren’t going to fit that because they’re so boxy - because they’re made for children. That’s been a pretty big challenge: to understand the body and work out ways to make clothing that’s comfortable and that fits really nice, that’s easier to wear - because another thing that I learned really early on is that short stature people often struggle with fastenings, whether that’s a different condition that they live with that affects dexterity or mobility, or whether

it’s just from having smaller fingers, which makes buttons and zips really tricky.

“It means that everything I do, I’m obviously thinking a lot about the fit and about how comfortable it’s going to be, especially if they’re wheelchair users and they’re going to be seated all day. I make sure seams are enclosed and they’re not going to create pressure sores, all of those things, but also, I have to really imagine how they’re going to put it on. Can they pull it over their head, is it going to be a wrap dress that they can put on like a jacket and tie at the front, can they step into it? You really have to think a lot more - it’s not a case of coming up with an amazing design and just making it, there’s a lot more nuance to what goes into it.“

Chamiah always wanted to be a fashion designer, and her mission to create clothing for people under 4ft 10” and people living with dwarfism was inspired by a chance meeting in 2018 during her time working at a seasonal job which saw her take groups of young people out to volunteer and do activities. She befriended a young woman living with dwarfism, and a chance conversation about purchasing prom dresses saw her explain to Chamiah how awkward the experience was: not only was trying the dress on a problem, but once she bought it, she then had to chop half of it off in order to wear it comfortably.

“I was curious and did a bit of research after the program ended, and I found that the only things that were out there for people with dwarfism at the time were quite plain, they were very expensive for what they were, they weren’t very trendy, they weren’t something that I could imagine a young person would look at and say ‘oh I really want that’,” Chamiah said.

when the models walked in, it was like they brought an energy with them that was infectious

“I saw this huge gap in the market, and I had this lightbulb moment and thought, I love fashion, I love making people feel good, I love helping people, it felt like something that would fit really well. I did a few projects on it at uni, got to understand the size of the issue. Then in my third year of uni, which was my placement year, I did an enterprise placement instead of going into the industry, so in the enterprise placement you had to have a business idea, and my idea was clothing for people with dwarfism. I was very fortunate that that year, I got to spend a lot of time developing the idea, doing the research, working with business coaches to make it a viable thing, and then once I finished that year and went into my final year at uni, it wasn’t an option to stop at that point, I’d already built up this community, I already had some products out there, so it’s just flourished, basically!”

Chamiah would spend two years designing and refining the collections that would launch the brand, and even obtained a short-stature mannequin while she was at the London College of Fashion, allowing her to create better fitting samples that could then be tailored further using fit models at a later date. Her aim was to create clothing that is comfortable, that fits, and that sits properly all day, taking into account that some of her clients are wheelchair users or require access to lines or ports, and adjusting accordingly.

“When I first started,” she said, “something I was a bit worried about was that I’m an average-sized person, so I was like, how are people going to find this? Are they going to think I’m doing it for the wrong reasons, or are they going to not trust me, and I think there was definitely an aspect of it in the beginning especially when I was asking for measurement data and things like that. I think people were probably a bit sceptical that it was a uni project that was going to just end, and that was it.

“It took a little bit of time to build that credibility and that trust up with

people, but typically, when people find it, it’s just like an excitement, like ‘oh my god, I didn’t know that this ever existed.’ The reaction’s always positive, and I’ve never had any negative feedback, which is amazing. And it’s lovely when I get to be there to see somebody try it on, in fit testing or in photoshoots, things like that, and you just see people light up, and there’s always comments like ‘oh my god, the sleeves aren’t too long,’ or ‘I’ve never put on a pair of trousers that actually aren’t too long’, and it’s one of those things that as an average height person, I fully take for granted. The reaction is always amazing, and it’s always just, ‘oh my god I’ve never experienced this before.’”

Last year, Chamiah Dewey Fashion took to the catwalk of London Fashion Week showcasing her stunning bridal collection, which she had designed during her final year of university, and was inspired by a trip to the Irvine Valley in Ayrshire, Scotland, where Chamiah had the opportunity to explore part of her Scottish heritage. Some offset blue lace she found while at a lace mill would become central to the collection - aptly named Something Blue - which married the exploration of her family history with her desire to create bridal fashion for people under 4ft 10”.

“When I found the opportunity that I could do fashion week, I need to make my graduate collection,” Chamiah said, “because when have you ever seen bridal dresses for little people? It’s just not done. And if it is, it’s probably on a small scale that we don’t see, so this was time to use some of my graduate collection that I loved designing and meant a lot to me anyway, because it was very sort of where my roots are, but also I knew that it wold be so uplifting to see people in it.”

The show turned out to be one of the

best moments of the designer’s life: “It was so surreal“, Chamiah said. “My show was in two sections because I had five models and ten looks, so they all did their walk, and they did their walk together as a group. They’d come back in and were absolutely beaming, just glowing with happiness, and you could hear the crowd were so invested in it. They went out to do their final walk together, and I was like, I’m not going to do this walk with you, because we know that designers come up at the end, I was like no, I’ll do it for the next part. And I just stood there and all the emotions just came over me, and I sobbed like a baby. I couldn’t stop for I reckon about five minutes, full-on ugly crying, the lot. It was bad!

“One of the audience members found me afterwards, and he said that when the models walked in, it was like they brought an energy with them that was infectious, the whole crowd felt it, because you could tell that they felt good, and you could tell how happy they were. Models are kind of meant to be straight-faced, very serious, but mine weren’t, they were just happy. You couldn’t wipe the smiles off their faces even if you tried, I don’t think. Just the fact that the crowd loved it so much, the fact that the crowd were so happy and so confident, there’d been talk thrown about in the morning of the show, ‘I never even thought I could wear a wedding dress,’ or ‘I never thought I’d know what it looks like, and know I know.’ Those small comments mean so much to me, because that’s exactly what I’m trying to do. The emotion just came over me, and it was genuinely the happiest moment of my life so far. It was amazing. And I know it was amazing for the models as well, which made it better, that we could share it.”

Chamiah Dewey is currently asking people who are 4ft 10” and under and people living with dwarfism if they would be happy to share their measurements to create “ a more accurate, in-depth understanding of short stature bodies, in all the forms they come in”. To take part, visit shorturl.at/abduP, and for more information visit ChamiahDeweyFashion.com

Lunch TIME FOR

BY ROSALIND TULLOCH

One of the easiest ways to ensure we are enjoying healthy lunches that cater for our dietary requirements and tastes is to make our own packed lunches to take with us to work or when we are out for the day. It can be a very expensive habit to buy your lunch every day when you are at work, and you can easily be tempted by those delicious yet nutritionally negative meal deals from fast food restaurants or supermarkets. If you are travelling, you can also worry that you may not find food suitable for your diet. Bringing your own lunchbox packed with tasty, nutritional snacks solves these problems and what’s more, you get to pick out a cool lunchbox to carry around with you too. It’s a win-win situation.

PICNIC-STYLE

Who doesn’t love a picnic-style lunch, with nibbles and bites to keep you satisfied? Opt for a simple sandwich with your favourite filling or mix it up with a wholemeal wrap and try out some different fillings, whip up a tuna mayonnaise, slap on some salami, or keep it simple with some grated cheese. Pack in the salad of your choosing and you will feel like you have visited a professional deli at your desk. Swap packets of crisps for a selection of nuts and seeds, or roast some chickpeas in smoked paprika or spices to pop in a tub for a crunchy snack. Cut up some cubes of cheese and add in some strips of parma ham for a tasty treat. For dessert, why not pack in healthy yoghurt or feed that sweet fix with some yoghurt-covered raisins.

SALAD SENSATION WINTER WARMER

The cold weather can give us cravings for warm, hearty meals to keep us going during the day. A bowl of soup is the ideal fuel for those cold days, and if you can make your own batch of homemade soup this can last you for days - you can even freeze any excess for future lunches. Think hearty lentil and bacon soup, a warming spicy parsnip, or a veg packed minestrone to warm you up. Add a slice of wholemeal bread, a tasty bread roll and butter, or some crackers and cheese. Follow it up with some fresh fruit and you are onto a lunchtime winner. If your workplace is equipped with a microwave this is ideal for heating up your soup, but if not, simply invest in a good thermos to keep your lunch warm until lunchtime.

Create a wonderfully fresh and light lunch that won’t leave you feeling heavy and tired for the rest of the afternoon. Layer up a salad with crispy lettuce and spinach leaves, and add your favourite items – from slices of tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, peppers, spring onion or some boiled egg. Finish it off with some chicken or pop some tuna on top, and don’t forget to include a little tub of your favourite dressing to add when you are ready. A perfect addition to this lunchbox would be a side of hummus and some breadsticks, slices of pitta or carrot sticks. Pack some cheese and grapes in there to finish off a tasty wholesome lunch that will leave you feeling energised for the rest of the day.

DAYTIME SNACKS

Want to stave of those hunger pangs inbetween meals? Try whipping up a fruit smoothie packed with banana, frozen berries and milk to sip on throughout your morning. This will not only keep you feeling full but it will also help you achieve your five-a-day. Try to avoid snacking on chocolate bars or packets of crisps as they will only give you a short burst of energy and you will feel that sugar crash when it happens. Make time at home to bake some healthy flapjacks and cereal bars that are packed with nutritious nuts, seeds and dried fruit – these will help you get over the 3pm lull and tackle that sweet craving too.

THE MOTABILITY SCHEME’S THE BIG EVENT IS BACK

The Big Event returns to the NEC, Birmingham in May

The Motability Scheme’s summer of events is back with the return of The Big Event and regional One Big Days. These events offer a fantastic opportunity for visitors to find out everything they need to know about the Scheme, and see the latest range of products available.

