Designability delivers “world first” accessible pushchair to customer ahead of mass rollout
Disability charity Designability has delivered its accessible pushchair to its first customer, a mother of three and a wheelchair user.
Ali Nye agreed to provide user feedback on the innovative product that safely attaches a wheelchair to a pushchair before the charity hands over a further run of 20 to families early next year.
Ali explained “It is very frustrating that the world is so inaccessible, especially for disabled parents. Pushchairs are so difficult to manoeuvre with wheelchairs that it can be a nightmare. I’ve stopped doing the school run on my own as it’s such a hassle.”
Now that she has the Accessible Pushchair she said, “I can’t wait to start using it and to be able to do everything myself now.”
The Accessible Pushchair was developed in response to it being the top requested product in the charity’s 50-year history. For disabled parents and carers who are wheelchair users, there is no safe way to get to the shops or the park independently with their young child.
As well as the practical difficulties, disabled parents have spoken about the emotional impact of having to be dependent on others to go out with their baby or toddler, and that this means they feel like a ‘lesser’ parent.
With no such product currently available on the market, disabled parents and carers either have to stay at home or rely on a non-disabled relative or friend. Many parents choose to have their child sitting on their lap, which can be unsafe and uncomfortable, but often there is no other option.
With Designability employing a person-centred design approach, disabled people were involved and consulted at every stage of the product’s development. They carried out in-person prototype trials with parents who are manual wheelchair users, with further parents engaging online.
Parents shared how challenging it is to take their baby or toddler out and about while using a manual wheelchair. Using their feedback and insights, the charity was able to create the innovative final design, the world’s first accessible pushchair designed for mass manufacture.
The unique design replaces the traditional rear wheels/footbrake assembly, turning any conventional pushchair into an accessible pushchair. They also worked in partnership with leading UK pushchair manufacturer Mamas and Papas to ensure the pushchair complies with British Safety Standards.
Known for designing innovative products that help disabled people live with greater independence, Designability has won multiple awards for their revolutionary Accessible Pushchair for wheelchair users.
Borne out of a partnership between the Royal United Hospital and the University of Bath in the 1960s, the charity is best known for their pioneering Wizzybug Loan Scheme which provides free, fun, powered wheelchairs called Wizzybugs to very young disabled children across the UK.
In recent news, Designability announced that Jim Bowes has been appointed as its new CEO to help the charity carry forward its ambitious growth strategy.
