Disabled Living

Category: General

Jonathan’s Story About Not Being Able to Speak to Communicate

Can you imagine not being able to speak to communicate? The silence, the loneliness, the pain. Inside you disappear to magical places, but most of the time remain imprisoned within the isolation. Waiting, longing, hoping. Until someone realises you potential and discovers your key, so your unlocking can begin. Now you are free, flying like a wild bird in the open sky. A voice for the voiceless. This is me, and this is my story.

Entering the Education System

When I entered the education system I was labelled as having Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (PMLD). I was enrolled at a Special School.

At first I enjoyed my time, making new friends and having fun with my lovely teacher – who made lessons engaging, varied and entertaining. Once a week, I attended my local primary school where I joined in with my able bodied peers for the afternoon. That first academic year set a foundation of friendship, forming the basis for my self-esteem; and belief that I can meaningfully join in with peers, despite my physical disabilities.

Entering year one I was looking forward to learning more, but instead I found my learning stagnate at a preschool level. For example, during literacy the teacher would read us an oversized toddler book with occasional flashes of the pictures, whilst we were given objects to feel.

How was I going to learn to read without access to text? Outwardly I looked vacantly stupid (giving credence to the idea that academically there was very little going on for me); inwardly I was amusing myself lost in my own thoughts. Meanwhile, I was increasingly enjoying my afternoon at the local primary and the learning I was joining them for.

During the summer of Year 2 Marion Stanton, an AAC literacy specialist, suggested to my mother that she should try to teach me, and so at the start of year 3, I was taken out of my Special School for an hour a day to be taught, by my mother, to read, write and do basic maths. During the previous summer I had done some work on basic phonics at home using an eye gaze computer. It was frustrating because the computer couldn’t read my eyes very well, but my mother and carers could using an etran frame – my access to learning was found! Initially, the progress was slow, but thankfully, the advice my mother was given, resulted in her making the lessons more challenging and I haven’t looked back since.

English, Maths and Science

By year 5, two years after I started literacy and numeracy lessons at home, I had caught up with my peers and went on the roll of my local primary school. Now I am entering year 9 at my local mainstream secondary school studying English, maths and science.

Being able to read and write has totally transformed my life. As a non-verbal child, I can now communicate exactly what I want to say, my relationships have been renewed as I can hold conversations with family and friends, and there is new life in my free time!

My story of learning to read and write should not be unique. For this reason, I have set up my charity, Teach Us Too envisaging a world where all children are taught to read and write regardless of their educational label. Because labels should help educational practitioners understand the kind of barriers to learning a pupil will face, and the interventions that will help to overcome those barriers; but labels should never be an excuse not to teach children to read and write.

Whilst the vision behind Teach Us Too is my passion, my love is writing: prose and especially poetry. Last year these two amalgamated when my memoir Eye Can Write was published, with my share of the profits going to my charity. Sharing my story in the hope that it will change the stories of children like me.

This post has been written by Jonathan Bryan at Eye Can Talk. Jonathan has a book which is available on Amazon and all good book stores. Find out more via: http://bit.ly/EyeCanWriteBook

Facebook: Eye Can Talk
Twitter: @eyecantalk

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

August 30, 2019
No Place like an Accessible Home!

Many of us fondly remember the image of a young farm girl, clicking the heels of her sparkling, ruby red slippers and longingly chanting the words, “There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home…” Her tale isn’t a far cry away from most disabled people’s dream of wanting their own forever home.

I believe, living independently is a huge factor to leading a happy life. I have a rare form of Muscular Dystrophy (a progressive muscle wasting disease) meaning I need my powered wheelchair to be able to move around, so having a home that has enough space is extremely important. I’m lucky enough to have my own accessible home however there are many disabled people that are still living in unsuitable conditions.

According to the English Housing Survey, only 7% of homes in England have even the most basic access features. Furthermore, new figures published in June by Housing Association, Habinteg, reveal that outside of London, under a quarter of new homes due to be built by 2030 are planned to be accessible to a category 2 standard and only 1% are set to be suitable for wheelchair users. With there being 1.8 million people in the UK with an accessible housing requirement and 300,000 with an unmet need, this highlighted the crisis we’re in. The housing crisis has been described as ‘hidden’. Why? Is it really hidden? Shows like DIY SOS have been clearly illustrating how inaccessible people’s properties are for years. It’s clear today more than ever, that there is an accessible homes crisis.

Having the appropriate housing can dramatically improve disabled people’s ability to live independently.

