Disabled Living

Category: General

Baywatch Results Reveal Disabled Parking Abuse

Disabled Living are pleased to support Disabled Motoring UK’s Baywatch Campaign. Read all about the latest results below.

In August, DMUK asked the public to help us with our Baywatch Campaign by completing a survey on their parking experiences over the past 12 months. The results have now been calculated.

DMUK would like to thank everybody who participated in this year’s Baywatch Campaign. This year we had the biggest number of responses that we have ever seen which goes to show how important the problem of disabled parking abuse remains. The total number of responses was 777. We would also like to thank all our sponsors, the British Parking Association and BBFI Public Sector Investigations, and our supporting organisations that promoted the campaign and encouraged their members/supporters to take part. Without them the campaign would not be so successful.

Traditionally the Baywatch Campaign asks the public to survey supermarket car parks for levels of disabled parking abuse. We were unable to undertake this type of campaign in 2020 because of the Coronavirus pandemic. Instead we asked the public to complete a survey from home which asked them questions on their more general parking experiences. This allowed DMUK to expand the scope of the campaign to other parking settings.

Findings

Local Authorities

One of the most alarming statistics that came from the survey results was that 95.6% of participants did not think that local authorities were doing enough to tackle Blue Badge abuse. This is a very high percentage, but not at all surprising to DMUK. Every year the ‘Blue Badge Statistics’ are released and every year the number of local authorities actually prosecuting Blue Badge fraud is disappointingly low. The Baywatch Campaign also showed that only 20.8% of Blue Badge holders had ever been asked to have their Blue Badge inspected by an official and that 96.4% of participants supported more inspections of Blue Badges.

The disabled community has spoken, and local authorities must do more to support their parking needs. DMUK wants to see far more Blue Badge inspections and enforcement of the on-street concession.

Supermarket Parking

With the data gathered we cannot do our usual supermarket league table with who is performing best and worst. However, the results have shown that 53.4% of participants either find it ‘Difficult’ or ‘Very Difficult’ to find suitable disabled parking in general at supermarkets. Also 86.8% found that disabled parking bays were either ‘Often’ or ‘Very Often’ abused. (Abused is defined as vehicles parking in disabled bays not displaying a Blue Badge.)

These statistics show that supermarkets are not doing enough to support their disabled customers. Disabled parking is not managed properly, disabled parking bays are clearly not enforced, and abuse of the bays is rife.

Looking specifically at enforcement DMUK asked the question: When parking at the supermarket do you ever see signs of enforcement? In response to this 55.1% of respondents said No. The next question asked was: If you have reported disabled parking abuse to a member of staff, do they take action? 86.7% of respondents answered ‘No’ to this question. This is distressing and shows that when a disabled customer asks for help their concerns are ignored by supermarket staff.

General Findings

The survey also asked participants about parking on their everyday journeys, not just at the supermarkets. On these types of journeys 74.8% of respondents said that finding suitable disabled parking was either ‘Difficult’ or ‘Very Difficult’.

Also, generally when parking 87.7% of respondents said that they ‘Often’ or ‘Very often’ saw disabled bays being abused.

These statistics are appalling. Being able to drive and park at their desired destination is imperative to the independence of disabled people. The figures show that disabled people are being disadvantaged and prevented from living independent lives because of the state of the nation’s disabled parking provision and enforcement. These statistics should be the wakeup call that the parking industry needs to once and for all provide adequate parking provision to disabled motorists and make sure it is enforced correctly. The level of deterrent needs to reflect the importance of keeping disabled bays free for genuine users and at present the deterrent clearly isn’t enough.

The Impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic

Earlier in the summer we started to receive anecdotal evidence that disabled bays were being removed from car parks to make room for socially distanced queuing. As lockdown restrictions eased, this became a more common problem. We posed the question in our survey: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic have you seen disabled bays being removed? Eg, for queuing. 65.8% of respondents answered ‘Yes’ to this question. Once again the needs of disabled people have been pushed to the back of the queue and equality has been forgotten.

