Blackwood’s Abbey Court development, which provides housing and support for people with physical disabilities, will host a focus group with inventor Alex Papanikolaou, in which tenants will have the opportunity to test his unique Freedom One Life® power wheelchair.

Award winning Scottish entrepreneur Alex, from Perth, has Cerebral Palsy and for the past year has been using one of the latest prototypes of his chair, covering over 2,000 kilometres to date.

Freedom One Life® has a seven day lithium battery life and a 10 year cycle life, compared with only the one day lead battery life and one year cycle life typical of most power chairs. It also has a sleek and smart design to counter the standard clinical look of many personal mobility vehicles.

Alex spoke of how his product was born out of the challenges and frustrations that he has encountered with other power chairs throughout his life.

He said: “I’ve used power chairs since I was at school, so have first-hand experience of the limitations that are imposed upon those with disabilities by chairs that are outdated and expensive.

“One major issue for many wheelchair users is travelling. Many people have horror stories about being stranded and some never go on holiday at all in case their chair breaks.

“It was this overwhelming evidence that the current chairs are not fit for purpose that pushed me to want to do it better.

“I recognise Blackwood as a leader and champion for independent living and technology that adds freedom to the lives of people with disabilities, so I’m very excited to have the tenants experience my chair design and to get their essential feedback.”

Paul Richoux, Social Media Co-ordinator at Blackwood, said:

“The tenants are all very keen to try out the Freedom One Life power chair.

“We’re always on the lookout for innovative products which would help people to live more independently and many of our tenants could hugely benefit from Alex’s design, so we’re delighted he has chosen to work with us and eager to see the outcome of the trials.”

More information on the Freedom One Life® power wheelchair can be found at the following link: http://freedomonelife.com/

Designed and created by Blackwood, one of Scotland’s leading housing and care providers, the hugely innovative houses will set a new standard of accessibility by combining technology, modern construction and engagement to meet customers’ changing needs.

Since it built its first home in Dundee in 1972, Blackwood has endeavored to be a pioneer in accessible housing. Today, the Blackwood vision is to be able to offer beautiful, accessible and affordable homes.

The development comes as part of Blackwood’s five year Business Plan and is set to be completed by May 2017. Along with its newest office in Tayside, the care provider’s main focus is to grow its Care at Home business using its own branded smart technology to help those with disabilities live their lives to the full.

Fanchea Kelly, Chief Executive at Blackwood, said:

“We always strive to be at the forefront of the latest innovations and technologies, and building these accessible and affordable homes in Dundee will allow us to continue to improve and enhance the lives of those we work with.

“We’re delighted to see the progress that is being made on site. The development is well underway and it’s fantastic to see it already starting to take shape exactly as we had envisioned it.

“People are at the heart of what we do, and it’s only with the dedication of our own team that we can deliver value and quality to our customers – so having the opportunity to create these beautiful homes to further help those living with disabilities is particularly exciting for us.

“We very much pride ourselves on being at the forefront of the housing and care sector, but to remain there it’s vital that we continue to grow and develop in order to listen to the ever evolving needs of our service-users and help shape our future.”

Since it was launched 40 years ago, Blackwood has built an impressive reputation for its expertise in adapting properties to let people with disabilities, sensory impairments and age-related conditions to live as independently as possible.

For more information about Blackwood, visit www.blackwoodgroup.org.uk.

MEBot, Mobility Enhancement Robotic Wheelchair, Best New Concept

Digital glasses which assist people who have lost the use of their arms and a wheelchair that goes up and down steps have been crowned the winners of a “Dragons’ Den” style design competition.

The Blackwood Design Awards – which discover, and champion, new and innovative ideas to improve the lives of those with physical or learning disabilities – recently took place at the Dundee Contemporary Arts centre and saw nine shortlisted inventors pitch for the top spot.

This year, for the first time, the competition was made up of two distinct categories.

MEBot, a Mobility Enhancement Robotic Wheelchair was named Best New Concept, while GlassOuse, which uses Bluetooth to connect disabled users to computers, phones and televisions won the Best New Product title.

MEBot is a robotic-powered, six wheel wheelchair which has been designed to tackle both kerbs and challenging terrains, such as icy and slippery surfaces, as its large centre driving wheels can reposition themselves to simulate front-, mid-, or rear-wheel driving.

While the traditional power wheelchair can get stuck on difficult types of ground, MEBot uses its front and rear caster wheels to inch forward on slick surfaces. It has a seat stabilisation system which keeps the driver safely upright and also stair climbing ability – which is ultimately what set it apart from other wheelchair designs.

The MEBot team, based in Pittsburgh, USA, will now receive a cash prize of £2000 from BDA sponsor Kingdom Gas, professional support and guidance on design development from one of Scotland’s top product design companies, 4c Design, and backing from business law experts, Harper MacLeod, in addition to that of Blackwood.