Those whose homes do meet their accessibility needs have reported improved health and wellbeing. However, an accessible home is not only beneficial to the people living in it. Just having the right adaptations to the home can create significant savings to the public purse, reducing social care costs for local authorities and health costs for the NHS as the number of accidents at home will significantly reduce.

So, why is my accessible home convenient for me?

Firstly, all the doors are wide enough to ride my wheelchair through with ample space. I don’t have to worry about not being able to go into certain rooms or possibly damaging the door frame with my wheelchair. Secondly, the kitchen counters can be adjusted to the appropriate height for me to reach. In my previous property, the counters were too high so it was impossible for me to cook meals or even make a cup of tea. I also have a wet room which allows me to move around freely and not worry about how much water I spill. Some of these features may not sound like a big deal, but for a wheelchair user, these features are the difference between an independent and restricted life.

Depressingly, it did take over 3 years for me to be in this position. I was on the social housing waiting list for years before I received the keys to my home. I didn’t meet the criteria for some accessible bungalows (I had to be 65 or over) but thankfully I was accepted by Habinteg and left my previous cramped flat. Living in my accessible bungalow for the last 7 years has drastically improved my wellbeing and mental health. It’s provided me with a new lease on life and I can do tasks I would’ve only dreamed of at my old home.

Being a disabled person means you’ll constantly face mental and physical challenges. The housing crisis is one that should be taken off the table as soon as possible. It’s not a luxury to live in a suitable home and I believe everyone, old and young, disabled and non-disabled, deserves to have somewhere to live where they can feel at home.

This post has been written by Kerry Thompson, tenant of Habinteg Housing Association. If you would like to feature on Disabled Living’s blog to write about topics such as accessible housing, please get in touch with us via email: info@disabledliving.co.uk.

August 28, 2019
One in Five Supermarket Disabled Parking Bays Being Abused
Supported by Baroness Grey-Thompson.

In June Disabled Motoring UK (DMUK) asked the public to help with their Baywatch Campaign by surveying their local supermarket car park for disabled parking abuse. 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’ve ever seen which goes to show how important the problem of disabled parking abuse is at supermarkets. Our total number of responses was 723. We’d also like to thank all of our supporting organisations that promoted the campaign and encouraged their members/supporters to take part.

General Findings

The overall level of disabled parking abuse across all supermarkets was 16%. In 2017, when we last carried out the Baywatch Campaign it was 18.5% and therefore this year’s result do show some improvement.

Across all of the supermarkets surveyed the average number of disabled bays provided (to the nearest whole bay) is 15 bays with 3 of them being abused, meaning that roughly 1 in 5 disabled bays at supermarkets are abused by somebody parking in a disabled bay without displaying a Blue Badge.

Looking generally at enforcement signage, we can see that 60% of the supermarkets surveyed had visible signage or other evidence that enforcement took place. When you isolate these supermarkets levels of abuse remained at 16%. However, the 40% that had no visible indication of enforcement taking place the percentage of abuse increased dramatically to 36%. This shows that using enforcement does decrease the levels of disabled parking abuse.

Supermarket Specifics

We had a wide spread of different supermarkets included in this year’s Baywatch survey responses, including; Aldi, ASDA, Co-Op, Lidl, M&S, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose. Even though this year we had an increase in responses for Aldi and Lidl which reflects the general market share growth these chains have experienced we felt it was unfair to directly compare these stores with the big four – Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrison’s and ASDA because we had many more surveys returned for these chains.

Morrisons were this year’s winner with just 10% of disabled parking abuse in their car parks. We’d like to congratulate Morrisons for having the least amount of disabled parking abuse.

League Table

Supermarket 2019 level of abuse 2017 level of abuse

Morrisons 10% 11%

Sainsbury’s 15% 8%

ASDA 22% 17%

Tesco 24% 23%

All of the supermarkets that were surveyed have been contacted with the Baywatch results. We’ve encouraged them to start a dialogue with the charity so that we can help them improve their parking facilities for disabled motorists.

Enforcement

Similarly to the statistics from the 2017 campaign we can once again show that enforcement works. Where we see no visible signs of enforcement taking place the levels of abuse dramatically increase.

The table clearly highlights the effect that enforcement has on levels of abuse. Across all the supermarket chains surveyed there were car parks which had no signs of enforcement. We call on all supermarkets to rectify this and to use enforcement across all of their stores.

Blue Badge Extension

On the 30^th of August the criteria for the Blue Badge will change in England and more people with hidden disabilities will be eligible for a Blue Badge. DMUK predicts that this change will see a dramatic increase in Blue Badge holders meaning that disabled parking will be more pressured. The Blue Badge scheme is largely adopted by the private parking industry so the effects of this change will be felt across the entire parking sector, including parking at supermarkets.

