Access BDD Accelerates Growth with Strategic Team Expansion
Access BDD, a global leader in mobility and accessibility solutions, announces a significant stride in its expansion into the US and Canadian stairlift market by adding four experienced professionals to its team. This move underscores the company’s commitment to growth and aims to strengthen its presence in North America. New Team Members Fuel at Access BDD Growth with Key Regional Focus Access BDD welcomes Kaylee Buscher as the Business Development Manager for the Northeast region. With a rich background in sales and marketing within the mobility sector, Kaylee’s experience in the dealer market is poised to enrich Access BDD’s client relationships and market penetration. John Biddle joins the Access BDD team as the Business Development Manager for the Southeast region. John’s extensive industry knowledge and sales experience, particularly in direct-to-consumer stairlift sales, positions him as an invaluable asset to the team. Callum Boyd re-joins Access BDD as Business Development Manager for the West Coast. His previous tenure with Access BDD in France and recent experience in the high-rise elevator industry provide a unique perspective that will drive growth. Additionally, Juan Rivera joins as a Technical Manager for the West Coast. His expertise in technical service in the direct sales stairlift market strengthens Access BDD’s commitment to exceptional product support and customer service. Strategic Expansion Highlights Ambitious Growth for Access BDD This expansion, increasing the US-based team to six, reflects Access BDD’s ambitious growth plans. It aims to extend its reach, reinforcing support for existing customers and developing relationships with top industry players who share its ambitions and values. The presence of three additional sales professionals and a further technical expert is a significant step towards achieving these objectives. Melissa Davies, Head of Business Development at Access BDD, commented, “The expansion of our team in the US is a strategic move to deepen our market penetration and bring our innovative solutions closer to our customers. Kaylee, John, Callum, and Juan are key to our growth trajectory, and their expertise and energy will be instrumental in our journey ahead.” Managing Director Andrew Warbrick added, “This expansion is more than just adding numbers to our team. It’s about infusing new energy, perspectives, and expertise to achieve our goal of being the preferred stairlift solutions provider in the US and Canada. We are excited about the future and what this team will accomplish.” Team Unites at TK Elevator Test Tower in Atlanta The new team members recently convened for a three-day intensive training and strategy session at the TK Elevator Test Tower in Battery Atlanta. This event focused on product training, team building, and strategic planning for the year ahead, ensuring that the team is fully equipped to support our dealers and introduce the Flow X and HomeGlide stairlifts to new markets. To find out more about Access BDD, visit their website here: www.accessbdd.com.
National Autistic Society responds to Government school attendance campaign –
The National Autistic Society responds to the Government’s new campaign about school attendance, with the view that this campaign has completely missed the mark and fails to take into account the struggles which many autistic children and young people face in the classroom. Tim Nicholls, Head of Influencing and Research at the National Autistic Society, said: “This campaign completely misses the mark and fails to address the huge barriers autistic children and young people face every day in the classroom. School shouldn’t be a tick box exercise in attendance. It should be about ensuring all children get the support they need to be able to thrive from well-trained staff who understand their needs. “We know there’s a high rate of school absence for autistic children. Our research shows that only a quarter (26%) of the more than 200,000 autistic pupils in England are happy at school. But this is no surprise when only 53% of autistic young people said they have someone to go to if there is a problem at school, and almost three in four parents (74%) say their child’s school doesn’t meet their needs. “Instead of shaming parents and children for low attendance at school, the Government should prioritise urgent reform of the education system. We won’t accept a world where autistic children miss out on an education, and families are left on the brink of crisis.” Image courtesy of Adobe Stock Images
Join a Spectrum Colour Walk to support National Autistic Society
The National Autistic Society is inviting people to join a Spectrum Colour Walk and raise vital funds to support autistic people and their families during World Autism Acceptance Week 2024. World Autism Acceptance Week will take place from Tuesday 2 April to Monday 8 April 2024. The theme of colour returns for this year, and a new location has been added to the line-up of Spectrum Colour Walk events: The Spectrum Colour Walks start at 2pm on Saturday 6 April in each location. The courses are 5km, suitable for all ages and abilities, and take place in a calm, inclusive green space. All money raised during World Autism Acceptance Week will go towards the National Autistic Society’s aim to transform lives and change attitudes to help create a society that works for autistic people. World Autism Acceptance Week is the biggest event in the charity’s year and for 2024 it is highlighting