First disabled person to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole

A British stroke survivor from Devon, Jonny Huntington, has made history by becoming the first ever disabled person to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole. Just 52 people have ever successfully skied to the South Pole without support. Jonny is the first explorer with a disability to do so, covering the 911km of Antarctic tundra with limited mobility down his left-hand side; a feat he completed in 45 days, 14 hours, 15 minutes. Having set off from Fuchs-Messner on the edge of the Antarctic landmass on 21st November, Jonny arrived at the South Pole on 6th January at around 5pm (GMT) officially making history as the first ever explorer with a disability to reach the South Pole alone. “I’m exhausted – but so proud to make it to the pole and complete an expedition that many thought impossible,” said Jonny from the South Pole. “It has pushed me to my limits – both mentally and physically – but there was no way I was going to give up. I just needed to keep putting one foot in front of the other. “It is incredible to think that I am the first disabled person in history to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole, and it just proves that anything is possible with self-belief. “I will never let my disability define me, and I hope that by reaching the finish line, it shows that no matter what life throws at you – with enough determination everyone can fulfil their own potential.” On average, Jonny was skiing for 11 hours a day and dragging all his equipment and food in a sled which weighed more than 90kg, with everything he needed to survive the expedition. Throughout the expedition he battled Arctic temperatures as low as -40 C and blistering 24-hour sunlight; huge ice formations called sastrugi and soft snow making progress challenging. This year has been particularly challenging for adventurers in Antarctica with other expeditions having to be aborted. Jonny added: “Antarctica is a remote, hostile and uninhabitable environment, and some of the conditions were incredibly challenging. “There were days when I had to finish earlier than planned because of dangerous conditions or pure exhaustion and self-preservation for the longevity of the expedition, meaning the expedition took longer than I initially planned. I ended the expedition with just 24 hours of rations left.” Completing the expedition has been a monumental effort for Jonny, who has a significant lack of mobility and control down his left-hand side, following a stroke in 2014. At just 28 years old, the stroke left Jonny with complete left-side paralysis from the neck down. After years of intense rehab, today Jonny lives with permanent brain damage resulting in a significant lack of strength, mobility and control down his left side. Talking about how it affected him on the expedition, he said: “This was a massive undertaking for an able-bodied person. Add my restricted movements due to neuro fatigue from the brain damage, and it took the challenge to a whole new level. “My disability means I have little control in my left ankle, meaning that my leg kind of freely rotates. I fell a lot over the course of my journey, especially at the start of the expedition while I was getting acclimatised to the conditions, but just had to get back up, dust myself off, and carry on. “It was also exacerbated by the cold climate of Antarctica and proved a constant challenge with the uneven and sometimes unpredictable snow conditions. “Despite the challenges I faced on the ice, my hope is that by completing the expedition, I have shown that disability does not mean inability.” ALE’s Expedition Manager, Steve Jones, said “I’m delighted for Jonny that he has succeeded in his goal of becoming the first disabled person to ski solo to the South Pole. “This is a milestone achievement for Jonny personally and for the everyone living with disabilities. “He has not just skied to the South Pole alone, but unsupported, without resupplies or outside assistance en route. This is a massive physical and mental challenge in which Jonny has thrived.” Jonny was born in Cambridge, where he lived until he went to university at 18-years-old and subsequently joined the military. He now lives in Kingsbridge, Devon. Through his expedition, Jonny was raising money for four charities including the Invictus Games Foundation, Armed Forces Para-Snowsport Team, Team Forces and The Adaptive Grand Slam Foundation. To donate, visit https://givestar.io/gs/south-pole-solo-expedition. To find out more about Jonny’s expedition, visit www.jonnyhuntington.com see @jonnyhuntington on Instagram and LinkedIn. Jonny would like to thank the many people who have helped him to take on this challenge including his partners Specialist Risk Group, Team Forces, Collins Aerospace, ACRE Capital Real Estate, and Continuate. Major General Lamont Kirkland CBE, CEO Team Forces, added; “What a monumental effort from Jonny. It’s a privilege to have supported him to show that anything is possible with the right training and mindset.” He’d also like to thank his technical partners Dynafit, Doxa Watches, JADAT Adventures, Salewa and SunGod Eyewear; and supporters Veeam, Dell, Pointwire, Comtech, Tila Capital, NSSLGlobal, Branding Science, Lidstones, and &SONS.
