Keep Warm & Cosy With This Fleece-Lined Cover – Review.A friend suggested I try this fleece-lined lower-body wheelchair cover as my legs are always cold, which causes me a lot of pain. Which is made worse when out and about, especially in cold weather. I have been using this cover for almost a week now.It’s probably the best product I have tried to date. So I wanted to share my experience with you.
The Product
There were two items on Amazon (no, I’m not affiliated) practically identical. One was cheaper than the other, but didn’t look as good quality, therefore, I decided to go with this one. I am extremely happy with the one I purchased: Wheelchair Cover
It’s advertised as being suitable for people up to 5ft 9″ max. I would disagree with this. I’m 5ft 2″ and if I pull the cover up so the sides are at my waist (which is where I would expect them to be) I find my feet are hitting on the bottom inside of the cover (without shoes on), leaving me very little room for shoes or movement.
The back part of the cover has two elastic loops which you can put over your wheelchair backrest handles. I’m in an electric wheelchair, therefore, as I have no handles on my chair, I’ve had to use straps that I already had to attach to the loops (link at bottom of the page). Then I tie them around the bar behind my backrest. I do advise utilising these loops as they keep the cover in place whilst transferring in and out of your chair.
As we all know, it’s extremely expensive at present to put our heating on, therefore I use my fleece-lined cover even while sitting indoors. I also have a fleece-lined shawl that I wear with my lower body cover (link at bottom of the page) and I have found this allows me to sit indoors without having to put my heating on as often.
The outer cover is waterproof (the reason for me purchasing this). I have not used it in the rain as yet but it certainly looks like it will work well.
Using The Cover
This cover comes up to your waist area (depending on your height) with an extra bit that goes up the backrest part of your wheelchair. As I previously mentioned, the backrest has two loops attached so it can be hooked over the handles of a wheelchair. I find this helps the cover stay on your chair while transferring in/out of my wheelchair. I use velcro straps to attach the loops to my chair as I use an electric chair without handles.
The Lining
The lining is made of fleece. I find it to be extremely warm, my legs feel like I just got out of bed which they never feel that way during the day. I did notice the first couple of times using this, the fluff transferred quite easily onto my clothes. The cover is washable, I’ve washed mine and it survived very nicely!
The bottom of the cover is almost an oval shape with no fleece lining on the inside. This makes sense as this is where your shoes would sit. This obviously would prevent dirt, muddy water etc from dirtying the inside fleece.
The Zip
There is a piece of string sewn into the front of the cover at the top. On the other end, you can tie it to the zip loop. I find the string extremely useful as I don’t have to bend down to my feet area to grab the zip loop to close the cover. The zip is so easy to open, as all you have to do is gently pull apart the cover and the zip will slide down smoothly, meaning once again, no bending down needed. There is a loop on the inside and outside of the zip.
The cover doesn’t come completely apart, in the respect that the zip will open the cover to the bottom but the zip is sewn into the bottom. This way, you never have to start the zip off as it is always ready to go. Hopefully, the image below will show you what I mean.
One thing I will say, however, is that when trying to use the string to pull the zip up, I find it pulls the cover with it which doesn’t allow the zip to close. What I do, is use a foot to hold the cover down at the bottom of the zip while pulling on the string to close the zip. I find this works a treat.
Conclusion
I’ve knocked off one star as the inside pocket is not placed correctly for proper use, something I would have used had I been able to. The pocket seems to be almost around my back and too low down for me to be able to use.
Other than that, I would highly recommend this cover as it is very warm and it will protect your legs in wet weather. Go on, treat yourself, I did lol.
How Easy Is The Open Sesame 6-in-1 Tool To Use – My Review – I bought this tool to help me be more independent around the kitchen. You’re told in the opening image of this product: 6-in-1 tool, Opens almost anything, No effort required and guaranteed to work every time!
It goes on to say: This all-in-one quality tool makes opening jars, bottles, lids, packets, bags, seals and tops practically effortless! These are massive claims for such a small product. But……Can it do what Must Have Ideas say it can?
The Sales Pitch
The Open Sesame 6-in-1 Tool is a multipurpose tool advertised to make everyday tasks easier for people with disabilities, especially those with limited hand dexterity. It is designed to help open bottles, jars, cans, and doors, as well as pulling tabs open. The tool is compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry around and use.
When I opened up the package, it looked a good size and it came with instructions. I chose the blue colour and it cost me £9.99 (This included their 40% off offer) although I’ve never seen this product at full price (as I had my eye on this for a while) plus P&P.
I have tried opening all of the things MHI have claimed this tool can open:
Tin cans (ring pull) – Opened these with ease, as long as the tin is sat on a firm surface
Bags (like frozen chips) – Unable to do this due to my dexterity and grip
Milk cartons (2-pint carton) – Unable to do this due to my dexterity and grip (couldn’t open the plastic screw lid to get to the tab)
Jars – Impossible due to my dexterity and grip – The tool was also too big for me to be able to try and get a better grip
Bottles – Again impossible due to my dexterity and grip – The tool is too big for me to be able to get a good grip
Bottle tops – Able to do this
What I can’t understand is the fact that Must Have Ideas claim:
Open Sesame makes a really thoughtful gift for anyone with dexterity issues.
I have dexterity issues and I couldn’t use this tool to its full extent, making their “Guaranteed to work every time” claim to be false. Maybe even verging on a complete lie to make sales! Needless to say, I felt really let down and disappointed. So I contacted their customer service team (CS).
Customer Service
I emailed them with my concerns over their wording and how I felt it was very misleading and maybe at worst, false advertising.
Here’s hoping their marketing team do the right thing and makes the wording for this product more realistic and true. I bought this product based on their advert, I feel let down and misled! It’s NOT guaranteed to work every time, as advertised!
If you wish to work with me don’t hesitate to Contact Me. Feel free to leave a comment below.
Quickie Q300 M Mini: An In-Depth Review for Improved Accessibility – My previous EW (electric wheelchair) Spectra XTR2 was hitting 5 years old (average lifespan of a wheelchair).I wanted to know what was available on the market,so I went to a showroom to take a look. I thought if the price was right, I might buy my own chair. This way, I could have a chair that met my needs betterand not have to use the NHS wheelchair service.
I fell in love with the Quickie Q600 but at the cost of over £9,000 inc the adaptions I needed. It was completely out of my price range. I came home very disappointed.