Supermarkets can do three things to help their disabled customers, the first is to properly enforce their disabled bays so that only genuine Blue badge holders park there. We can see from the results of the Baywatch campaign that if the supermarkets eradicate this problem they could make available up to 20% more bays for their genuine disabled customers without having to do any structural changes to their car parks.

The second thing they can do is monitor their disabled parking provision closely to understand whether or not they actually provide enough disabled bays to meet the demand of their customer base. The third is to adopt the Disabled Parking Accreditation in their car parks. This would provide consumer confidence that their car park is accessible and properly enforced, and show a real commitment to the independence of their local disabled community.

Baywatch Continued

We have contacted the supermarkets surveyed and will encourage them to do more to enforce their disabled parking bays and take up the Disabled Parking Accreditation if appropriate. Baywatch will return in 2021 and we hope to see a further decrease in the levels of disabled parking abuse in supermarkets.

In the meantime the most effective way of creating change at the supermarkets is choose wisely where you spend your money. The spending power of the disabled community is huge and according to figures obtained by ‘The Purple Pound’, supermarkets’ lose £501million every month because they aren’t accessible. If you experience problems parking at your local supermarket, you could choose to spend your money elsewhere. If you do decide to make a change because disabled parking is not enforced do write to the Chief Executive of the supermarket chain and explain why you will no longer be shopping at their store. If enough people do this it can create change.

Heidi Turner, Communications and Campaigns Director at DMUK, said: “DMUK is ecstatic with the level of support it has received for this year’s Baywatch campaign. The statistics show that one in five disabled bays is abused. Disabled parking is under immense pressure to meet the demand for it and if supermarkets enforced their disabled bays properly they can increase the volume of available disabled parking by 20%. It is time that the supermarkets take this issue seriously and support their disabled customers”

Baywatch Appeal

To help DMUK to continue campaigning on the issue of disabled parking abuse we have launched 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

DMUK Baywatch Sponsor

DMUK has worked for many years with the British Parking Association (BPA) to improve parking for disabled motorists. This year the BPA has further shown their commitment to the work of DMUK by sponsoring DMUK Baywatch 2019.

Kelvin Reynolds, BPA Director of Corporate and Public Affairs says, “We are encouraged to see some improvement in this year’s survey but almost 1 in 5 disabled bays at supermarkets continue to be abused. Parking spaces reserved for Blue Badge holders must be managed properly to ensure they are not obstructed and used only by people displaying a valid disabled Blue Badge and we encourage all those who manage parking to properly enforce their disabled bays so that only genuine Blue badge holders can park there.”

Supporting organisations

DMUK Baywatch is also supported by:
- AccessAble
- Whizz-Kidz
- Phab
- Independent Living
- Honest John
- Disabled Living
*Data Source wearepurple.org.uk The Purple Pound

This post was written by Disabled Motoring UK. For more information please contact: Heidi Turner, Communications & Campaigns Director at: Heidi@disabledmotoring.org or call: 01508 489449.
August 27, 2019
Why Standardising Objects of Reference Can Render Them Meaningless

The phrase “Objects of Reference” refers to a communication support system whereby particular objects associated with particular activities are used to communicate to a person with complex disabilities that certain activities are about to take place. For example someone might be handed a continence pad before being taken to the toilet, or be given their swimming costume to hold before going swimming.

To use Objects of Reference with someone you need to first identify objects that are meaningful to them and then use those objects consistently as markers for the associated events. It is no use showing them a plastic toy bus to tell them that they are going on the bus, this is neither what a bus looks like to them or what it feels like, it might be more relevant to get them a section of seat belt, or wouldn’t it be marvellous to have the ‘ding’ of the bell that is rung to disembark!

I have seen Facebook posts from people asking for ideas for what to use for Objects of Reference

Asking what someone else, somewhere else uses to represent something else for someone else is meaningless, by their very nature Objects of Reference are personal to the individual. If you are stuck, ask them. Ask them by observing closely, with all your senses, what their experience of that event is. Which part of their experience could you capture in an object to share with them? Consider which experience is the biggest marker of that event to them, for example with the swimming pool it is true that they are likely to change their clothes, and feel a towel upon their skin, but this also happens to them at other times as well. It is likely that the scent of the water is the most distinctive factor for them – could you have a sample of pool water in a container for them to smell?

I have been to settings who proudly tell me they have a standardised set of Objects of Reference that everyone in their setting uses. Standardised systems are not individualised systems. Objects of Reference are intended to be highly personal not standard.

