14 All Together NOW!
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2021
Lessons for teachers
A FREE school toolkit is available to help staff understand the needs of pupils with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes and joint hypermobility syndrome. Affected children may have poor attendance due to outpatient appointments or high symptom levels, while some families resort to home education. Typical symptoms can include dislocations, sprains without a clear cause, pain, tiredness, clumsiness, dizziness and anxiety. n EDA Helpline: 0800 907 8518 n Hypermobility Helpline: 03330 116 388 n Toolkit available at www.theschooltoolkit. org
www.alltogethernow.org.uk
LEFT: What it’s like to have diabetic retinopathy. RIGHT: How sight is affected by age-related macular degeneration
How the world looks to some people
F
OR the first time, the rest of the world can see how life looks through the eyes of a blind or partially sighted person.
A new video uses augmented reality to simulate the six most common sight conditions in the UK today: cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, hemianopia, age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma. The video shows each condition, with increasing severity, overlaid with a simulation
onto moving footage of everyday activity. Each simulation has a narration describing the condition in terms of cause, demographics, impact and any available treatment. Charles Colquhoun, head of the Thomas Pocklington Trust, which produced the video, said: “Visual impairment varies greatly from person to person and it is sometimes difficult to demonstrate what people with the various conditions experience – until now. “We hope this video will help other businesses
and sight loss organisations in their work – whether for staff and volunteer VI awareness training, to educate architects and town planners or engage corporates in campaigns. We are very proud to be leading on this work”. It is available to watch as one continuous video or by selecting a condition or conditions. www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxqXEt5tuQs n Find out more about the six common eye conditions on the TPT website: www.pocklington-trust.org.uk
BRAND NEW GLASSES THAT DON’T BREAK THE BANK Your routine eye tests, glasses and contact lenses are covered with Medicash.
State of art loos at major rail hub
Rest easy with the knowledge that you can claim cash back on everyday health costs with our comprehensive cash plans.
You’ll also be covered for: • Dental treatments - NHS or Private • Quicker access to specialists • Physiotherapy and other therapies • Plus much more
IF YOU’RE AGED BETWEEN 16 & 65, VISIT WWW.MEDICASH.ORG OR CALL 0800 011 2222 TO START ENJOYING THE BENEFITS OF MEDICASH TODAY Medicash is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
news@alltogethernow.org.uk
A
FULLY accessible Changing Places toilet facility is now available for passengers at London’s Euston rail station.
Unlike the standard “disabled” toilets, Changing Places loos provide additional aids such as: n Height-adjustable adultsized changing bench. n Ceiling mounted hoist.
www.alltogethernow.org.uk
n Centrally placed toilet with space either side. n Non-slip floor. n Height-adjustable washbasin. n Emergency alarm. It is hoped the new loos will give those with profound and multiple disabilities, their carers, assistants and families the confidence to travel through the station. Karen Hoe, Changing Places manager for Muscular
Dystrophy UK, which cochairs the Changing Places Consortium, said: “Changing Places toilets are a lifeline for the 250,000 people across the UK who rely on them.” n The Changing Places toilet is opposite the existing loos on the eastern side of the station. Tel. 0207 803 2876. Email changingplaces@muscular dystrophyuk.org
Tel. 0151 230 0307