A few weeks later, I received a letter from my NHS wheelchair service. I was due for a wheelchair review. I know how strapped the NHS is, so didn’t dare to think I would ever be offered anything as grand as the Q600. I’m grateful for any chair provided to me as my independence depends on it.
My appointment arrived and I was shocked as I was actually offered the Sunrise Quickie Q300 M Mini. This is in the same range as the one I tried in the showroom (Q600), making these chairs identical. The only difference is the max speed. The NHS is only allowed to provide electric wheelchairs with a maximum speed of 4mph, the chair at the showroom had a max speed of 8mph (also available at 6mph).
Sunrise Quickie Q300 M Mini
The wheelchair’s width is smaller than my previous chair. It feels very compact. You can customise the chair with coloured facias that cover the batteries, rims that sit on the mid wheels and covers for the arms that hold the castor wheels. There are many colours and designs to choose from.
There is a mountain of options available for this chair. From:
Backrest
Footplates
Armrests
Cushions
Tilt
Recline
Swing Away Joysticks
Colours
Elevated footplates
Speed
Headrests
Seat Riser
Controllers
Seating Options
The list is rather impressive don’t you think? If purchasing one of these privately, please visit an authorised dealer to ensure you are fitted and kitted out with the proper adjustments and adaptions. Also, make sure you have a home demonstration. Some dealers charge quite a lot for this so do your research. The showroom I visited wanted £250 for a home demonstration. At the end of the day though, you don’t want to spend thousands of pounds on a wheelchair you can’t manoeuvre around your home.
The size of this chair is amazing, except for one thing. Because this can literally turn on the spot & the back is shaped differently from my previous chair, (I’m assuming because I have the Sedeo backrest), I keep hitting things behind me.
As the backrest is capable of adjusting along the seat frame. I found mine was set far too forward, making me like it was pushing me off my seat. I got hubby to reposition it for me and he moved it back about an inch which has made a huge difference for me but of course, this now means I have more behind me to be more aware of.
Specifications
Seating
Sunrise say:
Instead of a solid base, the Flexi-Back wraps around and contours to the shape of your spine, providing complete contact, comfort and stability. Similarly, the integrated laterals ‘hug’ your sides, forcing the foam to mould to your anotomical curves. The laterals are independently adjustable to help atabilise and align your trunk too. It’s such an adjustable, supportive and immersive back that even those with moderate-to-severe kyphotic postures or spinal scoliosis can sit much more upright without any sacrifice to comfort!
I’m afraid I have to disagree with this statement. I feel I have got my seating position the best I’m going to get it. (Unless I’m missing something). I still can’t get complete contact, comfort and stability. Believe me, when I say, I have had my backrest up/down, forward/back, tension straps loosened and tightened, wings pushed in/out and nothing is coming close to comfort. I’ve even changed my seat cushion to no avail.
I sit with my seat tilted backwards to keep me in my seat and push me back against my backrest. If I’m sitting watching the TV, yes, I can get good contact with my backrest. When sitting anywhere else, I don’t have this comfort. I still feel my limber area is not getting the support needed.
The video on Sunrise’s website regarding the backrest shows that the side wings can be moved up and down along each side. I am yet to work out how this is done. I can’t comment on seating cushions as my chair wasn’t ordered with a seat cushion as I have two of my own seat cushions.
I’ve got elevated footplates. I was quite taken aback by how bulky and heavy they are. They seem to stick up to a point higher than my knees. (Seen in the drop kerb video below). They have padding on the inside by my knees but the padding is hard so they cause more problems than solve!
Adjustments
At the time of writing this, I have moved my armrest up/down, I’ve tried two different cushions, reclined my backrest into many different positions, tightened/loosened the tension straps inside my backrest and even moved the backrest frame out further to stop me from feeling like I’m being pushed out of my seat. I still feel I’m not as comfortable as I should/could be!
I like to have my backrest in a very upright position. My back hurts if I don’t. Unsure if it’s the type of backrest I have (my previous one had no wings, just straight with some tension straps) but I just can’t seem to feel comfortable.
Smooth Ride
The most significant difference for me is that this is a mid-wheel drive chair, whereas my last chair was a rear-wheel drive. Controlling this chair is very different from my previous one. There are 3 type of wheel drives:
This is probably the smoothest ride I’ve ever had in any of my electric wheelchairs and this includes the Storm 3 I had many years ago. Navigating small kerbs is surprisingly smooth and I stress small kerbs. (It’s always sensible to mount any kerb face-on, not at a sidewards position).
Sunrise says:
Our PATENTED all-wheel independent suspension ensures all six wheels remain on the ground whilst climbing and transitioning obstacles. Any shocks or bumps are absorbed by the wheel‘s suspension, providing a soft and smooth ride.
This time, I agree. The suspension is very good. I have, however, found one obstacle that took me by surprise. My parent’s house has a ramp up to their front door (the image right is an example of their front door). The ramp sits under the white step meaning you have a very small step over the threshold, then you step down into their hallway.
When I popped around there to show off my new chair, my chair bounced around unevenly going over this threshold and I nearly cracked the PVC door frame, even though I was driving straight. Yes, I was going very slow too. It is extremely difficult to remember that the main drive wheel is directly under me and not behind me.
Pulling away has what I describe as a slight delay. You push the control knob and it takes (what feels like ages) for the chair to start moving. I notice this most when waiting to cross the road. I assume this is to prevent the chair from jerking when moving off.
To The Test
I have taken a full 4.5-mile round trip to put my chair to the test and learn its & my capabilities. It coped much better than I expected. Although I think I was who failed the test. I was very nervous going up and down hills and some kerbs, especially when at an awkward slant. When I arrived home, I had not lost one light on my battery indicator, which did surprise me.
I took some video footage (below) to show how the chair’s suspension is very good. You see me going over cobbles and believe me, it looks bumpier than it feels. It makes for a very smooth ride. Another note to mention is when you’re riding along the pavement over dropped kerbs, the chair keeps you in a straight line. It doesn’t pull you to the side as other chairs can.
Another video shows how manoeuvrable and compact this chair is as I used a shop’s wheelchair lift to go upstairs. You can see that the turning circle capabilities on this chair were a major factor in being able to use this lift, especially when I got to the top as the door was now to the side of me.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to purchase this chair privately, do visit a professional supplier that will take your measurements and give you honest advice as to what you may need. There is so much that can be altered/changed on this chair it is a bit of a minefield. Don’t forget that home demonstration, especially if you have adaptions in your home for your chair like a through-floor lift.