If you are standardising your use of Objects of Reference you are presuming the people who are using them will become symbolic communicators

Some people do use Objects of Reference as a stepping stone to other symbolic forms of communication, such as symbol communication, and some people do not. For the people who do not, Objects of Reference may be the only system of communication available to them so it is all the more important that we protect its individualised nature.

Consider the experience of the world for someone who has limited cognitive and sensory abilities. Most of life is a confusing soup of experience, things happen to them, their brain does not have the chance to fully process what is going on as it is going on, so by the time they have heard a sound they may already be far from the object that emitted that sound. Light might be processed swifter than touch, so you see a hand on your skin but do not feel the touch until several moments later, and do not associate that sight with that sensation. From time to time something in this confusion makes sense.

These times are the times that repeat often, times when the same thing happens in the same place and means the same thing

Times they have had so many chances to explore that they begin to hold a sensory memory. It is not that they have stored them in their memory as we would understand it, they cannot go back and “remember” being here before, it is more of an embodied memory, like the muscle memory formed riding a bike, their bodies recognise where they are.

If you collect one aspect of that known place and can share it with them when they are not there, you reach into that blur of experience and say “something is going to happen, something you know” it is like a rope thrown into the confused soup that connects them to a place of solid ground. Throwing a rope that someone else, somewhere else, uses with someone else, won’t have that connective communicative effect.

Ah but in time they will learn that the plastic bus means the real bus.

…well they might, especially if the plastic bus goes on the real bus with them and is not taken away, but why are we insisting they do more work to access communication, when if we did a little more work and found a relevant object they could access it already?

But it is such a faff to have different objects for different people, having a standardised set means we all know what to use.

…it is true that to meaningfully use Objects of Reference you will require a different set for each person, and this is inconvenient. But this was never about our convenience was it, it was about communication. We are able to organise a storage system and label it carefully so everyone knows whose objects are whose. We would go to the ends of the earth to reach into their confusion and share communication, so it really is not so much bother to ensure Objects of Reference are meaningful to each individual using them.

This post was written by Joanna Grace, a new contributor to Disabled Living’s blog. Sensory Engagement Specialist, trainer, author, TEDx speaker and founder of The Sensory Projects.

August 21, 2019
Encouraging Amputees and Individuals with Limb Difference to Get Active and Improve Their Physical and Mental Health

The charity LimbPower are working throughout the month of August to encourage and engage with people with a limb difference, to help them kick start a healthy and active lifestyle.

Being active has so many health benefits, including aiding mobility, rehabilitation and improving quality of life. Through sharing and promoting the Ottobock Fitness App (available through the Apple store and on android mobile phones) as well as LimbPower’s exercise videos (available on YouTube and the LimbPower website www.limbpower.com) we aim to support and encourage more members of our community, as they build their independence through increased mobility.

Join the social media campaign - #ActiveAugust – to raise awareness of the physical and mental health benefits of engaging in physical activity with a focus on moving more.

Amputees and individuals with limb difference can join LimbPower for #ActiveAugust and challenge themselves to get fitter through the #OttobockFitnessChallenge. They will be doing a daily morning workout using the OttoBock fitness app, choosing between strength and endurance, condition and balance, or stretch and relax. Participants can do as little or as much as they want to, in the comfort of their own home.

“Over 25,000 amputees around the world use the Ottobock fitness app for targeted physical fitness and increasing their strength,” says Amanda Sarson from Otto Bock Healthcare PLC.

“The exercises available have been designed by Ottobock’s leading physiotherapists and are easy to follow, with videos and guides to ensure users get the most from their rehabilitation and exercise. While the app cannot replace a professional course of therapy, the exercises are designed to help maintain fitness for amputees and can be integrated in their daily routines.”

LimbPower will also be running a social media and fundraising campaign called #IPledge for individuals who are already active and want to challenge themselves to do more or achieve a new goal.

Participants will be encouraged to share their story with other amputees and individuals with limb difference on social media and create a JustGiving page (www.justgiving.com) to raise funds for LimbPower, so that they can continue to support and encourage individuals with limb difference through the provision of participation events, workshops and resources.

To find out more about #ActiveAugust or to get involved contact Kiera Roche at kiera@limbpower.com or Kerry Munroe at kerry@limbpower.com or telephone 07968 760001.

#Active August event – Join up to #ActiveAugust campaign on our Facebook events page

This post was sent to us by LimbPower, a National Disability Sports Organisation working to support amputees and individuals with limb impairments in physical activity, sport and the arts. We do this through advocacy, events, workshops and resources.

