Award For Disabled Coach

Paul Jenkins - coach of the Invictus Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby team and South Wales Pirates - has been rewarded for his career as a Wheelchair Rugby Coach.

Home Alone For Christmas?

More than half of Brits will be spending Christmas away from home, and many more would like to but can't get the time off work

Christmas Heat!

Travel site finds Bangkok most-searched airport for travellers with New York a close second 

Travel broadens the mind?

AccordingNew research has revealed a gap-year could in fact harm your employment prospects, and in some cases, lose you friends!

No #blackfriday For Disabled

New Vitalise study finds the UK's disabled shoppers will miss out on the thrill of Christmas Shopping and have no option but to shop online.

Best In Mobility

Following on from the success of the S-Ergo Series in 2013, Karma Mobility has once again swept the board at the 2014 Taiwan Excellence Awards with its revolutionary VIP Series winning the prestigious Gold Award for Precision Instruments & Medical Equipment.

5" For Under £100

Those looking to take a luxury vacation without a luxury price tag to match should consider a trip to either the medieval city of Pisa or the Polish capital Warsaw, according to the latest Hotels.com Hotel Price Index® (HPI®).

Mobility Scooter Users Fight Back

Mobility scooter users are told to fight back against pothole damage.

"All About That Chair..."

Scooter Saves Nurse's Job

Despite having severe difficulties walking, a woman from Blackpool, has been able to continue working as a Senior Diabetes Nurse thanks to a new scooter.

World Photography Organisation Competition

Disabled Photo Comp

The judging panel who will decide the winners in three different categories in the national No Limits photo competition has been revealed
.

Save Money On Flights

According to new global travel statistics, Brits can save money by booking flights at least 53 days in advance of their departure.
 

Dartford Crossing & Disabled

If you are planning to use the Dartford Crossing, then you need to know that from 6am on 30 November 2014, the way you pay the crossing charge is changing.

Out Of Sight - Out of Mind?

A survey has found the majority of Brits struggle to stay in touch with family and friends living abroad.

Airline Of The Year

Icelandair has been named airline of the year at Glasgow Airport in the 22nd SPAA Travel Awards 2014 in Scotland. 

Chips por favor!

It seems half of British holidaymakers leave their hunger for adventure at the door when it comes to dining abroad. A survey of 2,000 people by Hotels.com reveals that 50% of Brits admit to choosing well-known fast food restaurants over local eateries when on holiday.

Product Improves Lives For Wheelchair Users!

Cutting edge mobility equipment set to improve the lives of wheelchair users and their carers.

Mayor & Accessible London

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has welcomed a new standard for improving and maintaining accessibility and inclusion for disabled people in the built environment.

Holiday For £3

More than 6,000 lost or broken mallets, over 3,000,000 tent pegs hammered and almost 800,000 teaspoons used – this isn’t a modern art piece, but rather a few of the components used to create camping holiday adventures over 50 years.

Accessible English Tourism

VisitEngland have announces plans for a national drive to promote England as a leading destination for accessible tourism.

SmartShip Arrives In UK!

Robot bartenders, indoor skydiving and Jamie’s Italian restaurant take holidays to a new level.

Christmas Market Tips!

More people than ever are considering taking a trip to a Christmas market in Europe this year but do you know how to keep safe?

Holiday Frienvy?

Over two thirds of Brits experience holiday envy, with 66% admitting the green eyed monster makes an appearance when friends reveal their holiday plans. Sadly, for a quarter of would-be holidaymakers, at least two of their friends have already visited their coveted dream destination.

#AccessNow for Disabled Visitors

As new Vitalise study finds tourist venues could risk missing out on a share of £212 billion a year value of 'Purple Pound' due to lack of accessibility, charity launches #AccessNow campaign to push for urgent change.

War Veteran To Ride 100mls In Scooter

Andy McIntosh, 42 from Glasgow, is a retired Army Corporal who despite living with severe mobility difficulties,  mobility scooter 100-miles to raise military charity donations on the 100th World War One anniversary.

Holiday Without Family?

It’s October half term next week for most Brits and research has found just 3% of Brits prefer to holiday with in-laws and 13% with their own parents.

Don't Forget Your Flu Jab

New research reveals over half of UK adults are willing to put themselves and others at risk of flu this winter.

Disabiliity Power List Winner

 Vincent Neate, partner and Head of KPMG UK’s Sustainability Services practice, has today been named as one of the most influential people in Britain with a disability or impairment, in the first ever Power 100 list.