Graham Footer, CEO at DMUK, said: “DMUK is delighted with the level of support it has received for this year’s Baywatch campaign. However, we are very concerned about the levels of disabled parking abuse in all parking settings. The parking industry and local authorities all need to do more to support disabled people. Accessibility starts in the car park and without proper parking provision and enforcement of disabled parking, disabled people find it increasingly difficult to live independent lives. DMUK demands that this issue is taken seriously”

Baywatch Appeal

To help DMUK to continue campaigning on the issue of disabled parking abuse we have a fundraising initiative called the ‘Baywatch Appeal’. This is a fundraising appeal which will help the charity raise vital funds to keep advocating the need for proper management of disabled parking bays. The charity encourages all supporters of the Baywatch campaign to donate if they are able. Please visit https://www.disabledmotoring.org/donate

November 3, 2020
Kidz to Adultz and Redbank House Exhibit at Disability Awareness Day (DAD)

Kidz to Adultz Exhibitions and Redbank House (part of Disabled Living) are thrilled to be exhibiting at Disability Awareness Day (DAD). We look forward to promoting our services at this online event and will be located on stand M5.

Disability Awareness Day (DAD) is recognised as the largest annual event of its kind in the world. Due to COVID-19, the 29^th event will be held virtually online via www.dadvirtual.org.uk it is totally free, and goes live at 10am on Sunday 25^th October. A week of free, complimentary workshops will also be available the following week between Monday 26^th till Friday 30^th. The website will remain available online for the year ahead.

DAD is a ‘pan disability event which promotes a culture that focuses on what disabled people can-do’. Event Co-ordinator Dave Thompson MBE DL co-founded the organising charity Warrington Disability Partnership (WDP) in 1991 and the annual DAD event in 1992. Held in a tented village on the grounds of Walton Hall and Gardens Warrington, DAD provides a wide range of features including information, advice and guidance on products and services, a sports zone, a performing arts marquee, and entertainment for all. It has inspired similar events in over a dozen countries worldwide including Cameroon, Gibraltar, Uganda, Thailand and India, and has attracted special guests including members of the Royal Family and Ministers for Disabled People. The Royal Air Force have also supported past events with flypasts from the Red Arrows and WWII Dakota’s. WDP was presented with the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services in 2006 in recognition of DAD’s Army of volunteers who ensure the show runs smoothly.

In 2019, the event was supported by dozens of businesses, statutory and voluntary service providers including over 100 disability charities, with more than 25,000 visitors attending on the day. Over 600,000 people have attended past events, and charities have not only raised awareness about what they do, they have also raised over £1million for good causes.

What to Expect

This year, over 200 virtual exhibitor stands have been booked, as well as an impressive line-up of performers in the Arts Marquee, with 2018 Britain’s Got Talent winner, Lee Ridley, best known as Lost Voice Guy, heading the bill. Plus over a dozen organisations will be promoting a wide variety of inclusive sports and activities such as scuba diving, cycling, wheelchair rugby and basketball, dance, angling and Tai Chi.

DADV2020 is dedicated to the memories of two members of the DAD team who have sadly died of Coronavirus, Peter Ives and Colin Whitfield, who together contributed nearly 50 years of voluntary work to DAD and WDP.

Exhibitors from across the region, the UK and as far afield as Israel and Australia will be showcasing their products and services including disability and age related support groups, health and social care, mobility and independent living equipment, education and employment, independent living options, magazines and exhibitions, arts, crafts and activities, sports and leisure, welfare benefits advice, housing and supported accommodation, rail travel, police and hate crime, and performing arts.

Tony Brown, Managing Director at Expanse Learning Group the event principal sponsors, said “We are all excited about the potential impact of DAD Virtual. Here at Expanse we learn from other organisations who are delivering education and support to young disabled people, and we love to share our achievements across the industry. DAD Virtual provides us with the platform to do both.

The event has been supported by United Utilities, Warrington & Halton NHS Teaching Hospitals FT Trust, Police & Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, Active Cheshire and the Coronavirus Community Support Fund, distributed by The National Lottery Community Fund, thanks to the Government for making this possible.

Disability Awareness Day (DAD) is an event organised by the Warrington Disability Partnership (WDP)

Warrington Disability Partnership is an internationally recognised and award winning user led registered charity founded in 1991. With a team of nearly 50 staff and over 200 volunteers, WDP offers 28 mobility and independent living services in and around Warrington, Liverpool and North Wales, including two Centres for Independent Living and two Shopmobility services.

October 21, 2020
Are You Sitting Comfortably?

This is a guest blog for Disabled Living written by Peter Wingrave, Sales Director at AAT GB

Postural support: it’s one of the biggest headaches for carers and healthcare professionals, how to balance appropriate cushioning with health and wellbeing.