I’ve given this chair a 3/5 for a couple of reasons (I so wanted to give this 5/5):
Footplates are so bulky and heavy. I can’t actually take them on/off by myself (I have actually seen smaller less bulky elevated footplates on other chairs)
I still can’t get myself into a comfortable position even though Sunrise claim this is almost impossible
The armrests can not go any higher than I’ve got them already. This is important to me to keep me in an upright position. This also causes me back pain. – I’m looking into if I can modify my right one to make it higher.
Outside of the above, this is a very neat chair.
Its suspension is extremely good
Turning circle absolutely amazing
Style is great as you have different coloured shrouds and wheel inserts
The controller (NHS version) is your basic controller
Many ways in which you can modify this chair to meet your needs
Am I happy with this chair? You bet I am, fingers crossed it lasts me and that I don’t have any issues in the future.
If you would like to work with me don’t hesitate to Contact Me. Feel free to leave a comment below.
Small Claims Court As Last Resort – Know Your Consumer Rights! They say knowledge is power. It certainly is when it comes to your consumer rights. Knowing what you are legally entitled to and how to put your rights into action, can possibly save you from having to take your claim through the small claims court and save you money!
Over the yearsI have fought many consumer rights claims.These have included getting compensation as my electric wheelchair caused £4000 damage to my home and getting a full refund from a holiday park disaster! I’ve learned so much and a few tips along the way. Sharing what I have done, I hope helps you too. I will say though, it’s not an easy task and you do need to have the patience of a saint and more importantly, the determination to see it through to the end.
What Is The Consumer Rights Act?
The Consumer Rights Act came into force on 1 October 2015. This meant from that date new consumer rights became law covering:
what should happen when goods are faulty;
what should happen when digital content is faulty;
how services should match up to what has been agreed, and what should happen when they do not, or when they are not provided with reasonable care and skill;
unfair terms in a contract;
what happens when a business is acting in a way which isn’t competitive;
written notice for routine inspections by public enforcers, such as Trading Standards; and
greater flexibility for public enforcers, such as Trading Standards, to respond to breaches of consumer law, such as seeking redress for consumers who have suffered harm.
Most of these changes were important updates to existing laws. But two new areas of law were also introduced.
For the first time rights on digital content have been set out in legislation. The Act gives consumers a clear right to the repair or replacement of faulty digital content, such as online films and games, music downloads and e-books. The law here had been unclear and this change has brought us up to date with how digital products have evolved.
There are now also new, clear rules for what should happen if a service is not provided with reasonable care and skill or as agreed. For example, the business that provided the service must bring it into line with what was agreed with the customer or, if this is not practical, must give some money back.
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 stands alongside Regulations to create a greatly simplified body of consumer law. Taken together, they set out the basic rules which govern how consumers buy and businesses sell to them in the UK.
When spending £100 or more & up to £30,000, use a credit card. Your credit card company has a LEGAL responsibility to come to the rescue if there’s a problem, called (section 75)
Debit cards offer less protection but do have a chargeback facility for purchases under £100
Look out for scams. These can be via text and/or emails
Read a companies T&Cs, delivery & returns policies
Record your phone calls – No, it’s not illegal in the UK
Always try resolving your issue with the company/seller first
Trusted Sellers
We have all at one point or another bought products online. How can you tell if a company/seller is legit? It can be a minefield and sometimes challenging to tell.
Using the company name – Visiting Trustpilot is an excellent way to see if others have bought from them and what they say. Stupidly I only visited Trustpilot once things went wrong with one purchase, to find the reviews had been awful. I didn’t make that mistake again! Also, I stay away from companies/sellers that have 0 reviews.
Facebook is famous for pop-up sellers (not Marketplace). I’m talking about the ads in your timeline advertising wonderful inventions that make you look younger, thinner, richer etc. – I bought make-up from one of these sellers and had to go through Paypal to get my money back as I never received my items. When searching for the company website, (where bought the products from) it had disappeared overnight! Another tip, look on Amazon or eBay, I bet you’ll find the same product there too and be better protected.
Places like eBay, Amazon and high street shops are always the best way to make purchases. They come with their own T&C and you are protected if/when things do go wrong. I have found Amazon to be the easiest place if needing to return anything.
Paypal
Buyer Protection covers all eligible purchases where PayPal is used, as well as payments made through our website. To take advantage of Buyer Protection, we require, among other things, that PayPal accounts be kept in good standing and ask that a dispute be filed within 180 days of your purchase or payment, Terms and Conditions apply.
I have used Paypal in the past when things have gone wrong with sellers. You have to obviously fill in a form with all the information. Put in everything, even if you don’t think it’s relevant. You want to make sure you give Paypal everything they need. You literally get one shot at putting your case across! I have had them refuse my claim as I didn’t include enough info.
Chargeback allows you to ask your card provider to give you a refund on your credit or debit card if the goods or services you bought don’t arrive, are faulty or don’t match the description of what you ordered.
When a card transaction is disputed, you may be able to use chargeback to reverse the payment and recoup your money.
How Does It Work?
A chargeback happens when the bank removes the funds from the retailer’s bank account and returns them to you – although this can be challenged by the retailer if they feel the claim is unjustified.
Chargeback is a voluntary scheme. It is not the same as claiming money back under Section 75 (more on that in a moment).
Am I Eligible To Make A Claim?
If goods or services you bought with a card either don’t turn up, are faulty or damaged, or if they are different from the description then you may have a case to make a chargeback claim.
You should first try to get a refund from the retailer. If they refuse or if they have gone bust, you can contact your debit or credit card provider, who will then contact the retailer’s bank to make the claim.
Chargeback could also be used should the retailer charge you multiple times for the same item, if they go into administration or even if you have been the victim of fraud and did not authorise the payment.
Section 75 is an important UK consumer protection law made in the 1970s that means your credit provider must take the same responsibility as the retailer if things go wrong with a purchase. Yet it doesn’t work on all purchases – just those costing a certain amount:
Buy something costing more than £100 and less than £30,000 on your credit card, and your card company has a LEGAL responsibility to come to the rescue if there’s a problem.
If there’s a problem with something you’ve bought on credit. The lender is as responsible for putting things right as the company you bought from. In other words, if what you’ve bought is faulty, broken or doesn’t arrive. The credit provider is legally obliged to put it right (see our Consumer Rights guide for exact definitions).
For Section 75 to work, there has to be a direct link between you, the creditor (usually your credit card issuer), and the supplier (the place you’re buying from). For example, something you bought in a shop with a credit card would be covered, but if you used your credit card to withdraw cash from an ATM and then spent it on the same item, you wouldn’t be protected by Section 75 as the direct link would have been broken. See a detailed breakdown of what Section 75 covers.
