Dating Tips For Those With A Disability
The world of dating can be a scary place to navigate, especially if you aren’t used to putting yourself out there! Here at UCAN2 magazine we KNOW that there is a Mr or Mrs Right out there for everybody, so we’ve compiled our top dating tips to help you on your romantic journey! Dating Tips For Those With A Disability 1. Stay calm – you’ve got this! The first of our dating tips is an easy one. You need to have a positive attitude about starting to date. Feeling negative, terrified or pessimistic will only make you come across as being cynical or extremely nervous. Focus on your strengths, your favourite qualities about yourself and what you could bring to a relationship. This will help you build up your confidence. And remember, you are not defined by your disability – you have just as much of a right to date as everybody else. 2. Be honestThe best way to start a potential relationship is by being completely honest – about yourself, your life and of course of your disability. It will be extremely difficult to establish a good relationship with someone if you start out by lying. It could also hinder your relationship in the long run, as your partner will have a difficult time understanding your needs if you aren’t honest. 3. Consider meeting others with disabilities There are lots of reasons why you should consider dating someone else who has a disability. You’ll have something in common and will be able to relate to each other on a more personal level. But remember, there are no restrictions when it comes to love! You can and should date whoever you want to, whether they have a disability or not. 4. It’s OK to be rejectedRejection is a very normal part of life. Not everybody you date is going to be your cup of tea, nor are you going to be theirs! Don’t let dating rejections knock you back, we know that it can be upsetting but dwelling on it definitely isn’t worth your time. 5. Don’t give up!We all know the saying “you have to kiss a few frogs to find your prince charming” and it couldn’t be more true. You might not find your perfect match straight away which can be frustrating, but don’t let it trouble you too much. Instead, focus on all the friendships you’ve made along the way and try to stay positive. The right person will come along soon!
Introducing Wheelchair Heaters
We all know how important it is to stay warm and comfortable while using your wheelchair, when shopping, at sporting events, weddings in cold churches or any hundreds of other activities.Incorporating the technology we developed for our Stadium and Arena seat heating systems we have now developed the system into a wheelchair heating system Wheelchair Heaters.The result is a system of heated cushions using our patented waterproof system powered with rechargeable high capacity batteries offering a warmth of between 30c & 40c. The seat cushion incorporates anatomical high specification foams for comfort and to alleviate pressure points.Our heated seat and backrest is incorporated into a luxurious faux leather antimicrobial treated cover, upholstered over high quality foam with two different density layers for added comfort and to help relieve pressure points. The heating elements are waterproof carbon mats powered by a high capacity rechargeable battery placed in the easily accessible rear flap pocket.The on/off and temperature control switch, which is also fully waterproof, is found on the left upper side of the backrest. (other positions are available by special order)The base of the seat pan has an anti slip surface, and the whole system can be easily removed without tools and folded for storage and transportation. Three models are available:-Basic model This model has heating in the backrest only and does not come with a seat pad (an integral seat pad is available by special order). Complete with 3000 mAh battery and charger. Luxe model The Luxe model has a heating element in both the seat and backrest, with 3 heat settings, and does not have a sensor in the seat for automatic on and off. Complete with 6400 mAh battery and charger. Luxe Plus model The Luxe Plus model has a heating element in both the seat and backrest, with 3 heat settings, it also has a sensor in the seat pan to automatically turn on when you sit on the seat and turn off automatically when unoccupied. Complete with 6400 mAh battery and charger. The power/heating time is based on which heat setting you use i.e. 4 hours for low heat and 2 hours for high heat. If people wish to always run the high setting we would recommend having a second battery thus giving 4 hours on high heat. Find out more
Blue Reef Aquarium
Portsmouth’s award-winning Blue Reef Aquarium is a great place for visitors of all ages to find out more about the wonders of the deep, whatever the weather.The Aquarium is Fully Wheelchair Accessible and Blue Reef’s innovative displays, informative talks and feeding demonstrations will keep the family fully entertained.At the aquarium’s heart is the giant ocean tank where an underwater tunnel offers incredibly close encounters with puffer fish, triggerfish and hundreds of vibrant tropical fish amid the beauty of a recreated coral reef. Over 40 other living displays reveal the sheer variety of life in the deep, from tropical sharks and stingrays to clown fish and playful otters.Relax in the Driftwood Kitchen on site café stocked up with delicious refreshments, an outdoor splash pool and beach-inspired play area, and a marine-themed gift shop.If there is a birthday coming up, you can choose from a selection of fun birthday party packages and hold your party amongst the amazing sea-life. The birthday child can even help feed the sharks and rays!Also keep a look out for family events throughout the new year.For more information about Blue Reef Aquarium please visit our website at www.bluereefaquarium.co.uk/portsmouth or phone us on 023 9287 5222.