Rory Cooper, Leader of the MEBot Design Team and Director of the Human Engineering Research Laboratories at the University of Pittsburgh, said: “The MEBot was inspired by wounded, injured and ill veterans that would like to be able to do more than is possible with current wheeled mobility devices. We wanted to provide safe and expanded mobility and a design that is functional both indoors and outdoors.

“We entered the Blackwood Design Awards to challenge ourselves and to bring awareness to the needs of and opportunities for those with disabilities. We’re very excited to have won – it’s nice to have the validation of the innovation and hard work that our team put into the MEBot.

“It was a fun experience and we would definitely encourage others to participate next year. Ultimately, we’d like to license the MEBot to a commercial partner and see it transform the mobility and function of people with severe disabilities, and we’re very grateful to now have Blackwood’s advice and guidance.”

GlassOuse, Best New Product

Designer Mehmet Turker entered pioneering product GlassOuse all the way from China. It is worn comfortably on the head like a pair of glasses and is made specifically to help those who cannot use a traditional mouse due to an inability to fully use their hands.

The headpiece has been designed for everyone but, in particular, to help those who have suffered traumatic injuries such as brain bleeds and tumours, strokes, spinal damage and cerebral palsy, which have left them needing additional support for everyday tasks.

Mehmet said: “The Blackwood Design Awards is something we have heard about for years and we’re absolutely over the moon to have won the Best New Product title. We entered as we share its aim to enable disabled people to live as independently as possible through designing accessible products in a way that is pleasing to the eye.

“Everyone here has worked extremely hard to perfect GlassOuse. Though the headpiece can be used by anyone, we wanted to create something that would also make everyday tasks a lot easier for those who have suffered life changing injuries.

“We’re currently designing GlassOuse 2 and are very excited for what’s to come in the future – especially now we have backing from Blackwood.”

Fanchea Kelly, Chief Executive at Blackwood, believes the competition is a great way to give designers a chance to showcase their talent, which wholly ties in with Blackwood’s ethos for providing innovative care.

Fanchea said: “We were blown away by some of the entries and it was extremely difficult to choose just two, but MeBot and GlassOuse are incredibly innovative products and have the potential to be truly life-changing for those with disabilities.

“We would also like to wish all the runners up the best of luck and much continued success in their design endeavours.”

The competition has built a reputation of enabling great success for winners, and entries now frequently come in from all over the globe.

For more information on MEBot, visit: http://www.herl.pitt.edu/research/mebot

For more information on GlassOuse, visit: http://glassouse.com/

The S’up Spoon

The inventor of a spoon that doesn’t spill, which last year scooped the top prize at a Dragons’ Den inspired competition, is encouraging other budding designers to seize the same opportunity.

Computer science graduate Grant Douglas, alongside Industrial Designer at 4c Design, Mark Penver, created the remarkable S’up Spoon to aid those with shaky hands as a result of cerebral palsy, essential tremor and Parkinson’s, which then went on to win the Blackwood Design Awards.

Now, the triumphant creator is urging talented entrepreneurs to enter the housing and care provider’s annual competition, which discovers, and champions, new and innovative ideas that improve standards of living for those with physical or mental disabilities.

Mark Penver and Grant Douglas

Grant, who has cerebral palsy, was supported by 4c Design during the competition and received a cash prize of £1000 for winning, as well as invaluable backing from Blackwood and its partners to support S’up Products LTD as it continues to develop.

Grant said: “We entered Blackwood’s Design Awards last year as we share its aim to enable disabled people to live as independently as possible through designing accessible products in a way that is pleasing to the eye.

“We were overwhelmed to win and, since securing the top prize, the S’up Spoon has progressed significantly.

“Over the past 9 months, it has been featured on BBC One’s Songs of Praise, we’ve donated 10 spoons to a voluntary organisation that helps disabled people in South Africa and it now has packaging with a bar code so that it can be sold in shops and is currently on sale via Amazon.”

The spoon has traveled all the way to disabled people in South Africa

The S’up Spoon also now has a reseller in Denmark, is appearing in an exhibition in the British Design Museum in London this month and has been tested by the Royal National Institute of Blind People which has agreed to add it to their product range.

Grant added: “We’re incredibly grateful to Blackwood and the panel for choosing our design as the winner as it gave our product a major boost.

“The cash prize helped us develop the packaging needed to sell it on Amazon and in other retail outlets, the publicity gave us a huge jump in sales across the globe, and the credibility reassured organisations like the BBC that our product was worthy of promotion.

“Having won the competition, it is fantastic to know that our product is now revolutionising mealtimes for people around the world and we would encourage anyone with an idea or product that could improve the lives of those with disabilities to enter the competition.

