In the middle of winter, joints can sometimes feel stiffer and more painful during days when the temperature gets particularly low. Whilst this can sometimes be a sign of a condition such as arthritis, it is not always known why joints can feel more painful in winter, although there are a…
The World Health Organisation (WHO) wants to raise awareness of those suffering from disabilities by celebrating a United Nations’ campaign. December 3rd marked the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) 2021, which was launched by UN to work towards an “inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-Covid-19 world”. The UN noted…
American multinational consumer goods corporation Procter & Gamble has unveiled new disability-friendly packaging for its popular Olay line and has set the designs to open source so that rest of the industry can follow suit. However, Fast Company reports that the innovative designs are currently limited edition, and only available…
There was an opportunity to highlight the importance of disabled people’s rights at the global COP26 climate change conference. However, several disability access complaints proved it had failed to do so. Last week, leaders from around the world descended upon the event being held in Glasgow, one of whom –…
Freezing cold ice baths can provide both physical and psychological benefits, including more relief from pain and reduced inflammation, according to a new study. According to research published in Sports Sciences for Health, spending between 10 and 15 minutes in an ice bath at 8-15 degrees Celsius found improved blood circulation,…
It seems only yesterday we were all basking in the sun, but with winter snow on the way, frigid temperatures, inclement weather, and icy conditions are to be expected for the next few months. This can lead to perilous conditions for walking and driving and can be a dangerous time…
Sefton Council has issued an approval notice for a major new housing development in Maghull, which will include a housing scheme aimed specifically at older people. A total of 855 new properties will be constructed at the site north of School Lane, which will also include a mixed-use local centre…
People needing disabled shower facilities or other bathroom mobility aids are set to get funding help from a local authority. Eden District Council in Cumbria is to offer grants to elderly residents in need to help them live more mobile lives, the News and Star reports. These can include various…
Israel’s energy minister, Karine Elharrar, has said she was unable to attend the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow on Monday 1 November because transportation was not wheelchair accessible. The Independent reports that UK environment secretary George Eustice has apologised to Elharrar, but suggested that the fault was with the Israeli…
Over the past few years, we have seen an explosion in smart devices that can help keep our homes safer, such as smart lightbulbs that turn on when someone enters the room, smart thermostats that can be adjusted with a mobile phone, and all kinds of smart media devices. Recently,…
The latest and seventh Euan’s Guide Access Survey is now live and open to comments from members of the public. It aims to measure the impact of the pandemic and lockdown measures on disabled access provision in the UK. According to the Edinburgh Reporter, the survey is considered to be…
Hammersmith and Fulham council in London have been praised for a forward-thinking housing strategy which consulted disabled residents about their requirements. Disability News Service reports that the local authority has carried out pioneering work to remove the barriers faced by disabled people. The council worked with disabled residents to identify…
Mobility issues can happen to anyone at any age or level of mobility, and it may mean you need to rethink how accessible your home would be for you or your loved ones if someone in your household were to become temporarily or permanently less mobile than they presently are.…
Disability rights campaigners have held a demonstration outside Leeds Civic Hall, to protest at ‘discriminatory’ plans to reposition a taxi rank at Leeds railway station. The Disability News Service reports that the protests are being led by the members of the Access Use Ability Group (AUAG), which acts as an…
The bathroom is the most secretive room in the house, despite being the one with the most obvious function. Whether they take the form of wet rooms, have walk-in showers or baths, our bathrooms tend to be used for much more than washing ourselves. According to a study published on behalf…
Wet rooms and walk-in showers have become a major trend in bathroom interior design, both for practical and very aesthetic reasons. Indeed, research undertaken by Plumbnation found that wet rooms were the fourth most desired bathroom feature in terms of search volume, in no small part due to the design freedom they…
The government’s new proposals to pay for the increasing demand for social care have generated much debate, but one policy commentator has suggested the emphasis needs to be less on funding more residential homes and more on enabling people to live in their own homes in later life. Writing on…
Disabled workers in the music industry are putting their health and safety at risk over fears of negative reactions and damaging their career prospects, according to a new survey, and advocates say that disability riders should become standard practice. Complete Music Update reports that research funded by Arts Council England…
One of the great debates when it comes to bathroom design is the choice between a bath or a shower, and whilst there are so many reasons for choosing both, particularly when it comes to accessibility, whichever you prefer is a matter of opinion. Walk-in showers, however, have several key…
A couple from Blackpool claim they have ‘nowhere to turn to’ after the council told the family that her home cannot be adapted to meet the requirements of her disabled children. Lancs Live reports that Georgie Steel and her partner Ashley moved into their four-bedroom home 18 months ago with…
With the closure of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the countdown to the Paralympic Games has started, with Paralympians from all around the world making their way to Tokyo to seek glory. The Metro reports that the 2020 Paralympics kicks off on Tuesday 24 August, a fortnight after the end of…
An incident in which a disability campaigner fell in the shower of her hotel room has highlighted the importance of staff training and awareness in hospitality venues. BBC News reports that Jennie Berry recently posted a photo on Instagram of herself at the 195-bedroom Mama Shelter London hotel in Shoreditch…
The government has launched a multi-part £1.6bn strategy to help improve the lives of disabled people, help improve independence and accessibility in homes, as well as require landlords to ensure that common areas are accessible to all. The National Disability Strategy, a multi-departmental document that includes every corner of the government, was…
A government minister has been told that proposed plans to protect disabled residents who would need assistance to evacuate from a high-rise tower block are “dangerously misplaced.” The Disability News Service reports that under the proposals, only those disabled people living in blocks more than 18 metres in height would…
Intermediate care and reablement are short-term services offered by the NHS and social care teams. They are designed to assist people to be as independent as possible in their own homes after an emergency hospital stay or illness or to avoid an unnecessary admission to hospital. The services also help…
A new garden town to be built on the edge of Colchester will include homes designed to “meet the varied needs of people for generations to come”, according to the newly-appointed developer. The pledge was made by Richard Cook, the group director of development at Clarion Housing Group. Clarion’s development…
A government minister has been told that proposed plans to protect disabled residents who would need assistance to evacuate from a high-rise tower block are “dangerously misplaced.” The Disability News Service reports that under the proposals, only those disabled people living in blocks more than 18 metres in height would…
A park in Peterborough has shown the way forward in caring for the needs of disabled people by ensuring it has all the adapted and easy access toilet facilities they need. Nene Park has been highlighted by the Peterborough Telegraph as a place that has gone out of its way…
“The bath lift has given me back my independence and I can’t tell you how much that means to me. I have found it easy to use and I will definitely be recommending you to some of my friends that I know have similar difficulties. ” Thank you again.
Mrs Wadham – Devon
