Disabled

Former GB para-athlete from Devon aims to be first disabled person to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole

Fewer people have skied solo to the South Pole than have been into space. And to date no-one with a disability has ever attempted a solo, unsupported expedition to the South Pole.

In 2024, Jonny Huntington from Devon is aiming to be the first disabled person to ski solo and unsupported across 911 kms of Antarctic tundra – an expedition he anticipates will take 40 days.

To...

Devon-based sailing charity gets £5k funding boost from local housebuilder

A Devon-based sailing charity has received a major funding boost from a leading housebuilder.

Dart Sailability, a volunteer-run organisation, has secured a £5,000 donation from Persimmon Homes Cornwall and West Devon, which will support the group’s annual operational costs. Based at Dartside Quay at Galmpton, the organisation supports anybody with any disability to enjoy sailing,...

Living Options Devon receives £20,000 funding to help local Deaf and disabled community to become more active

Living Options Devon is delighted to have received £20,000 in funding from the Peter Harrison Foundation. The fund will be used to support people with disabilities and Deaf British Sign Language (BSL) users to become more active, and engage in sports and physical activity.

The Peter Harrison Foundation was founded by Peter Harrison KGCN CBE in April 1999, since then the foundation...

Gates to be removed on National Cycle Network to improve disabled access

Many of the gates and barriers found on Devon’s shared cycle and walking routes will be removed to help ensure that those with disabilities and mobility problems can access them more easily.

Devon’s popular National Cycle Network is one of the most spectacular in the country – almost 150miles in length, the route takes you through picturesque communities, over moorlands, along...

Seaton beach pilot scheme sees physically impaired enjoy seafront

A Seaton resident was able to enjoy the beach for the first time in a decade thanks to a new pilot scheme for the physically impaired.

A special 85-metre platform, made from Tuff Trac which is a combination of plastic and aluminium, has been placed along Seaton Beach and is being used by a variety of residents.

The new path allows wheelchair and mobility scooter users to...

Plymouth day centre brings Tokyo fun to adults with disabilities

Plymouth Day Opportunities, a day service for adults living with disabilities, was flying the flag for Team GB as it hosted its own Olympic games, alongside Tokyo 2020.

The service, which supports up to 15 people with complex learning difficulties and disabilities, held an opening ceremony and a fortnight of games, with everyone successfully bringing home a bronze, silver and gold...

SWR launch boarding assistance service in industry first

South Western Railway (SWR) has today announced the launch of Assisted Boarding Points - an industry first assistance service for its customers, allowing for a far more intuitive and efficient travel experience.

Customers at a host of SWR stations will now see dedicated Assisted Boarding Points on station platforms, where they can WhatsApp or call a dedicated customer service team,...

What to expect when you go to have your Covid Vaccination

What to expect when you go to have your Covid Vaccination: A video for people with learning disabilities

The NHS in Devon is supporting people with learning disabilities to take up the potentially life-saving coronavirus vaccination.

GP surgeries are contacting people about booking the vaccine.

Recent engagement work, including focus groups with members of our community with learning disabilities, led by NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) suggests that the reasons for...

Employment opportunities for Learning Disabled people

An award winning project that supports young adults with Learning Disabilities to find and keep paid employment is seeking interns for its next course starting in September.

Project SEARCH is a partnership between Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, Pluss, Serco and City College Plymouth who create employment opportunities for young adults with Learning Disabilities.

They provide...

Little Evie needs your seating support

Three-year-old Evie Murphy, from Wembury near Plymouth, is half a pound in weight away from being too big for her regulation car seat. However, she has severe developmental delay so she can’t use a booster; an expensive special-needs car seat is her only option.

This equipment will cost £1,500 – and with no funding available locally, the family have turned to children’s disability...

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