The product or service you’re buying must cost over £100 and not more than £30,000 to be covered. Crucially, though, you’re still covered even if you only pay a deposit of 1p towards an eligible purchase on credit. You’re also covered if you’ve since closed the credit account you made the purchase with.
We have all thought about it at some point, whether it’s for proof of what was said during an argument or to just record a meeting or conversation, but is recording conversations actually legal?
When it comes to discreetly recording conversations, calls or even filming someone, the law in the UK varies between individuals and businesses and it’s important to understand the distinctions before you attempt it.
Nowadays, the range of technology at our disposal means it is easy to record conversations without the other participant’s knowledge – but does that mean it’s ethical, and can it be admitted as evidence in court? (Most mobiles today have a built-in phone recorder, you just need to switch it on).
(I have recently taken to recording all my calls made to companies. My claim against Palins holiday park would have been much easier had I recorded my initial phone call with them. I was told some information on the phone that was not true. When I made my initial complaint, it was denied that I had even been told this).
Is It Illegal To Record A Conversation In Secret?
Recording a conversation in secret is not a criminal offence and is not prohibited. As long as the recording is for personal use you don’t need to obtain consent or let the other person know.
Things change if the matter is addressed with a claim for damages or if the recordings have been shared without the consent of the participants. Even worse, if the recording is sold to third parties or released in public without the consent of the participants then this could be considered a criminal offence.
Can A Private Recording Be Submitted As Evidence In Court?
A private recording can be submitted as evidence, but with some conditions:
A recording may be relied on in evidence if the court gives permission
An application for permission should be made on form C2
The recording should be made available to other parties before any hearing to consider its admissibility.
Covert recordings of children should rarely if ever, be admitted as evidence, according to section 13(4) of the Children and Families Act 2014.
Cold calls or unexpected emails or messages should raise suspicion, especially if you’re asked to give personal or payment details. It’s very unusual for legitimate organisations to contact you and ask for sensitive information if you’re not expecting them to. If you’re not 100% convinced about the identity of the caller, hang up and contact the company directly.
Never share your personal details with anyone if you can’t confirm they are who they say they are. Phone scammers will often try and get valuable personal data from you.
Scam websites often have vague contact details. PO box, premium rate number (starting ‘09’) or a mobile number. If anything goes wrong it’s important you can contact those involved. This will be difficult if you don’t have accurate contact information.
It’s important you can discuss any agreements with your friends, family or advisors. Asking you to keep quiet is a way to keep you away from the advice and support you need in making a decision.
Scams will often promise high returns for very little financial commitment. They may even say that a deal is too good to miss. Use your common sense, if a deal is too good to be true, it inevitably is.
Fraudsters often try to hurry your decision-making. Don’t let anyone make you feel under pressure – it’s OK to take a break and think things through if you’re not sure.
Emails or messages littered with spelling and grammar mistakes are scam giveaways. Legitimate organisations will rarely if ever, make spelling or grammatical mistakes in their emails to you because they’ve been put together by professionals and checked before they’re sent.
What to do if you’ve been scammed
Fraudsters are very cunning in their tactics so it’s not always immediately obvious that you’ve been scammed, or who you should report it to.
But there are ways to identify different types of scams, and organisations that can help you if you are scammed. Read the following guides to find out more…
In my experience, how you put yourself across (knowing your rights and being factual), is probably the most important but hardest part of all, in fighting for your consumer rights.
I remember a case my husband was trying to win regarding a caravan fire. He wasn’t able to convey the case very well but as it was his Dad’s caravan, I didn’t want to butt in too much. The insurance company took this opportunity to fob him off with a pittance amount of compensation. (This actually went against what was written in the policy his Dad took out with the company).
In the end, I took over as I felt hubby had struggled enough in these phone calls and was annoyed by how the insurance company was abusing his lack of knowledge against him.
The gentleman I spoke to unbelievably, turned round to me and said, “oh, I can see I’m talking to someone who knows what they’re doing”. (The cheek). I have to say I was quite taken aback by this comment but needless to say, happy as the company was now aware they weren’t going to be able to fob us off anymore! The result was the company offering nine times the amount they had previously offered. 1 up to the consumer!
A recent claim of ours, a Section 75 claim regarding our holiday park nightmare. The correct words were not used in describing why we wanted a section 75 claim, this resulted in the credit card company saying we didn’t have a claim to take forward. After doing more research, we found the correct terminology and contacted the CC company again, who this time took the case and we won.
Research & Determination
I can’t stress enough about researching whatever your particular consumer issue is. It will be the basis of your claim/case.
Read other consumer stories similar to yours
Look up legal websites that may offer some free tips etc.
Write/type down your thoughts, snippets of information you may find, legal terminology you want to use
Make sure you use consumer rights jargon (no, it’s not as complicated as it sounds, copy/paste is a wonderful feature). Not fit for purpose, not as described and breach of contract are some of the consumer rights jargon that will get most companies etc. attention. (Making sure you use the right one is the key).
Make drafts of letters/email before sending. For any and all correspondence you send or receive, make sure to keep copies. Keep them somewhere safe. You may need them as proof or to refer back to at a later date.
If you are trying to win a claim of a significant amount, be prepared for it to take some time. My claim for £4000 from my wheelchair repairers took 13 months. If you read my NHS wheelchair service: Is yours “fit for purpose”? blog, you will see why it took so long and the type of consumer rights terminology I used. Some companies will most definitely drag their feet in the hope you will give up…..DON’T!!!
* Disclaimer
All information supplied, is for consumers based in the UK.While every effort‘s been made to ensure the information in my blog is accurate.It doesn’t constitute legal advice tailored to your individual circumstances. If you act on it, you acknowledge that you do so at your own risk. I can’t assume responsibility and don’t accept liability for any damage or loss which may arise as a result of your reliance upon it.Please speak with a solicitor specialising in consumer law to get professional advice.
Hotels Don’t Offer Accessible Family Rooms, Is This Discrimination? – Accessible holidays are already far and few between, it’s hard enough to find hotels that are “fully” accessible. Yet, this is made even harder if you have a family. Hotels, for whatever reason, do not offer “family” accessible rooms, yet provide family rooms for able-bodied families. By not offering these room types, disabled people with families are forced to book extra rooms.
The Equality Act 2010 suggests this is direct discrimination. So I’ve contacted 10 of the most popular hotel chains to find out why this is the case. My findings are below.
