To say that House of Commons Committee Room 9 was unprepared for the arrival, en mass, of around ten to fifteen wheelchair users would be an egregious understatement. In fact, it would probably be fair to say that the accessibility of the room which hosted yesterday’s parliamentary event on accessing the high streets was almost…
This week we (me and Lieutenant No.1, who insisted on singing England football chants all day), went on a visit to Bray & Marlow to see if Heston Blumenthal & Tom Kerridge (respectively) had taken any note of the disability hospitality market – worth £2BN p.a. First it was Bray which should be re-named ‘Heston’…
This Wednesday, BBS representatives are going to be attending an All Party Parliamentary Group, at Portcullis House, looking into access to the high street for young disabled people. The APPG has been set up in the wake of a recent report from Trailblazers, named Short Changed, which came up with many interesting points about what high…
This week started with a very trendy lunch at Hoi Polloi, an all day brasserie in Shoreditch that’s part of the ACE Hotel (see previous review). It’s run by the folks from Bistrotheque and Shrimpy’s and has a great atmosphere with subdued lighting that somehow still allows you to read the menu. It also had…
Equipment for disabled people is functional to the point of being “institutional” says a new survey from Blue Badge Style. The results of the latest BBS Interest Panel, set up to find out about the opinions of the disabled community on both mobility and household equipment, found that the available products are generally considered “not…
Less able people and their carers overwhelmingly feel that too little is being done to make venues accessible for less able visitors, according to results of our BBS Interest Panel survey, conducted late last year. The respondents of the survey agreed that too many venues are failing to adapt their buildings to become more inclusive…
Last week was very busy as it seems it’s exhibition season. First I went to the Hotelympia exhibition of the best in the hotel & restaurant trade and I went specifically to see the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA) and a talk by Sir Terence Conran. I succeeded on both counts: First, by accosting the SRA and…
Naidex National, the UK’s largest disability, homecare and rehabilitation event, is now just days away. Kicking off on the 29th of April and concluding on 1 May at the NEC, Birmingham, this year is the event’s fortieth anniversary and it looks set to be the biggest and (we hope) best yet. With over 300 different exhibitors showcasing…
Sitara Warren wrote an article on getting your skin ready for summer (see it here), in line with the trend for ‘nude beauty’ as featured in Vogue and elsewhere. Here is her promised follow up regarding hands & nails: If your hands and nails are in great shape – lucky you! But if you’re anything…