Treating pressure sores costs the NHS £1.3m/day⁽¹⁾. Before that stage is reached, how much time do carers- paid and unpaid- spend re-adjusting and turning their charge to prevent pressure, adjusting their position to ensure they are comfortable, stabilised and supported, plumping up cushions etc?

In many cases, just a change in thought process and choice of postural support would reduce or even eliminate the risk of a sore even beginning.

Health & Wellbeing

Health & wellbeing is not just pressure sores. It’s about sensory wellbeing, giving someone that feeling of safety and security without feeling restricted. It’s about physical wellbeing, supporting the body during a spasm, protecting during involuntary movement.

Health & wellbeing affects everyone involved: the person needing that postural support, and the person or people who look after them. Anyone involved in care is aware of the issues of moving and handling, so any system that helps reduces loading on them has got to be good too.

The benefits of the bean bag concept are widely accepted, as are the disadvantages: that the slightest movement changes the shape of the cushion leading to at best inadequate support or at worst the user ending up on the floor! A more solid stabilisation is needed.

Vacuum Posture Technology

Traditionally, Occupational Therapists are used to a rigid version, a fixed mould type system. However, the one inevitable in life is that our needs change with time- we grow, our condition deteriorates, or we develop other issues. These all impact on the size and shape of the mould. Changing that mould takes time and costs money.

What about an option developed in conjunction with Occupational Therapists, that enables you to perfectly, finitely adjust the shape of the cushion- whether a small arm support through to a bed? An option that can be used for sitting, lying, sleeping, bathing, swimming, travelling? An option that then holds that shape, firmly, but that you can easily adjust as needs change? An option that you can change at no cost, on the spot, instantly, and without having to organise specialists to attend?

Vaccuum technology addresses all those limitations. It works by simply positioning the user on the cushion and attaching a pump which sucks the air out from between the ‘beans’ so it forms firmly and evenly around the body area to be supported and stabilised. It forms without pressure points and holds that shape for weeks. It exactly mirrors the shape required and can be infinitely and minutely adjusted for optimum user comfort and support.

To create/maintain the shape, simply attach the pump and provide suction for a few moments. To create a new form, allow some air to re-enter via the valve, attach the pump, and turn on for the few minutes necessary until the required degree of firmness is achieved.

See how it works here: https://youtu.be/Apng8U5cYK0 and https://www.aatgb.com/posture-cushion-user-guide/

Any appropriately-trained carer can create the support as needed. In these COVID-different times, there is no need to arrange for a specialist appointment, and wait days, weeks, months for a new mould.

Not Just a Posture Cushion

The structure also means the bag can be used as a sensory aid: pop an appropriate music player underneath, and the sound, beat and rhythm will transfer through the cushion.

The outer fabric is waterproof yet breathable. Thus the cushion can be quickly and easily wiped clean, disinfected and sterilised. It can be used in the bath or swimming pool.

Small, velcro-fixed versions mean a single limb can be stabilised during a period of therapy. Large versions replace bed mattresses and can be exactly formed to shape and support the trunk and limbs as needed, even allowing creation of abduction wedges. Cushions can be taken wherever the user needs them: one Stabilo user has taken part in a disabled sports challenge, using his cushion to stabilise him in a canoe! More typical usage is stabilisation in a car seat, a swing or a wheelchair.

To find out more about how AAT Stabilo vacuum posture cushions can support you and your charge in daily life, click here: https://www.aatgb.com/posture-cushions/, call 01978821875 or email sales@aatgb.com.

Reference(s):

(1)https://nhs.stopthepressure.co.uk

October 13, 2020
Sensory-Friendly Halloween Costume Ideas

For some individuals, Halloween can pose extra challenges. Although dressing up can often be something to look forward to, itchy seams, tight collars, restrictive masks, or strong-smelling face paint may be unbearable for those with sensory issues. Costumes bought from shops may be particularly uncomfortable. However, making simple sensory-friendly costumes is a great solution for this! Why not get creative this Halloween and check out some of our adaptable, sensory-friendly costume ideas below.

Sweatshirt

Transform a soft sweatshirt, hoodie or jumper into something spectacularly spooky. To create some bat wings, sew some black fabric (an old sheet would be ideal) onto the arms of the sweatshirt and join it to the sides. Additionally, you could take a plain orange jumper and draw a face on it to create a simple yet effective pumpkin costume. Another option is to stuff some old tights or knee-high socks and attach them onto the sleeves of the jumper and stick some googly eyes onto the front to create a scary spider costume.

