November Issue of the

Disabled Motorist

Disabled Motorist is the monthly magazine of the Disabled Drivers' Motor Club. It's packed with useful and interesting information and it campaigns on the issues that affect you - whether you are a driver, passenger, or carer for a disabled child. Here, on our growing web site, is a small selection. If you would like to join the 20,000 people who receive a regular copy, please visit the Club membership page .

Mobility Starts at Home

Patrick McDonnell looks at the growing range of products to make life easier,

Being at home does not always mean being comfortable. The average home can often more resemble an arduous obstacle course than a place to relax, with even the simplest of activities impossible to achieve without aid.

Disabled Motorist takes its eyes off the road to look at the products that can transform the home into a friendly environment for the disabled people. These aids start at the front door itself, take us through to the kitchen, into the lounge and up the stairs, into the bathroom, and then finally — perchance to dream — on into the bedroom.

For most people, entrance via the front or back door to the home involves inserting a key into the lock, then turning. Some more modern apartment dwellings offer more sophisticated methods to allow entry utilising a keyboard code. But supposing you can't hold keys, or find it difficult to press a keypad? Manufacturer Eazykey offers a number of ways to gain entrance to your home without the use of a key.

The system (pictured in use, above right) is based on an adaptation of remote central locking used on vehicles. Eazykey's key fob allows entry to your home without the need to change your locks. It operates on the latch itself and not on the lock mechanism. It can be fitted to any Yale, Chubb, Union or night latch-style lock systems. Although Eazykey is a boon to disabled people, it is generally marketed as an additional opening method to standard key operation. The system operates via a 12-volt plug-in power source. Up to ten key fob remote controls can use the system, with additional key fobs available. The system is safe and secure with more than 1.35 billion codes that continuously alter. Each time a remote is used the combination automatically changes.

Eazy key's latest product, which will be available from 2005, is a touch glass door alerting system. The wireless receiver consists of a window sticker on which an alerting transmitter is applied. Place the totally wireless receiver where you can hear it and the alerting system is complete. The advantages of the system are ease of installation, which means no wiring, no drilling, therefore no tools required. This alerting system is battery-operated, has a secure rolling code and 100- metre range, is vandal proof and is Disability Discrimination Act compliant.

Once safely inside to your home, our tour continues to the kitchen. AKW Medi-Care has developed a range of fitted kitchens. Its Independence range is designed for the specific user. When designing a kitchen AKW takes a number of considerations into account: the nature of their customer's disability, their height, their reach and how best to utilise the available space (see example, left) The firm undertakes extensive site surveys and provides a free computer-aided kitchen planning facility, allowing the customer to see a 3D representation of their individual kitchen. Once the design has been approved, experienced professionals build each kitchen, says the firm.

The Independence range allows users to manoeuvre easily between workstations, with the height of the units calculated for the optimum reach and comfort of the user. AKW offer an extensive range of kitchen units including corner carousel units, pull-out tables, bridging units and drop-down baskets. They also offer a range of appliances, like specially-insulated sinks with lever taps and side-opening ovens with optional Braille controls. Also available are compact washing machines and dishwashers. AKW also caters for ambulant users with ts range of rise and fall units. Operated by a cranked lever or electrically by switch control, these units offer variable work heights for multi-users and all ability needs. The company also offers solutions to bathing or showering with its series of shower chairs and attendant ancillaries such as grab-rails.

The lounge is the primary comfort zone of the home; here numerous manufacturers offer seating solutions, with pride of place going to "lifter" and "recliner" chairs.

High Seat Ltd (HSL) offers an extensive range of seating designed for disabled people in its Back Care range of chairs and seating — including recliners, rocking chairs, powered recline and lift chairs (pictured, right), settees and drop end sofas. HSL frames are mostly crafted from hardwood, which not only provides a superior finish, but increases durability, the company said. HSL chairs are also tested for durability and safety at the Furniture Industry Research Association's headquarters.

Willowbrook offers a comprehensive range of lifter and recliner chairs in a choice of four styles that combine therapy and practicality. Underpinning the range is its construction process, consisting of a beech wood frame, which is in turn fitted to a steel chassis constructed to ISO 9002 standards. All the recliners operate on specially-designed low-friction joints and bearing surfaces and meet or surpass current regulations regarding flammability retardation, the company says. The chairs also have the option of a massage therapy facility. One of Willowbrook's best-selling recliners is its Venice range, which allows it to blend in with most settings. The company also produces the Serenity recliner - with a higher back and deeper wings, it also includes a one-piece seat and foot section allowing increased leg support. For the more traditionally-minded there is the Antique, which incorporates firm cushioning, large wings and deep button back. Willowbrook also offers the Hampton, a chair compact enough to fit into the smallest space, complete with buttoned For disabled people, the typical multi-floor suburban house is almost impossible to make the most of. What use is all this space, spread over multiple levels, if the only way of accessing solutions to overcome this particular mobility problem. Acorn, Brooks, Budget, Churchill and Companion all have stairlifts or elevators that can turn a multi-level space into a home.

Acorn produces a range of indoors and outdoors stair lift which use a direct current (DC) battery-based movement system independent of mains supply, which means there is no unsightly cable work involved. Two 12-volt batteries supply power. Acorn's "Superglide" stairlift features a swivel seat, a fold-up seat and footrest, infrared remote controls, safety cut-out sensors, an electrical and mechanical braking system, lockable isolation switch and diagnostic digital display. Accessories available include a sit and stand frame allowing the user to stand as well as sit in the stairlift, fitted with a folding steady/security bar for stability; this is a boon to users who may have problems with bending their knees, or where multiple users with different requirements will be using the stairlift. Acorn stairlifts are designed to meet British Standard BS 5776-1996.