Would you like to have your story featured on Disabled Living’s blog? Get in touch with us via info@disabledliving.co.uk

August 12, 2019
David Completes an Incredible 30 Wheelchair Marathons in 30 Days
Three times HBSA Disabled Sportsperson of the year David Williamson has completed an incredible 30 wheelchair marathons in 30 days. This is something which has never been achieved before.

David from Petersfield (40) who works for car finance company Moneybarn, had both legs amputated through the knee when he was a few months old, having been born without tibia bones. As well as pushing marathons and being a five-time participant in the Great South Run, David has also completed a 24-hour wheelchair push. He has also played over 300 games for South Hants Sitting Volleyball. In 2016 he was the recipient of the 2016 #wecandoit Personal Achievement Award.

Since 14th June 2019 David has been pushing a marathon a day, back-to-back with no rest days!

Using athletics tracks in the South East of England and then down on the sea front at Southsea, David completed his 30^th, and final marathon, at Stoke Mandeville Stadium in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire on Saturday, 13^th July. This coincided with the LimbPower MoJo MaraFun Day.

All funds raised from the 30 in 30 challenge will be split equally between:
- LimbPower – launched in November 2009, engaging amputees and individuals with limb impairments in physical activity, sport and the arts to improve quality of life and aid lifelong rehabilitation. In July 2014 LimbPower became a National Disability Sports Organisation and working with the Activity Alliance and Sport England, helps amputees and people with limb impairment reach their sporting potential as well as providing support and resources for families and healthcare professionals.
“What David has achieved with his 30 in 30 challenge is beyond words,” said LimbPower CEO Kiera Roche. “Not only has he raised an amazing amount of money which will enable us to continue our work. But he has also raised awareness of disability sport by taking the dis out of disability.”
- Three-year-old Felicity has undiagnosed genetic conditions which the doctors think cause all of the different problems she has. She has three brain conditions, is visually impaired, has reflux and epilepsy. Felicity also has twitches every day that cannot be controlled by medication. Due to the complexity of her conditions, she needs 24-hour care.
“It’s just incredible what David has put himself through. He’s an inspiration for everyone – able and less able.” – Felicity’s parents.
- Four-year-old Emerson developed a cyst on his spine when he was just two years old which paralysed him from the waist down. He lost all movement in his lower body and is unable to walk.
“David has been such an important part of Emerson’s journey so far. He’s been a real inspiration and a great role model for Emerson.” – Emerson’s parents.

“I knew going into this event that it would be the biggest, hardest, most daunting challenge of my life, “says David. “Physically I’m exhausted, I’m beaten up and broken down from day after day of pushing over 26 miles with no time to recover and reboot. Mentally it’s been a roller coaster of days when it’s been tough and days when it’s been even tougher – those are the days when I had to really dig deep and just keep going.”

“But failure was never an option and at the end of the day I kept reminding myself why I was doing it – for LimbPower and for Felicity and Emerson.”

“I was told – over and over again – that pushing 30 marathons in 30 days in a wheelchair was impossible. And I agreed. But I did it anyway.” said David.

To support David in this epic challenge please make a donation at:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/dw30in30

For further information please contact:
- David Williamson on 07850 544637 or email irishego@gmail.com
- Kerry Munroe at LimbPower on 07798 780533 or email kerry@limbpower.com
If you would like to feature as our ‘Story of the Month’ on Disabled Living’s blog, please get in touch with us via info@disabledliving.co.uk
July 31, 2019
Colours vs. Special Needs Individuals: What You Need to Know

One of our contributors, Brenda Kimble, talks about the link between colours and people with special needs.

The language of colour

Tiny babies see best in black and white. But once they reach their first birthday, they will already begin to recognise and name colours. Colour is one of the first concepts we learn, and we use colour to convey emotion, messages and meaning. Red means passion, danger and stop! We feel sad when we listen to the blues.

Colours also seem to have a deeper effect than the common meanings we give them. To see a colour, you must have light. The colour of an object is determined by how much light bounces off it. Light is made of electromagnetic waves, and each colour has its own wavelength and magnetic frequency that interacts with the neuropathways in the brain.

Modern colour psychology is still in its infancy. There is little scientific evidence yet as to whether Chromotherapy, the ancient practice of healing using colour, has any basis in fact. What is clear is that the colours we choose to use around us, their intensity level and their interaction with lighting, can affect our moods, behaviour and performance.

