News and Events
Regional and National Events
We attended
The Disability Awareness Day in Warrington
on Sunday the 12th of July 2009
Roy and Phillip (two of our committee members)
finishing the setting out of the Tombola at Warrington.
It was a great day, the sun shone and we met so many people. We handed a large number of fact sheets and leaflets and the most popular were our new fact sheet of accessible accommodation that also accepts pets and a leaflet from Accessible New Zealand.
Pauline and Frank (two of our trustees) waiting for the crowds.
Warrington always has a wonderfully positive atmosphere and there is so much to see and do. We can really recommend it as a good day out, this year there were 12 large marquees with a wide variety of exhibitors and some excellent displays in the arena.
For details of next years event to be held on July the 11th 2010 please checK out their website.
Our Own Awareness Events
taking place at garden/shopping centres, where members of our group hand out our free guides and other accessibility information will hopefully resume again in Autumn 2009 (subject to funding of course).
Please watch this space for dates and times.
Previous Events
The Fifth Annual Information Day for families who care for a child with a disability
at Sundorne Sports Village in Shrewsbury on 5th March 2009 from 10am- 2pm.
Holiday Exhibition for Disabled People and their Carers
on the 11 Feb 2009at Neurosupport in Liverpool.
The Mobility Roadshow on the 4th, 5th& 6th June 2009
at Kemble Airfield, Cirencester, Gloucester
12th - 14th of June 2008
Wrexham Library on January the 24th 2008 10am until 4pm.
Festival Hall Oswestry on January the 30th 200810am until 4pm.
Meeting Point House in Telford Town Centre
on February the 19th 2008 from 10am - 4pm
Raven House in Market Drayton on February the 26th 2008 from 10am - 3pm.
The Mayfair Centre, Church Stretton on March the 18th 2008 10am - 2pm.
The Secret Hills Discovery Centre at Craven Arms on Monday the 21st of April 2008 10am - 5pm.
The MS Trust Annual Conference Information Zone
in Leeds on the 3rd of November 2008
The 3 day Mobility Roadshow at Stoneleigh Park in Coventry 12th - 14th June 2008
No Limits 2008
The inaugural 'No Limits' show was held at London’s ExCel Exhibition Centre
on 17 and 18 September 2008.
Sadly we were not able to attend the show due to prior commitments but one stand we recommended looking out for was that belonging to The InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) who were exhibiting at the show. We have always championed IHG's prescient policy of including wetroom facilities in the accessible rooms in all their 'Express by Holiday Inn' hotels. The recent installation of ceiling track hoist facilities in five IHG-branded hotels (Holiday Inn London – Kensington Forum, Holiday Inn London – Bloomsbury, Holiday Inn Birmingham M6 Jct. 7, Holiday Inn Cardiff – City Centre and Crowne Plaza London – Heathrow) has reinforced their commitment to providing best practice in accessibility for all their guests.
Latest News!
All Aboard on the Severn Valley Railway
for a trip to the Engine House Visitor Centre at Highley
Anna Turner, High Sheriff of Shropshire with our researchers at Highley
(Left to right :- Pauline Porcher: DHI Trustee, Rob Hood: DHI Vice Chair, Anna Turner, Frank Napper: DHI Chair)
As part of the on-going research for the 4th edition of the Wheelchair Users Guide to AccessibleTourist Attractions for Shropshire, on the 5th of August we travelled on the Severn Valley Railway from Bridgnorth to Highley and visited the Engine House Visitor Centre.
Anna Turner, who is the current High Sheriff of Shropshire, has chosen to make volunteering her prioritised interest during her year in office and came to join us on our assessment. She got to see first hand some of the possible barriers to accessibility that visitors with disabilities can face. Also equally importantly how accessibility improvements are being made e.g. the new ramp at Highley Station and that the assistance given by the friendly staff and volunteers of both of these excellent attractions can make the trip a positive experience for all visitors.
The updated version of the guide will be available at the beginning of 2010 (subject to sufficient funding for printing being sourced).
All Terrain Buggies in Lancashire
Trying out the buggy's abilities at Wyreside Country Park (May 2009)
The buggies are part of the 'Wheels for All' project which operates from four country parks in Lancashire and it is a free service.
On the initial visit to any of the parks there is a short induction and registration process for visitors wishing to loan a tramper. Once this has been carried out a membership card will be issued and successive visits can be pre-booked by phone with the Ranger Service.
More information about this activity and other attractions in the area can be found on our new Blackpool pages.