The 2023 events programme kicks off with The Big Event, taking place at the NEC in Birmingham on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 May 2022.

BIGGER THAN EVER

This year The Big Event is even bigger with more cars to explore and the biggest ever display of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs). Visitors can also look forward to the return of the EV Charging Hub, which debuted last summer and offers the chance to find out more about charging at home and on the go!

NEW INNOVATION ZONE

The Innovation Zone will showcase future technology for cars, powered wheelchairs, and scooters. The Motability Operations Innovation Team will be on hand to answer questions and showcase progress on a new accessible EV charging app.

EXPERT SPEAKERS

Exclusively available at The Big Event are expert speaker sessions, offering expertise on a range of motoring and mobility topics.

TEST DRIVES

Visitors will have the opportunity to test drive a range of cars, including many fitted with popular driving adaptations.

All the events are free to attend, with plenty free parking. Each venue is fully accessible with plenty of seating, cafés, and accessible toilet facilities, as well as a children’s play area. Ear defenders are available on request, and a sensory room, providing a quiet space can be found at each venue. For more information about all the events, live streaming and test drive T&Cs, visit MotabilityOneBigDay.co.uk

– steps marked for when something really important is needed

Hints & Tips – to help you throughout and after Cookfulness Playlists – get your best tracks going!

Difficulty rating: 1 2 3 4 5 Preparation time: 20 mins

Makes: a side dish for 4 Give yourself time: 60 mins

Cooking time: 30 mins

YOU WILL NEED

8 inch round oven proof dish (or square)

Food processor Knife

Chopping board

Tablespoon

Teaspoon

INGREDIENTS

½ large courgette or small courgette

2 large vine tomatoes

2 tbsp olive oil

2 slices of bread *(your choice of which) roughly torn

Handful of grated parmesan cheese*

3 strips fresh thyme – just the leaves

3 tsp grated or paste of garlic

1 pinch chilli flakes

Salt and pepper

If you have no bread, use crushed tortilla chips or mix them together

METHOD

KEY set the oven to 200C

Slice the courgette into rounds about pound coin width Slice the tomatoes into rounds of the same width

Arrange the rounds alternately (courgette then tomato etc) so that they overlap each other by half each time and keep going until you’ve filled all the gaps

Season with salt and pepper

Pour over the 2 tablespoons of olive oil

Add the bread, parmesan, garlic, chilli, thyme, salt and pepper to the processor and pulse to create a rough crumble

Add the 1 tablespoon of olive oil and give one small pulse to combine

Carefully sprinkle the crumble all over the courgette and

Celebrating the beginning of Disability Pride Month, Disability Expo will be Europe’s largest event solely focused on people with lived experience of disability. During a packed two days we will host a series of discussion panels looking at every aspect of disabled living, celebrating disabled talent and fashion, educating and advising, as well as showcasing the latest and greatest products and services available on the market.

A FORGOTTEN GENERATION?

OK, let’s face it: I’m getting old. This year, I reach the ripe old age of 58. Not bad seeing I was given a prognosis of five years at birth. Recently I’ve seen a growth in the number of disabled people becoming successful and able to follow their dreams. Whether it’s a conventional career or moving into the dream job, disabled people are beginning to break the glass ceiling, or ramp as I always thought of it (typical wheelchair user eh?). While I’m overjoyed to see these younger disabled people breaking down barriers and challenging public perceptions, it does make me look back on the experiences of my generation with sadness. For many of us, opportunities were out of reach. I know how lucky I was by

MIK SCARLET

COLUMNIST

Follow Mik on Twitter @MikScarlet

getting the breaks I did, along with the work I had to do to get those breaks, but I also had so many opportunities that young disabled people today would see as a right denied at every turn. I was jammy enough to attend a mainstream school rather than the special school I was meant to go to, all thanks to my mum fighting for me, and I was regularly told there were many futures that were closed to me. I desperately wanted to work in the music industry, in recording studios, but was flatly told there was no chance. “You need to be able to carry tapes up and down stairs”. Of course, I went on to have my studio and record in studios of various sizes and awful accessibility. Crawled up and down too many stairs, but I did it. While I might have put my ambition before my wellbeing, many more sensible people didn’t or couldn’t.

As I look back, I remember so many talented disabled people who never got the chance to shine or fulfil their potential. Or if they did, they never reached their full potential. I know when I was a successful TV presenter my shows were gaining the same viewing figures as another new talent, Jonathan Ross. One of us went on to superstardom, the other less so. We were both not your average presenter, both engaging and exciting to watch, and both had backing from senior media executives, just one of us was visibly disabled. The assumptions around what the public would watch came into action and bingo. At every turn disabled people were told no, this isn’t for you. I couldn’t attend university because they wouldn’t take me. Not because of my educational achievements, but because I applied only a few years after becoming a full-time wheelchair user and no university provided any extra support. If you couldn’t get by on your own

you couldn’t attend. Also there was also no accommodation that would take you even if you could find a uni that would take a chance. The same went for work. So many amazing disabled people were told they were “unemployable” and put on what was then called Invalidity Benefit. Forgotten and ignored - well, until around 1998 when this obsession with disabled people being benefit scroungers began.

I write this as I think it is vital for us all to remember the forgotten generations of disabled people. I’m over the moon as our society opens up to the disabled community, despite it having a long way to go, but all of us must know that there are so many who never had a chance. So much talent wasted, destinies denied. I’m a huge fan of knowing your history so you don’t repeat it. If we all admit to the extreme discrimination disabled people faced only a few decades ago we can make sure we don’t see a slide back to those bad old days.

As we enter 2023, let’s cheer for the new opportunities and push for more while looking back and shouting never again as loudly as possible. Let’s also understand the wealth of talent that never had the chance to shine and work to ensure that more younger disabled people never have to face the rejection and discrimination that us oldies took as part of life.

I wrote this article the day before I learned of the death of disabled musician Bobbi Style. Bob was playing the London music scene at the same time as I was back in the 80s and 90s. A powerchair user, Bob was the epitome of a gothic rock god. I dedicate this article to him, who so should have been a regular on Top Of The Tops, if only the music industry hadn’t been so discriminatory.

“... Bob was the epitome of a gothic rock god. I dedicate this article to him, who so should have been a regular on Top Of The Tops, if only the music industry hadn’t been so discriminatory”

Love

IS IN

THE

Air

Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to tell the ones we love just how wonderful it is to have them in our lives with chocolates, flowers, cards and a good dose of affection. Ditch the petrol station flowers (unless your better half loves them) and pick up some of these romantic gifts that are sure to go down a treat.

2

I Saved My Last Spoon for You

This engraved spoon is a sweet gift for anyone you love that swears by Christine Miserandino’s Spoon Theory. The bowl of the spoon (did you know the bit that goes in your mouth is called the bowl? We learn something new every day) features the sweet message, while the handle says “#Spoonie”. It also comes in a cute presentation box with heart stickers.

MakeItLawsome on Etsy.com/UK | £12.50

3

Valentine Signature Selection

Why say it with flowers when you could say it with chocolate? This box of 55 hand-painted chocolates is the very definition of luxury, and features two “for my Valentine” chocolates. Plus, Harry Specters is renowned for its inclusion of autistic people in every aspect of the chocolate-making company, meaning 69p of every £1 spent is used to fund employment and free training for autistic people.

HarrysChocs.co.uk | £72

A Red Rose

Flowers are beautiful (unless you have hayfever, then they’re beautiful but dangerous), but they’re unfortunately only temporary. Tied to resemble a real-life posey, these absolutely gorgeous paper flowers from Paper Bouquets are just stunning and will outlive their real counterpart for some time. Plus, it’s the perfect gift for a couples’ first anniversary!

PaperBouquets.co.uk | £18

4

Braille Heart Card

This absolutely beautiful tactile card features a heart pressed into the card that can be personalised with a message written in Braille for the recipient. The shop also offers birthday, Christmas and greeting cards, as well as taking custom offers for any kind of card you might need for a loved one who reads Braille!

BethLauBraille on Etsy.com/UK | £7.75

5

Crumbs and Doilies

There is nothing more romantic than cooking for the person you love. For some, food is absolutely the language of love. Please take it from someone who loves food: nothing in the world says “I love the very bones of you” like being presented with a slice of Cupcake Jemma’s incredible s’mores cake from her iconic London bakery. That is heaven.

Amazon.co.uk | £7

Hidden Message Candle

Nothing creates a bit of ambience quite like a nice lighting solution, and this beautiful soy wax candle also features a romantic hidden message that only reveals itself once it’s been lit for a while and the wax turns clear. You can choose from one of four scents: vanilla, rose, lavender, and birthday cake.

EscentialShops on Etsy.com/UK | £12.80

7

My Mood So Loving Nail Polish

Give yourself a little me-time and get creative with some cute nail polish especially for Valentine’s Day. This clear topper in So Loving contains tiny confetti hearts, so it’s the perfect top coat for a love-themed set of claws, and would look beautiful over a white or pink base, adding a special extra touch to your nails.

Boots.com | £5

8

Lego Lovebirds

A present that gives someone both something to enjoy that’s calming and soothing, and a nice decorative piece to display on your TV stand once it’s finished, is an absolutely wonderful idea. This set of Lego lovebirds is absolutely adorable, featuring the two colourful birds sitting on a branch, surrounded by cute hearts.

Lego.com | £11.99

9

Mock Garters

Known for their inclusive sizing and bright colourways, Snag’s mock garter tights offer the look of wearing tights and a garter belt without the faff of having to clip and keep everything in place. Available in four colours and in sizes 4 to 36, the 80 denier tights are comfy, pretty, and best of all, mostly hassle-free.

