Category Archives: disabled musings

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Did you know that Mugdock Country Park is accessible to everyone?  We have a number of items that you can borrow for free, please share this post! :
- We have 2 motorised mobility scooters that make getting along the paths here a breeze.  They are extremely easy to use and we give you all the guidance you need.  In these, a trip round the whole country park is possible.
- We have 2 manual wheelchairs which can also be borrowed for no charge, they would allow access around the visitor centre and down to the garden centre, but are a little bumpy over some of the rougher paths within the park.
- We have fully adapted toilets in the courtyard.
- PLUS, we have an absolutely fantastic ‘Duet’ bike, which is so much fun.  Its suitable for one rider and either a child or small adult at the front. If you want to have a try at any of these items or borrow them for your visit here you can do so at no cost.
Just call and reserve your item on 01419566100, or drop us an email at office@mugdock.orgSee more

  • Hi gang so Mugdock country park got in touch to tell us about their accessibility info which is great 1 because they have the kit but 2 because companies and businesses are now catching on that they should be advertising their accessibility rather than it being the disabled person’s responsibility to hunt out x

gigs and festivals

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So I wanted to talk about going to gigs and music festivals as someone with limited mobility. Basically, every event is different but almost every main event nowadays makes provision for those with limited mobility. How to get this: – Usually, to access this requires calling up a specific phone number . Details are available from the main ticket provider but some common important ones include 0844…8471655 ticket master 08448717677 ambassador tickets (theatre royal and kings) Be prepared to wait a long time and perhaps call back again and again. However, there is usually less demand for disabled tickets so you can usually get them Eventually. – Proof of eligibility may be required such as at Department of work and pensions letter
Examples of some of the adaptations that can be made include: Access to disabled parking Reserved accessible seating with a companion. This is often on a raised viewing platform which is actually pretty good. At the gig I was at this weekend nondisabled people kept trying to sneak in. Disabled accessible Portakabins reserved just for your use. Tends to be much cleaner than the ones used for the masses Overall, there is really good support available if you do want to keep going to gigs sometimes it requires just a bit more planning and determination

Glasgow disability Alliance

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Glasgow disability Alliance has just agreed to make us a member and support us on their facebook page This organisation has a membership of over 1500 disabled people which is the largest group of disabled members in Scotland. They act to represent the voice of disabled people and groups promoting quality rate and social justice

Glasgow Disability Alliance

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I wanted to highlight another great organisation: Glasgow Disability Alliance.
“GDA is a membership-led organisation of disabled people and
groups in Glasgow. Our mandated mission is to act as the collective, representative voice of disabled people and their groups, promoting equality, rights and social justice. GDA has a membership of over 1500 disabled people and is the biggest groundswell of disabled members in Scotland, if not, the UK”
They are currently running a campaign focussed on making bars,clubs restaurants etc more accessible so thought it was very appropriate to highlight it here on DAG because that’s what we’re all about

Please support them if you can

The Teapot Trust

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Wanted to highlight this great charity supported by Cup on Byres Rd – ***The Teapot Trust***

“Currently operating in Sick Kids Hospital in Edinburgh and Yorkhill in Glasgow we aim to help children cope with the emotional and mental strain that so often accompany their battle with illness.

In particular, the Teapot Trust focuses on supporting children suffering from complex rheumatology diseases including Lupus. We want to promote greater awareness of these lesser known illnesses, and provide comprehensive support to the children and their families living with such demanding and difficult long-term conditions.  Contact us on 01875 812012 or email info@teapot-trust.org”

A great cause hope you support them if you can

Disabled go.com

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I want to highlight this website: http://www.disabledgo.com/
It’s great+ far more professional than anything I could achieve. BUT I think this page compliments it in the following 3 ways
1. Disabled access glasgow will cover the West End
2. It will assess places unofficially meaning it’s more realistic than when everyone’s on their best disabled friendly behaviour
3. I’ll try and give an idea about the feel of a place from how good the food is, atmosphere, price, friendliness etc.
My aim is to fill these gaps and hopefully between us we can get out and about all over :)

voice recognition software

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So today I wanted to talk about an app called Dragon. I think it could be really useful for those with upper limb problems as well as lower limb. It’s a free app from Apple. It converts your speech into text. So that by simply speaking into your phone you can send text directly to SMS, twitter, Facebook, e-mail or copy paste it to any other setting you’d like. I’ve recently started using it and find it really useful and hopefully others might too

My top 5 spots in Glasgow and beyond for a decent walk on wheels

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Ok time for something a little different. This site is about enjoying leisure time and that includes the outdoors so thought would highlight my personal top 5 spots in Glasgow and beyond for a decent walk on wheels. All of the below have parking nearby and level tarmaced walks
1. Botanic gardens – in the west end, handy for the shops the botanic is almost always lively and has beautiful array of walks. Plus if the weathers not great there’s always the stunning Kibble palace hothouse to take refuge in
2. Kelvingrove park- this is split into two bits divided by kelvin way but there is a pedistrian crossing between the two. Both have riverside paths and green areas. The museum side will be host to commonwealth lawn bowling next year whilst the larger park circus side has fountains, the old bandstand, a pond, tennis courts and extends far up towards great Western road. It also has good views of the beautiful buildings of park circus.
3. Pollok country park – on the south side of Glasgow has miles of paths passing by formal gardens, riverside, woodland and stables complete with cart horses
4. Esplanade at Greenock- just 30mins drive outside Glasgow and you can walk for miles beside the Clyde looking across to stunning mountains that scotland does so well. Great way to feel in the wilds of Scotland without the hassle
5. Almost any local park! Glasgow has more green space than most other European city and in all parts of the city you can find decent paths to get along on the off chance we have decent weather

top 5 tips for travel

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Disabled Access Glasgow is having a little holiday so thought would give my top5 tips for a Preholiday travel checklist
There is all the usual holiday preparations such as clothes, tourist information etc. But there’s also some disability specific extras including
1. valid travel insurance: make sure this includes any medical conditions and covers for mobility equipment. A valid E1 11 card is also required in the European Union
2. Ensure a full supply of medications including spares in case of unexpected extended stay. Consider carrying your medications in hand luggage in case your bags are lost. Consider getting a letter from your doctor if you have any medication such as opiates, other substances which may be illegal abroad or medical equipment such as syringes or needles. Obviously check with your doctor that its safe to travel and check foreign office guidelines on hygiene and vaccinations
3. If possible get as much accessibility information in advance especially regarding your accommodation but also tourist information. It can be easier to gain this from websites here especially if language will be a barrier. It also allows you to plan better your activities
4. Ensure all any mobility equipment is charged and in good condition before you go.
5. Have a backup/ in case of emergencies plan. For example, enough money for emergencies, reliable communications eg landline at hotel where you can be contacted in case of mobile phone issues, first aid kit for likely minor ailments.
I know it sounds a lot of hassle and hopefully you won’t need any of it but at least it means you can relax on holiday and if the worst happens it won’t be a disaster

wheelchair accessible trolleys

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A slightly more unusual note today. I wanted to highlight  wheelchair accessible trolleys. these clip onto the front of most wheelchairs. These are useful in that you don’t have to balance your shopping on your legs
they provide independence for wheelchair using shoppers
They’re also a protection against people bumping into you with their trolleys.
They should be available in all major supermarkets but can be difficult to get in reality. I have had a 12 months battle for my local supermarkets to order them but now they are available to anyone who wishes to use them.
I’m sure most of you know all about this but I just wanted to make sure anyone who might benefit is aware