Passport Scan At Home!

easyJet, has launched a new passport scanning function to its mobile app, making it the first European airline to have such a feature.

Holliday Without The 'Net?

21 Facebook updates, 28 Pinterest pins, 14 work emails, 21 Tweets, 7 Vines, 28 Instagram posts, 14 personal emails, 28 texts and 14 Snapchats…the average week on a family holiday.

World's Largest Insta-Meet

More than 1,000 instagrammers swept through Queensland recently, gathering in 89 locations across the state to post thousands of pictures, in what is now confirmed to be the biggest Instameet meet ever recorded.

Photo Competition To Inspire Disabled People

A national photo competition is being launched to raise awareness of how disabled people can achieve their goals by sharing inspiring stories of personal achievement.

Paralympian To Get MBE In Wheelchair Dress

British Polio Fellowship Ambassador Anne Wafula-Strike, has teamed up with celebrity dress designer Izzy Camilleri, a specialist in disability fashion, to create a dress fit to meet The Queen.

 

Tube For Disabled

After The Mayor of London turned down a challenge to spend a day in London in a wheelchair, a map has been created to show just how few stations across the network offer step-free access.

Daily Charity Need?

More than one in ten use charitable services at least once a week

Daydreaming About Your Next Holiday?

Brits prefer word-of-mouth recommendations & 2-3 months is typical planning period

£2.1 million For Disabled Sport

Sport England has awarded £2.1 million of National Lottery funding to help increase the number of disabled people playing sport.

App and Away!

From this month, customers using Heathrow Terminal 5 and Terminal 3 will receive 'push notifications' on smartphones informing them when their gate is open and when the aircraft is boarding, so they can enjoy the airport experience to its potential.

 

Disabled Car Scheme Winner

TrustFordPotters Bar is celebrating winning a regional award for its work with the Motability Car Scheme this week. The accolade is part of a new programme of awards to reward local Motability dealerships that provide outstanding customer service in their area.

Spontaneity Beats Planning

Research has revealed that 73% of us crave spontaneity, with time and money the biggest barriers to a fulfilled life as trend towards stopover vacations takes flight.

Graham Norton Takes To The Sky

Going away and annoyed you’ll miss Graham Norton? No longer a problem, as from Wednesday October 1, the award-winning TV comedy chat show, 'The Graham Norton Show' will be available on British Airways' long-haul flights.

Spoon To Change Life For Disabled

A new design of spoon has revolutionised the way a man with cerebral palsy can eat and will transform mealtimes for people with shaky hands.

 

Disabled Sailing Crew Complete Challenge

The first ship to circle the world with disabled crew members completed its two-year journey as it moored alongside HMS Belfast on the Thames in central London.

£10K Prize For Disability Innovations!

A new initiative offering £10,000 to assist in developing an idea to help disabled people live more independently has been launched  by a leading personal injury law firm and a disability charity

Stop Pavement Parking

MPs must respond to public demand for action on pavement parking danger.

Disabled Dancers Take To The Stage

This year Sadler’s Wells launched the start of =dance, a new series featuring some of the most exciting and innovative work created and performed by deaf and disabled artists.

 

10 Best Places to Study and Live

Studying abroad presents students with the opportunity to embark on international adventures, experience other cultures and enhance their academic abilities.

As students all over the world pack their backs for university, whether for the first time or to return for the upcoming semester, Lamudi has examined the most unique places to study and live overseas.

Will Scotland Result Change Your Holiday Spending?

In the last few days, the pound has weakened markedly against the Euro and the US Dollar, as the outcome of the Scottish referendum makes the headlines. 

 

 

Shopping Trolleys For Disabled

Sainsbury’s introduce hundreds of new shopping trolleys developed with parents of disabled children.

Disability Not Stopping Degree

Despite living with an MS-like condition that causes walking difficulties, Mel Richards, 43 from Edinburgh, has been able to continue enjoying a varied lifestyle and is applying to Higher Education thanks to a mobility scooter.

Quality Family Time?

More than 12.5 million people (18%)1 have enjoyed a '3G' holiday in the past year, meaning at least three generations of the family were on the trip.

Is Hotel Theft Ever OK?

As millions of Britons return from their holidays this summer, many will bring back more than just a tan, with 43% of people admitting to stealing from hotels.

Expierience Wheelchair Life!

New employees  become wheelchair users for the day.

More Holiday Access Needed

Research has shown highlight the need for the UK holiday industry to offer a wide choice for those who may have specific accessibility requirements

Family Holidays Rule!