four key areas for autistic people and their families: Education, Employment, Mental Health and Diagnosis. As well as signing up for a Spectrum Colour Walk, there are many other ways to get fundraising for this year’s World Autism Acceptance Week, including: For more inspiration, head to our World Autism Acceptance Week resources page to download and print useful information, as well as fun and colourful branded items to wear during fundraising events. Make sure to use World #AutismAcceptanceWeekto share your event on social media. Caroline Stevens, Chief Executive of the National Autistic Society, said: “World Autism Acceptance Week is the most important event in our charity’s year because it’s a chance to get society talking about autism. “It’s vital that autistic people and their families are understood, supported and accepted in their communities, schools and workplaces. Better understanding of autism across society could transform hundreds of thousands of lives. “We want to encourage everyone to take part in World Autism Acceptance Week by joining one of our Spectrum Colour Walks or by fundraising your own way. Whatever you do, get colourful and together we can make every step count to create a society that works for autistic people.” For more information, visit our website: www.autism.org.uk.
Bagel – giving the support for freedom in water
One of the biggest restrictions for anyone with limitations- and their carers- when bathing or participating in aqua therapy is achieving strain-free support in the water. AAT’s Bagel removes that restriction. It restores the person’s ability to free float without any risk of head immersion by stabilising and supporting their head above the water without restricting their body. Utilising innovative vacuum technology, the core cushion can be precisely and infinitely moulded to each user. Hook and loop straps round the body secure the cushion in place, thereby positioning he buoyancy on the chest and torso. This relieves pressure on the neck and head, ensuring safe, proper stability and relaxation whilst immersed in the water. As a result, it enables all areas of the user’s body to be easily reached and cleaned during bathing, and allows full movement and thus flotation benefits of hydrotherapy to be enjoyed. “Bagel supports all involved to get the most out of basic ADLs such as bathing or aquatherapy,” explains AAT Director Peter Wingrave. “It ensures the client receives the full benefit of their hydrotherapy or bath experience, by having the safety and freedom to free-float. “As importantly, it relies the carer of the physical strain of having to support them- particularly an issue in bathing, when you’re trying to balance properly supporting the head above the water, over the side of the bath, and perform the hygiene routine.” Find out more and book a free, no obligation assessment here: Bagel is just one element of AAT’s innovative support solutions to help with water-based scenarios. Details of the full range of options are available here: https://www.aatgb.com/bathing-solutions/
Smirthwaite Sales Team Strengthened with Jodie Carter Appointment
Smirthwaite, a respected designer and manufacturer of bespoke equipment for children and young adults with additional needs has extended its sales team with the appointment of Jodie Carter who will be taking on the role of Technical Product Advisor, North East & Cumbria/Lancaster. Jodie’s background involves working closely with children and adults with disabilities, including brain injuries. Most recently Jodie has been assessing and installing technology in people’s homes across North Yorkshire to aid vulnerable people, including those with epilepsy or dementia. Reporting to Ewan McPhee, Northern Sales Manager, Jodie will manage her own territory whilst working alongside healthcare professionals to support children with disabilities with bespoke Smirthwaite equipment that promotes a healthier and better quality life for the user. Jodie’s appointment is another exciting opportunity to further strengthen the team at Smirthwaite and include the promotions of Derek York to UK Commercial Manager and Ewan McPhee to Northern Sales Manager. The new appointment and promotions are part of the company’s continued focus on growing its business, investing in its people and delivering excellence for its customers. Jodie commented: “I am delighted to be joining a market leader in the paediatrics industry & a company that’s renowned for quality products and service. I’m very much looking forward to working with our Occupational Therapists and helping to further the growth of the business.” Ewan McPhee, Northern Sales Manager added: “I am thrilled to welcome Jodie to the Smirthwaite team. I’m confident that her excellent interpersonal skills and sheer enthusiasm will help grow market share and help drive our growth plans; strengthening our position in the market moving forward. Jodie also joins us at an incredibly exciting time as we continue to launch new products such as our Asiento postural support chair, Levitex pressure care relief technology & our Moving & Handling equipment. We wish her a very warm welcome.” Smirthwaite are proud of their dedicated, high-calibre staff; and offer competitive pay and rewards, training, career paths, and the opportunity to progress and achieve. Jodie’s contact details: Email: Jodie.carter@smirthwaite.co.uk For further information about UK TPA roles at Smirthwaite, please contact Derek York, Commercial Manager on derekyork@smirthwaite.co.uk or +44 (0)7971126877.
