#Disability: openbritain.net

‘OPENBRITAIN’, the new high quality printed guide published by national charities Tourism for All UK and RADAR is published today. The full colour 456-page guide has over 1,000 entries, and includes a wide range of accessible accommodation, as well as attractions, equipment hire and other services. It has 50 pages of featured editorial, and an extensive section on Getting There and Back.

The new guide is supported by the national tourist agencies VisitEngland, VisitScotland and VisitWales, and it includes all accommodation providers assessed under the National Accessible Scheme, as well those inspected under schemes operated by VisitScotland, and VisitLondon. Information has also been drawn from a range of organisations including the Automobile Association, the British Hospitality Association, and the Regional Development Agencies. It includes some properties who are self-assessed, who will be subject to a mystery shopping check on the accuracy of the data.

The National Federation of Shopmobility has joined with RADAR and Tourism for All to promote the guide and website. Window stickers with the Open Britain logo provided to those who have supplied access statements and joined Open Britain will help to promote it as a system of information.

For a long time, surveys have shown that disabled people want an easier way to get the information they need, not just about accommodation, but about travel, things to see and do, places to eat and drink, without having to trawl through hundreds of different websites searching for information that all too often is not there. The new www.openbritain.net website that backs up the guide aims to do just that. Visitors and guests are invited to give feedback via the website.

Bank loses disabled access appeal

This week RBS lost their appeal against a ruling that they must provide wheelchair access for a disabled customer in their Sheffield branch. The decision could have huge complications for all businesses.

http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/media-centre/ruling-on-access-to-bank-confirmed-by-court/

The Court of Appeal today confirmed that the Royal Bank of Scotland had breached the Disability Discrimination Act by failing to provide access to its Sheffield branch for wheelchair users.

RBS had appealed the decision following a landmark judgment earlier this year in a case brought by David Allen, a wheelchair user, which was funded by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

The original decision of the County Court was the first time that an injunction had been granted ordering work to be carried out on business premises to make a building accessible. Mr Allen was also awarded £6,500, the highest amount of compensation ever awarded in a case under the Disability Discrimination Act.

For more details please click on the following links.

http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/media-centre/pre-june-2009/commission-helps-secure-landmark-accessibility-ruling-for-disabled-people/

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/south_yorkshire/8370693.stm

http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/latestnews/Disabled-student-wins--access.5845691.jp

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jan/16/disability-equality

Handimove Victor 2600 Mobile Hoist

The new and improved Victor Hoist will pick up from the floor and can lift high enough to reach onto difficult to reach surfaces including certain trampolines.

Rebound therapy is becoming increasingly popular and the Victor is one of the only products of its kind that can be used as a trampoline hoist. It can also be used to assist standing or walking and will assist a 6 feet 6 inches tall person into a standing position.

 Toilet Hoist

Bed Hoist

 

Bath Hoist

 

Fast, powerful, easy to use, versatile, and durable

• The fastest hoist on the market
• Designed for intensive use
• Drive service life 10,000 cycles or more
• Long battery life (160 lifts)
• Can lift up to 227 kg
• Durable aluminium and stainless-steel construction
• Versatile: can be used with a body support, conventional spreader bar, or electrically operated spreader bar
• Large lifting range, from the floor to a high bed or treatment table
• Safe: built-in motor and mechanical emergency down
• The user's knees never collide with the hoist during rotation

For more information please call Dolphin Lifts on 0800 9800 126. Further product details can also be found in the Portable and Mobile Hoists section of the Dolphin website.

Need to know which type of hoist is right for you? - Disabled Patient Hoists Explained 

Through Floor Lifts

Dolphin Lifts supply and install through floor lifts manufactured by 3 companies. Wessex Medical, Pollock Lifts and Terry Lifts. Dolphin have chosen these manufacturers because they each produce lifts which have a unique selling point. For example, the Pollock lift can have a side hung cabin which can be very useful if space is tight.

The term through floor lift is used to describe a domestic lift for the elderly or disabled which goes through the floor from a downstairs room to an upstairs room. They are often referred to as Wheelchair Lifts or Home Lifts. Through floor lift prices start from around £8300 although costs can vary according to options required and the extent of any building work.

