Access to Work is often described as the government's "best kept secret". This grant can help pay for the additional costs of employment, self-employment or an apprenticeship, if you have a disability.

The good news is that the cap on it which has been in place since October 2015 has just been reversed.

Find out how much may be available and how to apply, here.

 

Every parent has had nightmare moments, worrying about how their child is when they aren't with them in person. If your child has a disability, that anxiety is even greater.

We have a freshly updated showcase page on Independent Living for Easylink UK, manufacturers of the bestselling epilepsy seizure alerts, with details of several of their care monitors, including an apnoea alarm and wireless video monitors that connect with a smartphone. 

Read more here

 

Most of us have become much more ambitious in our travel aspirations in recent years. Holidays that offer something more than just a sandy beach and warm sunshine.

If you have dreamt of trekking in the Himalayas, but thought that disability or age would prevent it, you might like to know that there is now an accessible trail in Nepal, apparently offering a great view of  Mount Annapurna, Fisthtail and Manaslu.

More details here

 

This month sees the implementation of the new Carers (Scotland) Act.

Another key moment in the divergence of health and social services north and south of the border, it aims to protect the health and well-being of carers so that they can continue in their caring role, if they wish to do so, and have a life alongside caring.

Find out more here.

  

A reminder about “Getting Back on Track”, the new student design competition which is intended to encourage innovation and raise awareness of the day-to-day challenges faced by people with a spinal cord injury.

The idea of the competition is to design a practical and unique product: it could be something simple, like a new type of wheelchair bag, or more complex, such as an adapted dishwasher.

Entries must be in by 21 May 2018. 

Find out more here

 

The latest fully accessible toilet facilities to feature in our dedicated Changing Places area are in Bletchley, home of the wartime codebreakers. Captain Ridley's Shooting Party is a new Wetherspoon's pub in the town, which celebrates their famous achievements.

You can find out more here.

 

The winners of the Recruitment Industry Disability Initiative (RIDI) awards have been announced – more here

 

And finally, a heartfelt thank you to everybody who sent me a message of sympathy after Derek's death. There are so many, I can't reply to you all personally, but I read them all, and I would like you to know that your support has made a great difference during these difficult days.

 

Don't forget that you can apply to join the Independent Living Facebook group, if you would like to spend more time discussing these themes with other interested people. 

There are various ways you can get in touch with us: email me; visit our Facebook page and leave a message there; or if it's short and sweet, Tweet!

Previous newsletters are archived here.

If you are reading a copy of the Independent Living newsletter that has been passed on to you by a colleague or friend, why not sign up for your own free subscription – it's quick and easy, and won't lead to your inbox being bombarded with other stuff!

Until next time, all good wishes,

Frances