Archive for the ‘News’ Category
Monday, April 26th, 2010
Photo Source: The Telegraph
David Weir from the UK and 4 times winner of the London Marathon had a frustrating day after he got two punctures and was denied another win. Even though David had technical problems he still managed to come in third place behind Josh Cassidy (Can) and Marcel Hug (Sui).
Shelly Woods another British Athlete from Blackpool also had a similar fate when a puncture also dashed her hopes after 21 miles.
Meanwhile, as I blogged about earlier this month, Phil Packer began his mammoth challenge of walking the marathon in 26 hours in aid of 26 different charities. Phil who is spinal cord injured managed to beat his target and completed the marathon in 25 hours 55 minutes.
Sources: BBC and The Telegraph
Below: Phil Packer at the end of the Marathon (Source: BBC)
Tags: David Weir, Disability, Disabled, England, Josh Cassidy, London Marathon, Marcel Hug, Phil Packer, Shelly Woods, Spinal cord injured, Sport, United Kingdom, Wheelchair
Posted
by Craig Grimes in Adventure, England, London, News, Sport | No Comments »
Friday, April 16th, 2010
Although OpenBritain is mostly concerned with tourism in the United Kingdom and flying is not absolutely necessary we are still worried about the consequences of the grounding of aircraft and how this effects disabled people trapped abroad and disabled foreigners in our country.
The unexpected extension of trips for disabled people can have dire consequences such as the lack of available suitable accommodation, the running out of medicines and other equipment as well as issue of hiring mobility aids. Through my work in Barcelona I received a phone call from the British Consulate as a woman needed to hire a wheelchair. I also read an article written by an American living in London whose mother is trapped in the UK and is running out of vital medication.
On my personal blog, Accessible Everything, I wrote a piece giving general advice to disabled travellers so that they could prepare for events such as short delays. However, now the situation seems as though the volcanic ash cloud is going to keep aircraft on the ground for several days and it could be weeks before the airlines return to normal.
As disruptions at many airports across the UK and Northern Europe continue most news sites such as the Guardian and the BBC are covering the disruptions. They are also giving information about people’s rights (Guardian and BBC) and advice for stranded passengers.
Let’s hope that the volcano stops erupting and that European travel can return to normal as soon as possible.
Tags: Accommodation, Delays, Disability, Disabled, Disruptions, Flying, Iceland, Travel, United Kingdom
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by Craig Grimes in Flying, News, Travel, United Kingdom | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 14th, 2010
The BBC are recording a new series called Secret Britain and are asking the public to let them know about their favourite secret places throughout the country. They don’t just want to know where these places are but also why they’re special for you. People that want to participate can send in emails and photos via the Secret Britain website or directly to secretbritain@bbc.co.uk
It would be great if the readers of OpenBritain could email in their suggestions of secret places in the UK to the BBC that are suitable for disabled people. Of course, please share them with us here too!
Below is a photo of one of my (not so) secret places, The Holy Island of Lindisfarne, Northumberland. The island is beautiful and accessible by vehicle via a coastal causeway when the tide is out, so make sure you check the tidal times so you don’t get trapped! You can also have a look at the Lindisfarne website for further information on what’s available on the island.
Further information about the North West can be found on OpenBritain and from page 295 of the OpenBritain 2010 Guide
Tags: BBC, England, Lindisfarne, Media, North West, Northumberland, OpenBritain, Secret Britain, United Kingdom
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by Craig Grimes in Attraction, News, North East, Northumberland, OpenBritain, Things to Do, Tourism, Travel, United Kingdom | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 13th, 2010
Today the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) announced that Phil Packer who is spinal cord injured will walk the Virgin London Marathon to raise funds for several different organisations. Phil will walk the 25th mile for RYA Sailability during the marathon on the 25th April 2010.
Phil is hoping to complete the event in 26 hours starting at 10am on the 25th and finishing at 12 noon on the 26th. He will walk each mile with a support walker between the ages of 15 – 25 from the different organisations he is raising funds for.
For the full story and to sponsor Phil, please visit the RYA Sailability article or visit Phil’s website.
Tags: Disability, Disabled, England, London, London Marathon, Phil Packer, Sailability, Spinal cord injured, Sport, United Kingdom
Posted
by Craig Grimes in Adventure, England, London, News, Sport | No Comments »
Monday, April 5th, 2010
Vitalise which is a charity that provides short breaks for disabled people and carers has recently announced that they will be the subject of a BBC TV Lifeline Appeal to be broadcast on 18 and 21 April 2010.
The charity recently opened their doors to a BBC film crew and comedian Authur Smith who spoke to disabled holiday makers at Vitalise Netley Waterside House in Southampton about the challenges of living with a disability and the difference Vitalise makes to their lives.
See the Vitalise website for the full article.
Tags: Disability, Disabled, England, Holiday, Media, News, Tourism, United Kingdom, Vitalise, Wheelchair
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by Craig Grimes in England, News, Tourism, United Kingdom | No Comments »
Thursday, January 21st, 2010
NEWS RELEASE
Mobility Roadshow Announces Ready Willing and Mobile 2010
The Mobility Roadshow, the UK’s premier mobility and lifestyle event, is delighted to announce the sixth year of Ready Willing and Mobile, its national competition that encourages young people to help their less-able peers.
Supporting National Young Disabled Persons’ Day on 3rd July, it offers young people aged between 7 and 16 years the opportunity to win £1,000 for their school or club, as well as great prizes for themselves.
The competition seeks bright ideas to help children with disabilities on the move – at home, at school, at play. Mobility is not an issue exclusive to wheelchair users … sensory, learning or memory impairments can also affect a young person’s mobility in different and challenging ways.