Family Rooms
As a full-time wheelchair user myself, when booking a room I need a fully accessible room. However, I also have a daughter who travels with us. Finding an accessible room is difficult enough, especially when holiday companies claim to be “fully wheelchair accessible” and then you look at their pictures (when supplied) and find they tell a whole other story. Or worse, you turn up and only find out then. Yes, both have happened to me.
At present, it seems hotels do not offer any “family” accessible rooms for disabled people. Yet they do supply family rooms for able-bodied customers. This is direct discrimination!
I recently visited family in Wales (I’m in London). We booked a room with Premier Inn. As they are one of the hotels that do not offer accessible family rooms, our daughter could not stay in our room. Luckily, we had family members who were visiting with us, therefore, we were able to book a family room for them and have our daughter in with them. This begs, the question, what if my other family members were not travelling with us? What/where would my daughter go?
When you are disabled and have a family, being forced to book an extra room for your children is not only a parent’s worse nightmare but this can make a family hotel room “double” in price. With new Government rules/regulations around school term holidays, can you imagine how much this would cost at peak times? A hotel stay (1 room) can jump from approx £600 to £1200 for a few days stay. I wonder what non-disabled customers would say about this if they had to pay for two rooms as family rooms were not offered? I’m sure they too would have something to say about it!
I contacted the above hotels all on the same date (10/7/21) asking if they do in fact offer accessible family rooms,
My email:
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am contacting you today to enquire about family wheelchair accessible rooms. As a full-time wheelchair user, I find accessible rooms are far and few between as it is but accessible “Family” rooms seem to be non-existent! Why is this?
When booking a hotel room, I am unable to find any accessible family rooms. This means I am forced to book a second room just for my daughter. This then makes my hotel bill double in price. This is not the same for able-bodied customers as hotels seem to offer plenty of “family” rooms that are not classed as “accessible!
This puts disabled people with families at a major disadvantage compared to able-bodied families, both financially and physically.
I am writing to enquire if any of your hotels offer wheelchair-accessible family rooms. If not, do you have any alternatives in place, like offering a second room at a reduced rate or even for free? Do you have other alternatives are in place if not, how do you let your disabled customers know this? If you do not offer wheelchair-accessible family rooms or any alternatives, what is the reason for this?
I look forward to your reply.
Hotel Responses:
Premier Inn – I found Premier Inn to be the most helpful and most willing to help, they say: “We are able to add additional beds into our accessible rooms to make them into family rooms upon guests request. Where this isn’t possible and we aren’t able to accommodate guests in one room we will offer a second room for free and will always try to make this an interconnecting room to the accessible room.”
Since receiving their reply, I have booked a room where they have said an extra bed will be put in their accessible room at the hotel I am staying at. So fingers crossed, all will go well. So far, they have done what they say they would.
Travelodge –
“Thank you for contacting Travelodge.
At Travelodge we take our commitment to equality of access very seriously.
We do give great consideration to the accessibility of our hotels and make every effort to make reasonable and practical adjustments to support the varying needs of our customers.
Having adopted and complied with well recognised national standards we consider that we are meeting our obligations to disabled customers under the Equality Act 2010.
Whilst facilities offered across our locations do vary due to the age and type of construction every consideration is given to accessibility and should you ever want details of the provision at a specific hotel this can be obtained from the hotel itself. For example accessible rooms in our newer properties are equipped with walk in wet room showers.
The Bed base from the ground is 25cm Bed base and the mattress together is 49cm The Bed fully made is around 52cm
I hope this helps”.
Best Western – No response!
Ibis Budget/Styles – “Thank you for reaching All Accor Live Limitless Customer Care support. First, I truly apologize for the inconvenience. I am coming back to you following your request regarding wheelchair-accessible family rooms. I am not able to reply directly, so I have allowed myself to forward your email to the ibis Fes hotel which will take care of your demand. They will return to you as soon as possible“. I’m still waiting
Novotel – No response!
Holiday Inn – No response!
Britannia Hotels –
I contacted the hotel directly in wales as I was looking to book here for a few days, (until I read the reviews). This was their reply:
“Thank you for your message. The Grand Hotel in Llandudno has 2 accessible rooms which have 2 single beds in each room. These rooms have walk in showers with a small step into the cubicle. Unfortunately, we do not have any rooms that have a wet room. If you would like to book please contact Reservations on 0161 923 0300 and then will be able to give you rates and check availability.
Kind regards“
So this is what they call accessible: These rooms have walk in showers with a small step into the cubicle. Not wheelchair accessible then!! Glad I wasn’t staying here.
Marriott –
They responded with a brush off but at least they responded I suppose:
“Thank you for contacting Marriott Bonvoy™ Customer Care. It is my pleasure to assist you today. Please accept my apologies for any inconvenience caused and I can certainly understand your frustration. Please call our reservation line toll free, 24 hours a day at 1-888-236-2427. One of our dedicated associates will be happy to help you with your upcoming travel”.
Hilton Doubletree – No response!
Ramada – “Thank you! We’ve received your message. We will respond within 24 – 72 hours. We are currently experiencing a higher than normal volume, your patience is greatly appreciated.”
I’m still waiting!!
Hotels Don’t Offer Accessible Family Rooms, Is This Discrimination?
According to the Equality Act 2010, they say this:
Direct discrimination occurs where, because of disability, a person receives worse treatment than someone who does not have a disability. This provision is intended to stop people being denied a service, or receiving a worse service, because of prejudice”.
“What is discrimination arising from disability? (new)
Discrimination arising from disability occurs when a disabled person is treated unfavourably because of something connected with their disability and the unfavourable treatment cannot be justified. Discrimination arising from disability is different from direct discrimination. Direct discrimination occurs when a service provider treats someone less favourably because of the disability itself. In the case of discrimination arising from disability, the question is whether the disabled person has in practice been treated unfavourably because of something connected with their disability”.
So, the question is, are disabled people receiving worse treatment than non-disabled people if hotels are not offering accessible family rooms? If the hotel offers no alternative for a disabled family and they have to book an extra room because of this treatment, then I believe the answer is most definitely has to be a yes! But, if an alternative solution is offered, then direct discrimination has not taken place.
Are disabled families treated unfavourably because of something connected with their disability? I believe yes! Why? Because as a non-disabled person, you have multiple options available when booking a hotel room, single, double, suite & family. Disabled people have one option, Accessible! So when travelling with your family, how do you cater for them if the hotel won’t offer anything more than a standard accessible room?
