1. Family carers' pandemic experiences

Family caregivers in the UK were marginalised during the pandemic, and vulnerable older people were let down by the health system. Key findings from new research by Dr Carolyn Wilson-Nash from the University of Stirling Management School (pictured here).

Caregivers felt “powerless, voiceless and choiceless” during the first six months of the pandemic, as chaos reigned in some parts of the health system, elderly relatives were prematurely discharged and health records sometimes changed without due process.

Continue reading here

2. Don't forget Baywatch

It's the middle of August, Baywatch month! Disabled Motoring UK is reminding disabled motorists to fill in the annual Baywatch survey which researches opinions about disabled parking abuse. 

It’s a simple survey which doesn’t take long to fill in and provides the charity with really useful data to encourage the parking industry to do more to support disabled customers.

Read more and link to the survey here

3. Academy for Disabled Journalists

The Academy for Disabled Journalists is launching its second year of the Diploma in Journalism online course in October. 

The highly subsidised course is run in partnership with the National Council for Training Journalists (NCTJ) and is equivalent to a foundation degree. Many editors consider it to be a prerequisite for junior reporter roles.

Applications need to be in by 16th September, and you can find out more about the fully inclusive online course here.

4. Scottish disability payments

Adult Disability Payment (ADP) is the working age benefit which is replacing Personal Independence Payment and Disability Living Allowance in Scotland.

It has already been rolled out in selected areas, and from 29th August disabled people anywhere in Scotland will be able to apply for it.

For older claimants, Attendance Allowance will be replaced by Pension Age Disability Payment - the date for national rollout is yet to be confirmed.

Find out more about ADP here

5. AR glasses for deaf phone users

News of an intriguing new product came my way recently: XRAI Glass translates speech to text in real-time, allowing deaf people to ‘see’ conversations in smart glasses.

Sophisticated voice recognition technology generates a subtitled version of the phone conversation which the the user can read on their glasses' screen.

More details here

6. The Pool Lift Company on IL

These hot summer days are perfect for enjoying a cooling dip in a pool, and our newest subscriber on Independent Living is The Pool Lift Company, which provides a range of transfer aids both fixed and mobile.

For anyone who has difficulty getting in and out of a pool, spa or hot tub there is a solution available - either independent or carer-assisted.

And look out for an article from the company which will be published on Independent Living shortly, explaining which lift is suitable where.