CONTACT BOARD

SHOPMOBILITY

n ALTRINCHAM . Tel 0161 929 1714 n ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE. Tel 0161 339 9500 n BARROW. Tel 01229 434039 n BIRKENHEAD. Tel 0151 647 6162 n BLACKBURNAND DARWEN. Tel 01254 690566 or 07757 502217 n BLACKPOOL. Tel 01253 349427 n BOLTON. Tel 01204 392946 n CARLISLE. Tel 01228 631564 n CHESTER. Tel 01244 312626 n CHORLEY. Tel 01257 260 888 n COLWYN BAY. Tel 01492 533822 n CREWE. Tel 01270 580 031 n ELLESMERE PORT. Tel 0151 355 1420 n KENDAL. Tel 01539 740 933 n LEIGH, Wigan. Tel 01942 777 985 n LIVERPOOL. Tel 0151 707 0877 n MANCHESTER Trafford Centre. Tel 0161 747 2684 n MANCHESTERArndale Centre. Tel 0161 839 4060 n NELSON. Tel 01282 692 502 n NORTHWICH, Vale Royal Tel 01606 288820 n OSWESTRY. Tel 01691 656882 n PENRITH. Tel 01768 895 438 n PRESTON. Tel 01772 204 667 n RHYL. Tel 01745 350665 n ROCHDALE. Tel 01706 865 986 n RUNCORN, Halton Lea Tel 01928 710144 n SHREWSBURY. Tel 01743 236900 SKELMERSDALE. Tel 01695 550066 n ST HELENS. Tel 01744 613 388 n STOCKPORT. Tel 0161 666 1100 n WARRINGTON. Tel 01925 240064 n WARRINGTON. Birchwood Tel 01925 822 411 WIDNES: 0151 511 8833 n WIGAN. Tel 01942 776 070 n WINSFORD Tel 01606 557550 n WREXHAM. Tel 01978 312390

MIDLANDS

n BIRMINGHAM. Snow Hill Railway Station. Tel 0121 236 8980. Level 2, Centre Car Park, Bullring. Tel 0121 616 2942 n STAFFORD. Tel 01785 619456 n STOKE ON TRENT. Tel 01782 233333 n SUTTON COLDFIELD. Tel 0121 355 1112 n TAMWORTH. Tel, 01827

WHEEL DEAL: The team who are changing people’s lives in SouthAfrica

HELPLINES

n Personal Budgets

Helpline Tel. 0330 995 0404 Opening hours: 9.30am-1.30pm, Tues and Thurs personalbudgets@di sabilityrightsuk.org

n Disabled Students

Helpline Tel. 0330 995 0414 Opening hours: 11am-1pm on Tues and Thurs students@disabilityri ghtsuk.org

n Scope’s Disabilty

Information and Advice Line (DIAL) Freephone 0808 800 3333

MUDDY MARVELS!

COPING with uneven pavements in towns across the UK is tough going for many wheelchair users – especially as councils continue to tighten their belts.

But imagine the problems for disabled people in rural areas of SouthAfrica.

Well, if things go according to plan, there will soon be a new style chair on the market that can cope with all sorts of rugged terrain.

That’s the target for a team of researchers fromAston University, Birmingham, and the Central University of Technology in Bloemfontein, SouthAfrica.

Dr Timothy Whitehead, who is leading the project atAston University, said: “This project will help improve life forAfrican people who use wheelchairs and help boost employment opportunities for disabled people.

“We are supporting two upcoming wheelchair manufacturers to improve their designs, while also creating educational and workshop materials for future disabled entrepreneurs. ”

Able Manufacturers has created a threein-one chair with adaptable wheels for off-roading in the many rural areas that have limited paved roads.

Standard wheelchairs can’t cope with mud, holes and overgrown vegetation, but a removable third wheel helps users overcome rough terrain.

As a result, disabled people can travel to areas that were previously inaccessible, increasing opportunities for and access to potential employment.

Company owner Schalk van de Merwe said: “It is fantastic to work with the team on this project.

“These chairs are a lifeline for so many people living in rural communities – if we can iron out the issues, they will be even better. ”

The team is also working with Real Steel Wheelchairs to develop a new, more affordable rugby wheelchair to encourage more disabled athletes and children into the sport.