What reasonable adjustments do you have to make for disabled people? (changed)
Service providers are required to make changes, where needed, to improve service for disabled customers or potential customers. There is a legal requirement to make reasonable changes to the way things are done (such as changing a policy), to the built environment (such as making changes to the structure of a building to improve access) and to provide auxiliary aids and services (such as providing information in an accessible format, an induction loop for customers with hearing aids, special computer software or additional staff support when using a service).
When a hotel refuses to offer an alternative solution, they are in breach of the Equality Act 2010! Simple as that!
Further help
The Equality and Human Rights Commission is the statutory body established to help eliminate discrimination and reduce inequality. It will issue a statutory Code of Practice explaining in more detail the law in relation to service provision and discrimination. It also produces a range of material providing practical guidance on how to comply with the law. www.equalityhumanrights.com 0845 604 6610.
***UPDATE*** Up & Coming Campaign
We (a few disabled people at present) are looking into starting a campaign to get the hospitality industry (particularly hotels/B&B’s etc.) to:
Make “family accessible” rooms available, don’t fob off with “we MAY be able to include an extra bed
If family-accessible rooms are not feasible, then offer 2nd room free
Give correct and factual information regarding accessible rooms – Include images, measurements of room, bed height and wet room
Train staff – Make staff training better, telling a wheelchair user another wheelchair user has used said accessible feature is not helpful or informative
If you liked my blog, feel free to leave a comment below. If you would like to work with me, or if there is anything you would like me to blog about, don’t hesitate to Contact Me.
Online Christmas Shopping During A Pandemic As A Disabled Person – On the high street as a full-time wheelchair user, shopping is difficult at the best of times. Throw in Christmas and it is a whole new ball game. Being in a pandemic and lockdown leaves me no other choice but to buy online! Do I prefer this to doing my shopping on the high street? What did I find to be the best and worst parts of shopping online for Christmas gifts?
I hate high street shopping at any time of the year. People, access, stupidity all add stress to what should be a normal part of my life! If you are an able-bodied person reading this, how many times in one shopping trip have you NOT been able to gain access to a shop because of steps? How many times have you NOT been able to browse around a shop due to clothes rails being so tightly packed together they hit your shoulder causing severe pain? Gone to a counter to pay and been ignored because the counter is so high you are NOT seen? Exactly!! I can experience each of these EVERY TIME I go shopping.
Benefits of Shopping Online
There are many benefits to shopping online.
It’s stress-free.
You can visit many different websites at the touch of a button.
Browse 1000’s of products in a short space of time.
You are not worrying about the next person bumping into you or clambering over your wheelchair.
Queue jumping because “they didn’t see you there”!
Best of all, left out in the cold because you can’t get into the shop!!
Online shopping gives you the freedom to search for what you want at a time that is right for you. Websites don’t have “opening times” the same as physical shops do! So, if you want to shop for a pair of socks at 2 am, you can!
If like me and you use a PC, then another benefit is you can have several tabs open comparing the same item across different sites to check for delivery time/charges, price of the item and of course returns policy. Can you imagine doing that on the high street, even if you’re not a wheelchair user? I love the fact I can sit at my desk, a cup of tea beside me and settle down to browse gifts for family/friends in the warmth of my own home.
The Downside of Shopping Online
When shopping online, images of products are of course going to be great looking. After all, the company is trying to sell you their product. You only have to read my review of Tapi Carpets to see the issues you can have.
You can’t feel the item – Texture, material
Smell the item – Some fake leather products can smell really bad
Colour is not always the same when viewing on a monitor
Judge sizing when shopping for items such as clothing.
Solitary experience.
I have bought things that look great online but once received, the material is of lesser quality, or the item is smaller, or worse, turns up broken or faulty. I have bought a Christmas present that looked a good size and quality online but having received it, I know it’s going to be a big disappointment to the recipient! No doubt it will have to be returned. Sometimes you just want to see an item in the flesh.
I have done 90% of my Christmas shopping online this year. I’ve used brand company websites, eBay and Amazon. Companies I’ve not been familiar with and I have to say, I’ve only had two incidents. One, where an item arrived broken and another replaced by a lesser quality item than what was advertised. Both of which have been sorted fairly easily.
Security Measures in Place
Online Christmas Shopping During A Pandemic As A Disabled Person – Making sure you are aware of the pitfalls of shopping online is paramount! There are many ways things can go horribly wrong.
Identity theft.
Spam emails.
Fake websites.
Fake products.
Cloned bank card – To name a few.
However, research is everything! It is important to gather as much information as possible about the company you are shopping online with. Once you have done these checks a few times, it will become easier to spot a dodgy website/product.
Check websites address for HTTPS – If the company’s web address starts with HTTPS (especially on checkout pages), then you know your information is being sent over a secure network. – What is HTTPS?
Pay with Paypal where possible – If you pay by Paypal, the company you are purchasing from will NOT have any information regarding your card details. Only your name, address, email address and phone number if supplied. The beauty is, you don’t even need to have a Paypal account to do this.
Use a recommended website where possible – It’s always good practice to use website friends and family have used. You will know if they had a good or bad experience.
Check delivery and returns policy – Things can go wrong and for this reason, always check the returns policy and make sure you agree with the company’s terms. You don’t want to get caught out when things are too late.
Can you find the company address? – The Gov.uk website, says the following: Before an order is placed, you must provide: your business name, contact details and address, so it is helpful if you can find this as a lot of companies show pricing in GBP but originate and send products from another country.
Conclusion
If you do your research and check out the website the best you can, you should have a fairly pleasant experience. Yes, things will invariably go wrong, that’s life but you shouldn’t have too much of a problem getting the issue resolved. I will most definitely be doing my Christmas shopping online next year!
May I take this opportunity to wish you all very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Please look after yourself and others. Here’s hoping next year will bring better things to all.
More Info
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Fish Insurance: Do You Have Insurance For Your Wheelchair? – If you insure your wheelchair or mobility aid, you get peace of mind and protection for your chair. Fish Insurance is a company that can insure your mobility products:
Mobility Scooter
Manual Wheelchair
Electric Wheelchair
Prosthetics & Orthotics
And of course all the other stuff like home/holiday insurance etc.
As you may be aware, I am due to fly out to Vegas later in the year and my biggest worry of all things that could go wrong is my electric wheelchair being broken, or worse, lost!! That would be my trip destroyed. So insurance is very important. My insurance package for my NHS Electric Wheelchair with Fish includes a worldwide cover (including baggage handler cover). This is exactly what I needed to put my mind at rest, I’m sure you can imagine the stress I was feeling!