SnagTights.com | £11.69

10

Biodegradable Heart Confetti

If you’re planning a romantic meal with your significant other, this cute confetti makes for beautiful set dressing to be scattered across the dining table. It’s also a cute addition to cards or gifts to add a little romantic touch. The confetti is biodegradable, so it’s better for the environment than plastic confetti.

GingerRay.co.uk | £3.99

N o.9

FOR THE

BY KATIE CAMPBELL Players

Sony has announced that it will bring an accessible controller to market for the PlayStation 5and it’s about time

It’s taken nine console generations, but finally, accessibility seems to be a concept that the big three console makers - Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo - are coming to embrace. There’s been a lack of accessible options when it comes to video game hardware which hasn’t moved at the same speed as its software; video games are being launched with more and more accessibility options that allow players to engage with video games in the ways that suit their needs, including everything from being able to simply make the heads-up display larger to including modes that change the entire look of the game based on the visual needs of people living with colourblindness. But the hardware available may not fit the user’s needs when not every player has the same motor skills or lives with limb differences.

Over the years, third parties have created alternatives that may not have necessarily had disabled gamers in mind - for example, the ASCII Grip controllers for consoles including the

PlayStation 1 and Sega Saturn was a one-handed controller which was designed to be used when playing RPGs so that players could turn the pages of a guide with their other hand, but of course has additional applications for disabled gamers.

In early January, Sony revealed details to the public about Project Leonardo, its very first accessible controller for the PlayStation 5. Project Leonardo was developed with the help of accessibility experts, organisations like SpecialEffect, AbleGames, and Stack Up, and the lived experiences of members of the PlayStation community, who have helped to create what Sony is calling a “highly customisable controller kit that works ‘out of the box’”.

Jim Ryan, Playstation president and CEO told WIRED in an interview about the new peripheral: “Our mission is to use technology and innovation to make gaming more accessible for everyone. We’re working toward a future where players of all abilities can share in the joy of gaming. Whether through in-game accessibility settings, platform UI features, or new products like Project Leonardo, our PlayStation Studios and product development teams are deeply passionate about making that a reality. Our hope is that the gaming industry will become even more inclusive, and we’re grateful to play a part in this journey.”

At first glance, Project Leonardo is a pretty slick looking piece of kit, that matches the rounded, modern design of the PlayStation 5’s DualSense controller. Much like Microsoft’s adaptive controller that was released in 2018, its layout can be easily customised based on the player’s needs and preferences, with components able to be swapped out to suit different games and different gamers. Sony have confirmed that

two Project Leonardo devices and a DualSense controller can be used together as a single component, which allows gamers to play collaboratively with their friends and family, or just find the layout that suits their playing style between the three controllers.

“Project Leonardo is part of the PS5 product family and is based on the same design concept. We were inspired by the idea of all players enjoying the world of PlayStation together,” said So Morimoto, who lead the team that designed Project Leonardo. “Our team tested over a dozen designs with accessibility experts, looking for approaches that would help address key challenges to effective controller use. We finally settled on a ‘split controller’ design that allows near free-form left/right thumbstick repositionability, can be used without needing to be held, and features very flexible button and stick cap swapping.

“Because players can customise Project Leonardo according to their needs, there is no one ‘right’ form factor. We want to empower them to create their own configurations. The controller can also flexibly accept combinations of accessibility accessories to create a unique aesthetic. I am excited that the design will be completed through collaboration with players rather than presenting them with a single form factor.”

While Project Leonardo will certainly enable more people access to the PlayStation 5’s catalogue of awardwinning games, one issue looms large that Sony have offered no hints on: its price. Microsoft’s adaptive controller retails for £74.99 - with externally mounted devices like switches and thumbsticks sold separately - which is not cheap in the grand scheme of things. Late last year, Sony announced that the PlayStation 5’s price would increase to an eye-watering £480, and this price hike could also see Project Leonardo affected when its recommended retail price is announced.

Our mission is to use technology and innovation to make gaming more accessible for everyone

SIGNING UP FOR SPORT

BT Sport and EE’s new Sign Up initiative sees two BSL commentators selected to present live football punditry across a range of games this year

a range of BT Sport’s live football programming in 2023, thanks to BT Sport and EE’s New Signing initiative.

The casting took place in December 2022 and Damaris and Rolf were among ten high calibre finalists who were selected from a vast pool of submissions, for the final stage. The candidates were put through their

paces in front of a panel of experts, including Kevin Evans, executive producer BT Sport, Christian Cotter, producer, BT Sport, Lesley McGilp, head of signing, access services, Red Bee Media, and Sean Noone, head of competitions, England Deaf Football. The new Sign Up initiative is part of a continuing mission to make football more accessible for all. Ensuring that the d/Deaf community can engage in football and enjoy the beautiful game more easily will improve their experience as spectators and players, help raise the profile of disability sport and hopefully support the growth of disability football on and off the pitch. Both Damaris and Rolf have a passion for football and neither are strangers to the pitch. Damaris has captained both GB Women’s Football and England Women’s Football teams, and Rolf has previously played Deaf Football and currently plays for a Deaf Futsal team, he is also a Crystal Palace season ticket holder. Both have relished the opportunity to use their skills to open up the world of sport to their community. You can watch a documentary series on their journey from 4 February on BT Sport 1 and EE platforms.

We caught up with them to find out what this appointment means to them.

Damaris Cooke and Rolf Choutan have been selected to provide British Sign Language (BSL) presentation across

ROLF CHOUTAN

What led you to apply for this position?

Love of the game, the possibility of learning from the best in the business, being a part of increasing awareness and accessibility for BSL users in sport.

Was it nerve-wracking during the casting auditions?

Right up until the point where I walked into the auditorium I was excited rather than nervous. Immediately upon entering my left

leg refused to stop shaking and continued to do so for the duration of the casting, but thankfully didn’t seem to impact my performance too much.

What do you hope to bring to the role?

Expressing football analysis and insight in the unique way that only native BSL users truly can.

How does it feel to be part of a ground-breaking initiative that is improving accessibility for the d/ Deaf community?

It is both a privilege and a responsibility. To demonstrate why inclusiveness matters and to

ensure that d/Deaf audiences are considered equally when it comes to programming and broadcasting. How important do you believe this representation will be for d/Deaf sports fans?

I think it is a big step on a much bigger journey, in the short term to improve access and broaden the reach for d/Deaf audiences, in the medium term to incentivise other broadcasters to match and exceed the level of provision for d/Deaf audiences, and in the long term to inspire other members of the d/Deaf community that they too can work in football in a similar capacity.

DAMARIS COOKE

What led you to apply for this position?

I have always been sports-mad, so it was a no-brainer when this opportunity came up! I also received over 30 texts from friends and family telling me to apply. Growing up with two older brothers, there was always an element of competitiveness, so I needed to know what I was talking about and back it up with facts! As an ex-captain at an international level, I understand the ins and outs of the game. I always enjoy the aspect of banter with friends, learning from them, and finding out about stats or key information. So, for me, a job to talk about football sounded dreamy! It doesn’t feel like a job when you love football and sport.

Was it nerve-wracking during the casting auditions?

Absolutely yes! I was the first interviewee, but I was kept waiting for a long while before I was seen, which meant I had all kinds of thoughts going through my head. Also, I thought the interview would take place in a small meeting room, but it was held in a huge warehouse room,

and it felt like it took forever to walk up to the panel! As I was in heels, I kept saying to myself, ‘don’t fall over’. I was very nervous, but I felt more relaxed when I saw a familiar face on the panel.

I was asked to provide punditry for two football clips as part of the audition. Although I wasn’t sure what was expected of me, I felt confident with my commentary. I just thought I would do what I usually do if I wanted to explain to my wife or friends the significance of key moments in the game, putting it into an easily accessible format they can understand, and adding background information and why it was so significant along the way.

What do you hope to bring to the role?

The core thing here is accessibility. I hope to explain/translate in a way that engages d/Deaf BSL users, supporters or not, to connect with the beautiful game. Most televised football matches (except for internationals or FA Cup games on national TV) aren’t subtitled, so d/Deaf people are largely excluded from accessing the game. Added to that, English is the second language for most of the BSL community so even when matches

are subtitled, d/Deaf BSL users are still missing out on information i.e. red cards, offside and the laws of the game. When I watch subtitles for football games or even any major sporting game, I like to learn more about the participants involved, and if I can help with making this accessible for d/Deaf people, then that’s my job done. I also understand what it takes to be a football player and how it is to play under different managers, so I can offer a different personal perspective on the role too. I hope to come across as if I’m the audience’s friend and for it to feel like this is just a typical Saturday or Sunday afternoon together watching the match.

How does it feel to be part of a ground-breaking initiative that is improving accessibility for the d/ Deaf community?

I’m incredibly honoured to be a part of this pioneering initiative and the only way from here is up! I’m so excited to see what the future holds, not just for me but for the wider d/ Deaf community; this initiative will mean greater exposure of the d/ Deaf community and the need to ensure they are included and not just as a box-ticking exercise. Access is needed 24/7, 365 days a year, and I can only thank BT Sport for taking these ground-breaking steps. I hope other networks sit up and take notice!

How important do you believe this representation will be for d/Deaf sports fans?

This is hugely important for d/Deaf sports fans. As a hidden disability and a linguistic/communication barrier, the access needs of d/Deaf people are often overlooked within the disability field. The news of this initiative has already done the rounds in the d/ Deaf community. d/Deaf sports fans feel valued and are touched that their needs are finally being catered for. I hope this leads to greater things; numerous d/Deaf people across the UK are experts in their own sporting field, and their knowledge is left untapped. This opportunity has shown that anyone can apply and succeed, and I feel a sense of responsibility to leave the door open behind me.