Brooks Stairlifts, established in 1974, offers a variation on the straight stair template. Its curved stairlift system permits use in a variety of stair configurations, including a 90° flat turn, 90° short and large radius turn, 180° flat, short and large radius turn, a 90° flat and short turn and even a 270° large radius turn. The stairlifts fit directly to the stair treads, rather than the supporting wall, obviating the need for unsightly structural work. The stairlift is operated by DC power packs, which automatically recharge at the end of every trip. Brooks also offer a vertical home lift in seat or wheelchair versions. The Freedom V model operates via hydraulics to ensure a smooth ride; it also allows the lift car to carry heavier loads of up to 230kg.

The Freedom V is claimed to be tidy, and unobtrusive. When not in use it can be Parked at the other level — all that will be visible are the discreet tracks mounted against the wall. The automatic doors are button-operated. As the smoked glass vision door opens, a ramp lowers for easy wheelchair entry and exit. Brooks also offer manual and rampless models. The lift is operated by large push button controls which light up when used. Wall-mounted call points are also fitted and emergency controls latest Minivator 1000 (pictured left). This stairlift features a stylish satin finish guide rail. The seat, which is operated via either a keypad or arms, seat belt provision and is finished in such a way as to blend in with any colour scheme.

Moving from the stairs to the bathroom, suppliers of bathroom furniture range from the traditional bathtub with disability provision to sit-down baths and shower systems. Many feature thermostatically-controlled pre-set temperature controls reducing the risk of scald- a button and the bath lift lowers them into the water, with no worries about slipping or falling, as the user is completely supported at all times. To exit the bath the user presses the ascend button and the seating band tightens again. It is powered by a removable battery pack which holds its charge for 16 lifts. Light indicators show the battery charge and the battery pack can be slid out for recharging outside the bathroom and is EMC and CE approved. The system can be installed in an hour. Aquasoothe also offer a spa bath system, which consists of aerating panels mounted on the base of the bath. This operates from a control panel located next to the bath itself. The millions of tiny oxygen-enriched bubbles relieve suffers of rheumatism, arthritis, poor circulation and other conditions.

Carefree Bathing's latest product is the Valmi walk-in bath; entry is achieved by simply opening the door, walking in and sitting down for your bath or shower. The unit fits all sizes of bathroom and is guaranteed against leakage for 10 years. The Freedom walk-in bath is 1346 mm long, claimed to be 75mm longer than the competition. Door width has been increased by 75mm to ensure ease of entry. The seating features a cutaway section to ease washing of the inside leg. The bath also now has more rounded edges and a larger footprint, for ease of movement within the bath, and is available in a range of colours. Carefree also offers the Mauritius shower unit. The cubicle is designed to fit existing bath space with a low-level walk-in or shower chair access. The unit comes with a simple- to-use thermostatically-controlled shower unit.

Premier Bathrooms says it has now a range to suit all bathing needs. Its Cambridge range combines aspects of a conventional and walk-in bath. Entry is via a side entry door and the user sits in the contoured seat. Once filled to the required level, the user presses the button and is gently lowered into the water. After bathing, they press the control once more to lift them back into a seated position ready to exit the bath. Premier Bathroom's Cheltenham power bath can be supplied with a leg lift. This patented system is attached to the seat so that the user's legs rest on a moulded pad allowing the legs to be lifted for easier access. The Chester walk-in bath is available with either a standard seat or an extension seat, lifting the user to a comfortable level for maximum comfort and easy bathing. The company also offers a hydrotherapy system throughout Premier's range. Its Easy-Bathe design will fit the smallest of bathrooms, fitting in an area of approximately one metre (3ft.), either along a straight wall or in corner. Premier also offers an optional shower canopy and hydrotherapy system for some models in its range.

With sleep beckoning, a number of manufacturers offer a varied selection of beds, either single, double or dual mattress types to further that end. Spanning the product range for disabled provision, HSL offers a number of beds to suit all clients, featuring its exclusive Pressurite weightless sleep system mattress. Its Bowness single bed has a fully adjustable head and footrest. A massage unit can be fitted to the bed as an optional extra. HSL's Mayfair double divan bed has dual mattresses utilising HSL's Pressurite system. Each head and footrest can be raised independently with its own handset. The bed comes complete with a fully-upholstered headboard and removable and washable mattress covers.

Sleepbetta is now selling its new Traditional range of beds available as single, double or dual-operated mattresses, with a five way multi-positional function activated by a handset. The company's Royal Windsor pine range (example pictured below) is constructed of mature pine and is offered in a multi- range of mattress ypes. The bed features an optional full body massage system. Sleepbetta's Super De-Luxe range is available in a number of mattress types, and is finished in Belgian damask. The bed is hypo-allergenic for those suffering breathing difficulties and/or allergies. Sleepbetta also markets a carer's helper bed. The bed features a vertical lifter to help the carer assist the user into or out of bed. It also uses a seven-way multi-position function, activated by a handset, with battery backup to the motors. The bed has retractable cot sides with optional cot side protectors and includes a full body therapeutic massage facility.

So, for the disabled user the help provided by these aids- from gaining entry to preparing a meal, relaxing, ascending stairs, bathing and sleeping - all help to turn what would be an obstacle course into a home.