Colours and special needs individuals

While everyone may benefit from optimising their choice of colour, some individuals may be more sensitive to colour. This is because some people have increased sensory responses, stronger visual processing abilities and differentiated cognition pathways. Typically, these might include individuals with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Decoding the colour chart

Responses to colour are both physiological and psychological. Studies decoding the physiological effects of colours have shown changes in sensory sensitivity, blood pressure, heart rate and brain development. Psychological impacts include changes in levels of aggression, length and quality of attention span and ability to communicate effectively.

Warm colours

Colours like red, orange and yellow provide a high level of stimulus and increase energy and encourage creativity. This may make them a good choice for individuals with reduced sensitivity to external stimuli, such as the hyposensitive variant of autism, but a poor choice for individuals with ADHD and similar disorders.

Orange is a popular choice for fast food environments as orange increases noise perception and stimulates hunger and activity. Red raises respiration, heart rate and blood pressure. It also heightens the sense of smell.

Yellows, particularly strong yellows, can cause feelings of aggression, anger and frustration. Babies cry more in yellow rooms, and people argue and fight more in yellow environments.

Pink is neither warm nor cool and has a sedative effect. It has been shown to reduce aggression in prisoners.

Cool colours

Green, blue, grey and violet promote calm and a feeling of well-being. Blue reduces appetite and lowers body temperature. Blue is also the preferred colour for those with a visual impairment. Green helps to relax the nervous system and lessens feelings of stress. It seems to help with communication and developing speech skills. Cool colours may be a good choice for individuals where reducing stimulation is a high priority, such as those with ADHD or the hypersensitive variation of autism.

Colour preferences

Each individual will have their own colour preferences, and in some cases, these choices will be very strongly felt and expressed. This can lead to distress if colour preferences are not acknowledged and respected. To identify colour preferences in individuals who are pre-verbal or struggle with communication, you can try laying out some clothes in different colours and see which ones they choose to wear. Or assemble a bowl of beautiful and tactile coloured beads or bright and cheerful crayons and let them pick out the ones that they like.

Colour at home

When decorating at home, you have the freedom to choose from a vast variety of possible colour schemes. Alongside aesthetic and colour preference considerations, consider making design choices that will enhance the mood and behaviour of the individuals in your family, including those with special needs. Consider basing your scheme around pink if reducing aggression is a priority for you.

Muted greens and blues are an excellent choice if you are trying to create a calming environment, if you are catering to the visually impaired or to enhance communication abilities. Use bright reds, yellows and oranges sparingly as small pops of colour to accent your decorating scheme unless you are deliberately setting out to create a highly stimulating environment.

Colours in the learning environment

The use of colour in a learning environment can profoundly affect student attention, behaviour and achievement. Many students with special needs are particularly sensitive to colour within the classroom. The trend for inclusive education in public schools and the increase in the number of students with special needs, including the wide range of learning disabilities, means the colour choices you make in your classroom are more important than ever.

As classrooms are communal spaces serving learners with a range of needs and responses to colour, deciding upon a suitable colour scheme presents some special challenges. Research into this subject shows that balance is the key. Classrooms which are too stimulating can have a strongly adverse effect upon learners with disabilities leading to behaviours such as hand flapping, repeated blinking, fixed gazing at lights and moving fingers back and forth in front of the face. These sorts of responses show links with reduced communication, weak concentration and less social interaction.

Classrooms which are too neutral and unstimulating are, in many ways, as bad as classrooms that overstimulate.

Colour schemes for classrooms

You might not have much say in the primary colour scheme for your classroom but, if you do have a choice, warm neutrals such as tan or sand would be an ideal choice. A slightly deeper hue in a similar colour would be a good choice for the main wall that students look at for learning purposes. Large blocks of bright primary colours are unhelpful, but you can try using soft shades of blue or green in moderation. Small amounts of brighter colours are used to define boundaries or as a background to charts and small displays.

Colour is one of the simpler ways parents and teachers can ensure they optimise the living and learning environment for individuals with special needs. Even in a communal space such as a classroom, there are plenty of ways to satisfy the colour preferences of individual learners. Coloured items such as paper and lenses and craft items such as beads all work well. For parents of children with special needs, using preferred colours as accents in clothing and decor is a great solution where individual colour preferences would not represent the best choice regarding the impact on mood and behaviour.

More blog posts by Brenda can be found by searching our main blog page: www.disabledliving.co.uk/blog

July 18, 2019
An Interview with Margaret Ellis on Accessible Toilets

Deborah Bell, Enablement Team Manager at Disabled Living recently interviewed Margaret Ellis. Maggie originally qualified with a Diploma and later graduating as an Occupational Therapist, working in a range of service provision including management of physical disability, mental health and learning disability services, sometimes combining NHS and Social Services.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I qualified as an Occupational Therapist, working in a range of service provision including management of physical disability, mental health and learning disability services, sometimes combining NHS and Social Services. Now, I run an Independent OT practice, West Square Associates.