Accessible Kite Sports in Cornwall
Kite buggying is an extremely popular beach pastime in the UK, an innovative Cornwall based company called Mobius operate the only four wheeled, hand controlled buggy in the UK. Access to the beach is via a beach wheelchair which means that wheelchair users who are able transfer (or to be assisted to) can now try out this exciting kite sport. A half day training session and trial run is provided by a qualified instructor.
Kite Buggying on Perranporth Beach
Our 'rather mature' researcher thoroughly enjoyed learning how to fly the powerful flexifoil kite and found the whole experience (including his albeit, some what short, maiden solo 'flight') profoundly liberating. The enthusiasm and support from the friendly instructor and his assistants served to enhance what was a very special day.
For a personal account of this activity please click here
Using the beach wheelchair to reach the designated kite sports area of the beach
Accessible New Zealand
For a really exciting holiday idea with a difference Accessible New Zealand specialise in offering group and personalised tours of New Zealand for physically disabled travellers from the ages of 20 to 35. For more information check out their website www.accessiblenz.com
Fifth Annual Information Day held at Sundorne
(for families with children with disabilities)
This now annual event took place at Sundorne Sports Village in Shrewsbury earlier this year and all families who have a child (or children) with a disability are welcome to attend, admission is free and there are a wide range of organisations at the event including ourselves. For more details of next years event contact Jill Cleveley on 01743 282370.
Improving facilities for disabled people at
Moors Valley Country Park and Forest
With 3 December marking the 2008 International Day of Disabled People, Moors Valley Country Park and Forest on the Dorset/Hampshire border has opened a new Changing Places accessible toilet as part of its aim to become one of the most disabled-friendly outdoor recreation sites in the south.
Changing Places toilets offer additional facilities to those found in standard disabled toilets. They are designed to provide enough space for disabled people and their carers, together with equipment such as height adjustable changing benches and hoists, to meet the needs of the widest range of disabled users.
Currently there are only around 60 Changing Places toilets in the UK.
The new toilets add to the Park’s existing range of disabled-friendly facilities and activities including wheelchair accessible trails, mobility scooter loan, wheelchair bikes and a wheelchair-friendly fishing platform.
Clare Gronow, Countryside Manager at Moors Valley Country Park and Forest said, “It’s incredibly important to us that we are as accessible as possible to everyone, whatever their abilities or impairments.
“With each new development within the Park we strive to ensure that we do all we can to cater for the needs of disabled visitors and, where appropriate, their carers.
“The new Changing Places toilet marks the latest step towards our goal of being one of the most disabled-friendly parks in the south.”
Making it easy for those with mobility problems to get around the forest paths and trails is a priority for the Park and a new path to the north of the site is designed to make access from Verwood even more straightforward for wheelchair users and pedestrians alike.
Moors Valley Country Park and Forest is located just 10 miles north of Bournemouth on the Dorset/Hampshire border. For details of facilities and events, call 01425 470721 or visit www.moors-valley.co.uk
Just Different
Toby at his computer
We recently attended an event at the National Star College at Cheltenham and met an amazing young man called Toby Hewson who has founded a unique charity called JustDifferent.
JustDifferent provides in-house workshops on disability and difference in schools. These workshops are fun and interactive involving young people in changing social attitudes towards disability in the UK.
Challenging outdated and un-informed perceptions of disability, JustDifferent workshops are specifically designed to engage children and young people into thinking more imaginatively about the world they live in, and the diversity of the people within it.
Created and presented by employed young disabled adults using a variety of simple interactive methods, the workshops encourage children onto a path of learning that is captivating and enlightening.
Today’s children and young people are tomorrow’s employers, policy makers and educators. In order to break down barriers between disabled and non-disabled people, we must begin in our schools.
For further details about their work and ways to become involved check out their website JustDifferent.org
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Our new Patron
Paul Henshall B. A. Hons, DUniv
(photographer:- CLAIRE NEWMAN-WILLIAMS)
We are extremely pleased and proud to announce that Paul Henshall has kindly agreed to become a Patron for our charity. Paul trained at Manchester Metropolitan School of Theatre.
His TV credits include; Dr Dean West: Holby City, Paul Ball: I’m With Stupid, Michael Scant: A Thing Called Love, Ollie Beresford: Casualty, David Hobbs: Playing The Field, all for BBC.