Pyjamas

Another simple idea that will provide maximum softness for your child is to transform some plain black pyjamas into a spooky skeleton. Simply cut a skeleton template out of a plain white sheet and sew it onto the pyjamas for some custom-made comfort.

Cardboard boxes

If your child would rather have a costume that barely touches them, why not create something that they can hop in and out of as they choose? Cardboard boxes are a versatile option which can provide hours of fun for both you and your child to get creative. Whether you are looking to make a car, plane or horse, the possibilities are endless. If your child is a wheelchair user, this is also a great option for an adaptable costume. For more ideas to inspire your creativity for making an adaptable costume, visit: https://costumes.lovetoknow.com/types-costumes/costumes-that-work-wheelchairs

Alternatively, if there is a specific store-bought Halloween costume that your child has in mind, but you are concerned that it could be uncomfortable, you can always purchase a larger size and layer the costume over comfy, sensory-friendly clothing.

Before your child wears their Halloween costume, suggest that they try it on a couple of weeks beforehand to ensure they are accustomed to the textures and identify any issues they might have. This will give you time to make any amendments prior to their Halloween event.

Visit our Supplier Directory, under the Sensory Toys and Play Equipment category to see what the companies are up to this Halloween! You can also tweet Disabled Living with your own ideas at @disabledliving.

October 8, 2020
Living Changes to Help People Stay Safe and Independent at Home

This is a sponsored post written on behalf of Agincare.

As we get older, some of the daily tasks we used to find easy to carry out and take for granted may not be as straightforward anymore. Whether it’s reaching up to find something in a cupboard or making a cup of tea, it’s inevitable that as we grow older in age, our mobility and health can be affected. Although this is something a large number of people are faced with, it doesn’t mean you’re no longer able to live independently and safely.

Being independent is something we all appreciate, no matter how young or old we are. It’s inevitable that having our independence taken away from us can negatively affect our lifestyles, so it’s important to prevent this. In later life, health issues such as hearing impairments and more severe problems like Alzheimer’s disease become more common, but there are a number of ways individuals who have these problems can still live independently.

As part of their latest campaign, Agincare wanted to share some simple changes which can be made around the home, for people with some of the most common health issues in later life. Five floor plans have been created and outline how it’s still possible to live independently and safely, even if you have issues such as frailty and Dementia.

Below are a few examples from the Agincare campaign.

Dementia

For someone living with Dementia, their own home is a place of safety and comfort. It’s widely known that Dementia affects people’s memory, so it’s important to take this into consideration if a family member has the illness and wants to live alone.

To begin with, as Dementia can make people forgetful, it’s important you make sure they can come to no accidental harm. It’s a good idea to fit overflow plugs wherever there are taps, such as in the kitchen and bathroom; which will prevent the risk of flooding. If your friend or relative often tries to leave their home, then sensor alarms are a great way to alert you when this is happening, which then means you can check if they’re ok and need any assistance.

Visual impairment

When having a visual impairment, living alone can be challenging, but this doesn’t mean it can’t be done. A number of simple changes around the home can go a long way in this case and they don’t have to come at a price.

It’s important that during the day, as much natural light is brought into the home as possible. Using different textures for items of furniture and other commonly used products will allow people to easily distinguish where they are and how to safely move around. Bright colours can often help individuals with visual impairments, so opting for contrasting colours when it comes to furniture can make objects become clearer.

Frailty

As we grow older, frailty is something we will all experience, but again, simple changes around the home can ensure we live safely and independently.

Falls are a lot more common for people in later life, so it’s important to minimise any risks as much as possible. Making sure furniture is spaced out means there are no narrow gaps you need to manoeuvre through. Reaching up to find things in cupboards can also result in falling or other types of injury, so it’s wise to put storage boxes on top of units to make life that little bit easier.

After looking at Agincare’s floor plans and the changes they have suggested, you can start to see that people with health issues can live safely and independently. Whether it’s fitting sensor alarms or making sure furniture is spaced out as much as possible, a number of simple changes can make someone’s life more safe and secure.

We want to know what you thought of the points mentioned and the floor plans Agincare have created. Join in the conversation on social, using #HomeForTheElderly.

If you would like to feature on Disabled Living’s blog please send an email to: info@disabledliving.co.uk

October 5, 2020
How Motability Cars Cater for Drivers and Passengers with Disabilities

This is a sponsored post written by Stoneacre Motor Group.