I have been Chairman of the British OT Association (now RCOT) and of the European OT Committee and I have also been a member of several university and research boards.

My membership of EU and ISO Technical Committee brought wider experience and the opportunity to link user needs with planners and policy makers, especially concerned with Appropriate Design and Practice for People with a Disability, including Accessible Transport.

I am currently a Member of some ISO Technical Committees for similar topics and also Coordinate the European Group for eTechnology which started at LSE in 2010.

Why are you interested in discussing accessible toilets?

I am part of the Cross Party group for Disability in Holyrood and the All Party group in Westminster which have recently been looking at the need for accessible toilets. Part of this involves gathering facts about existing and lacking facilities. Part of this information gathering has emphasised a well known fact that in some parts of the country there are open facilities for men and women while the ‘accessible’ facilities provided are in fact inaccessible because they are locked.

In a remote village in Scotland, in the Highland Region, the ancient notice on the door of the “accessible toilet” tells potential users they can get the key to unlock the door from the Post Office. The Post Office is about a mile away and is only open for twenty Hours a week. When I wrote to all the members of the council concerned about this a disabled council member wrote back to me to tell me it was wonderful because he had purchased a key (costing about £5) so he could always use a loo whenever he needed. Should he have to buy a key to have a wee?

The opportunity to visit Kidz to Adultz Wales & West presented itself and Disabled Living is one way we can get the message across that disabled access to toilets around the country is being looked at.

You say Councils are failing to comply with Equality Law, why do you think this is?

We discovered early on that Central Government does not force Local Government to provide Public toilets. In fact, in some parts of the country facilities are under threat as part of the general thrust for savings in our society.

One thing we have determined is that the Equality Laws require that providers offer similar or even the same facilities to all users. If a council only offers locked facilities to accessible toilets it could be inferred that they are failing to comply with Equality Law.

There is the misconception that Accessible Toilets are locked to prevent them being defaced. What is your response to this claim?

So far the All Party Group and All Party group have only had one report of such action in Disabled Facilities although many of us are faced with vandalised public toilets. There is also the theory that anybody might use them. Fortunately there is now more awareness about hidden disabilities with some supermarket chains adding the excellent slogan ‘not all disabilities are visible’.

What has happened so far?

The convener of the Cross-Party Committee in Holyrood was so concerned about the locked facilities that he has managed to get the Planning Laws changed in Scotland so that planning permission will prohibit locked facilities. It’s a start but not the whole solution.

Some work has been done about the development of Changing Places Toilets which offer a wider range of disabled facilities including hoists and changing plinths. The UK government has funded a £2 million review with the Multiple Sclerosis Society of some motorway Changing Places toilets.

There are many instances where the toilet facilities are inadequate and inaccessible preventing people from living the independent life they want to. We must continue to highlight the issues and push for equality in accessing facilities which are fit for purpose. The more information people have the louder we can shout.

We do now more greatly appreciate the requirements of the Equality Act – www.gov.uk/guidance/equality-act-2010-guidance. This requires that facilities should be equal for us all wherever they are provided. So no place should be locked against anybody.

This post has been written by Margaret Ellis, Lead Academic and Co-ordinator EKTG, Enterprises, London School of Economics.

July 16, 2019
Nilaqua – an Eco Revolution Is Bathing!
Do you find it difficult to bath? Do you know someone who has dementia or sensory issues and struggle with bathing? Or they would like to remain in their home with palliative care? Nilaqua is a wonderful range of waterless shampoos and body washes that uses “towel off” technology to clean you thoroughly and easily without additional water or rinsing.

This is NOT a dry shampoo or alcohol gel, but a kind and gentle water based solution that easily removes dirt, sweat and odours. It is used daily in the NHS. Even NASA use this method!

So why would you consider trying Nilaqua?

Apart from ease of availability in the likes of Boots, most mobility stores and online, Nilaqua has years of testimonials and is quality assured. The reason it is so popular not only shows the brilliant way in which it works but also promotes dignity and independence while reducing manual handling risks.

Nilaqua is made in the UK and is an easy alternative for the eco conscious, who worry about disposing of wipes etc.