A survey of almost 900 parents found that family holidays were preferred by 65 per cent of respondents compared to just 35 per cent of parents claiming they would prefer to indulge in a babymoon and take one last holiday before the baby arrives.

SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS REFORMS BEGIN

The biggest education reforms in a generation for children and young people with special educational needs have come into law today.

Where Luxury Costs Less...

New research looking at the cost of five star hotel stays in different cities across the European Union has found that five star digs can come on a shoestring in Warsaw while luxury in London breaks the bank.

 

Impossible Dream Holiday?

Brits dreaming of their number one holiday spot have named Australia as the top place they’d like to visit but most don’t think they ever will.

Hold BA Flights For £5!

Anyone searching for the best airline deals will now be able to hold their British Airways flight for up to 72 hours for as little as £5 through ba.com.

#blackpoolsback

Merlin Entertainments and Visit Blackpool have teamed up to launch #blackpoolsback, a summer long campaign showcasing all that Blackpool has to offer.
                

Cool Britania No More!

With London Fashion Week fast approaching over 12 – 16 September 2014, research proves Brits don’t perceive themselves a chic nation, when travelling abroad.

The Hobbit's Flying!

Air New Zealand, the official airline of Middle-earth, is giving fans a sneak peek at its next inflight safety video, an epic tale which will conclude the airline’s highly successful three year association with The Hobbit Trilogy.

Celebrate Afternoon Tea Week In Devon!

To celebrate National Afternoon T week, Visit Devon has put together some of the best places to have afternoon tea in Devon.

Mobility Roadshow Returns!

The next Mobility Roadshow will be held in 2015. The show will take place from 25–27 June 2015 at Donington Park.

Ann Frye, Chair of Mobility Choice, the Charity responsible for the show, commented: “The event will return to its core focus on accessible motoring, whether for drivers or passengers. It will provide the all-important test drive facility on the circuit at Donington Park in adapted standard production cars and wheelchair-accessible models.”

HolidayFor One?

Growing numbers of holidaymakers are choosing solitary cottage stays this summer, according to s
statistics published by holidaycottages.co.uk

Are You The Next #RiverCottage Chef?

River Cottage is once again hosting a competition to find the next young cooking talent as Rising Star returns for 2014.

Disabled Animal Lover Continues Work

Despite living with severe Osteoporosis and walking difficulties, Cliff Quinn, 54 from Cambridge, has been able to remain independent and continue his voluntary animal rescue work, thanks to a funky TGA mobility scooter.

 

Summer Accidents

For most people the annual summer holiday is a much anticipated and enjoyable annual event. But law firms are anticipating a rise in the number of Personal Injury enquiries following this summer’s holiday period, based on the growing number of cases handled by the firm in recent years.

All Work- No Play?

UK workers will spend a total of 3,171,550 days of their holidays on work activities, according to new research.

Disabled Legacy Fail?

Commonwealth Games are a pinnacle of inclusion for disabled people, but legacy will fail without more work, says Vitalise.

Disability Charity Is 50!

The past 50 years have seen the lives of over 100,000 people with disabilities – from athletes, to ex-service people, to children, parents and those who have retired – transformed by volunteers of national charity Remap, who have built equipment to help these individuals lead independent lives.

Declare Your Medical Condition!

Research from Sainsbury’s Travel Insurance reveals that more than a quarter (27%) of holidaymakers who have enjoyed a trip overseas in the past two years had a serious or long term medical condition such as diabetes or a heart condition at the time. Of these travellers, 15% admitted they had not told their travel insurer about their condition and 11% said they only disclosed part of their medical history.

Family Get Mobile!

Colin Whitt, 52 from Heanor Derbyshire, UK, and three members of his family have all become recent owners of a new type of folding mobility scooter, the TGA Minimo, so they can enjoy independence outdoors together.

Don't Firget Your Teabags!

Brit’s heading abroad this summer are ensuring they don’t miss their home comfort food and drink by packing British Food brands alongside their sun cream.

Accessible Leisure Centre

Over recent years, New Forest District Council has invested heavily to ensure all its leisure centres and swimming pools are fully accessible and meet the 2010 Equality Act guidelines.  As part of this ongoing programme, the Council has purchased five BluOne pool lifts from Dolphin Mobility, one of the UK's leading supplier and installers of independent living solutions.

Don't Ruin Your Fun In The Sun!