Hidden disability diagnoses have increased by 63% in the UK
To mark UK Disabilities History Awareness Month, Cool Crutches and Walking Sticks, an innovative mobility aid company, reveals a 63% increase in hidden disability diagnoses in the UK. The study looks at government data from 2017-2022 looking at impairments that are hidden disabilities, finding a 63% increase in the last 6 years, with mental health showing the largest increase by a third (33%). Disabled people in the UK increased by 3.9 million from 19% to 24% of the population between 2011 and 2023 and it’s estimated that 80% of these people have a hidden disability, equating to over 10 million people. Hidden disabilities are conditions that are not immediately obvious to others. They can be physical, cognitive or mental in nature. Examining 6 years worth of government data, the biggest rise in hidden disabilities comes from mental health diagnoses, with a 33% increase since 2017. Social and behavioural impairments are second in the ranking, accounting for 22% of diagnoses, followed by learning difficulties at 8%. Social and behavioural impairments are a broad term that encompasses a range of conditions that affect a person’s ability to interact with others and their environment. According to the data, nearly all of the disabilities reported by children are hidden. For disabled children, the most common impairment types were social or behavioural, with half reporting this, followed by mental health (30%) and learning impairments (26%). Amelia Peckham, CEO and Co-Founder of Cool Crutches & Walking Sticks comments: “It is important to note that hidden disabilities can have a significant impact on a person’s life. I personally live with hidden and visible conditions and find the hidden much more complex to navigate. In turn I believe these require an equal level of resources, attention and care to support effectively in order to promote accessibility for all. Hidden conditions and disabilities can make it difficult to work, travel, learn, and form relationships. People with hidden disabilities are also more likely to experience bullying, victimisation and other negative outcomes so prioritising awareness around them is key.” As an expert in the field of disability, Amelia Peckham believes that we need to take action to address the increase in hidden disability diagnoses, outlining ways in which businesses and society can further support people with an invisible impairment: Many people are not familiar with hidden disabilities, which can lead to misunderstanding and discrimination. It is important to raise awareness of these conditions so that people can better understand and support those who are affected. For example, the sunflower lanyard can be used as an indicator of disabilities and can be particularly effective for adults with communication challenges. People with hidden disabilities often need specialised services and support to help them manage their condition and live a fulfilling life. It is important to ensure that these services and support are available and accessible to everyone who needs them. For people with hidden disabilities such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), mental health services can be essential for managing their symptoms and improving their quality of life. This includes making sure that public spaces and transportation are accessible, and that workplaces and schools are inclusive. It is also important to challenge negative attitudes and stereotypes about people with disabilities. Training and education on hidden disabilities can help people to better understand and support those whose impairments may not be visible, creating a culture of acceptance and inclusion Images courtesy of Adobe Stock
Geberit Aquaclean Care: The AbleStay Story
AbleStay is a registered charity with the mission of providing fully accessible holiday accommodation to disabled people and their families. AbleStay has purchased its first property in London and has transformed it, making it wheelchair accessible, with a fully adapted bathroom, an accessible kitchen, a bedroom with profiling beds, a ceiling track hoist and more. The AbleStay charity began when it became apparent that most disabled people are unable to visit London, England’s Capital City because of accessibility. Founders Charles and Jo were staggered to realise that no hotel, nor self-catering property was designed to meet the needs of those with complex physical disabilities. Not only this, but there are 1⁄4 million + people in the UK with complex physical disability (Cerebral Palsy, MND, Muscular Dystrophy, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Injury etc) and there is nowhere suitable to stay in London. So, they decided to take it upon themselves to create one. Large accessible bathroom/wetroom – ceiling hoist from bedroom, height adjustable bath, Geberit shower toilet, accessible basin, shower trolley, large wet room shower area, Rifton HTS shower chairs and grab rails Accessibility is, of course, more than just handrails and the bathroom in particular is a space that can be a challenge for people with