Theatre roles include; James: Galleries, (Admiration Theatre), Father: Blood Wedding, (Graeae Theatre Company), Camillo: The Winter’s Tale, (Hall for Cornwall), Jack Worthing: The Importance of Being Earnest, (Clean Slate Theatre Co), Gerry: The Mother Ship, (Birmingham Rep).
Radio includes; Chris Parsons: The Nature of Vikings, (BBC Radio 4).
Paul was also the first Disabled person in the country to gain a qualification in stage combat from the British Academy of Dramatic Combat.
In 2003 Paul and his actress girlfriend Anna Scutt set up Clean Slate Theatre Company, which teaches disability awareness through the medium of theatre.
In 2007 Paul was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Staffordshire University for services to acting and the promotion of disabled actors.
For information about Paul and his work you can visit www.paulhenshall.com
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Warrington Disability Awareness Day
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This was an extremely successful and well attended event and we were pleased to meet a large number of visitors. We handed out our own fact sheets and brochures as well as many individual accessible accommodation, attraction and attraction providers own leaflets which were enthusiastically recieved.
We also raised almost £250 towards our running costs. Many thanks to all those who bought tombola tickets and had a go at naming out Teddy. He was called Jefferson and was won by a young lady named Kelly.
We also discovered that there is a Welsh Wheelchair Curling Association and we will be investigating this for our new updated version of our activities guide so watch this space.
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The Mobility Roadshow at Coventry
Our treasurer Roy Blight trying out a powered trike adaptation for a wheelchair
We attended the Roadshow in Coventry on the 12th to the 14th of June where we were pleased to launch an innovative and unique search facility for UK accessible accommodation. The new search has been produced after many requests we have received for a specifically designed search mechanism for accessible accommodation.
This search is unique in that it enables people to refine their search according to their specific need. One of the most important aspects of the design is its flexibility and that it can be adapted to respond to and reflect the changing needs of its users.
Frank our Chairman and Rob our Vice Chairman handing out information on our stand
We wish to encourage feedback on the criteria included and suggestions for other criteria that would further assist people’s choice of appropriate holiday accommodation. For this reason the Mobility Roadshow at Coventry was chosen as a launch for the search because of the ability to consult the large number of visitors who attend during the 3 day event.
We had a great time and were pleased to meet so many visitors who were very encouraging and positive about our information and website. This has served to reinforce our resolve to try as hard as we can to make choosing 'appropriate and accessible holidays and days out' an easier task for everyone.
You can access the new search from the top of our home page by clicking on 'Accessible Accommodation Search' or by clicking here.
Congratulations to Yvette Burgess from Northampton who won the prize draw for a weekend break for two kindly donated by Orton Rigg Hotel and Mrs Whitehead from Gloucestershire who chose the name Orson which was the name of the teddy in the 'name the teddy' competition.
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Summer Waterskiing Course
Trying out a sit ski
The British Disabled Water Ski Association have an exciting programme of events this summer. They are able to offer an on-water experience for all those who wish to have a go (they do reserve the right to refuse anyone if they feel it would be unsafe for them to participate however since their inception they have never had to use it).
For further details check out their website or you can download a leaflet about their weeks course taking place in Nottingham during August here.
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New way to board aircraft
The Ambistair
A new method of boarding aircraft for people with mobility issues that allows a more dignified and safer way of accessing planes has now been developed (one is on trial at Luton Airport). For more details check out www.ambistair.com
Accessible Scotland 2008
The free Visit Scotland guide, 'Accessibility Scotland', which includes about 1,100 accommodation establishments and attractions, plus the full criteria, is now available from Visit Scotland.com on
0845 22 55 121 or e.mail info@visitscotland.com or check www.visitscotland.com
Accommodation and visitor attractions in Scotland, can request an accessibility check by Visit Scotland when their Quality Advisors do their grading visit. The checks are made according to strict criteria provided by relevant organisations.
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The bar in YHA London Central
New YHA Hostel in Central London
The newly opened YHA Hostel in Bolsover Street in the heart of the West End of London has 3 ground floor, wheelchair accessible, dormitory rooms ( 2 x 6 beds, 1 x 8 beds) each with en-suite wetrooms,
please click here for their detailed access statement.
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New list of beaches with Accessible Beach Chairs
Mobilise Magazine have produced an up to date list all beaches offering hire of accessible beach chairs it is downloadable from their website please click on the following link
and then click on the button that says 'View Attached PDF'.
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Funding for Updating the Activities Guide
Our Treasurer Roy Blight and other members of our commitee being presented with the cheque by the Chairman of Ellesmere and District Round Table.