Over three quarters (77%) of holidaymakers who have had their credit card declined whilst abroad, failed to notify their bank that they would be going on holiday overseas, according to new research

Spray Away The Germs!

A new bottled spray that complies with cabin luggage guidelines on liquids could see an end to the bugs that passengers pick up en route to their holidays.

Brits Travelling Further

ONS has reported UK residents visiting countries outside of Europe or North America in May 2014 increased 12 per cent compared to May 2013.

Don't Lose Money Before Your Holiday!

The latest research from the Ukash Travel Money Prepaid MasterCard® card reveals that families could lose as much as €51.70 for every £500 they spend on buying euros for their summer holidays.  With just a couple of weeks to go until the majority of schools finish for the summer break, Ukash is urging families to think ahead and organise their foreign currency so that they can get the best spend for their pound.

New Turkey Passport Guidelines

Heading to Turkey next year? Make sure you follow the new guidelines…

Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby Players

Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby has announced the 12 players who have been selected to compete in the IWRF World Championship – 1 to 10 August 2014 - in Odense, Denmark.

Change Disability In Media

Today, Jon Snow and Sian Lloyd backed a national charity’s call for greater media responsibility in the way they represent people with learning disabilities

The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities are calling for a change to the language used about people with learning disabilities and the way they are represented in the media, in order to tackle the increase in bullying, harassment and hate crime.

Londoners Chocolate singalong!

Londoners entered into a world of Pure Imagination at the first ever Singalonga Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory yesterday.

 

Cats Returns To London!

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record-breaking musical Cats returns to the West End for a strictly limited 12 week run at the London Palladium beginning early December 2014. 

Watch Wimbledon In Chelsea!

With the reigning champion Murray set to try and defend his Wimbledon title, Duke of York Square is offering the next best thing to a courtside seat as they erect 14ft screens to broadcast the Wimbledon finals weekend live across the square. From 3rd – 6th July, soak up the rays as well as the competitive atmosphere in the heart of Chelsea, as the highly anticipated semi-finals and finals are shown on the lawn behind Duke of York Square.

First UK Theme Park To Open Disabled Facility!

Chessington World of Adventures Resort has partnered with The Changing Places Consortium to become the first theme park in England and within Merlin Entertainments Ltd to install a hi-tech new changing facility for customers with disabilities.

For people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, as well as other serious impairments such as spinal injuries, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis or an acquired brain injury, it can often be difficult to use toilets comfortably. However, now disabled guests who visit the Resort will have access to toilets with extra features, such as a height adjustable adult-sized changing bench and a non-slip floor, disabled toilet, disabled shower, electrical hoist, and more space to meet the needs of disabled guests with room for a wheelchair and up to two carers.

I Can't Believe My Eyes!

Aspiring photographers were asked to send in their most beautiful pictures (captured whilst traveling across the globe by car), stemming from the belief that there is beauty to be found in every journey. Avis received hundreds of stunning photographs and the best were shortlisted by the judges from Getty Images before going head-to-head in a public competition.

Disabled Dance Goes To Latitude

Since 2008 Sadler’s Wells has presented dance at Latitude Festival to audiences in excess of 40,000 people across the years. This summer the theatre returns for a seventh consecutive year, presenting a diverse programme on the Waterfront Stage from Thursday 17 – Sunday 20 July 2014.

Search For Future Paralympians

The University of Wolverhampton’s Walsall Campus played host to SMILE earlier this month.  Over 200 young people with special educational needs and disability (SEND) from the Black Country attended the talent-spotting sports event.

Feeling lucky? #RoyalAscot

Champagne? Money? Hat?

 

Royal Ascot is one of the highlights on the social calendar. Attended by over 300,000 people every year, the week-long competition, is favoured by the Queen. I bought tickets for the Grandstand enclosure (with the carer going free) but you can also by cheaper tickets for the Silver Ring. I went on Ladies Day but tickets are also cheaper for any of the other days.

 

 

 
Disabled parking is free but it is essential to book in advance and arrive early as spaces are limited. The event is across the road from the car park.  When you arrive, there is a step-free entrance, and the grounds are flat. There are many drink and food outlets but I paid to access the Furlong Club. It is a heated, luxury, bar with seating which leads out onto a balcony where you have a good view of the racetrack. There is a large ramp to enter with many workers on hand to help.

The day has six races and in between you can place bets or observe the smart clothes and hats worn by other punters, partly due to a stricter dress code. There are lifts to different viewing platforms and large disabled toilets.

Ronan Keating Joins The West End!