disabilities. THE SOLUTION Geberit gifted a Mera Care shower toilet to the AbleStay house to contribute towards the accessibility of the family bathroom. Stylish and innovative, the Geberit AquaClean Mera Care toilet features an oscillating spray arm that cleans at the touch of a button with a jet of warm water and a warm air dryer, offering ease of cleaning after using the toilet. GEBERIT AQUACLEAN MERA CARE In addition to an oscillating spray and warm air dryer, the Geberit AquaClean Mera Care toilet boasts a host of additional features to aid personal hygiene and help users to live a more independent life, including an automatic flush function via user detection, remote control, programmable user profiles for multiple users, and a continuous flow heater for constant warm water. Geberit has taken every ounce of its 150 years of experiencein helping to understand the wants and needs of its customers and put that into creating a product that can make a guaranteed difference to the way customers live day in day out. Everything is designed with comfort and convenience in mind, and the Geberit development team is constantly evolving and enhancing every aspect of the product to ensure it meets the needs of the customer. THE FUTURE AbleStay intend on expanding and offering more fully accessible homes to families and disabled individuals. Innovations which allow disabled people the same luxuries as everyone else are essential, whether that be the luxury of a family holiday home or the simple pleasure of privacy and dignity in the bathroom. Co-founder Charles said: “We are hugely grateful to Geberit. People need bathrooms with an accessible basin, toilet and bath which currently isn’t available despite huge demand. We intend on expanding throughout the UK and are so appreciative of Geberit’s help with this first curial house.” Learn more about AbleStay here: https://www.ablestay.co.uk/
A third of disabled people forced to cancel Christmas because they can’t afford it
![[Pictured: Keith Butler and his son Geordie, who has CHARGE syndrome, is deafblind and autistic.]](https://ucan2magazine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Keith-Butler-and-his-son-Geordie-who-is-deafblind-and-autistic.jpeg)
· Many will go without Christmas presents, festive food or even meeting friends or family, as new research highlights the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on disabled people. · More than half of disabled people are in debt and two thirds are constantly worried about bills, as the disability charity, Sense, urgently call on the government to provide financial support. A third of disabled people will be forced to cancel Christmas this year, as they struggle to cope with unbearable costs. That’s according to grim new research by the national disability charity, Sense, who are urgently calling for more financial support to help the most vulnerable households this winter. Spiraling costs have put more than half of disabled people into debt, and two thirds say they are constantly worried about bills. Now, as the country looks forward to the Christmas holidays, many disabled people say they won’t be able to celebrate. A third (33 per cent) of disabled people told Sense that they cancel Christmas this year because of the financial pressures they face. More than a third (34 per cent) said they will not see any friends or family or buy any festive food (37 per cent). Almost half (48 per cent) said they won’t buy any presents, while two in five (42 per cent) will not turn on any festive lights because of fears around the cost of energy. Disabled people, who often have lower incomes and face higher living costs, have been disproportionately impacted by the current crisis. They face higher living costs, paying for specialist diets and therapies, and for energy too – heating is a must for people who aren’t mobile and have to regulate their body temperature – and then there’s the cost of running essential equipment, such as breathing machines and feeding pumps. Sense supports people living with complex disabilities, whom the research focuses on. There are 1.6 million people with complex disabilities in the UK, living with two or more disabilities, and requiring high levels of support. Sense has already provided direct financial support to some of the most vulnerable households, worth a total of half a million pounds. The research reveals the measures disabled households are taking to save money, with more than half (57 per cent) turning the heating down or off, more than a third (35 per cent) skipping meals and almost a quarter (24 per cent) turning to food banks. In last month’s Autumn Statement, the government announced that welfare benefits would be uprated by 6.7% from April next year. However, Sense says this doesn’t come close to providing disabled benefits claimants the money they need to afford the cost of essentials, such as energy, continuing to rise. Sense is calling for emergency targeted financial support now to help the most at risk households cope with spiraling costs, and a plan to support disabled people and their families in the long-term. Richard