Children play in an inclusive sensory playground with a basket swing, accessible roundabout, musical play panel, rope climber, water play area and textured pathways while parents watch nearby.

How Therapeutic Playground Equipment Supports Sensory Integration

Children play in an inclusive sensory playground with a basket swing, accessible roundabout, musical play panel, rope climber, water play area and textured pathways while parents watch nearby.Inclusive playgrounds do far more than provide opportunities for fun. They can help disabled children explore movement, touch, sound and body awareness in ways that support sensory regulation, confidence and physical development. This guide explains how different types of playground equipment relate to vestibular, proprioceptive, tactile, visual and auditory sensory systems, why occupational therapists recommend particular activities, and how families can create positive playground experiences that reflect each child’s unique sensory profile. It also looks at accessibility features that make playgrounds welcoming for children with different disabilities.

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Abstract illustration of two figures either side of a social media feed, representing polarised SEND debate online

Has social media turned the SEND crisis into a culture war?

Abstract illustration of two figures either side of a social media feed, representing polarised SEND debate onlineSocial media platforms are designed to reward engagement, but that often means rewarding conflict, certainty and outrage above careful discussion. Joanna Grace explores how algorithms shape public conversations about SEND, why nuance is increasingly difficult to sustain online, and what that could mean for education policy, disabled people and the future of meaningful debate.

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Disability Pride Month – celebrating your successes

July marks Disability Pride Month – and we’re excited to celebrate! Originating in the US in 1990, marking the creation of the Disabilities Act (ADA), it has been celebrated here in the UK too, since 2015. It offers a great opportunity to start conversations and celebrate the disabled community. This year’s focusses include visibility, intersectionality … Read more

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Liesl Hammer smiling in her wheelchair alongside two crew members aboard a boat, posing together in a friendly group photo.

Travelling as a Wheelchair User: Wheeling Around the World

Liesl Hammer smiling in her wheelchair alongside two crew members aboard a boat, posing together in a friendly group photo.Many people assume travelling as a wheelchair user is simply too difficult. Liesl Hammer has spent a lifetime proving otherwise. After visiting countries across Europe, Africa and Asia, flying independently and finding accessible adventures in unexpected places, she shares the experiences that shaped her love of travel, the barriers she’s encountered and the practical tips that can help other wheelchair users plan their own journeys with confidence.

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Mobile patient hoist positioned beside a hotel bed in an accessible guest room, with clear floor space for transfers.

Accessible Hotels in London: Royal Lancaster’s Hoist Booking Service Could Start a Bigger Change

Mobile patient hoist positioned beside a hotel bed in an accessible guest room, with clear floor space for transfers.Royal Lancaster London has become one of the first mainstream UK hotels to offer guests a bookable mobile hoist. Developed with accessibility campaigner Martyn Sibley, the initiative could remove one of the biggest barriers faced by disabled travellers who rely on hoists. Drawing on lived experience, this article explains why accessible rooms need more than grab rails and why other hotels should follow.

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Bladder Botox: How It Changed Our Lives After Spinal Cord Injury (Complete UK & USA Guide)

Illustration of a wheelchair user holding a mug beside a poster about bladder Botox. The poster reads: "Bladder Botox" with a bladder icon and lists the benefits: "Less urgency", "Fewer leaks" and "Better quality of life."Bladder Botox is one of the most effective treatments for many people living with overactive bladder or neurogenic bladder, yet awareness remains surprisingly low outside specialist clinics. Drawing on our own experience following spinal cord injury, alongside NHS, FDA and clinical guidance, this guide explains how bladder Botox works, who may benefit, what happens during treatment, possible side effects, recovery, catheterisation, and how to access treatment in both the UK and the United States.

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Illustration showing breathing techniques, pacing activities, resting and social support to help manage breathlessness and fatigue.

Managing Fatigue and Breathlessness at Home: Everyday Tips for People Living With Lung Conditions

Illustration showing breathing techniques, pacing activities, resting and social support to help manage breathlessness and fatigue.Breathlessness and fatigue can affect everyday life for people with COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma, long COVID and other respiratory conditions. This practical guide shares ways to pace activities, manage breathlessness, adapt the home, use assistive equipment, seek support and understand available financial help.

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