First Learning Disabilities Dating Agency To Launch In Flintshire
Funding has been announced for Flintshire’s first friendship and dating agency for adults with learning disabilities or autism, which is set to launch in this year! The new Luv2meetU dating agency service, which is run by national learning disabilities charity Hft, will be focused on supporting people with learning disabilities and their families to develop and sustain relationships, improve their health and wellbeing, and extend their social networks. Funding for the project comes from the Welsh Assembly’s Foundational Economy Challenge Fund, which has provided approximately £52,000 for the charity to launch a friendship and dating service in Flintshire. Aiming to address the increased risk of loneliness and isolation for people with learning disabilities, Luv2meetU chose rural Flintshire as the location for its next service, where people can find it difficult to get out and about independently and build new relationships. Luv2meetU Flintshire will be based at Hft’s new day opportunities centre, Hwb Cyfle, which provides local people with learning disabilities with a specialist environment, where they can access opportunities such as supported employment in their local community. The service plans on running around eight events a month when the membership is up and running, including museum visits, meals out, gigs, sports classes, theatre and cinema trips, and any other activities that members express an interest in. They will also be running singles events, chaperoning dates and hosting workshops on topics such as personal safety, developing confidence and sexual health. Following the launch of a service in Bristol in September this year, Luv2meetU Flintshire will be the dating agency’s tenth branch, extending from existing operations in the north of England. It is hoped that 60 to 80 adults with learning disabilities or autism in Wales will benefit from the service, which will be open to people from Flintshire and the surrounding areas. Karen England, Project Development Manager at Luv2meetU, said: “Programmes like Luv2meetU are essential to the wellbeing of people with learning disabilities or autism. That’s why we’re delighted to be able to extend Luv2meetU into Wales, which doesn’t have any other friendship and dating agencies of this kind. “We all have a right to make friends, go dating and maybe even find love, and people with learning disabilities are no exception. We’re looking forward to welcoming lots of new members from Wales, and offering them a new way to socialise, have fun and be themselves.” Luv2meetU was originally set up as a pilot in the Leeds and Wakefield area in 2007, supporting 40 people to get out and about, socialise and build friendships. The team now supports around 250 to 300 people with services in areas including Bradford, Kirklees, Bristol, Sheffield, Newcastle, Cheshire and Leeds, and has enabled dozens more to make friends and forge relationships. To find out more about the Luv2meetU dating agency, visit www.luv2meetu.com or contact luv2meetU@hft.org.uk.
Top 5 Dating Websites For People With Disabilities
Dating when you have a disability can be incredibly daunting, however, many tools can help you to meet new people in a stress-free way! The use of a dating website could increase your chances of finding a meaningful relationship, and give your confidence a boost. So, if you’re looking for love, or just looking to find new friends, there’s a dating website that suits everybody! We have created our Top 5 Dating Websites for People living with disabilities, to help you with your search. Top 5 Dating Websites for People living with disabilities DisabilityMatch.co.uk DisabilityMatch.co.uk prides itself in being the number one website for UK disabled singles! You could find your perfect match amongst DisabilityMatch’s vibrant disabled community. Meeting new people has never been so easy, especially for those with disabilities and you can sign up today for free! You must be over 18 to sign up. Disabled-Dating.co.uk Join the new dating site for the disabled and non-disabled UK singletons! Disabled-Dating is run by Tom, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when he was younger. He created Disabled-Dating after finding happiness online and wanted to share his success with people like him! You must be over 18 to sign up. EnableDating.co.uk Become apart of the UK’s leading disabled community. The membership is completely free, and once you’ve signed up you can instantly browse profiles and become an active member of the community. Their website is also mobile ready, so you can enjoy your dating experience wherever you are. It has a fantastic chat feature and video messaging if you decide to take your budding relationship a bit further! You must be over 18 to sign up. DisabledDating4u.co.uk DisabledDating4u.co.uk is committed to supporting disabled individuals in their quest to find love. Whatever your disability, DisabledDating4u.co.uk will put you in touch with like-minded people. DisabledDating4u.co.uk started out in the UK as a small website in 2009 and has grown massively in the last few years due to their close community of disabled daters. There are 3 levels of membership to the site – free trial, gold and VIP. You must be over 18 to sign up. DisabledPeopleDate.com DisabledPeopleDate.com is a dating site for disabled singles that not only want to date, but also want to find meaningful friendships. There are so many disabilities displayed on their website, so you can find a partner with a similar condition to you. You can create a profile for free, and the full membership is £11.95 a month. You must be over 18 to sign up. Enjoyed this piece, why not read our story about disabled dating tips We would love to share your experience of using a dating site. Get in touch hello@euromediaal.com.