As a responsible wheelchair user, (well, most of the time :)) I decided it was a good idea to be insured, if nothing else, for third-party. We all know there are people out there that will do anything to make a buck or two. Anyway, a few of my friends recommended Fish.
So I rang them up yesterday to get a quote as I found their website to have a few flaws:
Didn’t have my make and model of wheelchair
When you click on “Get Your Quote” you are taken through the steps to “purchase” the insurance.
It turns out Fish did actually have my make/model of wheelchair but was just not showing up on the website. This flaw could possibly invalidate your insurance if you haven’t selected your correct wheelchair.
The first man I spoke with was helpful but sounded rather bored and like he really didn’t want to be there. I didn’t feel confident in going any further with my enquiry or even purchase, so I told him I would ring back later. Which I did do. The second man I spoke with was very nice and very chatty, actually, it got to the point where I thought I was never going to get off the phone but nonetheless, I did. He answered all my questions and I was happy enough to go ahead and purchase the insurance.
At the time of taking out my insurance, here are a couple of the things they cover:
Loss or theft Up to £7,000
Third-party liability Up to £2m
Contingent liability of Up to £2m
Personal accident Up to £3,000
Worldwide cover (including baggage handler cover) – Excludes liability cover in North America & Canada (Up to 21 days)
Please remember, insurance companies are always changing/updating their policies, so the above may be different if/when you enquire/purchase yours.
A couple of points to remember:
Make sure you tell them if your wheelchair is manual or electric
If your wheelchair is NHS or privately owned – Each have their own pricing
Make sure you pick the correct option for your wheelchair/scooter – You don’t want to invalidate your insurance
If you liked my blog, why not sign up to my Newsletter so you never miss a beat, or leave a comment below. If there is anything you would like me to blog about, don’t hesitate to Contact Me.
Being Disabled: Should It Mean I Can’t dress nicely? I take a look at high street clothing and adaptive clothing to see how easy it is to dress nicely as a disabled person who is also a wheelchair user.
Dressing Nicely
Finding clothes that sit right AND look nice on a person who is always in a sitting position is not an easy task. When I go out, I want to look my best. It makes me feel happy and I feel much more confident.
I enjoy coordinating my clothes, shoes and make-up. I have different styles of clothing depending on the situation I am going out for. Rock chic look for karaoke nights down the pub, jacket & trousers for when I meet with shop managers and casual for meeting up with friends.
Fashion, unfortunately, is not geared for people in wheelchairs or disabled people in general. For example, models are 90% of the time in a standing position when being photographed for magazines/websites etc. If they do happen to be in a sitting position, it’s not a natural sitting position a wheelchair user would be sitting in.
Heels of any height is a no-no for me, as transferring in/out of my chair becomes impossible, I have to stick with flat shoes (ballerina type) which can leave a lot to be desired when it comes to style/design.
I have seen some lovely dresses hanging on the rail in clothes shops but as soon as I try it on, (oh, don’t get me started on dressing/fitting rooms in these shops) it is dreadful. It all bunches up on my lap, making the dress look far too long for me and looking like it could do with a good iron. So I now know it is pretty worthless even looking at dresses when out clothes shopping.
It has taken me many years to know what will suit me as a wheelchair user. Not only because I sit down all day but because of my body shape too. It’s still not an exact science but the majority of the time I can pick up an item, look at it and know if it’s for me. Well, I say that but I still have to fit them on as sizing greatly differs from shop to shop.
High Street v Adaptive Clothing for Disabled People
Adaptive clothing, I have to admit, is not something I ever think about. I suppose this may have something to do with the fact it’s not widely advertised, therefore, when doing a clothing search online, I can honestly say, I have never seen anything to do with adaptive clothing appear in my results. I have to tell my search engine I am searching for “Adaptive Clothing” before anything will appear.
Like everything else that is sold to make “disabled people’s lives better/easier”, it can come at a very high price:
This is a wrap-around red skirt, it has two pockets and is fastened with a velcro strip on the waistband. I see a couple of issues with this skirt:
How strong is the velcro? Will it come undone with manoeuvring, transferring out of my chair?
Anyone half decent with a needle could attach a piece of velcro themselves.
HOW MUCH?? £52.50…….You are having a laugh!!
There is no way, under any circumstances would I pay £52 for a skirt, no way!!
By comparison, this skirt is also a wrap-around style…..Cost? £9.00 (was £12.99). Even at full price, it’s much more affordable. At the full price, you are making a saving of £39.51, not something to be snubbed at.
The item description says: “Calf-length skirt in a softly draping viscose weave. High waist with concealed press-studs and ties at one side, a wrapover front and asymmetric hem. Unlined”. A little needlework and a piece of velcro could be put in place of press stud.
Ok, how is this item any different to a pair of leggings??? They say ” Fully elasticated waistband for ease of dressing”. Errm, so are all the trousers I possess that I have bought from high street retailers! Again, how are these “Adaptive”?? And you want £40 quid……No!
At the end of the day, you can wheel into any high street clothing retailer and find an identical designed item for a much cheaper price!
These leggings may not be floral but no different from the pair above: “Made from a stretch jersey fabric for comfortable wear, they feature an elasticated waistband and finish with a tie dye print”.
The price of these are again much more affordable: £14.99
I know which pair I would purchase.
So, by comparison, these next two items are what I would agree are in fact “Adaptive” pieces of clothing:
Now this is what I would believe to be an adaptive jacket, they say:
“This very comfortable Wheelchair Jacket has been specifically designed for wheelchair users. The front of the jacket has a shorter cut to prevent it bunching up and to keep it looking stylish at all times. Similarly, the arms of the jacket are reinforced on the insides for extra strength and durability, ensuring that the Wheelchair Jacket is strong enough to cope with all the usual scuffs and abrasions that occur when self-propelling without any loss of performance”.
So the problem I mentioned about dresses bunching up at the front has been catered for and I know how sleeves can get damaged very quickly while self-propelling in a manual wheelchair.
Look at that, a reasonable price too: £16.48 Just goes to show, adaptive does not have to mean expensive!
This is a polo shirt that the wearer can put on like a back-to-front jacket. Or at least that’s what I think they mean.
The description says: “Full back overlap with snaps at shoulders. This adaptive polo shirt for men completely opens up, allowing the individual’s arms to be slid into the garment sleeves without ever having to raise/lower their arms or struggle with small neck openings. The back overlap is then folded over and domed/snapped into place”.
