Designability

Could you help us to reach more families with disabled children across the UK by sharing this post? This month we have received a very low number of applications for a free Wizzybug powered wheelchair, but we have lots right here in our workshop waiting for a new child owner! We know that there are an estimated 30,000 children in the UK who could benefit from one. We just need to reach them. Wizzybugs offer young, disabled children under 5 with the opportunity to move themselves around independently, often for the first time in their lives. Children can play, explore and interact in a way that they never could do before in the coolest looking powered wheelchair there is. We provide them for FREE to ensure that children can develop important mobility skills in their early years without families having the burden of another expensive piece of equipment. https://lnkd.in/ekAa3qe4 Please share this if you can – thank you for helping us spread the word about our Wizzybugs. #Designability #Wizzybug #PoweredMobility #Disability

Another look behind the scenes at our UK disability charity. Let us know if there are any particular bits of what we do that you’d like to see more of! 1. Digital sketching some creative concepts for our Accessible Vehicle Design work. 2. An incredible Wizzybug balloon masterpiece created for us at Kidz to Adultz Exhibitions North in Manchester. 3. A child has their first go in a Wizzybug at the same event. Listen closely to his mum “I’m gonna cry” 4. Filming some instructional videos for families who receive a free accessible pushchair (coming early 2025!) 5. Finalising a Wizzybug Loan Scheme presentation to give to a partnership charity. 6. A quick run-through of our accessible EV charging prototype before it goes to an event. When it doubt, give it a little wiggle. 7. Guest starring on WSP's stand at Highways UK with our charger on centre stage. #Disability #CharityWork #BehindTheScenes

If these pictures don’t fill your day with sunshine and joy then we don’t know what will. Ezekiel, 3, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was nine months old. He is unable to walk or move independently as this lifelong condition affects movement and co-ordination. Ezekiel’s mum, Maryam, used to go to the park with him and see other children playing with ride-on electric cars. “I remember thinking that’s a cool thing to have and wishing there was something similar for disabled children to move around in.” She saw a video of a Wizzybug on social media but wasn’t sure if he’d be able to operate it himself, but decided she would apply anyway. She said: “The first time Ezekiel sat in his Wizzybug at the handover appointment, he didn’t really know what to do. But now, two years on, he’s progressed so much. He understands that he can move in his Wizzybug so he’s more aware of his surroundings and of what he’s doing.” Ezekiel can’t talk but he can communicate through sounds and his emotions. She says that when he’s using his Wizzybug, Ezekiel always smiles a lot as he can move by himself and play alongside other children. “It makes me very happy to watch him play independently”. #Wizzybug #Designability #WheelchairLife #Disability #CerebralPalsy

OPPORTUNITY: Access funding of up to £150,000 to develop novel solutions to help disabled people navigate streets and use public transport more easily. The National Centre for Accessible Transport (ncat) Scaling Innovation Programme, delivered by @Connected Places Catapult, offers funding and support for transport accessibility innovators. Find out more 👉 https://lnkd.in/e3rcth8F #ncat_uk #Transport #Accessibilty #TransportAccessibilty #SME #Funding  Coventry University Research and Innovation Connected Places Catapult Designability Policy Connect RiDC (Research Institute for Disabled Consumers) WSP in the UK Motability Foundation

We are pleased to say that the current waiting time from making an application to getting a free Wizzybug is around 16 weeks.   The actual amount of time can sometimes vary if we’re going through a busy phase, or if a family is unable to make their Wizzybug handover appointment for a while, but we pride ourselves on getting one ready and waiting for a child as soon as we can.   Once we receive an application and have accepted a family onto the Wizzybug Loan Scheme, our friendly team of workshop technicians will build the child’s new powered wheelchair pal.   https://lnkd.in/ekAa3qe4 #Wizzybug #Designability #WheelchairLife #MobilityMatters

20 Accessible Pushchairs coming soon! We are continuing to look for a commercial partner to manufacture our pushchair in the long-term, but we know that parents and carers need it now. So, we have a plan. In early 2025 we will be providing 20 more Accessible Pushchairs completely FREE of charge, funded by kind supporters who understand what a difference they will make to people’s lives. Our team will be building them in our small charity workshop in Bath over the coming weeks and months. If you’d like to be one of the first to know when they’re ready, please sign-up to receive our news updates: https://lnkd.in/ed_YgEeU [Video description: You see Ali trying out Designability’s accessible pushchair outside their workshop, then two members of the team machining parts, then Ali being shown how to attach the pushchair to her wheelchair and finally Ali with her son watching a train as she moves him in the pushchair on her own.] #Designability #InclusiveDesign #Disability #DisabledPeople

A little behind the scenes peek into a Wizzybug appointment – a moment so many parents and carers wait eagerly for. A Wizzybug powered wheelchair isn’t just about a child moving themselves around. In fact, many appointments involve a lot of children being unsure about getting strapped into it, lots of beeping the horn (sorry mums and dads!) and not much ‘driving’ at all. But there are sometimes accidental joystick nudges which often result in some big smiles as the child realises they did it all by themselves. Imagine being pushed around or carried and suddenly feeling like you are in control of your own movements for the first time? Absolutely magic. [Video description: A young child takes her first go in a Wizzybug powered wheelchair at a handover appointment at Designability in Bath. She smiles at her dad and beeps the horn.] #Wizzybug #Designability #Disability #Wheelchair

Thank you to WSP in the UK for inviting us to join them on their stand (204) at Highways UK today! If you’re there, come and find Jim and Genevieve (pictured) to say hello and find out more about the work we have been doing in the transport space to make EV charging and car design more accessible for all. #HighwaysUK #Designability #AccessibleTransport #Accessibility

Our Wizzybug powered wheelchairs are suitable for children aged 14 months and up but most children can use it until they're around 4/5 years old 😊 We don't expect Wizzybug to be returned to us until a child outgrows it. It's easy to adjust the set-up of Wizzybug at home so that it can grow bigger as the child does. We can provide families with helpful video tutorials which will show how it’s done! https://lnkd.in/ekAa3qe4 #Wizzybug #PoweredMobility #Disability #Childhood

Do you love the work that Designability does and want to support it in some way? If you’re feeling adventurous, why not run, trek, cycle or skydive?! You’ll be taking on a brand-new challenge and helping to change lives while you do it. We’d love to have you on #TeamAbility – check out upcoming events and let us know what you’d like to sign up for! https://lnkd.in/eCuPiwNc #Fundraising #CSR #ChallengeEvents