Currently, importing these chairs to Africa is costly, resulting in an automatic barrier to a sport which can support physical and mental health and rehabilitation.

Real Steel Wheelchairs was started by Jared McIntyre, a disabled wheelchair rugby player who is working with skills providers to train disabled people to make the chairs and offer them valuable employment.

The project has been funded through the British Council’s Innovation forAfrican University scheme, which aims to improve Africa’s entrepreneurial skills.

HELP AT THE END OF A PHONE

n ANGLESEY: TARAN

Tel 01407 721933 n BLACKPOOL Disability

Information and Support.

Tel 01253 472 202.

Textphone 01253 476 450 n CHESHIRE CIL

Tel 01606 331853 n CHESTER Dial House

Tel 01244 345655 n DENBIGHSHIRE

Tel 01745 354445 n ELLESMERE PORT DICE Tel 0151 355 1420 n HALTON Disability Service Tel 01928 717222 n KNOWSLEY DISABILITY CONCERN. 0151 480 4090 n LANCASTER DISC

Tel 01524 34411 n ACSIL(Amputeesand Carers),Tel,01512611166 n THE BRAIN CHARITY

Tel 0151 298 2999 n MANCHESTER (GTR)

Coalition of Disabled People Tel 0161-273 5154 n MOLD Flintshire Disability

Tel 01352 755546 n NELSON: Pendle Pakistan Welfare Association.

Tel 01282 603 616 n PRESTON DISC:

Tel 01772 558 863.

Text 01772 204 787 n RHYLTel 01745 350665 n STOCKPORT: Disability

Stockport. 0161 480 7248 n WARRINGTON Disability

Partnership. 01925 240064 n WIRRAL WIRED

Tel 0151 670 1500 n WEST LANCS HELPLINE

Freefone 0800 220676 n ST HELENS DASH

Tel 01744 453053

MIDLANDS

n BIRMINGHAM Disability Resource Centre Tel 0121 789 7365 n Disabled People’s Network Solihull Tel 0121 788 1544 n STOKE: Disability Solutions Tel 01782 683800 n WOLVERHAMPTON Elder and Disabled Group Tel 01902 448552 n WEST MIDSAmputee Group. 07891 794733; 07585 958322; 07557 228154

Her story’s historic!

ALL of us can read a bedtime story to children – even if you are blind.

That’s the message Liverpool’s Paralympian cyclist Lora Fachie is determined to get across.

Lora, blind since the age of five, used braille to read The Secret Code in the TV series CBeebies Bedtime Stories.

She said: “I was over the moon to read a CBeebies Bedtime Story for the first time in braille.

“I have always enjoyed reading and hope this will encourage everyone to want to read whether they use their eyes, their ears, their fingers or a secret code. ”

The 34-year-old, whose son Fraser,was born in October, added: “Reading feeds the imagination and I will be reading to my little one. ”

David Clarke, chief operating officer at the Royal National Institute of Blind People, added: “Our in-depth research tells us the main barrier faced by blind and partially sighted people in the UK is public misconceptions.

“This is just one myth that is being busted by Lora. We want to spread the message that blind and partially sighted parents can absolutely read bedtime stories to their kids. ” n RNIB Helpline: 0303 123 9999

How those with sight loss view the world

HUNDREDS of conversations have helped to create one the richest and most in-depth picturs yet of life with a visual impairment.

More than 800 people took part in the study which reveals those things that most help – and hinder – people with sight loss.

Blind charities Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), Guide Dogs and Thomas Pocklington Trust jointly produced the VI Lives study, which found: n Improving public awareness, understanding and empathy is considered by blind and partially sighted people to be a priority for improving their quality of life. It was felt that public understanding of sight loss is poor, and that general ignorance has led to negative encounters. n Diagnosis of sight loss is a critical moment for most, but there’s not enough information, guidance and empathy. More practical and emotional support, better signposting and quicker referrals are needed. n Better accessibility to transport and public places is the most important factor to improve quality of life. Aquarter of people affected by sight loss feel they are not getting out as much as they would like. n People affected by sight loss often feel cut off from employment opportunities and that little support is offered to them, and nearly a third have difficulty stretching their household budget. n Smart technology such as smart speakers, smart watches and virtual assistants is a key enabler, helping blind and partially sighted people to access information and digital services.

