Mobility Roadshow: Better by Design

19 April 2011 - Design will feature strongly at this year’s Mobility Roadshow - the organisers have partnered with Enabled by Design and Such and Such Design to introduce a new interactive Design Zone. Here designers, innovators and Roadshow visitors can meet in an open forum to exchange ideas about looks and functionality of current and future independent living products.

If you have an idea for a new product, the Design Surgery is your chance to speak to a professional designer about its feasibility, and gain all-important advice on how to take it forward, exploring practical issues such as design, production, marketing and cost implications.  

The Design Showcase will feature independent living products of the future. Here visitors will have the opportunity to test some exciting new concepts as well as products new to the market.

In the Design Video Booth you’ll be able to have your say about the products that you love, hate or would like to change in some way. This is your chance to say exactly how it is for you, as well as letting us know your dream wish list of products that do not yet exist and make sure you don’t miss the new ‘cool wall’ - what’s hot and what’s not in design.

“Independent living and mobility products have evolved tremendously in recent years, some retaining popular classic origins, others pushing design and innovation boundaries,” said Jacqui Jones, Executive Director, Mobility Choice, organisers of the Mobility Roadshow. “However many Roadshow visitors tell us they would like an opportunity to put forward their ideas at a much earlier stage; to tell the design teams what would really work for them.
“We’ve listened and now we are giving them the platform to speak,” added Jacqui.

The Mobility Roadshow is the UK’s premier consumer mobility and lifestyle event. It takes place this year at the East of England Showground, Peterborough on 30th June, 1st and 2nd July.

You’ll find a great line-up of vehicles to test drive, conversions, adaptations, motoring accessories, wheelchairs and scooters, all-ability cycling, specialist holidays and lifestyle options. The sports zone is expanding this year, too with the biggest selection of accessible sports and games to try out.

It is open from 10 am each day. Don’t miss it. Register now for free entry and news at www.mobilityroadshow.co.uk  or call 0845 241 0390.

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Editorial contact for more information, pictures and interviews

Rosemary Vaux at Mobility Roadshow press office

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Such and Such Design

Such and Such Design are passionate about creating independent living products that promote style and choice whilst also enabling the user in their day to day life.  The company was founded in 2006 by Hayley Smith and David Buckley who, having worked with end users for several years in the healthcare market, decided that a new approach was needed to deliver the inclusive products of the future.  Today Such and Such work closely with healthcare providers, disability groups, manufacturers and individuals to ensure that the needs and desires of the market are met in the products we produce.'

The directors share the vision that all design should be smart, efficient, and above all, useful.  Hayley Smith trained in Engineering Product Design at London South Bank University whilst David Buckley trained in Mechanical Engineering and Design at Brunel University.  Both have been involved in the field of design for disability in various different roles ranging from lecturing in Design Research for Disability to producing bespoke products for disabled children.

Enabled by Design

Denise Stephens is co-founder of Enabled by Design (EbD), which is a community of people who are passionate about well designed products and services, that can help to make day to day tasks that little bit easier and support independent living. EbD was inspired by Denise's experiences following her diagnosis of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2003. As she became more dependent on assistive equipment, her world was slowly but surely transformed into an uninspirational palette of “NHS” grey and beige. Frustrated by the current one-size-fits-all ethos and wanting to make an immediate difference to other people’s lives, Denise decided to set up www.enabledbydesign.org.