The Motability scheme is relatively unknown to many in Britain, but for more than 600,000 of us, a Motability vehicle is life changing. You probably already see Motability vehicles every day even if you may not realise so and you may certainly know someone who already benefits from the use of one.

Motability is an extensive collaboration between the charity sector, the Government and the automotive industry. As a charity-led organisation, Motability that has helped millions of people across the country gain access to a car, mobility scooter, or motorised wheelchair. And they continue to do so with more than half a million people currently on the scheme.

The scheme is open to any citizen who receives one of four higher rate mobility allowances from the Government, who are able to exchange their benefits with the Motability charity to lease mobility equipment that can help improve their independence and standard of living.

How Does Motability Work?

Anyone who currently receives any of the four higher rate mobility allowances are eligible to apply for the scheme and lease a vehicle. These rates include disability living allowances, personal independence payments, and other supplements for war pensioners and Veterans.

The scheme is simple in how it runs. Claimants are able to exchange their cash allowances with the Motability charity who in turn provide a lease vehicle of their choice. Motability are then paid every month by the Department for Work and Pensions who deduct the cost of the lease from the mobility allowances of the claimant.

The cost of the lease includes all tax, insurance, breakdown and servicing costs, which are taken care of by the charity at limited expense to the claimant. Its effectively a ‘just add fuel and drive’ kind of deal, which typically last anywhere between 3 to 5 years before the equipment must be returned or the lease extended.

Claimants are able to choose what to spend their allowances on, whether that be a mobility scooter, motorised wheelchair or a Motability car. Those that only travel short distances tend to favour a scooter or wheelchair, with others who need to travel longer distances opting for a car that has special adaptations for disabled drivers and passengers.

What Cars are Available on the Motability Scheme?

The majority of major car brands all offer some of their models on Motability, which means there’s a great choice of cars on offer. From compact SUVs and 7 seater family cars, to chic city-cars and hot hatchbacks, there’s plenty to look out for.

Motability cars come available with a whole range of adaptations that can be made to improve the utility of the vehicle for disabled drivers and passengers.

You can apply through a Motability dealer who are registered dealers for the charity. Motability dealers help claimants with their application for their scheme as well with their search for a car.

Adaptations are made to the vehicle to improve the general use of the car and for some people it can mean they don’t require any assistance to travel. For others, adaptations can simply just make a car much more feasible to use, especially for wheelchair users or paraplegics.

What Adaptations are Available to Disabled Drivers or Passengers?

A Motability car can be driven by a nominated driver, which is especially the case for disabled children or for other people who are unable to drive. This means that some may require adaptations as a passenger and others require adaptations as a driver. Both are available on Motability.

The three categories for Motability adaptations are seating & stowage, driving controls, and access. Driving controls change how the vehicle is driven to cater for drivers who may have limited or no use of their legs and feet. Adapted driving controls include hand controls for braking and acceleration, pedal modification and steering aids, which are all more than often fitted to an automatic car.

Changes to the seating and stowage of the vehicle can be made to cater for both drivers and passengers who use the vehicle on a daily basis. Motability cars commonly feature altered boot space and storage facilities to carry personal mobility equipment, plus mechanical hoists to load wheelchairs or scooters into the boot or roof-rack facility.

The third category of adaptation is for access. Adapted access help disabled people enter and exit the car through the front or back doors. Motability cars can be fitted with manual and electric lifts to load people and equipment in and out of the cars. Adapted access can fit transfer plates, electrical hoists and swivel seating to the car.

All adaptations are made available when applying for a Motability car. The Motability dealer will assess your position and they will be able recommend the necessary adaptations to the car you’ve chosen. What’s more, Motability provide more than 500 different adaptations and many of them are available at no extra cost. You can check your eligibility online now.

If you would like to feature on Disabled Living’s blog please get in touch with us via email: info@disabledliving.co.uk

August 18, 2020
Staying Fit with a Disability
This is a sponsored blog post written by Jorvik Tricycles for Disabled Living.

If you have from a disability, you may wonder and worry how you can exercise and stay fit. Fortunately, there are lots of ways that you can get out and about or stay healthy from the comfort of your own home. In our guide, we’ll show you the best ways you can stay fit and healthy and feel good about yourself.