The i-Word

Emily Nicole Roberts is an awardwinning disability advocate and blogger from Wales, she lives with cerebral palsy, is a wheelchair user and is 24 years old. Jake Sawyers is an actor and content creator based in Cardiff, he is 26 years old and is visually impaired.

Emily and Jake recently teamed up to create a comedy sitcom pilot for BBC 2 Wales. The pair have not only written the sitcom together, but they also star in it. The pilot aired on 20 January this year and is available to watch on the BBC iPlayer now. The short pilot gives a great insight into the onscreen chemistry between the pair and you will be guaranteed to enjoy sarcastic wit and tongue and cheek attitudes of both characters.

We caught up with Emily and Jake to find out more about the idea behind their comedy sitcom The i-Word.

How did you guys meet and start working together?

So, myself and Jake actually met for the first time virtually. We both make comedy skits for the BBC that are posted online and I always used to watch his.

Crazily, we met in real life on the first day of filming this show last October, even script writing and working on ideas together was only ever done over Zoom - it was like an episode of “long lost family”!

What is the sitcom about?

The i-Word is all about the mania and

monetisation of social media.

My character Ella is a fangirl, she has been following Sam (Jake) for years while watching his success. With Ella’s scheming of ‘fate’, the pair soon team up to become adored online.

It’s a partnership and a business move for the characters, after all, two disabilities are far more marketable and trendy than one!

How did you find working together?

Absolutely awful! No, we joke, working together really helped the whole process become as smooth as possible. We had support, a second opinion and we were a team.

This is the first thing we’ve both written for TV, so, we wanted to make it count. We hope people love it as much as we loved creating it.

How long has this been in the works for?

We’ve actually been working on this for about two years. The pilot programme was initially pitched as a podcast where myself and Jake wanted to talk about our experiences growing up disabled.

Then, the BBC said, “we think you’d work well together on screen”. So, we were back at the drawing board writing ideas for TV!

What did you want to achieve with the pilot episode?

Discover the latest BBC 2 Wales comedy pilot written by and starring disabled actors

World domination.

Well, to make people laugh, make them smile - nothing too major!

What are your thoughts on disability representation in the media?

It’s definitely improved vastly since I was a child. Having the opportunity to make even more of a difference is a huge deal for us!

We are both very passionate about being as inclusive as possible with this, for example, we have asked for audio description and sign language to be included for viewers.

I think we have a duty to make mainstream media accessible while trying to represent disability as a whole too.

Hopefully, we can keep learning and improving as we go. If anyone has any suggestions, please let us know.

How did you feel watching your comedy pilot air on BBC 2 Wales?

It was so surreal - absolutely mental. Such a magic moment, something I’ll never forget. It made everything seem real!

What’s next for you both?

Fingers crossed, we’ll get busy writing a series if the pilot show is popular enough! *wink wink*

FOLLOW EMILY NICOLE ROBERTS

YouTube: @EmilyNicoleRoberts9672

Twitter: @EmilyNicoleRobs

Instagram: @EmilyNicoleRoberts

Facebook: @EmilyNicoleRoberts

FOLLOW JAKE SAWYERS

Website: JakeSawyers.com

Twitter: @JakeSawyers

Instagram: @JakeSawyers

Facebook: @JakeSawyers

ASSURE

The Assure from Acticheck is an awardwinning personal alarm wristband. It is simple to use and gives you uninterrupted protection. Fully waterproof with a 12-month battery life, it will always be there when you need it. It has a simple “call-for-help” function and it also monitors for severe falls, so even if you are unable to raise an alert, help is at hand.

Prices from: less than 50p per day 0345 257 5080 Acticheck.com

SPACE COMPRESSION SOCKS

These compression socks are bright and fun, featuring a cute pattern of planets, comets and meteors. Made of super-soft nylon, they’re sensory friendly and offer light compression at between 15 and 20MMHG. Although they’re only available in one size, the socks are stretchy and can fit UK sizes 3 to 14, and up to 15 inch calves.

Prices from £15 NotYourGrandmas.co.uk

WHEELCHAIR SPOKEGUARDS

Celebrate the unsung icon of the Great British seaside, the seagull, with these beautiful spokeguards. Made from sturdy high impact polystyrene and laminated, they can be matched to other items from Bundle Bean’s seagull collection, although other styles which don’t remind you of the time you got your chips stolen at the beach are available.

Prices from £139.99 BundleBean.com

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

KUSCHALL K SERIES 2.0 WHEELCHAIR

Ultra-lightweight and made from high-end and sturdy materials, the K-Series is fully adjustable and sports a minimalist, stylish look in addition to being ideally suited to everyday activities like getting to work and engaging in hobbies, allowing you to lead an active and varied lifestyle. The K-Series can support a maximum user weight of 19 stone.

Prices from £2099 Store.EasyLivingMobility.co.uk

NEST DOORBELL

Wireless doorbells allow you to see who is at your door even when you’re away or unable to get to the door. The Google Nest doorbell is very easy to install as it’s battery powered, but can be wired into an existing doorbell connection if you prefer. The Nest allows you to speak to whoever is at the door, and see what you missed in the last three hours with its video history.

Prices from £110 Amazon.co.uk

FRESHWIPES

Are you struggling to shower? FreshWipes can help, with antibacterial and biodegradable body wipes and rinse-free shampoo caps. Clean your hair and body easily, without water from the comfort of your bed or chair. Use code ABILITY20 to get 20% off your first order.

01323 337000

FreshWipes.co.uk

DISABILITY EXPO

EXCEL LONDON (HALL N4), 6-7 JULY 2023

At PosAbility we are delighted to be the media sponsor for the UK’s newest disability event, Disability Expo - an event for disabled people, by disabled people. Find out what this event will have in store for you this summer

Disability Expo is a two-day event that is truly attendeefocused, putting the ‘I’ in disability. Timed for the beginning of Disability Pride Month, it will be Europe’s largest event for disabled people, by disabled people.

Hundreds of exhibitors will be in attendance, showcasing a large array of equipment provision. Including

the latest innovations in independent living and mobility aids, technologies, services and advice from a variety of charities and organisations.

There will be a full event programme comprising inclusive activities, performances and presentations from engaging relatable people sharing their experiences, skills and expertise.

THE PEOPLE BEHIND DISABILITY EXPO

We aren’t a media company, Disability Expo is founded and run by people with lived experience of disability with a wealth of knowledge in event management. We have established working relationships with leading organisations including charities, equipment manufacturers, health and social care providers, as well as personally delivering services and support to those that require it. This gives us a genuine understanding of the unique needs of our audience and exhibitors alike.

WHO WILL ATTEND DISABILITY EXPO?

Disability Expo has been created to support anyone who works with, cares for, or has a lived experience of any kind of disability. It will be truly attendee-focused by “putting the I in disability” and delivering an event that feels meaningful and personcentered to every delegate regardless of age, gender, or ability.

CENTRE STAGE

We want all delegates to feel “Centre Stage” at Disability Expo. Our main stage will deliver entertaining and inclusive content from a variety of acts. Including Britain’s Got Talent finalist Eva Abley and a live podcast from The Grumpy Gits, the world’s most listened to disability podcast.

INCLUSIVE FASHION SHOW

Everyone deserves to feel confident in their clothes and able to express themselves through fashion. We are working with a number of fashion brands, designers and agencies to bring you an inclusive fashion show in which everyone feels represented. Including Victoria Jenkins from Unhidden, Kat Paylor-Bent from Seated Sewing, Chamiah Dewey Fashion, Craig Crawford from Differently Enabled and Sylvia Mac from Love Disfigure Talent Agency.

HAVE-A-GO

Why not try something new at Disability Expo? We are partnering with the charity Phab to bring you a Have-A-Go zone packed full of fun and inclusive activities for people of all abilities to enjoy! If sports are your bag enjoy taster sessions in wheelchair rugby, wheelchair basketball and boccia. If you prefer something on the creative side, why not express yourself in a drama workshop with author Adelle Spindlove. We have plenty more activities up our sleeve that we can’t wait to share with you, so there is guaranteed to be something for everyone.

PEOPLE’S PANEL

The People’s Panel will be a forum-style theatre where pressing issues and key topics will be discussed by key influential and knowledgeable panellists. Our panelists include; Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Shani Dhanda, Mik Scarlet, Jordan JarrettBryan and many more.

CAREERS ZONE

As part of our Disability Expo event in July we will have a dedicated careers zone where you can find out more about education, accessing the career you want and entrepreneurship. We know that people with a disability can face barriers at work and we want to empower you to reach your full potential in your career. Discover the latest products and software that can assist you in your work, connect with DEI leads from inclusive companies and attend talks on flexible working, selling your skills, building your career and more.

MARKETPLACE

See, feel and try out products in our Marketplace of smaller, affordable, practical items. Improve your daily living, your wellbeing, offer comfort and even style.

Steve Thompson MBE Former England Rugby player and World Cup winner

Ellie Simmonds OBE Paralympic Champion and fourteen-time World Champion

Lauren Steadman MBE Professional Athlete & Paralympic champion

Tommy Jessop

Ian Taverner Author of Cookfulness and chronic illness survivor

Celia Hensman Co-Founder & Director, The Disability Policy Centre

NATIONAL ACCESSIBILITY, INCLUSION & DISABILITY EXPO

Running for 50 years, Naidex is the flagship event for the disability community, an opportunity to meet up with friends, make new connections, browse products, services and adaptations for independent living, share experiences, and work to remove barriers for an inclusive society, accessible to all.

WHO ATTENDS NAIDEX?

