Hey guys, yesterday (Tuesday 26th March 2019) I went to the Birmingham NEC to go to Naidex which is like an exhibition for all mobility issues. I got loads of leaflets and information on so many diffront things like holidays, jobs, careers, mobility vehicals, insurance, smart home and tecnology. I am going to talk about a few of my favorets that I picked out in this blog –
I will start with AccessAble.
This is an accessibility gide in an app to find places that meet certen needs like ramps, manual / electric doors, changing places, accessible toilet, hearing loop and loads more. I downloaded the app to try it out and see how accessible it really is. I typed in ‘London’ and my personal needs (ramped access, changing places, automatic doors) and here is what came up…
So I clicked on London SEA LIFE aquarium, this app tells me that it has a ramp to access the bilding and it has an accessible toilet but not changing place. The other things it has don’t apply to me but its good if I go with some one who can walk but not for to long. Theres seats there to sit down on to have a rest.
This app is great, it doesn’t show much outside major cities, but I think soon it will get better. Definentley worth a look!
The next thing I’m going to talk about is holidays, there was absolutley loads of accessible holiday places on show at Naidex. So I’m going to talk about a few.
1 – Brickhouse Farm Cottages, Lancashire
The good thing about is theres 12 self-catering holiday cottages that are all accessible so it’s great for groups or large familes with more than 1 disabled person.
- There are 10 with electric track hoists and 1 with H track hoist that goes into the wet room. 9 with track hoists that lead to a hot tub under the stars.
- 1 of the cottages has a rise and fall hob and sink so everyone can cook.
- All of the cottages overlook a fishing lake, 3 off them are dog friendly so you can take your fur baby! The cottages vary in size so they can sleep between 4 and 12 people.
All of the cottages have level access on the ground floor and wide doorways, this is important for people like me, it means I can access all downstairs without getting stuck or chipping the doors if I catch them.
2 – Ruralsuite
This is a luxury 100% Eco-tourism hotel in Navarra, Spain. It is 100% adapted and accessible with no barrieres. All of the suites are ground level and fully equiped. They have exterior jacuzzeys that you can get a outdoor hoist to help you in and out.
- They have 9 apartments that are fully equiped.
- All rods for hanging clothes are 140cm high so they are accessible for wheelchair users.
- All shutters are electric and control mecenisums are at a 90 cm high.
- Each suite has a bell with light signal for the hearing impered.
- There is a large free space at a side of the bed and a clear space under it for a hoist.
- There is one suite with permenent Braille labeling and they can arrange the other suites to.
- Guide dogs can go to.
This hotel meets all the needs of a wheelchair user, visually or hearing impaired people.
3 – Options Supported Holidays
This is a tour operator providing supported holidays for adults with learning disabilities. They run holidays thruoghtout the year in the U.K. and world wide. They are aimed at adults with learning disabilities that need a bit of extra help and they can help people whith more specialised needs like me but that comes with an extra cost. They have holidays to –
- Lanzarote
- Butlins (Minehead/ Skegness)
- Devon
- Greece
- Isle of Wight
- France
- Torquay
- Isle of Man
- Great Yarmouth
- Morecombe
- Bournemouth
- Barcelona
- Kuala Lumpur and Borneo
- Cotswolds
- New York
In whith the holiday you will get an experiansed person, flights and airport transfers, all your meals, your acomidation in a twin room, lots of excursens, given your medication and a photo album of the holiday. I think this is a great option for young adults who would like to go on holiday independentley but still be safe.
4 – Park House Hotel, Sandringham
This is a big hotel for disabled people with special requrments. It is fully accessible hotel that can have up to 24 guests. The hotel has –
- A heated outdoor swimming pool (for summer months)
- A jacuzzey spa bath
- A shop on-site that sells Park House exclusive gifts
- A library with large print and talking books
- They also have a Nintendo Wii system.
- This hotel is brillient for sensory needs. They have a sensory garden and a woodland trail.
- Profiling beds in the main house rooms
- Hoists and other specialised eqitment can be hired.
Park House Hotel can offer a uniqe care package, this means disabled people can go to the hotel on their own for a holiday but still have there needs met.
These do there own exclusive tours of the royal palace at Sandringham Estate, Kings Lynn and Hunstanton.
Jobs
I spoke to a woman from Business Disability Forum and she gave us information about which businesses/organisations offer the best access for disabled people. The leaflet that she gave me is 5 pages long and it has company names on it. I have been on the website and found that it’s a not-for-profit organisation that helps other organisations and companies be more disability-friendly.
At this time in my life it doesn’t help me because I’m trying to find some more education and training and learning opatuniteys but when I have done my learning I think this list of employers will be good for me. I can apply for jobs at some of these companeys and know they have had the right information and training to manage my needs so I can work comfortabley.
Some fab fab info there Myles thank you very much and I love that you have even thought of our fur baby’s that was a nice touch – thank you defo going to look at some of those holiday places we need to have a break away!! Super job Mr Sketchley!!