Head outdoors

It’s important you don’t let your disability get in your way of getting out and about into the great outdoors. If you have a powered wheelchair, you can move around with ease on paths and footways. They are powered electrically so you can move along independently without the need of help from others.

Another alternative, are tricycles. If you have confidence in the use of your legs, then you can propel yourself along on a tricycle. The great thing about them is that they are on three wheels (two at the back and one at the front). This gives you greater stability and makes you feel a bit safer when you’re riding around. There is a great range of tricycles from Jorvik Tricycles so check them out.

Exercise from home

There are some great exercises you can do from your home, and even the comfort of your chair. Here are some of the best exercises you can do, taken from a great article by Invacare:
- Shoulder Movements – Moving your shoulders in a circular motion helps to keep them strong. You’d be amazed how often you use your shoulders so it’s important to keep them mobile and strong.
- Balloon Squeeze – Find a ball or if possible, a medicine ball and place it on your chest. Start to squeeze the ball as hard as you can. The more you squeeze the ball, the more it works your chest and you will feel the pinch!
- The Zombie Twist – No, not a Halloween dance. This exercise derives its name from the way you look whilst doing it. Sit up straight in your chair and hold your arms out in front of you (like a zombie). Start to twist slowly from right to left keeping your arms out straight. Repeat 10 times (or less if you’re struggling).
- The Jazz Toes – If you enjoy bopping along to a song whilst exercising, you will enjoy this one. Sit up straight in your chair or wheelchair and place your feet flat on the ground. All you need to do is point your feet up towards the ceiling and then point them to the floor. You should feel a slight twinge at the back of your foot.
- Higher Knees – Again, sit up straight in your chair or wheelchair and put your feet flat on the ground or on your footplate. Lift your leg slowly to a manageable point and start to bend your knee in towards you. Hold for 5 seconds and then start to lower your foot down. Try and repeat the exercise around 10 times if you can.
So, there you have our top tips for keeping fit from home or in the great outdoors. Get in touch with us if you need any more advice. It is incredibly important to stay fit and hopefully this post has helped you see just how easy it is.
August 6, 2020
DMUK Baywatch Campaign

This is a guest blog written by Heidi Turner on behalf of DMUK for Disabled Living.

DMUK’s Baywatch campaign, which looks into levels of disabled parking abuse at supermarkets, is changing format for 2020.

A common problem for many disabled motorists is not being able to park at their desired destination, especially at their local supermarket. The major complaint is that the disabled bays are all occupied with cars not displaying a Blue Badge.

Disabled Motoring UK’s Baywatch campaign seeks to address this. This campaign researches the level of disabled parking abuse at supermarkets, by asking disabled motorists to survey their local supermarket car park. Specifically, they count how many disabled bays are provided and how many cars that are parked in them without displaying a Blue Badge.

We launched this year’s campaign in March 2020 with a great response from supporting organisations and the campaign’s sponsor, the British Parking Association. DMUK is so pleased with the positive response it gets from its members, the public and organisations. Last year was our best campaign yet with record numbers of participants. However, this was before the world was swamped by the current Coronavirus pandemic. Even though many areas of the UK are seeing a decrease in infections and deaths from Coronavirus, and the government are easing lockdown restrictions, DMUK has decided that it is not appropriate to ask individuals to physically go to a supermarket car park and count cars not displaying a Blue Badge which are parked in disabled bays. This could put participants in a position where they find it harder to social distance and we would never ask people to put themselves at an increased risk of catching the virus.

Join our Survey

Instead we will be running a survey for the month of August which participants can complete without leaving their home. DMUK will ask individuals to think back over the last 12 months to consider their general parking experience and ask them to answer some questions about this experience at supermarkets and on their everyday journeys. We will use this data to tackle the supermarkets and other parking providers over their disabled parking policies. As a thank you for taking part there will also be an opportunity for one participant to win a £25 M&S voucher.

The survey will be printed in the August issue of Disabled Motoring and there will be an online version going live in August which can be accessed through the website: https://www.disabledmotoring.org/baywatch-2020

We hope that in August 2021 to have this pandemic long behind us and run our usual Baywatch Campaign.

The campaign has support from Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, she commented: “It’s so sad that Disabled Motoring UK has to run its Baywatch Campaign. Disabled bay enforcement should be mandatory, especially for the big supermarkets that can afford to invest in policing their car parks. I see disabled parking abuse every day, it’s never a surprise to me, including at my local supermarket. There is a real lack of understanding about how essential these bays are to disabled people and I applaud DMUK’s Baywatch Campaign as it plays a vital role in highlighting the issue of disabled parking abuse at supermarkets.”