On 17 November 2014Ronan Keating will join the West End cast of Olivier award-winning musical Once, to play the leading role of Guy.  

Ronan Keating said:  “I think there's going to be lots to learn and lots to gain from this experience and I just want to be the absolute best that I can be."

 Directed by John Tiffany,the West End production of Once opened in April 2013 and is currently booking at the Phoenix Theatre to 4 July 2015. 

Staycation Summer?

Following claims of a backlog of half a million passport applications, independent self-catering cottage agency holidaycottages.co.uk lists reasons why holidaymakers are better off booking a staycation.

Car Allows Disabled Lecturer To Continue

Frank Adams, 50 from Holmfirth near Huddersfield who lives with severely restricted mobility, has continued to campaign and educate academic and non-academics locally about disability, thanks to a drive-from-wheelchair car.

England Fans Win World Cup!

Data has revealed that the English team will be rallying more support on the ground this World Cup than their European rivals. UK flight searches to Brazil are up 697% compared to 2013 and far more English fans are looking into flights than German, Spanish, French and Italian supporters. English fans also top the table when it comes to securing the best prices, paying 9.3% less than German foes.

Travel search engine, KAYAK, processes over one billion queries for travel information annually and World Cup data has been drawn from these searches. Prices and demand for flights and hotels to see the action in Brazil this summer were collected from UK, French, German, Spanish and Italian searches.

Which Plane Seat Do You Prefer?

 

June Window or aisle? Front or back? With millions set to jet off this summer easyJet has revealed the most popular places to sit on the plane.        The UK's largest airline polled 10,000 passengers from countries across Europe on their seat preference and found that nationality, age and travel companion all play an important factor in where passengers prefer to sit.

Disabled Anglers Fish Again!

Anglers with disabilities will soon have safer access to fishing at Spring Grove Pond in Bookham.
Twenty volunteers from UK Power Networks Services, plus their contractors, are swapping their usual jobs for a community challenge today and tomorrow (June 5/6).

They are constructing a 70metre-long path leading to the pond, off Eastwick Drive, and the company's contractors are providing specialist machinery and materials for the task.

Heathrow Terminal 2 Opens!

United Airlines operates first flights into Heathrow Terminal 2 | News | Breaking Travel News

Learn The Lingo!

In time for kick off on 12^th June, the language learning platform has launched the ‘Banter Translator’, allowing Brits to brush up on their footie repartee in other languages and contribute cutting commentary in Brazil’s native Portuguese.

Top ten phrases include:

 

             

 

The referee needs glasses!	O juiz precisa de óculos!
It's not over until it's over!	O jogo só acaba quando termina
Only one team is going to be the winner today	Somente um time será o vencedor hoje.
We're just going to concentrate on each game as it comes.	Vamos nos concentrar em um jogo de cada vez.
My nan could have scored that!	Até a minha avó poderia ter marcado esse gol
At the end of the day, the best team won.	No final do dia, o melhor time ganhou
He certainly knows where the goal is.	Esse sabe onde fica o gol
That was clearly a penalty!	Isso foi um pênalti claro!
That was definitely off-side	Isso foi um impedimento com certeza.
There are no easy games in international football	Não existem jogos fáceis no futebol internacional.
¡El árbitro necesita gafas!	Arbitro, mettiti gli occhiali!
Hasta que pita el árbitro no se ha acabado.	Non è finita finché non è finita.
Solo un equipo va a ganar hoy aquí.	Oggi la squadra vincitrice sarà solo una.
Nos vamos a centrar en cada partido.	Ci concentreremo su una partita alla volta.
Mi abuela podría haber marcado.	Quel goal lo poteva segnare mia nonna.
Al final del día ganó el mejor equipo.	Alla fine, ha vinto il migliore.
El sabe dónde está la portería.	Conosce certamente la via del goal.
¡Fue penalty claro!	Quello era chiaramente un fallo!
Era fuera de juego seguro.	Quello era sicuramente fuorigioco.
No hay partidos fáciles en competiciones internacionales.	Non ci sono partite facili nel calcio internazionale.

 

The phrases can be practiced on the website where you can practice your reading, writing, and listening skills through a simple game-like format. 

Whether travelling to Brazil or watching in the local, users can complete the snack-sized exercises on the morning commute, in the queue for the stadium, or en route to the pub, and tag their favourite phrases for easy access during the game.

The ‘Banter Translator’ allows fans to expand their footie chat in 12 languages ensuring communication is no barrier to enjoying a truly international World Cup experience.