I’m extremely disappointed that this company shows no images of how the “Adaptive” part works. Just looks like an ordinary polo shirt as it stands.
Domed/snapped?? Not sure what that means. But at the price of £76.92, I really couldn’t care less as again this is just legalised robbery!!
I have saved the most expensive for last…..Cosyfeet pair of boots: A website: Adaptaware, directs you to Cosyfeet when looking on their site for footwear.
As I mentioned before, my feet are odd sized and shaped, therefore I normally need to buy 2 pairs of shoes to accommodate this. But bugger if I would purchase 2 pairs of these.
Ironically, if they were more reasonably priced, I would have bought a pair, I like the style of them. Unfortunately, at the wonderful price of £112.00 – £93.33 without VAT I would not even consider purchasing a pair.
Would this be classed as a VAT relief disability aid? Hmm not sure myself!
100% waterproof to keep feet dry in all weathers
Breathable and with climate control to keep feet comfy and fresh
Windproof to keep feet warm and comfy
Water-resistant lace adjusts to fit a range of swelling
Roomier than it looks due to hidden-depth design
Seam-free toe area is ideal for problem toes
Lightweight sole is durable, shock-absorbing and cleated for good grip
Deep collar offers additional stability around the ankle
Comfort footbed is removable for extra depth – ideal for orthotics
The description is still leaving me with the question of how are these “adaptive”? Hang on…….Seam-free toe area? Is it just me, or does it look like the seam goes right over the toe area?. Climate control?? Are you for real? Where’s the temp knob? Hidden depth design…..Oh, this must be like the “luggage” in Terry Pratchett books.
Conclusion
It would seem that some items described as “Adaptive” are truly adaptive and would benefit many disabled people but…As with all aspects of life, it would also seem that some companies are trying to “cash in” on the £259 Billion spending power of disabled people by advertising some of their products as “Adaptive” when clearly it is no more adaptive than I am Lady Ga Ga!!
The prices of the majority of these products are purely legalised robbery! Do these adaptive clothing really cost this much to make? I doubt it very much. Disabled people have much more to pay out for in comparison to ableds, yet still, companies who advertise to help make disabled’s lives easier, do this by fleecing us! In turn, making our financial lives much harder to impossible!!
Some of these products can be bought from many high street shops and with a little alteration, can be “Adaptive”. Yes, I’m aware not all people can do this (physically) I for one. The question is, would it be cheaper to purchase high street product and pay someone to make alterations, or purchase the “Adaptive” product??
As a disabled person, of course, I would love my daily life to be easier but I’m just not willing to pay the kind of prices that are being asked from some, of these adaptive clothing. Shoes are my nemesis, I have one foot that swells up much more than the other. Depending on style/sizing, I have to buy two pairs of shoes so I can have one of the shoes in the next size up needed for me to wear them. Boots? Well, I’ve given up trying to find a nice pair of those for wintertime. I really like the boots above but will not pay that price.
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Prices/information were correct at the time this blog went live. (I have no affiliation with any third parties I may have linked to.)
Disabled people: Brand New Car Every Three Years! The biggest misconception is that disabled people get a brand new car for free. Not true! The Motability Scheme helps disabled people in receipt of the higher rate mobility allowance by exchanging this allowance to lease a new affordable car, Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle, scooter or powered wheelchair.
Motability
In a nutshell, anyone in receipt of the higher rate mobility allowance (such as the Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment or the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance) can use their mobility allowance to lease a car, scooter, powered wheelchair or Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle from Motability. The lease is normally for three years and five years for a WAV (Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle).
Motability’s standard lease takes care of running costs such as insurance for up to three named drivers (this doesn’t have to be you), servicing, maintenance, breakdown cover and tyre and windscreen repair and replacement. All you need to do is add fuel and go.
Misconception
I’ve had it said to me many many times that it must be so good getting a brand new car every couple of years for free! Yeah, I suppose it would be great but this is just not the case. The look on those people’s faces when I explain that’s not the case and I actually pay for my car on a monthly basis is a cross between shock and disbelief.
The look on those people’s faces when I explain that’s not the case and I actually pay for my car on a monthly basis is a cross between shock and disbelief.
I give up the higher rate of my mobility component so I may have a car to allow me my independence, rather than having to depend on other people to get my medication, shopping etc. When my son was school age, I was able to take him and pick him up from school. This was paramount to me as he was being bullied at school and suffered terrible anxiety.
I became a full-time wheelchair user many years ago, not being able to put my own electric wheelchair in our car and drive off somewhere, means I can longer go out on my own. Therefore I am now in the process of applying for WAV (I will write about my experience, once I have received my car).
Further Information
For a full breakdown of who is eligible, how to apply and more help, check out Motability’s website.
If you want me to blog about a specific subject, or just to say hi, please don’t hesitate to Contact Me.
Are You VAT Exempt? Did you know, as a disabled person, you may be exempt from having to pay VAT on certain items?? Neither did I!! According to Gov.uk website: If you’re disabled you’ll generally have to pay VAT on the things you buy, but VAT relief is available on a limited range of goods and services for disabled people. VAT relief may be available if you’re buying goods because of your disability. Source: Gov.uk
You’ll only be able to have eligible goods VAT-free if you’re chronically sick or disabled and the goods are for your personal or domestic use. You do not need to be registered disabled or eligible for any other benefit to qualify for VAT-free goods.
Goods you can buy VAT-free
This section has information on the goods you can buy VAT-free because of your disability including:
medical and surgical appliances
invalid wheelchairs and mobility scooters
equipment to aid the hard of hearing, and low vision aids
specialist beds, chair and stairlifts, rise and recline chairs and other lifting equipment and sanitary devices
goods that have been designed solely for disabled people
computer equipment
emergency alarm call systems
boats
parts and accessories
You can hire or lease eligible goods VAT-free if you’re disabled. Your retailer or other supplier is responsible for checking if the goods are eligible to sell VAT-free.
Medical and surgical appliances
You’ll not have to pay VAT when you buy medical or surgical appliances that are designed solely for the relief of a severe abnormality or severe injury such as amputation, rheumatoid arthritis, learning difficulties or blindness.
Appliances that can be bought VAT-free include:
invalid wheelchairs
certain types of mobility scooters
leg braces
neck collars
oxygen concentrators
specialist clothing
specialist footwear
wigs
Items that you cannot buy VAT-free include bandages, plasters or other wound dressings and dentures (unless you buy them from a dentist or other dental care professional).
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