Transforming Air Travel to Meet the Needs of Disabled Passengers

Air travel remains fraught with challenges for many disabled passengers – from mishandled mobility aids to insufficient staff training and outdated accessibility standards. These barriers highlight the urgent need for meaningful change in the aviation industry. To address these critical challenges, leading wheelchair accessible vehicle rental service Open Road Access recently hosted a groundbreaking webinar in collaboration with the Rights on Flights campaign. The event brought together industry leaders, accessibility advocates, and members of the disabled community to discuss practical solutions for improving air travel for disabled passengers. Featuring insights from experts like Christopher Wood MBE, Martyn Sibley, and David Dew-Veal, the session aimed to shape a roadmap towards a more inclusive future. “At Open Road Access, we believe air travel should be accessible, safe, and dignified for everyone” says David Dew-Veal, Director of Strategy & Innovation at Proximo Group, the parent company of Open Road Access. Drawing insights from a recent webinar, Open Road Access has developed an actionable roadmap for achieving accessibility in air travel, ensuring equity, dignity, and inclusion at every stage of the journey. Key recommendations from the roadmap include: Disability inclusion and representation: Disability inclusion and representation in the industry is crucial, as it ensures accessibility is foundational rather than an afterthought. This can be achieved by making sure disabled people are employed, included, and actively engaged in the aviation industry. Booking and assistance coordination: • Making all booking platforms accessible (WCAG 2.2 compliant) and enabling an electronic “passport” storing mobility information for regular passengers to streamline booking. • Providing free travel for personal assistants and implementing seamless data sharing between airlines and airports. At the airport: • Implementing universal design principles in airport refurbishments and builds. • Equipping terminals with accessible self-service kiosks, e-gates, restroom facilities. Installing changing places and service animal relief areas (SARAs) and ensuring gates feature lifts to easily transport mobility aids. Pre-flight and boarding: • Using photo documentation for mobility aids at check-in and prior to returning mobility aids to ensure they are returned in good condition. • Allowing wheelchair users to stay in their chairs up to the aircraft door and prohibit handcarrying for level changes, requiring proper lifting equipment. In-flight accommodations and accessibility: • Equipping aircraft with on-board wheelchairs and accessible lavatories for all aircraft seating 125+ passengers. • Providing movable armrests on aisle seats and designated seating for passengers needing to stay in their personal mobility aids. Onward travel and disruption management: • Implementing a “travel disruption support” program for real-time assistance during delays and cancellations. • Ensuring accessible car rental services at airports. The roadmap highlights the importance of collaboration between airlines, airports, and policymakers to make these recommendations a reality. “Whether you’re an aviation professional, an advocate, or a passenger, join us in exploring how we can work together to make air travel accessible for all” adds David Dew-Veal. https://openroadaccess.co.uk/key-takeaways-from-the-shape-of-the-future-of-air-travel-webinar/
Stiltz to exhibit at all OTAC Conferences

Event sponsor Stiltz to exhibit at all OTAC Conferences With £86 million added to DFG funding this year, Stiltz will be exhibiting at all Occupational Therapy Adaptation Conferences (OTAC) to meet the increased demand for homelift solutions in domestic properties with inaccessible stairs. The 10 OTAC events this year will provide an opportunity for housing and healthcare professionals to engage and learn about the latest accessible home adaptations for private and public funding. Delegates will consist of occupational therapists, equipment prescribers and grant officers with a duty of care to residents with mobility challenges. With only 9% of English housing stock having basic accessibility and over 1.8 million people now in need of accessible housing, identifying an efficient and clear pathway to an enabling solution is vital. That solution is a Stiltz Homelift. By attending OTAC, visitors will be able to tap into a wealth of expertise from Stiltz. Its stand will be manned by product specialists who will be able to discuss in detail the homelift assessment and provision process – 100% client-centric at every stage. Other topics to explore will include: Stiltz CPD seminars will also be available as part of the OTAC educational programme. Respected accessible architect Amy Francis-Smith RIBA, continues to encourage all occupational therapists to consider prescribing a Stiltz Homelift. In conclusion she adds, “The impact of a homelift on homeowners is profound. For those previously limited by stairs, these lifts restore access to the entire home, fostering independence and freedom. The message for occupational therapists is clear – homelifts are no longer a luxury but a core component of inclusive design. By incorporating this innovative assistive technology, we can create homes that are not only functional but beautiful and sustainable for years to