“For over 25 years, The Mobility Roadshow has promoted inclusivity through showcasing products and services to aid anyone who needs help to get around,” said Jacqui Jones, Executive Director of Mobility Choice, the charity that organises the Roadshow. “Through this competition we are encouraging young people to think about others from an early age.”
To enter, all that’s needed is an illustration of the idea with a short description – what it is, how it works and how it could help. Previous entries have included accessible sports and play equipment, accessories and tools, communication and shopping aids and funky lifestyle wheelchairs. There are two age categories, 7 to 11 and 12 to 16, with a winner and runner-up in each age group. An outright winner is then chosen from the two age group winners.
Great Prizes
Each of the two age category winners receives a digital camera, £50 worth of Penguin Books and a VIP visit to the Mobility Roadshow on Saturday, 3rd July 2010 at the East of England Showground, Peterborough. The outright winner goes on to receive extra prizes for their school or club – £1,000 towards equipment or projects, STAEDTLER art and crafts materials worth £250 and £100 worth of Penguin Books. For themselves they bag an overnight stay for four at a Holiday Inn in London with a trip on the London Eye.
Visit www.mobilityroadshow.co.uk for full terms and conditions, entries close on 31st March 2010.
Ready Willing and Mobile is supported by Aspire, Go Kids Go!, Holiday Inn, Penguin Books, Phab Kids!, Royal College of Art and STAEDTLER.
Tags: Event, Exhibition, Mobility Roadshow, News, United Kingdom
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by Craig Grimes in England, Event, Exhibition, News, United Kingdom, What's On | No Comments »
Monday, January 11th, 2010
The DisabledGo search engine is now available on OpenBritain in the left hand column. The engine allows users to search through over 50,000 venues and organisations that have facilities for disabled people. The venues listed include educational institutions such as universities and colleges, as well as health care centres such as hospitals, doctors surgeries and dentists. Libraries, post offices, community centres and local government and council services are also included.
In addition to this you can search for disability organisations and community groups in your area. You can also change the search radius from between 1 – 50 miles of a given location or postcode.
OpenBritain are proud to working with DisabledGo, so what are you waiting for? Why not try it today?
Tags: Access, Assistance Dogs, Disability, DisabledGo, England, Hearing Impairment, OpenBritain, United Kingdom, Visual Impairment, Wheelchair
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by Craig Grimes in Assistance Animals, Blind, Deaf, DisabledGo, England, Hearing Impairment, News, OpenBritain, Scotland, United Kingdom, Visual Impairment, Wheelchair User | No Comments »
Friday, January 1st, 2010
OpenBritain would like to wish all our visitors a Happy New Year! 2010 will see a new groundbreaking alliance, DisabledGo, the UK’s largest provider of access related information is joining forces with OpenBritain.
From early in the New Year, visitors to this site will be able to comprehensively search over 50,000 leisure and tourism venues throughout the UK including restaurants, hotels, cinemas, shopping and all associated facilities including public and private transport.
This will create OpenBritian as the largest leisure time information resource in the UK for all those with access needs – and it will continue to grow and be continually updated with each new venue that is assessed.
It is also your opportunity to contribute by using our interactive feedback system where you can post your reviews and experiences for others to benefit – OpenBritain needs You !!!
Register with us now to enjoy all the benefits we can offer – there are many more services due to go live next year and we will alert you to each and every one as they go live.
Please see our press release for futher details.
Tags: Access, Accommodation, Disability, Disabled, DisabledGo, England, News, OpenBritain, Tourism, Travel, United Kingdom
Posted
by Craig Grimes in Accommodation, Attraction, DisabledGo, England, Hotel, Museum, News, OpenBritain, Tourism, Travel, United Kingdom | No Comments »
Wednesday, November 18th, 2009
![ol_cover_400[2]](http://www.openbritain.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/ol_cover_4002-219x300.jpg "ol_cover_400[2]")
The new OpenLondon guide is the definitive guide for visitors to London with access needs. The guide contains everything required to enjoy London to the full.
OpenLondon is packed with useful information on accommodation, places of interest, transport, theatres, restaurants and shopping.
Clear, attractive entries present the reader with facts at their fingertips and useful maps help find locations.
Inspirational information about places to visit and practical advice on getting around the city make this guide an invaluable holiday or business trip planning tool for anyone with access needs.
Why advertise in the OpenLondon guide?
If you want to promote your accessible services to an enormous, largely untapped market, this is the publication for you.
• The OpenLondon guide is a unique publication – a definitive travel guide for people with access needs. OpenLondon has everything needed to explore and enjoy London to the full
• Display advertisers also receive a free detailed listing including photographs and a link to your website on www.openbritain.net
• OpenLondon will be marketed through networks used by disabled people including RADAR and Tourism for All UK
• OpenLondon is available in newsagents, bookshops and Tourist Information Centres throughout the UK
• The OpenLondon guide is a full colour, high quality book
• This publication is the OFFICIAL guide which is supported by The Mayor of London, Visit London and the London Development Agency
For further information please download the OpenLondon Media Pack below.
OpenLondon Media Pack
Tags: Access, Accommodation, Attraction, Disability, Disabled, England, Hearing Impairment, Hotel, Level Access, London, News, OpenLondon, Tourism, Travel, United Kingdom
Posted
by Craig Grimes in Accommodation, Attraction, England, Gallery, Hotel, London, News, OpenBritain, Publications, Tourism, Travel | No Comments »
Wednesday, October 28th, 2009
The co-operative travel are offering the chance to win a £100 holiday voucher for answering 8 questions relating to travel for disabled people. Simply click on the banner below, answer in the 8 questions and fill in your details.
Good luck!
Tags: co-op, Disability, Disabled, Survey, Travel, United Kingdom, Vouchers
Posted
by Craig Grimes in News, Survey, Travel, United Kingdom | No Comments »
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