Naidex is for everyone, and welcomes anyone who is living with a disability, as well as anyone caring for or supplying to the community. The event falls across two days so there is enough time for you to discover all that Naidex has to offer!

The 50th celebration of Naidex takes place on 22-23 March 2023 at NEC, Birmingham and is free to attend.

Naidex provides content and features covering the full lifestyle arc: mobility, employment and work, health and wellbeing, independent living, family, sports, rehab/care, relationships, entertainment, food and drink.

THERE’S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

Naidex features an exhibition of over 200 products and services and the Marketplace, in partnership with Disability Horizons, where you can browse daily aids.

There is also a live performance space called the Village Green, where musicians, dancers, comedians, sports people, chefs, and entertainers provide demonstrations. Just part of the 50th birthday celebrations, we are bringing you a Naidex Comedy Hour with Aaron Simmonds and Lost Voice Guy on the Main Stage for free!

Try out the Mobility Test Track or take on the Adaptive Climbing Wall, too!

For trade professionals, explore the latest technology and innovations in the marketplace, find new suppliers, and talk directly to key manufacturers, retailers and distributors serving the sector.

For healthcare professionals, attend live demonstrations showcasing mobility and assistive tech, care, education, sports and lifestyle, and accessible living solutions to help you provide a person-centred approach in sourcing products and services for your clients.

SO MANY FANTASTIC SPEAKERS TO CHOOSE FROM!

Catch Ellie Simmonds OBE, Tommy Jessop, Lauren Steadman MBE, or Steve Thompson MBE on the Main Stage. Immerse yourself in live performances at the Village Green, including an Inclusive Dance Workshop with Kate Stanforth Dance Academy, special guests from Arsenal Football Club or Cookfulness.

For those working within healthcare, enhance your professional development with the CPD accredited seminar agenda. We have the Accessibility and Care theatre with sessions from Georgia Vine: Critically Analysing Occupational Therapy Practice

Through a Disabled Persons Eye, Sally Chalk: Artificial Intelligence is transforming the way sign language users can access written and spoken languages or Steve Ford: Stepping up for Occupational Therapy - what progress are we making?

There will also be sessions from Wiltshire Farm Foods, The Disability Policy Centre, Purple Tuesday, the Home Office, and British Healthcare Trades Association across the two-day event.

The 2023 Naidex agenda is live and you can view it at Naidex.co.uk

We can’t wait for you to join us on 22-23 March 2023 at NEC, Birmingham!

You can register for FREE tickets to Naidex at Naidex.co.uk

WHEN YOU CAN’T JUST “TURN STUFF OFF”

Euan’s Guide explore just how drastically the cost of living crisis is affecting the disabled community

New research conducted by disabled access charity Euan’s Guide has revealed that disabled people are being disproportionately affected by the cost of living crisis because they can’t simply “turn stuff off” to save money - and they’re paying a higher price as a result.

The research shows that reducing electricity usage is not an option for people

who rely on mobility aids and medical equipment, such as powerchairs and oxygen concentrators, as part of their basic daily needs. Turning these off results in reduced or no independence, poorer physical and mental health, and in some cases it can be life threatening. Due to the increase in the cost of living some disabled people are currently facing the decision of whether to charge their equipment or eat.

The research confirms that over 57% of disabled people are concerned about their energy bills

and a whopping 68% are already cutting back on energy usage.

The research received comments from disabled people about energy bills and the prices being paid, with one person saying that they have to choose between eating and breathing. “Everything has gone up, every part of my life is affected. I use a powerchair, stair lift, bathlift, CPAP machine. At times I feel like I have to choose between eating and breathing because my bill a year ago was £60 it’s now nearly £150.”

This is reflective of

disabled people paying more because, in addition to standard household appliances such as washing machines and tumble dryers, they have the running costs of necessary equipment which results in higher monthly and annual costs than those of nondisabled people.

These electricity costs soon spiral with other electrically-charged items as individuals often rely on multiple aids as a basic daily human need, including wheelchairs, scooters, hoists, stair lifts, suction, feed pumps, and ventilators. Even therapy

reducing electricity usage is not an option for people who rely on mobility aids and medical equipment

and assistance animals are being affected, with other comments saying assistance dogs were suffering. One respondent said: “I have an assistance dog, his food has gone up, which is so unfair as he

is not a pet, but an aid so needed by me.”

Another aspect of the disabled community being more affected includes heating, particularly where conditions where pain is increased in the

cold. Turning down the heating isn’t an option for many disabled people who live with conditions that require a warm environment because cold causes pain, or a reduction in temperature could be clinically dangerous. For example, Raynaud’s and arthritis, as well as musculoskeletal aches and pains, they all worsen in cold environments. An extreme example of side effects given in the research was a “medical condition” that requires that person to “stay warm or risk losing toes, fingers, heart attack”.

In addition, rising fuel costs are playing a part in the cost of living crisis too, especially for those who rely on their vehicles to get to and from hospital and therapy appointments. Some people reported that they are prioritising necessary medical appointments which means they’ve had to give up elective, privately paid therapies and gym memberships, as well as forgoing social activities like meeting friends for coffee or lunch. One respondent said: “The cost of living is causing depression with the inability to go out and do the extra little things that cause happiness. Like having a coffee with a friend, going for a haircut or buying makeup… it’s money for the bare essentials only.”

With the Euan’s Guide research finding that over 80% of disabled people are making different choices when buying things and 55% are doing less than

they were before, it’s clear that there’s cause for grave concern this winter.

The research by Euan’s Guide has been extracted from the 2022 Euan’s Guide Access Survey, the full results of which will be released this spring. However, the awardwinning charity felt a social and moral responsibility to share the cost of living results sooner, in an effort to amplify the voices of disabled people.

Euan MacDonald, founder of Euan’s Guide, said: “Disabled people are being disproportionately impacted by the cost of living crisis. As well as the increases familiar to us all, our community is further burdened by unfair additional costs necessary for everyday living.

“We set up Euan’s Guide to reduce the anxiety felt by disabled people when looking for disabled access information before visiting somewhere new. Now disabled people are experiencing more stress because they can’t afford to charge their equipment as well as heat their homes. Making a choice between being warm or going to a medical appointment simply shouldn’t be happening.

“This is why we are sharing the results of our new research, in an effort to raise awareness of disabled people paying a higher price in the current economic climate.”

Join the conversation – follow Euan’s Guide on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn @EuansGuide

Car insurance adapted for you

If your vehicle has been adapted or modified to cater for your disability, or you’re a carer who needs bespoke cover, experienced insurance experts at Adrian Flux can talk you through our tailor made policies. Call

to make even bigger savings with our newly reduced rates.

OPENING UP AN ALL-TERRAIN WORLD

Mountain Trike specialise in all-terrain wheelchairs that empower and grow with the user

The Mountain Trike Company believe that everyone should be able to access the outdoors, no matter what your ability might be. They design a range of all-terrain wheelchair products for outdoor use and ease of use over uneven terrain. Using high end mountain bike technology, all products have air suspension and hydraulic brakes, lightweight aluminium frames, all fully tested for your ultimate comfort and safety.

All products are highly practical and fold up to fit in the boot of most cars, and are compact and manoeuvrable enough to go for a country ride. Parklands, gravel, the beach, cobbled streets, mud, snow and even mountains are all accessible thanks to these revolutionary all-terrain wheelchairs.

The range has also been designed with customer changing needs in mind and the whole range is modular making these products more affordable and flexible. Adaptations are offered which make them suitable

for children so the chair can grow with your child right through to adulthood.

The all-terrain wheelchair range include manual as well as electric power assist options. The lever driven Mountain Trike and eTrike offers independent riding and the MT Push and ePush are perfect for families as the steering and braking takes place in the push handle located behind the rider.

The eTrike and recently launched ePush have proved to be extremely popular due to the flexibility of the electric assist - they can be ridden manually and simply switching to electric power mode when the going gets tough!

Customers can hand-pick the frame colour from a wide range of colour choices, some customisable features are available, free UK delivery and a three-year warranty is offered on all products.

The additional feature for Mountain Trike wheelchairs is the ability to convert the chair into a different model which offers even more flexibility and not having to go to the expense of buying a complete new chair. If at any point your circumstances change the MT Push can be converted into the Mountain Trike giving the rider the option to self-propel at a later point. And of course if the rider is no longer able to self-propel it can be converted into

the MT Push. The eKit - electric power assist is available as a separate kit and can be fitted to the MT Push and Mountain Trike.

AFFORDABILITY

Cost can be an additional barrier when considering wheelchair options. Mountain Trike offer various finance packages as well as 0% finance options. There are charities who also support families finding and funding the right adaptive equipment and Whizz Kids have recently started working with Mountain Trike.

Being reliant on a wheelchair for mobility should no longer mean that access to opportunities or ability to engage in what the user deems meaningful and important is inhibited.

Mountain Trike are exhibiting at Naidex, 22-23 March and the team will be on hand to talk about any specific adaptations you may require and they are happy to offer advice and help finding the right off-road wheelchair for your specific needs. Visit MountainTrike.com to find out more about the range of trikes on offer for adults and children.

Wheelchair accessible homes to rent.