We recently were invited to the Black Lion in Ellesmere where we received a cheque for £500 from Ellesmere and District Round Table. We are extremely grateful to the members of the Ellemere Branch for their support and will use the funding to carry out research for a new updated version of 'The Wheelchair User's Guide for Accessible Activities For Shropshire'.
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New Wheelchair Accessible Trail
Wheelchair access to the kiln itself
The new trail that will extend the area of the Llanymynech Heritage Site that is accessible for wheelchairs users is now nearly finished. It will allow people with mobility issues to not only see more of the site but to be able to actually go inside the Hoffman Kiln. There has been a great deal of thought and effort to make this interesting and unique piece of architectural heritage accessible for all visitors and we commend those connected with the development for the site for their achievement.
This will be a category 3 circular trail (approximately 1 mile) which means manual wheelchair users may need the assistance of a fit pusher to access all areas.
For more information about the history of Llanymynech visit :- www.llanymynech-hoffman.co.uk
For details of the proposed open day early in the summer watch this space.
New Taxi Service for Shropshire
Patient First are now able to provide a taxi service for people wanting to get to the shops or family events, functions and holidays. They can provide wheelchair accessible vehicles available 24/7 for all disabled travellers for local and long distance destinations including airport and seaport transfers .
All kinds of liveried vehicles are available including cars, minibuses and ambulances and escorts can be provided on request.
Contact 0870 3830946 for a free quote or visit their website www.patientfirstgroup.com/taxi.html
New Website
The national charity Tourism for All UK which works towards the goal of making the UK the most accessible destination in Europe, is launching a new website as part of a major new phase of its development.
The new website will be geared towards the consumer representing a first ever cooperation with a third party for data drawn from the national database EnglandNet owned by VisitBritain.
Sleep Inn in Central London now renamed Premier Inn London City
Last year (2007) we visited the recently renamed Premier Inn London City soon after it had opened as the Sleep Inn. It is situated a few hundred metres from Tower Bridge. The hotel has 5 accessible rooms with level access showers and 4 with low level baths. We stayed in room 58 which was on the ground floor, extremely spacious and had a very high standard of finish for fixtures and fittings. The hotel is situated within wheeling distance of Tower Bridge, the Tower of London and Tower Pier. At the pier you can board an accessible river boat for a cruise with commentary that takes you to other accessible attractions such as the London Eye and Greenwich Maritime Museum etc. Please click on the following links for a detailed report of the Premier inn (formerly the Sleep Inn), the Tower of London and the river cruise.
Holidays With Help 2008
This charity offer respite care breaks for disabled people and their carers. This year they have holidays in Blackpool (May 31st - 6th June), Chichester (September 15th - 19th) and Norfolk (28th November - 1st December). For eligibility and availability check out their website www.holidayswithhelp.org.uk
Australia For All recent award winners
australiaforall.com.au was honoured to be nominated for a special commendation award at the "Communities In Control" conference which was held in Melbourne at the beginning of June 2007.
Australia For All Alliance Inc's award winning web site is based on the unique concept that all types of accommodation and tourism venues are shown on the one page covering each individual location.
It is a new national e-service which allows tourists with disabilities and their families to obtain information about the accessibility of the accommodation and tourist venues which they wish to visit. At the same time it will assist tourist providers within the tourist industry to improve their services and therefore encourage more tourists with disabilities to use them.
Congratulations to Geoff Holt
Alan (left) greeting Geoff in his boat at Hamble
We would like to extend our congratulations to Geoff Holt (who earlier this year was the first disabled person to sail around Britain) as on the 3rd of December 2007 he was voted BBC TV South
‘Sports Personality of the Year’.
Geoff from Shedfield, Hampshire, is believed to be the first disabled sailor to make the 1,400 mile (2,253 km) voyage around the UK alone and completed his solo circumnavigation in 109 days. He was paralysed from the chest down in a swimming accident when he was 18 and has a specially adapted trimaran called Freethinker.
Alan Thomas who has conducted research for us had been following Geoff (via his website) and was determined to meet him on the Welsh coast. He was able to meet up with Geoff on several occasions during the voyage and was in Hamble to greet him at the finish. Alan has now tried out sailing himself through the Royal Yacht Association ‘Sailability Trust’ which provides support and opportunity for disabled sailing. If you would like to find out more about this exciting sport and the nearest Sailability centre to you please click on the link below.