Heidi Turner, Communications and Campaigns Director at DMUK, said: “Baywatch is one of the charity’s longest running campaigns and is really important to draw attention to the parking problems that disabled people face when just trying to do their everyday grocery shopping. The charity has decided to change the format of Baywatch this year in order to keep our supporters safe. Nevertheless the new survey will provide us with some really useful data to keep the pressure on the supermarkets to do more to manage their disabled parking bays properly. Disabled motorists face parking problems in all aspects of their life and the new survey will also encompass some more general parking questions which will expand the scope of the DMUK Baywatch Campaign.”

DMUK Baywatch Appeal

In October 2019 DMUK launched its Baywatch Appeal as a way of raising additional funds to support the charity’s campaigning efforts. Since its launch the charity has raised an extra £5740.58 in added donations. Any extra money the charity can raise to support campaigning is so helpful. We understand that many people are under financial pressures at this time and ideally the best thing that individuals can do is to fill in the Baywatch survey in August, but if you can help with a donation too that is very much appreciated. Donations can be made through our website www.disabledmotoring.org or by calling 01508 489449.

DMUK Baywatch Sponsor

DMUK has worked for many years with the British Parking Association (BPA) to improve parking for disabled motorists. The BPA sponsored the campaign in 2019 and is once again sponsoring it for 2020.

Kelvin Reynolds, British Parking Association, Director of Corporate and Public Affairs, said: “We wholeheartedly support DMUK’s annual Baywatch campaign. With one in every five disabled parking bays being misused at supermarkets, this campaign is a great way to raise awareness of the importance of only using disabled bays if you are a Blue Badge holder. We encourage as many people as possible to participate in the survey.”

August 4, 2020
Care Available for Disabled People
This is a sponsored post by Country Cousins for Disabled Living’s blog about care for disabled people.

Sometimes, having a disability can sometimes be very limiting and make day to day tasks difficult to complete. Fortunately, there are a number of care options that you can take advantage of to make your life easier to manage. Allowing you to start enjoying the little things in life and enjoy spending time with loved ones.

In this guide we’re going to take you through some of the best options that are available to you. Hopefully then you can decide around what care you would like to take advantage of, allowing you to make the most of your life.

Live-in Care

Live-in care is one of the most popular forms of care amongst the elderly and disabled community. This is mainly due to the fact you get to stay in your own home amongst all the home comforts you’re used to. A carer will come round to your home and do as little or as much as you would like. We spoke to live-in care experts Country Cousins and they told us their top benefits of live-in care:
- You can stay in your environment and choose how your house looks and how it’s decorated. It’s your space so you control it.
- If you still like your independence, then you can make the most of having time to yourself in your home.
- Routines are incredibly import and if you have your own routine you can stick to it. This includes things like wake up times, meal times and when you head out to the shops. You can stay active and keep your routines.
- Your family can visit whenever you like and don’t have to stick to a schedule.
- The care is tailor made depending on the individual and you get your own personal support. If you’re just wanting a chat and a coffee, they are there to do just that.
- If you have a pet, you can keep them because you’re in your own home so the rules are your rules.
Living with Family

One option available is living with family if they have the capacity to care for you. When living with family, you are around people you’re comfortable with and they can help you as much or as little as you need. This can be anything from going to the shops for the basics or for days out and trips where you may need a little bit of help. Here are some of the benefits of living with your family:
- You will still maintain some form of independence even though you are amongst your family.
- The costs will be a lot lower because all you’ll need to pay for is upkeep and costs for things like bills and food shops. Care can sometimes be seen as quite expensive.
- The people providing the care and assistance you need are people you know, love and trust so you can fully relax.
Supported Living Services

Supported living services are there to provide you with care if you don’t want to live in a care home but struggle to live independently at home. They’re a combo of live-in care and care homes where you get your own space to live with some help with basic tasks like cooking and washing.

Some supported living accommodation can house around 2-3 people who may have similar health issues or particular disability. Staff will visit the home to help you with anything from getting out of bed to getting ready to go out or go to work and complete household tasks for you. You can find out more about supported living services on the NHS website.

Hopefully, you’re able to find care that’s right for you and gives you everything you need. If you need any more help or advice, then feel free to get in touch with us and we’ll see how we can help you.