Discover accessible living in Central London’s new green heart. A selection of one bedroom wheelchair accessible apartments are now available for rent in Elephant Park. Each comes equipped with state-ofthe-art finishes and an emphasis on space, detail and texture

BY ROSALIND TULLOCH

Day Tripping

We take a look at some of the most accessible and most fun days out you can enjoy in the UK this year

Do you ever get to Friday and say to your other half “what are we going to do this weekend?” Our conversation is usually followed by several searches of things to do, followed by giving up, ordering a takeaway and watching a Netflix series. Cue Sunday, and I feel like we wasted the weekend and promise to plan something for the next weekend. This year I am making it a mission to try to see as many places as possible (cost and distance dependent). This article is designed to bring you a wide selection of places to visit, whether you are looking for family fun, or a more cultured day out. All the venues listed have shown a commitment to accessibility, but it is always recommended to check out the facilities for yourself via their website or by calling them to discuss your requirements. We hope this helps you stave off any weekend boredom this year, and don’t forget to leave a review of your experience on EuansGuide.com as it is a great way to help other disabled visitors looking to visit these attractions.

SANDCASTLE WATERPARK , BLACKPOOL

Family fun is the order of the day when you descend on Sandcastle Waterpark! Get ready to slip, slide and splash your way through your three-hour slot of fun in this amazing indoor waterpark. With a range of fast-flowing waterslides to choose from, as well as a lazy river, wave pool, waterfalls and more, the whole family with have a blast, even the adults! Access is a top priority at this waterpark, you will find an extensive accessibility guide on their website, including information on their accessible facilities – which include an autism-friendly quiet room, and you can request a water ambassador who has additional skills and training in assisting guests with disabilities.

Sandcastle-Waterpark.co.uk

N

EDEN PROJECT , CORNWALL

TITANIC , BELFAST

We have all seen the movie, and we all know how it ends, but it may interest you to know that Jack and Rose were not really on the boat and Rose did not drop a priceless jewel into the ocean. The story of the Titanic’s maiden voyage is a historic tragedy that has been retold through the decades, but if you want to know what this impressive ship was really like you must visit the Titanic museum in Belfast. Located in the very place the Titanic was built and launched, you will find yourself taken back in time and immersed into a real-life piece of history. Accessibility is excellent all round and they have a comprehensive guide on their website. TitanicBelfast.com

Discover a newfound appreciation for our natural planet at the Eden Project in Cornwall. The huge Biomes that sit in the crater of a former clay mine have been transformed to allow visitors to explore the world’s largest indoor rainforest, to immerse yourself in the fragrance of the Meditteranean eco system, walk the wild lands of Chile, and encounter plants from across the world. A trip to the Eden Project will inspire, educate and amaze visitors of all ages, it makes for an unrivalled day out and allows you to learn about the importance of sustainability and protecting our planet. EdenProject.com

4

CADBURY WORLD , BIRMINGHAM

Are you a chocoholic? Do you dream about diving into a pool of liquid chocolate and riding on a Crunchie rollercoaster? If the answer is yes, we have the place for you. Cadbury World is every child’s (and adult’s) idea of heaven. An endless tour of everyone’s favourite food group, you will be shown how chocolate bars are made, take a ride in a Beanmobile through a world of chocolate history, have a go at making your own chocolate treat, and of course the experience wouldn’t be complete without the taster stop. Wheelchair access has been wellconsidered throughout, there is a 4D cinema experience that may not be suitable for everyone, but you will find a thorough accessibility guide online to help you plan your visit.

CadburyWorld.co.uk

N o. ~

6

THE DEEP , HULL

Who doesn’t love a trip to an aquarium?

Discovering the fascinating world under the sea is a mesmerising experience, and the Deep is heralded as one of the most spectacular aquariums in the world. The setting is in a huge iconic building that overlooks the Humber estuary and it is home to sharks, turtles, axolotls, penguins, stingrays and the UK’s only Green sawfish (it literally has a massive saw for a nose). Here you will be treated not only to the amazing animals that live in waters around the world, but also to the important conservation work the Deep are involved in as a charity. They have an exceptional under-the-sea themed Changing Places toilet and award-winning access facilities.

TheDeep.co.uk

5

SCIENCE MUSEUM , LONDON

Expand your mind, feed your imagination and spark unbridled curiosity in your kids with a trip to the Science Museum in London. Dive into the interactive Wonderlab to understand your world in new ways, learn from the live science shows and demonstrations. Expand your mind in the vast collection of galleries and exhibitions showcasing some of the world’s many wonders. From the magic of flight and the understanding of magnets, to medical advances and futuristic scenes, you will find it all in one space at the Science Museum. The museum runs quiet times on certain days and they have a comprehensive outline of accessibility facilities on their website.

ScienceMuseum.org.uk

N o.

N o. ~

7

SNOWDOME , TAMWORTH

Hit the slopes and experience the exhilarating feeling of skiing or snowboarding (or falling over and sliding down a snowy hill). Disability Snowsports UK offer lessons at the SnowDome for people of all ages and abilities. It doesn’t matter whether you are a total novice, Disability Snowsports UK have specially qualified adaptive instructors who can teach groups or individuals. They have specially adapted equipment that can be used to aid standing skiers or sit skiers, and this can be a great family day out trying something new, and who knows, it may turn into a regular occurrence if you all enjoy it.

SnowDome.co.uk

8

KELVINGROVE ART GALLERY AND MUSEUM , GLASGOW

This iconic building is breathtaking to look at from the outside, and it is just as amazing when you enter inside. Home to an amazing array of collections in its 22 galleries, the Kelvingrove museum is not one to be missed if you are in Glasgow. It is free to all and accessibility is a top priority with lifts to all floors and plenty of space to move around in. You will discover everything from Scottish wildlife and Rennie Mackintosh, to Ancient Egypt and the depths of the rainforest. Take a stroll past the Salvador Dali painting on display before pondering the incredible Floating Head installation. If you are lucky you can time your visit with the organ recitals that fill the building with beautiful music. GlasgowLife.org.uk

9

CHATSWORTH HOUSE , PEAK DISTRICT

Set in 105 acres of beautiful grounds, this impressive stately home houses some amazing collections of art, jewellery, furniture and literature. Stepping back in time, you can wander through this incredibly preserved home learning about the history of the house itself and the family who have seen it handed down for 16 generations. The house is accessible via lifts to each floor and the gardens are all accessible too, with a map you can download to allow you to plan the best route for your day. Try to pick this for a sunny weekend so you can enjoy meandering through the beautiful grounds. Chatsworth.org

FOLLY FARM ADVENTURE PARK AND ZOO , PEMBROKESHIRE

Folly Farm is the ultimate day out for the kids! Home to over 750 animals, you will be treated to close-ups with meerkats, rhinos, giraffes, lions and penguins, to name just a few. Then you can head over to the barn where you will meet lambs, pigs and chicks, and don’t forget the alpacas and rare donkeys waiting to meet you. You can follow this up with a ride on the wheelchair accessible big wheel in the vintage fairground and then chase your little ones between the eight adventure play areas! Folly Farm has won the Welsh Venue of the Year Award from Euan’s Guide two years in a row, so you know they prioritise accessibility, and they have an accessible lodge if you are looking for more than just a day trip.

Folly-Farm.co.uk

N o.

N o.

N o.

N o. ~

Fight Fashion FOR

THE

Kat Paylor-Bent is the founder of Seated Sewing, an adaptive fashion brand for disabled people. Kat discusses the importance of adapted fashion and the need for further investment for growth in the industry

Adaptive fashion refers to clothing and accessories that have been specifically designed or adapted to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities. This can include features such as easyto-use closures, adjustable straps, and extra room for prosthetics or orthotics.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in adaptive fashion in the UK, as more and more people with disabilities are speaking out about the lack of accessible clothing options available to them. Many mainstream fashion brands have yet to offer adaptive clothing lines, and those that do often have limited selections and higher prices.

I founded Seated Sewing in 2020 and we have become a brand that is dedicated to providing fashionable and functional clothing and accessories for people with disabilities. I was made disabled 16 years ago and I went from sitting on a corporate board in my high-end tailoring, to being left in a wheelchair with the assumption I would live in pyjamas or jogging bottoms for the rest of my life!

Seated Sewing offers bespoke clothing options, from casual wear to formal wear, all designed in-house to be accessible and easy to use for people with disabilities, but with lots of style and pizazz. After all, what you wear affects how you feel, and we like our customers to feel fabulous!

Because a lot of our customers are wheelchair users we use soft, stretchy, and breathable fabrics to make the clothing comfortable to wear and easy to put on and take off. It also helps with ensuring that our clothes don’t increase the risk of skin sores.

I have had the privilege of dressing some very influential individuals within the disabled community, for all

sorts of events. One of my customers is Isaac, who has limb pelvic hypo aplasia which means he was born with no arms and short legs. He uses his feet to edit videos, answer emails and be able to communicate to the wider world. He likes to look ‘ridiculously fashionable’, which as you can see from the picture, we managed to achieve at London Fashion Week, Sept ‘22. You will be able to see more of our bespoke designs at our first fashion show, taking place at Disability Expo 6-7 July at ExCel London.

Despite the growth of adaptive fashion in the UK, there is still a long way to go. Many clothing stores and brands still do not offer adaptive clothing options, and those that do, often charge higher prices for them. Additionally, there are still relatively few resources available for those looking for adaptive fashion, such as guides on how to shop for adaptive clothing, or directories of adaptive fashion brands and retailers.

In conclusion, adaptive fashion in the UK is a growing industry. There are a few dedicated adaptive

fashion brands and designers who are passionate that more attention is brought to this issue and much more investment is needed to ensure products are widely available, the adaptive fashion industry in the UK will continue to grow and evolve in the coming years, we are a band of very passionate and vocal designers. It is important to raise awareness and support these brands and designers to help improve the lives of people with disabilities and make fashion more inclusive for everyone.

SeatedSewing.co.uk

Kids’ CORNER

Sometimes, the internet really does feel like the Wild West. There’s so much out there, and while it’s fantastic being able to purchase nice things at literally any point in the day (assuming we can afford it in this economy), there’s also a dark side to the internet.