New Wheelchair Accessible Canal Boat in Yorkshire
Pennine Cruisers, a small family run canal hire boat firm situated on the picturesque Leeds – Liverpool canal in Skipton, have a new addition to their fleet called ‘Hetton’. She arrived as a shell, to be completed by their experienced boat fitting team. ‘Hetton’ is being designed with wheelchair use in mind, incorporating a removable ramp and hydraulic lift to allow access throughout, and with a width of 10 feet, there is a wide passageway from back to front.
Hetton will accommodate up to 8 people with sleeping accommodation consisting of 2 full size double beds (one in living area) and 2 sets of bunk beds. There is a full wet room with toilet, basin & shower and additional separate toilet. Along with full central heating and traditional wood burning stove, a spacious kitchen and dining area with full size cooker with grill and 4-ring hob, a fridge with freezer compartment, television and CD radio.
For any further information please contact Pennine Cruisers on 01756 795478 or by email at
or write to :-
PENNINE CRUISERS, 19 Coach Street, Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23 1LH
New Website for Ireland
A new website has been launched for accessible accommodation, attractions and transport in Ireland. It is the brainchild of Jill who is a full time wheelchair user due to Muscular Dystrophy and her brother Owen who also has LGMD.
Jill states:- "Owen and I are full time wheelchair users and have been planning this web site for many years now but didn't have the time nor the capital to make it happen until early this year.
We aim to be one of the best sites in and about Ireland for people with disabilities, we are dedicated and passionate about this site and want it to be a success.
We have noticed that we are now one of a few web sites in Ireland to supply updated information to
wheelchair users about hotels, restaurants, venues etc. all under the one umbrella.
Our vision is to deliver maximum choice on everyday life to people with disabilities whether your going for a meal, traveling around or to Ireland, going to a show or going for a few scoupes ! We don't want you and the young people coming behind us to have to keep on doing endless searches on the web and other sources that most of the time are misleading . We want users to be able to log onto accessibleireland.com and have all the info on Ireland at their finger tips..."
Check it out at www.accessibleireland.com
New website for wheelchair accessible trails
A new website has been set up detailing accessible trails throughout the UK. Visitors to the site can add their own recommended routes as well as searching for new ones to try out.
Check it out at www.walkswithwheelchairs.com
Canal Boat Trip
Last year we organised a trip on the wheelchair accessible canal boat Glas-y-Dorlan owned by the Llangollen Canal Boat Trust. This was the first of 3 trips organised during the year which were funded by Kronospan Ltd. of Chirk. It was a great day out despite the showers and we went over the Poncysyllte Aquaduct and along the canal as far the Lion Quays Marina at Moreton.
Canal Trip Number 2
Our second canal trip was on a boat called the Heulwen 2 owned by the Heulwen Trust based at Heulwen Wharf in Welshpool. We were lucky to have a beautiful sunny day for the trip which took us along a stretch of the Montgomery canal through Welshpool and into the surrounding picturesque countryside. The boat has ramped access and there is a toilet on board (however please note that access to this is not easy for wheelchair users who cannot stand). There is no fixed charge for hire but donations towards the yearly running costs are gratefully accepted. The Trust operate the boats through the winter months as well as there is heating on board. Pre-booking is necessary as dates are filled many months in advance, please check out their website for further information and contact details.
Canal Trip Number 3
Our last trip for 2007 took place on August the 15th and this time took us from Trevor Wharf down to Llangollen. The weather was not so kind and we had some rain but it didn't dampen our spirits and we still had a great time. Once again many thanks to Kronospan who sponsored the trips. As these ventures were so successful we hope to hold further trips next year and will announce the dates when funding has been sourced.
New accessible countryside path at Corbet Wood
At the viewpoint
An all ability trail has been added to Corbet Wood near Clive in North Shropshire by the Shropshire County Council Countryside team. It takes you up a short path with fairly steep gradient (category 3) from the car park to a view point that has wonderful views over Grinshill village and the surrounding countryside.
The path from the car park
On the day we visited we were lucky enough to get a close up view of two woodpeckers (an adult and a juvenile). For details of other accessible trails in the county checkout the accessible trails guide featured at the beginning of this page.
Shuttle Bus Tour Launch
Last year we joined the launch day for the new season of the Shuttle buses that operate around the South Shropshire Hills. This was an extremely good experience and it is a brilliant way to see this beautiful area without having to concentrate on negotiating the often narrow country lanes yourself. The buses each have a wheelchair lift and the friendly and competent drivers are happy to assist those who need to use it.