For more information please call Dolphin Lifts on 0800 9800 126.

Floor Hoists: BHM Medistand sit & stand lift

The BHM Ministand floor lift is now available to buy on the Dolphin Mobility website.

Elderly care must become a priority

The Alzheimer's Society yesterday published an indictment of the care of patients with dementia in the NHS. Full article in the Independent

Mobility company given injunction

A COMPANY which provides wheelchairs and mobility aids has been ordered to trade legally after more than 100 complaints about them were received.

An interim injunction was granted against ABM Mobility to trade legally and fairly at a hearing at Nottingham County Court.

The firm, based in Gainsborough Business Park in Long Eaton, can continue trading as long as they abide by the rules, otherwise more serious action may be taken.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/news/Mobility-scooter-company-given-injunction/article-1417833-detail/article.html

Portable Pool Lifts

Dolphin Mobility have a range of portable pool lifts to suit most locations. If the surrounding area of the pool does not have a concrete slab to fix into, a portable lift may be the only solution.

BluOne Portable Pool Lift

The Bluone pool lift is suitable for level access swimming pool. The user simply sits on the seat at the front and is pushed to the edge of the pool. Next, operate the brake and lock in position, press the down button and the swimmer is lowered into the pool. The Bluone has a lifting capacity of 110kg.

PAL Portable Pool Lift

The PAL portable pool lift has a lifting capacity of 136kgs. The unique design of the PAL allows it to be adaptable to virtually all swimming pool configurations. For more details contact Dolphin on 0800 9800 126 or 01276 856060.

Access to Work

Access to work can help you if your health or disability affects the way you do your job. It gives you and your employer advice and support with extra costs which may arise because of your needs.

Contact this centre if you work in:

   * South East England
   * London
   * East of England

Jobcentre Plus
Access to Work Operational Support Unit
Nine Elms Lane
London SW95 9BH

Telephone: 020 8426 3110
Textphone: 020 8426 3133
Fax: 020 8426 3134

Email: atw-london-region@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk

BHM Medical Hoists - Voyager Duo Ceiling Lift Brochure

Due for release to the UK market in 2010. Dolphin Lifts bring you an exclusive look at the new hoist from BHM Medical.

BHM Medical Hoists - Voyager Duo Ceiling Lift Brochure

Prism Medical announces acquisition of supplier of moving and handling services

For the full press release visit newswire

VAUGHAN, ON, Nov. 9 /CNW/ - PRISM MEDICAL LTD. (TSX-V:PM) ("Prism") today announced that it has completed the acquisition of a UK supplier of moving and handling services for the mobility impaired effective November 6, 2009. The acquisition cost was $0.8m which was satisfied by a cash payment of $0.4m and deferred payments in the amount $0.4m. The deferred payments are repayable over 3 years together with interest at 7% over a term of 3 years. 

The company services and maintains a wide variety of equipment including ceiling lifts, baths and beds into both long term care and acute care facilities throughout England and Wales.

Andrew A. McIntyre, Chairman and CEO of Prism stated, "The acquisition continues our expansion into the provision of services for our customers. The acquisition is expected to be accretive to earnings in the current fiscal year and will strengthen Prism's ability to execute its strategic plans."

Perfolight Access Ramps

The Perfolight Combi portable access ramp combines folding and telescopic features, making it one of the most versatile ramps available.

 

 

• telescopic section can be used at any length

• incredibly compact storage

• good choice for bridging a threshold with unequal levels each side

• extra width options for larger mobility devices

• low kerbs and long bevel sides greatly increase clearance for scooters and power chairs

Perfolight Combi (PC21-3) Minimum 150cm Maximum 207cm = £467 plus £15 delivery


Perfolight Combi (PC28-3) Minimum 200cm Maximum 280cm = £561 plus £15 delivery

Perfolight Combi (PCW21-3) Minimum 150cm Maximum 213cm = £641 plus £15 delivery

Perfolight Combi (PCW30-3) Minimum 200cm Maximum 298cm = £708 plus £15 delivery