Allowing our children access to the overwhelming amount of information that’s available online can be quite a frightening thing; on one hand, they can learn incredible things, like how the world came together to basically eradicate smallpox, and on the other, there are some people out there who don’t have the best intentions for them.

With that in mind, we’ve put together an article on digital safety for kids on page 54 that gives you some ideas of what you can do to help your children be safer online while still allowing them access to the greatest font of knowledge ever created.

You can read Dan White’s regular column on page 57, as well as a fantastic article from this issue’s Future Voices contributor Maria Hassan on page 59. And as ever, if there’s something you’d like to see included in the magazine, please don’t hesitate to email us at Ros@2APublishing.co.uk

PRODUCTS

BY KATIE CAMPBELL

Safety Net

Keeping young people safe online has never been easy, but there are steps we can take to help and support them as they venture onto the world wide web.

Keeping children safe online isn’t an easy task, and it never has been. Now, in a world where even our fridges are connected to the internet, it feels like a monumental task to ensure that children can have access to the internet that allows them to learn and explore while still ensuring they are not at risk of being harmed or exploited, or stumbling across content that is not suitable for them.

We as adults know how easy it is to disappear down the rabbit hole online, and how easy it is for people outwith our social groups to simply breeze into conversations with wildly inappropriate conversation points like they were personally invited in. The difference is that as adults, we often have a better understanding of the risks involved in our movements online: we know to check websites on places like Trustpilot when we need to know if it’s safe to shop there, or how to lock down our social accounts to ensure that only our circle of friends have access to it.

Research commissioned by Ofcom shows that a third of children between eight and 17 have signed up for a social media profile using a false date of birth, making themselves appear older and sometimes attempting to bypass the minimum ages that platforms like Twitter, Facebook and TikTok insist their users are to join, which can be as low as 13. Ofcom notes that this puts them at increased risk of encountering content which is not suitable for their age group, or that can be harmful to them. It also may give them access to features which are disabled for young users, which can include direct messaging and the ability to view adult content.

Technology moves fast, and sometimes as busy adults, it can feel impossible for us to keep up with what’s new and popular with younger people in tech circles. How can we ensure that our children are able to stay

safe online while still using it as a social and educational tool?

There are lots of aspects built into technology by their creators that can help parents safely guide their children through an online space. Games, apps, search engines, even your wifi - all of these things may have parental controls which can help you ensure that your children are safer online. Video game consoles usually offer you the option to turn off chat functions, restrict children from playing games they’re too young for, and turn off the limit to purchase things in game to prevent your child from racking up mountains of credit card debt on your behalf. On PlayStation consoles, you can even limit the amount of

Research commissioned by Ofcom shows that a third of children between eight and 17 have signed up for a social media profile using a false date of birth

Google Family Link is also a handy app that allows a master user to restrict content for other users

Don't miss the sensational Born to perform

DAN WHITE

Follow Dan on Twitter

CHRONIC UNDERSTAFFING

The Royal College of Nursing is arguing that low pay is driving “chronic understaffing” that puts patients at risk and leaves nursing staff overworked, underpaid, and undervalued. As a regular visitor and parent grateful to the NHS, you can see all this in the tired eyes of the staff. They don’t want to do this, but you can only bend a stick so far before it breaks. These individuals are exhausted, battling government intolerance and apathy while working to maintain a good quality of service, knowing that current working conditions and Brexit are contributing to an estimated staffing gap of around 47,496 full-time vacancies.

As parents of disabled children and as disabled adults, the NHS has proven time and time again to be the dependent in our lives when everything around us that feigns support and financial aid drops its mask and places barriers in our way that feel inhuman and ableist.

Many may think I’m sugarcoating the system, maybe, but from a personal perspective, anyone who saves a life while running on empty, while sharing the same foodbank as you,

deserves the right to champion their concern over a job they hold dear and the principles that come with it. Yes, sometimes there are faults, I know, but the majority of this is down to tiredness, the pushing from above to reduce waiting lists and to free up beds. These truths fracture the spirit of staff who dearly love what they do. But surely the corporate sector would reduce waiting times? Maybe, but look deeper. Waiting lists are always creeping up; if the system comes under a corporate wing, there will be less scrutiny, and we could see healthcare outcomes shaped by not how sick or disabled you are, but by how much money or insurance paid allows you to jump the queue. I would not be able to afford any insurance premium for my daughter’s health. Disabled people are amongst the most financially vulnerable, and any health insurance firm would no doubt act like a car insurer: the more prangs you have, the higher the premium, and the higher the premium the more health insurance becomes unaffordable. Look to America: there, private firms do not carry on providing an unprofitable service any longer than they must. As carers to disabled children, as disabled

people, we thrive on continuity. Good continuity of care inspires trust and confidence, and in my experienced opinion, the NHS is a paragon of continuity. Privatisation would not improve it.

I’ll give you an example of a healthcare relationship. My daughter is now beyond operation 16 at 16 years old. Basically, one operation a year for life. The ward playleader was always there to go with her to the theatre, wait with us, hug us, spend time with us, and bring Emily back to the ward, all the time human, real, and beautiful. A relationship was built, maintained, and it kept us together even through the darkest times. We were not given her time because of the amount we paid - the relationship was there because her job, her compassion, was echoing the very bedrock of the system she joined. I won’t name this person out of respect for her family, but she passed suddenly, and we grieved, but her memory should be marked by the private sector keeping its greedy claws away from all she held dear.

For her memory’s sake, for the staff standing on the picket line, not through choice but necessity, for my daughter’s continued free and supportive healthy future, there is an alternative. Call me an old democratic socialist but investing in the well-being of your fellow humans is something that there is no counterargument for. We can blow money on wasted PPE, allow Dido Harding to magic away billions on nothing and we can spend money on defence for wars we aren’t fighting. Taxation of the wealthy and speculation are the answers. There are billions of pounds unpaid by taxdodging billionaires and corporations, the irony being that they use the health service too. The money is there; the government need to see that maintaining a healthy country means the population, if they can, return to employment, pay more tax, and spend more…to me it is clear, It is obvious, and it is ethical.

But who am I? just a disabled parent to a disabled child whose opinions are ignored and lost in the argument. I love the NHS; it has literally saved my daughter’s life.

Health should be free. You can’t put a price on life.

Dan White, creator of the amazing Department of Ability superheroes and dad to Emily, who is 15 years old and has spina bifida, is a regular face in PosAbility, as he shares his experiences of life as a family with a disabled child.

SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER!

We have started a free monthly newsletter to bring our wonderful readers a little bit more of our award-winning content every month! The newsletter will bring you a mix of stories and information, from the top social media accounts and bloggers to follow, to where to buy the best vegan-friendly Easter eggs and where to find the best accessible staycation destinations this summer.

We will also be running some exclusive online competitions and offers, giving away everything from Amazon vouchers and tablets to discounts off your favourite holiday destinations an independent living products!

To sign up simply visit posabilitymagazine.co.uk and add your details to the Newsletter button on the homepage.

FUTURE VOICES

Each issue we will be shining a light on a young disabled person who is blazing their own trail. Whether that be campaigning for access, giving up their time to help their community, achieving success in the sporting or arts arena, or educating their peers on disability.

MARIA HASSAN

Maria is a sex and relationships education facilitator with a young person’s health and wellbeing charity. She is currently studying for a master’s degree in Journalism at Ulster University.

After being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 21, I felt disconnected from myself.

I resented my body for the days off work, the trips not taken, and the opportunities passed up. For the worry, the unpredictability and the pain.

Fixated on my limitations and the experiences I had lost to frequent and persistent bouts of agony, I was depressed. When my physical and mental health took a sharp decline so too did my sex drive.

I had always considered myself a sexual person but felt I was no longer capable of having a fulfilling sex life. How could this unfamiliar body, overwhelmed with pain, ever experience pleasure again?

Four years, some physiotherapy and an effective course of medication later, my condition is better managed. I have processed my diagnosis and arrived at a place of selfacceptance.

My body has changed. Arthritis whilst treatable, is incurable so that change is irreversible.

I will be living in this body for the rest of my life. It is worthy of pleasure, desire and respect.

Health is holistic, and nobody feels sexy all the time. For those of us with chronic illnesses or disabilities, it is particularly important to listen to our bodies and have realistic expectations of ourselves when we are feeling unwell.

That said, disabled and chronically ill people have the right to be regarded as sexual beings without exception.

After I had processed my own feelings and experiences, I decided that I wanted to help others do the same.

After volunteering and training, I now work for a local charity delivering sex education to young people in the community across Northern Ireland.

Unfortunately, current provision in schools is “inconsistent and insufficient” .

The education system continues to fail disabled young people as well as LGBTQIA+ pupils by providing information that is at best irrelevant and at worst exclusionary.

The onus is on parents, teachers and health professionals to talk to the young people in our lives about sex and disability.

By debunking harmful myths that infantilise, objectify and exclude disabled people we can support everyone to have great sex. Whatever that means to them.

It is my hope as a disabled person that everyone who has lived with pain can experience pleasure.

It is my responsibility as an educator to ensure that the next generation of disabled young people have access to the inclusive sex education that they want, need and have a right to.

Kids’ PRODUCTS

BACK TO SCHOOL COMMUNICATION CARDS

This pack of communication cards is designed to alleviate the anxiety some autistic children experience when trying to communicate in school and is especially useful for semi-verbal, non-speaking or non-verbal children. The packs come with a pop-it keyring and a whiteboard pen, which can be used on the blank card at the back of the pack to write whatever is needed.