Hft give their views on expansion plans at Luton airport
Members of Voices to be Heard, the speak-out group of Hft, a national charity that supports adults with learning disabilities, have given their opinions on Luton Airport’s ‘Future LuToN’ consultation plans. Luton Airport has recently (16 December) concluded a period of public consultations on the proposals for expansion, which lay out plans for a second terminal and regeneration of the neighbouring Wigmore Valley Park. A recent Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) report rated Luton Airport as “Good” in terms of accessibility for disabled passengers. However, the report also concluded that Luton Airport needed to do more to consult with disabled people as part of its proposals. Billy Davis, Public Affairs and Policy Manager at Hft, commented: “While it is welcome news that Luton Airport is taking positive steps to make the airport accessible for disabled travellers, it is concerning that the CAA has said Luton needs to do more to engage with disabled people. It is our hope that our consultation response will be part of Luton’s wider re-engagement with the disabled community. “Hft supports or employs over 900 people for whom Luton Airport would be their nearest airport. It was very important for members of Voices to be Heard to participate in the consultation, so that the opinions of those with learning disabilities were considered during the expansion process. Issues raised included adapting the environment for people with learning disabilities by reducing harsh lighting and introducing quiet areas, as well as improving staff training and ensuring passengers aren’t forced to travel separately from their family members or support staff.” Members of Voices to be Heard have also previously submitted evidence to the Department for Transport’s Draft Transport Accessibility Plan and provided commentary on the expansion plans of Bristol Airport, Doncaster-Sheffield Airport and London Heathrow Airport.
Active Essex celebrates inclusive sport at annual sports awards
The winners of the Active Essex Sports Awards 2019 have been announced during an inspirational ceremony at Chelmsford City Racecourse on Wednesday 5th December. The event celebrated the county’s sporting achievements from grassroots to a professional level, along with individuals and community partners that have encouraged participation in sport and physical activity in Essex at every level. Amongst the winners were para-athletes Freya Levy and Ellie Challis. Freya Levy from Rochford was crowned ‘Sports Personality of the Year’ by public vote, following an impressive year of sporting achievements as a member of the GB Women’s Para ice hockey team, the GB Wheelchair basketball U25 team and the England Wheelchair Rugby Sevens Team. Her entry also highlighted her support to encourage more people with disabilities to participate in sport. Freya Levy, said; “To win the award this year is just a dream and I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who voted – it feels great to be recognised by your local community and it will really power me on through to the next season. There are so many opportunities to take part in sport in Essex and I’m a true believer that there is something out there for everyone.” Azeem Akhtar, Chair of Active Essex, said; “It is crucial that we celebrate not only our county’s sporting achievements but also the individuals and organisations that are encouraging participation at every level. “At this year’s awards we saw some fantastic examples of how sport has become more inclusive than ever, and can be used to tackle gang crime, mental health, loneliness and other key societal issues – this speaks volumes and shows how important it is that we work closely together as a county to keep our communities active!” The Active Essex Sports awards are part of Active Essex’s ongoing commitment to change one million lives by getting more people around Essex active. Joining the celebrations and awarded with ‘special recognition’ trophies were some of Essex’s household sporting names, including double Olympic gymnastics champion Max Whitlock MBE – who recently won gold at the World Championships – and team members from Essex County Cricket, following an outstanding season of Cricket. Max went on to present the ‘Young Sports Personality of the Year’ award to Ellie Challis, a para-swimmer and snowboarder who has already set national and world records. He said; “Supporting and recognising the achievements of young athletes is vital to the longevity of sport and for me knowing how it feels to receive an award for something you love, it gives you that boost to go further and inspire more people along the way. I’d like to say a big congratulations to Ellie and all of the finalists and winners this evening.” Ellie was recently announced as Swim England’s Para-swimming talent of the year and has been selected for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. Ellie Challis said; “I was very shocked to win the award with so many talented people in the room tonight. My biggest highlight this year was being selected for the World Championships and coming back with a Bronze medal – when I initially went for experience! I’m now looking forward to the Paralympics next year and this award will certainly motivate me along the way.” Azeem added: “I would like to thank everybody that has participated in this year’s Active Essex Sports Awards, from the Essex public that submitted over 600 nominations and voted their local heroes, to our wonderful sponsors and not least the fantastic finalists and winners who are all championing sport and physical activity across Greater Essex!” For a full list of winners and finalists, visit http://bit.ly/SportsAwards2019Winners
Thousands benefit from extended Blue Badge scheme
