It all started last year when I met Adam Thomas, and we started chatting about accessible properties abroad and he told me about a project he was working on. It was in Cyprus, somewhere that we had looked at previously to buy a property, as we had visited numerous times both for training camps and family holidays.
Cyprus is an extraordinary place, steeped in 10,000 years of history. I went with my husband Adam, a wheelchair user, for the first time last April and I was there again in October. I can’t believe that it took me so long to find it.
When Carl first suggested I got involved in what became the Q Well Being project, I jumped at the chance. I’ve spent 30 years in an industry where getting away with the bare minimum in terms of access is standard – and had many battles on behalf of clients along the way.
I’ve just come back from seeing Adam’s accessible kitchen stand at Naidex at the NEC. I am a bit biased, but his was the only stand that really blew me away. The show is a fantastic show case for 1000’s of really useful but functional items, designed by some really clever engineers.
As part of our research for Q Well Being we thought we should go and visit many of the sites around the UK that we’d like to get inspiration from. On 5th January 2009 we went to Aspire in Stanmore to look at their accessible gym and also the access ramp for the swimming pool.
I [...]
It never ceases to amaze me what can be done with a little idea. Adam mentioned to me Barcelona’s accessible beach early last year and we both thought what a great facility this was and wouldn’t it be great if we could do the same thing in Cyprus. This would really show the world that [...]
The Q Well Being project team of David Bonnett Associates, Adam Thomas and Carl Davies met on 5th May 2009 to agree the final design details. After nearly a year’s discussion, research and redesign we are nearing the finishing line.
I just had to put finger to keyboard and moan that even in the accessible city that is London it has taken me over an hour on the interweb and phone to find a restaurant that has a fully accessible loo.
The information is just not readily available. I was having a dinner meeting with Adam [...]
[ July 12, 2009; ] Disability Awareness Day (DAD) is an annual independent living exhibition and a family fun day rolled into one.
[ June 4, 2009 to June 6, 2009. ] The 4th – 6th of June QIS will be attending the Mobility Roadshow where we will showcase our latest development – Q Well Being.