Kramer, Chief Executive of Sense, said: “With disabled people living in debt and worrying about the next bill, it shouldn’t be a surprise that so many will cancel Christmas plans. “And yet, today’s research is a timely reminder of what some of the most vulnerable households in the country are going through. “Every day, disabled people are having to make impossible choices, like whether to eat or heat the home. And Christmas, far from being a time for celebration, has just become an additional, unbearable expense. “It doesn’t have to be like this. The government must act now to bring in targeted financial support to those who need it over the winter.” More than 80,000 people have signed Sense’s petition calling on the government to do more to support disabled people through the cost-of-living crisis. For more information, or support, visit: www.sense.org.uk/costofliving
Disability Influencer launches world’s first truly accessible retail site
One of the UKs most prominent disability influencers has announced the launch of a fully accessible retail site which he says could unlock a £17bn spending opportunity for retailers. Mike Adams OBE has initially launched EnableAll.com with a host of independent retailers with the aim of making it the world’s first truly accessible marketplace. EnableAll.com says billions of pounds is being lost by retailers who don’t meet the needs of disabled people when it comes to online purchasing and suggests major retailers need to think hard about their commitments to the disability community. He said: “With EnableAll.com, we’ve created a very straightforward platform that puts inclusivity and accessibility front and centre and allows any retailer trading online the opportunity to trade simply with the 14.6m people with disabilities in the UK, many of whom find it impossible to complete everyday tasks such as buying products online because e-commerce sites create barriers to accessibility that do not need to exist. “We’re still very early on in our journey, but why wouldn’t a retailer want to gain access to this scale of marketplace? The retail industry has to ask itself in 2023 why there is a need for such a platform.” Mike has been listed in the UK Power List 100 of the most influential disabled people and explained how the idea for EnableAll.com came about during the Covid pandemic when high street and retail stores closed, with vast numbers having to rely on online retail. Mike, who is also the CEO of Purple Tuesday, an organisation changing the disability conversation with businesses and disabled people, first introduced the concept on EnableAll.com to the world at the Dubai Expo in 2021, having seen that buying patterns online would leave people with disabilities feeling even further isolated. The site has been meticulously built in that time to follow strict AAA standards, the highest possible conformance level in Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). The long-term plan is for EnableAll.com to become the global go-to site for truly accessible e-commerce. The launch of the site has won the backing from a growing number of independent retailers across homes, gardens, pets, clothing, shoes, toys, games, jewellery and accessories. Its straightforward ‘plug and play’ set up for retailers means they can be trading on the site in days and EnableAll.com is now working closely with a number of high-profile high-street brands on developing their presence on the site. EnableAll.com has installed experienced digital retail specialist Kevin Cooper as its managing director. He said: “This site is not only for those people who share a frustration in feeling excluded from everyday experiences that able-bodied people can undertake without a moment’s notice, but also for those many millions who are either carers or are supporters of having an equitable, inclusive and accessible society for everyone. “It’s time for influential people in retail to realise the opportunity here of not only doing the right thing, but opening up an enormous untapped commercial opportunity for a set of willing consumers who are ready and willing to spend what we estimate to be a market worth £17bn annually in the UK alone. Retailers have the opportunity to drive the quality of the online experience for disabled customers.” The site is rapidly gaining support from a host of other influential bodies and individuals, including the likes of Shani Dhanda, a celebrated disability inclusion specialist, broadcaster and entrepreneur. Shani said: “There has been a long-term combination of perception, awareness, and priorities that have held back progress in making online shopping fully accessible. “One big reason is that many see it as a massive and complicated problem to tackle. Making online shopping accessible requires a lot of effort, resources, and collaboration from different players in the industry, but EnableAll.com has created a platform that now offers no reason why major retailers shouldn’t and can’t engage positively.” EnableAll.com is working with charities to partner with that will allow users to select where EnableAll donates 10% of its revenue.