As a multiuse item the 200ml and 500ml bottles provide multiple washes from one bottle. This can save thousands of litres of drinking water per annum. This is essential in our “water short” climate where only 3% of the world’s water is naturally drinkable. –https://www.nilaqua.co.uk/how-can-i-save-water/

Nilaqua is made from 25% recycled plastic and further recyclable.
- It’s a water based product with no paraffin or aerosols
- It is vegan friendly endorsed and cruelty free, supporting charities such as Greyhound Rescue Wales
- Does not require the need of wipes
- Nilaqua reduces carbon miles and supports local businesses
After exhibiting at the Kidz to Adultz exhibition this month we are offering readers an exclusive 25% off purchases if they would like to try for themselves! Just visit www.nilaqua.co.uk and enter K2A2019 in the coupon box. This offer expires on 31^st August 2019.

This post has been written by Jess Efford on behalf of Nilaqua, who are listed on our Supplier Directory.
July 16, 2019
The Benefits of Technology for Disabled People

‘Technology is only beneficial if it is accessible to the user’. Over the years, companies have worked harder than ever to ensure that anyone can use their products. In the past, the elderly and disabled have had reason to believe that technology was out of their reach. For some, it was because there weren’t features that could assist them. For others, it was because there was a lack of understanding as to how the use of technology could benefit them. Fortunately, there are now some admirable pieces of technology for disabled people that are easier to use than ever.

When talking about using technology to assist disabled people, there’s a whole range of products to consider. There are mobile phones on the market that can help people with a variety of disabilities and there are computer keyboards that anyone can use. Vast advancements have been made to ensure that no member of society feels unable to use technology.

There are so many pieces of technology that benefit people with completely different requirements. The key to success is having the right technology for each individual. Here are just some ways disabled people can benefit from technology.

Digital assistants

There has been an increased use of digital assistants in homes throughout the UK. These ‘assistants’ answer to the names of Siri, Alexa, and Cortana. They are voice controlled devices that have been designed to lighten the workload of an individual. They are programmed to become more intuitive over time as they become used to different commands that they are presented with. By being voice activated, users with physical disabilities can find themselves some ease. These devices can control lights, televisions, and more. According to Helping Hands, they will never be able to replace the human touch of carer but they can be a very valuable home assistant.

Ergonomic keyboards

Communication is incredibly important regardless of the level of disability. Everyone needs to feel connected. There are so many different platforms available for staying in touch. Mobile phones allow people to speak to each other but laptops and computers enable users to stay in touch over email or video calls. For some, however, typing proves to be an impossibility. Suffers with Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) have been excluded from using an accessible keyboard. Fortunately, there are fantastic alternatives. PCD Maltron have available a brilliant ergonomic keyboard that allow users to feel relief while on the computer.

Smartphone apps

There are enormous amounts of apps available to use on mobile phones. With mobile phones that are accessible to people with disabilities, there is an array of assistance available. There are apps that can be used to remind people to take their medication or to highlight when their next doctor’s appointment it. Wheelmap shows all of the wheelchair accessible places in the world and HearYouNow amplifies sounds so that conversations can be heard more clearly. Perhaps even more impressive, there is an app called MagicCarpet, enabling users with the counterpart software to engage with interactive displays and learn in unique ways. BEMyEyes is an app that connects visually impaired users to volunteer helpers who can aid with everyday tasks. The magnitude of apps available to use ensures that there is something for everyone.

Everyday tasks

When the everyday life of someone is made easier, it’s hard to argue against the benefits of technology. Computers, for example, have enabled users with limited mobility to shop online. They can now reorder medication and medical supplies and have it delivered directly to their door. If users have limited eyesight, there are fantastic products that can ensure that they have the same experiences. VisionAid have created desktop magnifiers and extendable monitor arms to combat the issue. There is software that reads text from the screen for people who suffer with dyslexia. Technology can give disabled people greater autonomy over daily life because online technologies are more accessible than the real-world alternatives.

Medical assistance

Technology is pivotal in modern times to assist with medical issues. There are many practical reasons for someone with recurring health problems to get used to a mobile phone or laptop. Connecting with health professionals via email enables people with disabilities lessen their dependence on others. Most mobile phones come with health trackers (Google Fit and Apple Health). However, there are more sophisticated apps that can help with harder to manage illnesses. Qardio have created a smart blood pressure monitor that connects to your mobile phone. For disabled people with limited movement, this technological advancement ensures independence and gives the option to take charge of a difficult situation.

People with a disability should not feel excluded or left behind when it comes to technology. Find the most suitable options and with practice, the benefits can be bountiful.

This is a guest post written by Leanne White.

You might also like our ‘Call Handling for Technology Enabled Care‘ course.

July 8, 2019