come.” Come and meet Stiltz at all 2025 OTAC conferences: 30th January – GlasgowGolden Jubilee Hotel, Beardmore St, Glasgow, Clydebank, G81 4SA (In partnership with Stiltz dealer, Scotland Mobility) 6th February – CambridgeHilton Cambridge City Centre, 20 Downing St., Cambridge, CB2 3DT 13th February – DevonThe Imperial Torquay, Parkhill Rd, Torquay, TQ1 2DG 20th March – LeedsWeetwood Hall Estate, Otley Rd, Weetwood, Leeds, LS16 5PS 1st May – NewcastleHilton Newcastle Gateshead, Bottle Bank, Gateshead, NE8 2AR 26th June – MidlandsMolineux Stadium, Waterloo Road, Wolverhampton, WV1 4QR 25th September – LiverpoolAintree Racecourse, Ormskirk Rd, Aintree, Liverpool, L9 5AS 6th November – WatfordHilton Watford, Elton Way, Watford, WD25 8HA 13th November – BrightonBrighton Racecourse, Freshfield Rd, Brighton and Hove, Brighton, BN2 9XZ 4th December – Cardiffvoco St. David’s Cardiff, an IHG Hotel, Havannah St, Cardiff, CF10 5SD If you would prefer to book a one-to-one appointment with a Stiltz Trusted Assessor,please email: enquiries@stiltz.co.uk www.stiltzhealthcare.com
Book launch for inspiring academic

As part of its efforts to promote disability inclusion and empowerment within the academic community, The University of Manchester is set to host the launch of Beyond the Chair, a compelling memoir by disabled scholar Dr Paul Doyle. Despite the profound impact of Cerebral Palsy on his motor functions and speech, Dr Doyle has completed a PhD in disability studies as well as writing this insightful book to share his experiences and inspire others.Dr Doyle chose to launch his book at The University of Manchester in recognition of the institution’s significant efforts to increase disability inclusion in recent years. The University’s commitment to fostering an inclusive environment was recently acknowledged with the prestigious Disability Confident Leader status, reflecting its dedication to supporting disabled staff and students. The connection between Dr Doyle and the University was facilitated by Dr Hamied Haroon, a distinguished biomedical researcher based at Manchester who has overcome his own challenges with a disability, and is also renowned for his leadership in advocating for the rights and opportunities of disabled individuals in academia. Dr Haroon introduced Dr Doyle to the university’s Disabled Staff Network, the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures (SALC), and the Faculty of Humanities. These bodies have collectively agreed to fund and host the book launch, underscoring the university’s commitment to inclusivity and support for disabled scholars.The event will include a reading by Dr Doyle and his personal assistant, followed by a Q&A session hosted by the University’s Academic Lead for Disability EDI Professor Jackie Carter, a Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 lister who is celebrated for her dedication to equality, diversity and inclusion within the academic community. After the Q&A, attendees will be able to engage with Dr Doyle and other attendees at a book signing and networking event, where they will be able to discuss his journey, and explore the themes of resilience and determination detailed in his book. Refreshments will be available. It will take place on Friday 21 February from 4pm in Ellen Wilkinson Building Room C1.18, before moving to the Atrium. All are welcome to attend. “My book is based on my PhD, and the fieldwork for my degree took place at a special school,” said Dr Doyle. “The young people and I formed advocacy groups in which we talked about leaving school. As I have very severe Cerebral Palsy, I was able to talk about my own experiences of leaving special school with no qualifications at all, and transitioning to a mainstream college. I have had to convince people that I am able to achieve a high educational status.” “I’d like to thank The University of Manchester – I feel honoured to have my book launch there. I feel that the subject and the message of my book needs to be distributed around the world, and the University is part of my journey.” “I am so proud that Paul will launch his groundbreaking book at our University – my heartfelt thanks to the incredible Laura Howard and Jackie Carter and to everyone involved for making this event happen,” said Dr Haroon. “The lived experiences that Paul’s book explores chimes so closely with the journeys that Paul and I both share, going beyond segregated education and proving that Disabled talent cannot be ignored. Please join us at the launch event to hear more!” “Paul’s book offers a profound insight into his experiences, challenges and triumphs, serving as a beacon of inspiration for people facing similar obstacles – we are proud he chose The University of Manchester to be the place where he launches his book,” said Professor Jackie Carter. “I run the Disabled Staff Network and Disabled PGR group, and it is amazing how far the University has progressed in the past two years in its mission to promote disability inclusion and empowerment,” said Laura Howard. “What people like Jackie Carter, Kathy Bradley and Melissa Westwood have achieved in that time is mind-blowing – they’ve managed to raise the profile of disability so much that we now get departments coming to us to seek feedback on ways they can improve.” For more information about The University of Manchester’s initiatives in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, visit the website.