If you would like information and advice on products or services for a disabled person you care for, please contact our Disabled Living helpline on 0161 214 4590.
July 28, 2020
Accessible Iceland: Chris’ Holiday Blog

This blog was written by Chris Cammiss, Disability Trainer and Advisor at Disabled Living.

I thought I’d push the envelope a little bit this time, so instead of heading for some late season sun in Lanzarote or the Seychelles I planned a trip to Iceland.

Of course, my expectations were of snow drifts, misty breath, icy pavements and multiple layers of clothing, so I went fully prepared.

How wrong can you be?

Although we were travelling in late September last year, I encountered hot – yes, hot sun and generally comfortable T-shirt weather. In fact, I only wore a light coat on one evening.

The Accessible Hotel

We booked a four-night weekend break based in the capital of Iceland, Reykjavik. We’d done our research in advance and my partner had found a holiday company which specialised in disability. The owner, who had already worked for a holiday company became seriously disabled after a car accident and decided to start up his own specialised organisation. They were able to book a suitable hotel, plan a couple of day-long excursions and advise on restaurants, activities and attractions. Alternating with free time in the city, this made for a busy but comfortable break.

The hotel was superbly located at the edge of the city centre, the hotel room was spacious and very comfortable, and the bathroom had a bigger than average shower room.

The concept of accessibility is very well understood in Iceland, but some practical interpretations differ to ours, so the shower room had only one tiny grab rail and an emergency cord but no shower seat. There was no foot recess under the sink at all.

The toilet was low with no support rails at all. Remember to contact the hotel and ask specific questions.

Exploring Reykjavik

I loved the atmosphere of the city – a very hippy/indie/multi-cultural vibe – not a big city feel at all. Great mix of old and new. The new, often large buildings were fully accessible, older ones usually had ramps so were a delight to explore. Being the capital city, there were the usual huge cultural buildings, but many of the original, quaint streets were still intact.

During the day the whole scene was overlooked by the impressive modern cathedral, shining white at the top of the hill, in the evening you look for the food and the jazz.

The countryside is extremely mountainous – dramatic and atmospheric. Lots of lakes, glaciers and fiercely flowing water. There is a lot of green but most of that is lichen.

Our tours took us to spectacular spouting geysers, hot, boiling mud pools and dramatic waterfalls. You can see why Iceland is such a popular country for filmmakers – it’s perfect for any Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones spin-offs! We were very well looked after by Siggy – our personal guide/driver for two full days, with his fully accessible vehicle.

The Blue Lagoon

I have to mention the Blue Lagoon. This is a very famous tourist attraction built around pools filled by natural hot springs where you can swim, sit or float in salty water at close to body temperature. So, I arrive in my expensive wheelchair and ask how I can get in? Well, we will transfer you to our special plastic wheelchair, which they did in their fully accessible changing room with the help of two lifeguards. At the poolside they indicated where my ramp descended into the water. I realised immediately that it was quite steep and I would have difficulty maintaining control –no problem said two female lifeguards we will help, we have swimsuits! Off they went to change and away we went.

The Food

I had certain expectations of the food available – I’d been told about marinated, buried, foul smelling lamb dishes for instance. I knew there would be excellent fish but expected very little meat and vegetables. The reality is very different. Lots of fresh local fish – the best fish and chips – great lamb stews, plenty of vegetables and fancy salads. Many local specialities as well, such as puffin, shark and (unexpectedly) horse meat, which were all extremely delicious and a complete surprise.

The Aurora Borealis

The Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) of course should be the highlight (!) of any trip, and here we were very lucky. You should go in the winter months to give yourself a good chance but there are absolutely no guarantees. For us the very high quality, detailed weather reports (low cloud, medium cloud and high cloud levels) suggested two of our nights gave a very high probability of a spectacular show and one of those nights really delivered. Everyone moved down to the bay – nearby street lights switched off – and watched. The show was tremendous with colours, swirls, movement and drama – a breathtaking display moving across the whole sky. The best vantage point was around the “Sun Voyager” a huge, stylised Viking longboat sculpture jutting out into the sea. You chose your spot and just marvelled.

The second, highly recommended night – absolutely nothing. You can’t ever be sure.

This trip more than ticked all the boxes and I will definitely go back to Iceland. I’ll make sure it’s in winter so there’s the best chance of seeing the lights, and, as always, I’ll do my research.

Happy travelling,

Chris

July 14, 2020