Thousands of people with Parkinson’s, dementia, epilepsy and other “invisible” disabilities have gained access to the benefits from Blue Badges under new rules introduced last summer. In the first three months, new figures show, 12,299 new badges – around 130 a day – were granted to people who cannot walk as part of a journey without considerable psychological distress or the risk of serious harm, as well as to people with a non-visible disability. The new rules, introduced by the Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, in August, widened the eligibility criteria to ensure that people with “invisible” disabilities are not disadvantaged. The badges help people access shops and services, by enabling them to park closer to their destinations. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “People with hidden conditions like these have to fight not just their disability, but the psychological worry that others may not recognise them as disabled. “I’m proud that our reform is already changing thousands of people’s lives, allowing those in need to carry on their daily lives with more confidence and helping combat loneliness and isolation.” Ahead of the change, the DfT issued new guidance to councils in England on Blue Badge parking permit eligibility, and launched in August a new online eligibility checker to make the scheme clearer for people before they apply. While the new criteria gives clear and consistent guidelines on Blue Badge eligibility for the whole of England, not everyone with non-visible disabilities will qualify for a badge. Local authorities decide if an applicant meets the eligibility criteria, as is currently the case. The Blue Badge scheme had already meant that people with physical disabilities can park closer to their destination than other drivers, as they are less able to take public transport or walk longer distances. Keith Richards, chair of the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC), said: “DPTAC has worked hard to bring the issue of non-visible disabilities to the fore. Enabling those with non-visible disabilities to benefit from a Blue badge will bring a critical improvement in the lives of many disabled people and it is right that the criteria was changed. “We have stressed the importance of enforcement of the scheme and we are pleased to see the number of prosecutions increasing.” Abuse of the scheme on-street is something that local authorities have been cracking down on and the Department has given them the powers to seize badges on-street when they are being misused. At the end of 2018, the Local Government Association estimated that the theft of Blue Badges had risen by 45 per cent in 12 months and was up six-fold since 2013. Latest statistics from DfT show prosecutions for blue badge misuse in England have risen 17.9 per cent in 2018/19, with almost all of these being instances where someone used another person’s badge – typically family members or carers. Samantha Tomlin, whose son Henry has autism and has a new Blue Badge, said: “The key thing with the Blue Badge is that is has increased safety and reduced anxiety for the child and their carer. “For a parent or carer of someone with ASD, some of the most challenging times are the most mundane for others. A child with sensory difficulties can be triggered by a car horn or lights – and even road awareness can also be an issue – so going to a new location can be very stressful. “When my son was younger sometimes I didn’t go out because I just couldn’t face trying to find a safe place to park near the shop or doctors. “Having the Blue Badge just makes you feel slightly less anxious about the situation and feel your child is safer. “It will make a huge difference to parents going through the early years and those with older children and adults that suffer with all the challenges autism brings.” Councils may need to review on street parking provision to increase the number of spaces, both in terms of the availability of disabled parking, and the overall number of parking spaces if disabled spaces take up other existing parking spaces. To help councils with the expected increase in applications, the department has agreed with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to provide £1.7 million to local authorities in England in the first year of the programme.
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visits specialist autism service
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal has visited Essex to mark the start of a campaign to raise funds towards a specialist autism service. The new service, spearheaded by the national learning disabilities charity, Hft, will provide a specialist environment specifically for young adults with complex needs and on the autistic spectrum, who are moving out of assessment and treatment centres to more independent living in the community. The royal visit on Wednesday 27 November, marked the launch of the fundraising campaign which will be used to part-fund the build for the specialist service. Everything about the development has been carefully designed to meet the sensory needs of people with autism, to keep them safe, and minimise their anxiety. The new service, which has been designed in consultation with people with autism and those who support them, will incorporate a range of personalised technology to support people to live as safely and independently as possible. Staff working at the service will also be given specialist training to support people with complex needs and autism to learn essential life skills that will help them build their independence. The Princess Royal, who is a dedicated Hft Patron, spent time at a reception, attended by more than 90 people, at Sworders Fine Art Auctioneers in Stansted Mountfitchet to find out more about the project. This included being shown a video walk through of the development which would consist of six homes which each have bespoke sensory environments. At the event Hft Chairman Baroness Judith Jolly talked about Hft’s experience in supporting people with complex needs and autism and the local need for this type of specialist service. Keith May, Divisional Director for Hft, provided more information about the development, as well as discussing the future local impact of the project. Her Royal Highness spent time meeting guests, which included Hft trustees, family members, patrons and local dignitaries, as well as the project’s architects and consultants and prospective donors, trusts and foundations. Vanessa Edwards, Hft’s Director of Fundraising said: “We were delighted to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal and share our plans for this essential specialist service. “There are too many young adults living in environments unsuited to their needs. Through this project we are creating purpose-built homes and a supported living service where people can gain some independence and have the freedom to make choices about how they want to live. “Today’s royal visit marks the start of our campaign to raise the remaining funds for the build which will help us open the door for young people with autism to live the life they choose.” For further information about the development or to donate to The Orchard Project appeal please visit www.hft.org.uk/theorchard