However, there are disparities in awareness and access. Many are unaware of the available apps, specialist equipment and technology that can make their lives easier.

Matt Stringer, chief executive of RNIB, said: “We are committed to using this research to help drive change for all organisations and give them the insight they need to help shape services, products and policies that enable people affected by sight loss to participate in society and lead independent lives. ”

HELP AT THE END OF A PHONE

VISUAL PROBLEMS

n ACCRINGTON

Tel 01254 233332 n BARROW Tel 01229 820698 n BIRMINGHAMAction for

Blind Tel 0121 665 4200 n BLACKBURN

Tel 0125 554143 n BLACKPOOL: N-Vision

Tel 01253 362696 n BURY Tel 0161 763 7014 n BURNLEY

Tel 01282 438507 n CARLISLE:Action for Blind People Tel 01228 595121 n CHESHIRE & N WALES:

Vision Support. Tel 01244 381515 n CUMBRIA(West)

Tel 01946 592474 n CUMBRIA(Sth Lakeland)

Tel 01539 726613 n GUIDE DOGS

Tel 0118 983 5555 n HENSHAW’S 0161872 234 or 0151 708 7055 n LIVERPOOL: Bradbury

Fields.Tel 0151 221 0888:

Action for Bind

Tel 0151 298 3222 n MANCHESTER:Action for

Blind Tel 0161 787 9252 n PRESTON:Action for Blind People Tel 01772 320550 n OLDHAM Tel 0161682 8019 n ROSSENDALE

Tel 01706 873256 n SIGHTLINE (North West)

Tel 0800 587 2252 n WIGAN Tel 01942 242891 n WIRRALTel 0151 652 8877

HEARING ISSUES

n BIRMINGHAM Institute for

Deaf Tel 0121 246 6101 n CHESHIRE Deaf Society

Tel 01606 47831 n CUMBRIADeaf Society

Tel 01228 606434 n LANCASHIRE (EAST)

Deaf Society

Tel 01282 839180 n MANCHESTER Deaf Centre. Tel 0161 273 3415

Genie Networks.

Tel 0161 941 4549.

Text 18001 0161 941 4549 n MERSEYSIDE Society for

Deaf Tel 0151 228 0888 n SOUTHPORT Centre for the Deaf Tel 01704 537001 n ST HELENS: Deafness

Resource Centre

Tel 01744 23887 n WOLVERHAMPTON Centre for Deaf Tel 01902

CARERS’ CENTRES

n ACCRINGTON Tel 01254 387 444 n BLACKBURN with DARWEN Tel 01254 688 www.bwdcarers.org n BLACKPOOL Blackpool Borough Council, Tel 01253 477 716 nCUMBRIA Carlisle. Tel 01228 542 156 Penrith. Tel 01768 890 280 Barrow-in-Furness. Tel 01229 822 822 Kendal. Tel 01539 732 927 Whitehaven, Tel 01946 592 223 n CHESHIRE & WARRINGTON Helpline:0300 102 0008 n KNOWSLEY Tel 0151 549 1412 n LANCASTER Tel 01524 66475 nLIVERPOOL Tel 0151 705 2307 n MANCHESTER Tel 0161 835 2995 n MORECAMBE Tel 01524 833456 n PRESTON Tel 01772 200173 n RUNCORN Tel 01928 580182 n WIDNES Tel 0151 257 9673 n SALFORD Tel 0161 833 0217 n SEFTON Tel 0151 288 6060 n ST HELENS Tel 01744 675 615 n STOCKPORT Tel 0161 442 0442 n WARRINGTON (WIRED) Tel 01925 633 492 n WEST LANCS Tel 01695 711243 n WIGAN & LEIGH Tel 01942 705959 / 486923

MIDLANDS

n BIRMINGHAM Tel 0121 675 8000 n SOLIHULL Tel 0121 788 1143 n WALSALL Tel 01922 610 810

NORTH WALES

n ANGLESEY Tel 01248 722828 n BANGOR Tel 01248 370 797 n CONWY Tel 01492 533714 n DENBIGHSHIRE: NEWCIS, Tel: 0845 603 3187 nDOLGELLAU Tel 01341 421167 n FLINTSHIRE: NEWCIS, Tel: 01352 751436 n WREXHAM CARERS SERVICE Tel: 0800 276 1070