I was delighted to be invited back to the University of Brighton this week to take part in the launch of a new project, Enabled, to 3D Design & Craft students. This project, which being run by Course Leader, Jem Ryan: "aims to address the disability divide through thoughtful research, listening, design and making". I
I had the pleasure of visiting Handmade at Kew this week, an exciting event in the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens which features work from over 150 international and UK-based contemporary artists showcasing gorgeous textiles, jewellery, ceramics, glass and furniture. The talent this year is extraordinary. Exhibitors include DFF alumnus, Jack Durling who is showing a
In the Summer of 2014, we participated in a 3 day workshop with the (sadly now defunct) Design Futures programme at the University of Brighton which was led by Damon Taylor, design theorist and cultural historian. The participants were about 30 students from diverse degrees (from marketing to fashion and business) and the stakeholders of 5 social
"Terra, Mural" is the result of an exciting collaboration between The Michael Aldrich Foundation and Brighton artist, Jack Durling. Across two workshops, one as part of the "Into the Arts Conference" at the University of Brighton and another at Jack's studio, artists and members of the public created clay tiles inspired by Jack's conservation- focussed
Over the past year our friends at Enabled by Design have been working with the Research Institute for Disabled Consumers (RiDC) & Leicestershire Centre for Integrated Living (LCiL) to develop a consumer review website for and by disabled & older people called Rate it! They want to launch Rate it! with as many independent living
We are always thrilled to see new entrants to the assistive technology market. I came across ellihome today which has been founded by sisters Olivia Robertson & Clare Cooper. Their vision is to increase the independence and wellbeing of older people by creating beautifully designed, high quality Assisted Living products. Olivia is a registered Occupational Therapist
Do you have an idea that could help change personal mobility forever? The Toyota Mobility Foundation has contacted us to tell us about the Mobility Unlimited Challenge. The Toyota Mobility Foundation was established in 2014 to support the development of a more mobile society. The foundation uses Toyota’s expertise in technology, safety, and the environment
We are always keen to add to our list of stylish women's shoes and today we were approached by a new company, Bells Shoes, asking to be included. Bells Shoes are a family business based in Buxton, Derbyshire. See below for more details. Is this still the definitive list of stylish but comfortable women’s shoes
I was fortunate a couple of weeks ago to meet up with Seb Royce of Kindeo who demonstrated this new story telling app. Your family’s memory box With the Kindeo iPad app, you create short videos about your life with questions and helpful prompts to guide you. We store all your videos safely for you, to
I was recently sent this fascinating film about the groundbreaking SAGE project by Ken Dychtwald from Age Wave (who features in the film). Ken explains : "In the very early 1970s, two remarkable women came together in Berkeley California to midwife a grand vision of the future of aging intertwined with the future of mind/body