FidgetsandStims.co.uk

Prices from

WEIGHTED WINNIE THE POOH

Some children find weighted toys and blankets comforting, especially children who experience anxiety. Winnie the Pooh is one of Disney’s most recognisable characters, and features a removable weighted pouch (located underneath the little stitch on his back), as well as supersoft fur and gentle embroidered facial features, making this one very cute and huggable bear.

ShopDisney.co.uk

Prices from £30

LUMIE SUNRISE ALARM

Ideal for children who prefer to be woken up a bit more gently, this alarm clock starts to brighten the room 30 minutes before the alarm is set to go off, slowly rousing the sleeper. It features ten light levels, mood lighting, and a cool sunset-sunrise feature. You can also opt out of using a beeping alarm entirely, and use one of the five pre-programmed natural sounds instead.

Amazon.co.uk

Prices from £40

SCOTIA COT KIDLY RAIN BOOTS

Made from all-natural rubber, these stylish wellies are perfect for children who enjoy exploring the depths of a murky puddle or a muddy nature trail. They sport an easy-to-grab tab at the back to help children ease them on and off, and chunky textured soles to help little adventurers stay upright during their travels.

Introducing the Scotia Cot, a versatile and attractive option for traditional nurseries. Perfect for use in the home for parents living with mobility issues or recovering from c-sections. It’s adjustable height and high/low functions make it easy to care for your baby whilst avoiding injury. Available for purchase or hire.

01233 635 353 Centrobed.com

Prices available on request

Prices from £10

Got This WE’VE

A new book for disabled parents has just launched. It contains contributions from 31 parents who identify as d/Deaf, disabled, neurodiverse or chronically ill, sharing their parenting journeys and highlighting the challenges that they have faced in society.

Eliza Hull is the mind behind this beautiful collection of stories. Eliza is a writer and musician who lives in Victoria, Australia and has two children. When she was pregnant with her first child she realised that there were no resources that catered for disabled parents, she

experienced discrimination in medical settings and out in society, and this has fuelled a passion to create a book that provides all disabled parents with a resource of support and recognition.

Eliza advocates for the rights of disabled parents and understands that the greatest obstacles lie in other people’s attitudes: “Being a disabled parent is a rebellious act. Disabled people should have the same right to parent as anyone else, but often when we decide to start a family we are met with judgement and discrimination. We are questioned rather than supported. We have to push up

against the medical system. And we have to confront society’s model of parenting. Yet, despite all this, we still choose to parent. And we are damn good at it too!”

We caught up with Eliza to find out more about producing We’ve Got This.

Can you please share a bit of your story and experience as a disabled parent?

I have a condition called Charcot Marie Tooth it affects the way I walk, I fall over regularly and have muscle loss throughout my body. When I was pregnant seven years ago, I felt unrepresented as a disabled person. In all the stacks of parenting books I was given, there were no mums like me. In fact, there were no parents with disabilities at all. I wanted to feel represented, and know what it was going to be like to be a parent with a disability so that’s why I have created the book I wish I had during my pregnancy.

I found it hard dealing with the medical system when I was pregnant, I was often discriminated against, and treated differently. When I had my first birth I wasn’t able to move from the bed because the medical staff were too worried about me falling over. It wasn’t until my second birth when I knew how to advocate for myself that I was able to have a successful and easy birth because I was able to move around freely.

For me the biggest barriers I have faced being a disabled parent is out in society. People with a disability make incredible parents because we are adaptable, flexible, creative and great problem solvers, it’s only when we go out in society that often we are judged and discriminated against.

What was your experience like in early motherhood, both personally and societally?

Motherhood is such a ride! I think every parent knows that feeling of bringing their first baby home and not knowing if they’re doing it ‘right’. For me there were added complexities in the mix because I was often afraid that I would make a mistake. It’s hard when you’re disabled because you feel like everyone is watching you, waiting for you to fail.

The hardest part in those early days was when I went out into society, people would stare if I lent up against my car to balance so I could safely get my baby out of the car, or would look at the way I was pushing the pram differently.

Those were the hardest moments because you feel like you’re being judged.

Have you found a supportive community of disabled parents; how has this helped your experience?

Through creating the book We’ve Got This, I have been able to connect with such great disabled parents. I am also part of an online social media group which is wonderful. It means we can share our tips, ideas and hacks and just have people we can reach out to so we don’t feel so alone in our decision to parent.

Do you think attitudes have changed in society towards disabled parents?

I think they are definitely changing, but very slowly! Still today more than 60% of parents with an intellectual disability have their children taken from their care, without any adequate support or education.

People with disability are often questioned when they decide to start a family, and judged and discriminated, especially in medical settings.

In saying that, we are definitely seeing more representation of disabled parents, and the stories within We’ve Got This are changing the narrative around what it means to be a disabled parent. I want to show that parents with disabilities are successfully parenting, in fact we’re actually thriving! Where did the idea for this book come from?

It came from my own personal need. When I was pregnant with my first child (I have two) I couldn’t find anything out there that represented parents with disabilities. You get given so many parenting books, but there wasn’t any that were about mums like me. That is what I have set out to change.

What do you hope this book gives to readers?

I really hope that people see that we make great parents! I hope that the book changes attitudes, shifts perceptions and reaches the people who need it. Especially within the disability sector and medical space. I also hope that the book reaches disabled people who’re considering having a family, so that they know that it’s possible.

You can purchase the book for £9.99 on Amazon or find it in all good bookshops.

Still today more than 60% of parents with an intellectual disability have their children taken from their care

JOB Dream GET

BY JANE HATTON

WHAT’S YOUR ONLINE REPUTATION?

The world has completely changed with the increasing use of technology, and none more so than the internet. For disabled people particularly, it can be a lifeline and a way of engaging with the outside world. Platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram mean that we can communicate with friends and family that we may find difficult to meet face to face.

It also offers us many opportunities in terms of looking for work. We can search and apply for jobs online, and research employers online. We can have a presence on platforms like LinkedIn or Twitter to showcase our knowledge and help recruiters find us. However, we do need to be somewhat cautious about what we post publicly when it comes to our chances of being employed. Just as we may research potential employers online to find out more about them, increasingly recruiters may do the same with short-listed candidates. Employers and recruiters want to limit the risk of appointing the wrong person. What would they find if they carried out a search on your name? Try entering your name and home town into google, and see what comes up. Do it right now, while you think about it. I’ll wait!

Back? What did you discover? Some people find their name doesn’t appear anywhere at all, or not on the first few pages. Others may well come up in the search. Often this will be LinkedIn profiles (which is fine, because it is likely to be professional). But often it may be a post only intended for your family and friends rather than prospective employers. Did you check google images as well? It may be that photographs posted online appear there too.

The things you are happy for your friends and family to know about may well not be the impression you want a prospective employer to have about you, especially if it doesn’t show you in a very positive light. You might not want a prospective employer’s first impression of you to be an image of you drunk, or having a rant about your current employer, for example!

If this is the case, there is a limit to what you can do (other than think carefully before you post in future), but there are two main actions you can take to reduce the damage. The first is to manage your “privacy settings” on platforms like

Facebook. You can choose who can see your posts – just people you’ve connected with as “friends”, people who are “friends of friends” or “public”. These are fairly self-explanatory, but there are still things you need to be aware of. If you have been “tagged” in someone else’s status or photograph, for example, it will show on their timeline, and anyone who can see their timeline.

The best way of moving search results you would rather your potential employer didn’t see further down the list of results (in extreme cases you can ask for particular entries to be removed, but this is complex and takes time) is to ensure that other, much more positive results come further up the list. One way to do that is to make full use of LinkedIn as this tends to have good results on Google.

The best advice is to be very cautious about what you share on public platforms, manage your privacy settings with great care and actively post content which will impress employers if it comes up on an internet search.

To find jobs from inclusive employers who are looking to attract more disabled candidates, have a look on the Evenbreak website Evenbreak.co.uk. To find relevant and accessible careers support for disabled candidates have a look on Evenbreak’s Career Hive Hive.Evenbreak.co.uk

TRAVEL REVIEWS

Expert travel reviews to help you make the best choice when booking your holiday.

PRODUCTS

An innovative mix of products to support you in everyday living.

EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATION

Regular columns and features on getting your dream job. Providing advice on CVs, interview tips and much more.

PERSONAL STORIES

Inspiring tales from our readers.

COMPETITIONS

Exclusive competitions that give you the chance to win dream holidays, amazing products and once in a lifetime experiences.

HEALTH AND FITNESS

We look at sports and activities available for you to get involved in to help you lead a healthy lifestyle.

DAYS OUT

Great ideas for the whole family to enjoy.

Every issue is packed with information designed to help you live life to the full, from products and sports to holiday ideas and employment advice, so make sure you don’t miss out on any future issues and subscribe today!

Like us on Facebook Search for ‘PosAbility Magazine’

Follow us on Twitter @ PosAbilityMag

The improved Infyna Chic intermittent catheter

The improved Infyna Chic™ Intermittent Catheter

New, clear tube to aid visualisation.

New, clear tube to aid visualisation.

tube for confident, full bladder drainage.

Longer catheter

Longer catheter tube

for confident, full bladder drainage.

More lubricious coating for more comfortable insertion.

More

lubricious coating for more comfortable insertion.

Thoughtfully refined with women in mind

Thoughtfully refined with women in mind

We’re committed to improving the self-catheterisation experience for the women who choose us, which is why we’re introducing some subtle yet significant changes. Delivering even more comfort and confidence - for your peace of mind.

We’re committed to improving the selfcatheterisation experience for the women who choose us, which is why we’re introducing some subtle yet significant changes. Delivering even more comfort and confidence – for your peace of mind.

To learn more or to request a sample visit Hollister.co.uk/InfynaChic