“Take it from us – it truly is an incredible opportunity.”

For 2016, the Blackwood Design Awards will be made up of two distinct categories – Best New Product and Best New Concept.

Colin Foskett, Head of Innovation at Blackwood, believes the move will double the chances to identify and champion breakthroughs.

The S’up Spoon

He said: “We’ve been delighted with the way the annual awards have caught the imagination and developed into an important way to bring through genuinely revolutionary and life changing products – as exampled by Grant and Mark’s ingenious S’up Spoon.

“By adding the additional category for this year’s competition, we are aiming to support, and promote even more new design talent. Designs like the S’up Spoon have benefited the lives of many others, and we expect this year’s designs to be no different.”

The competition has built a reputation of enabling great success for winners, and entries now frequently come in from all over the globe, including Canada and Pakistan.

It is now open. For details on how to enter, visit: http://www.bespoken.me/forum/topics/blackwood-is-delighted-to-officially-launch-the-blackwood-design-?xg_source=activity

The S’up Spoon is based on a typical spoon design but differs from the standard cutlery style, in that it has a deeper cavity which partially extends into the handle, enabling it to contain food and liquids more securely.

The S’up Spoon is currently available for purchase at www.sup-products.com.

Blackwood has earned a reputation for its highly creative and engaging yearly showcases, which feature life-changing technology and innovative displays.

Now, it has delivered again by focusing on the social aspect of its work – and turning its AGM into an interactive “tea and technology” event, which allowed remote users to join in from all across Scotland, with some even taking part from the comfort of their own living room.

One such customer was David Grant, from Dundee, who was delivered a special afternoon tea at his home while joining the AGM via CleverCogs – Blackwood’s state-of-the-art system of connected touch screen devices which can influence almost everything in a house from opening curtains to planning care and support with family and friends.

Fanchea Kelly, Chief Executive at Blackwood, said: “We have had great success over the past two years, with our highly interactive events featuring everything from bionic arms and robot exoskeletons to the construction of a full scale, walk-through replica of our concept house.

“This year, we wanted our meeting to be more people-focused as our customers are at the heart of everything we do. The focal point of all our technology is to improve disabled people’s lives every single day and improve independent living.

“We always strive to create an ‘AGM with a difference’ and we’re delighted to now have 3 years’ experience of delivering unique and ambitious events.

“All of our concepts are tested by customers at Blackwood who give valuable feedback on how the design can be improved, which helps ensure that they are as effective as possible and that there is a constant challenge to evolve.

“This is co-design in practice and we are most interested in the feedback we get from customers and from fellow professionals.”

Customers came together from Ayr, Stirling, Aberdeen and Dundee and, alongside Blackwood employees, were treated to some of the latest pioneering technology. Especially positive feedback was given to the housing and care provider’s new app The Huburbs – a Sims-style video game which challenges the user to manage a virtual housing development and build the best possible living environment and neighbourhood for their customers.

Fanchea added: “It’s a very exciting time for us with the launch of our Blackwood House in Dundee this year, and the integration of CleverCogs.

“We very much pride ourselves on being at the forefront of the housing and care sector, but to remain there, it’s vital that we listen to the ever evolving needs of our service-users to help shape our future. We believe that being able to connect our customers with this year’s live broadcast AGM provided the perfect platform to do just that.”

Blackwood has more than 1500 homes throughout the country designed with the latest in bespoke features to help those who are disabled, elderly or with sensory impairments to live more independently.

This includes a range of adaptations from minor alterations such as lowering thresholds between rooms for easier wheelchair access, fitting grab rails and installing easy-to-use lever taps. Bigger projects can include installing wet rooms, level access showers and ‘rise and fall kitchens’ to improve the quality of life of its customers.

As it works in 29 of Scotland’s 32 local authorities, it is more widely dispersed than most other care or housing providers and has embraced the challenges of taking housing and care into innovative areas at a time when funding is increasingly limited.

It is renowned for constantly pushing the boundaries of technology to allow property adaptations which make a huge difference to people with disabilities.

The Inspection Report for Blackwood’s West Support Services revealed five star grades in the “staffing”, “care and support” and “maintaining the same grades from the previous inspection” categories.

Customers, in particular, reported high levels of satisfaction, praising the dedicated staff who encourage them to be independent and healthy, to live in their own homes and to be involved in the community.

Staff were also found to be attentive and approachable, as well as being respectful and considerate of customers’ opinions. Not only did staff seek out customer feedback, they also acted on it, therefore having a positive impact on people’s lives.

Anne-Marie Liddle, Manager for Support Services in the West region, was thrilled with the Care Inspectorate report and its five-star review of the provision.

Anne-Marie said: “Both staff and customers were delighted with the score and feel it’s a great way to highlight the strong level of team work and support that exists within our services.

“We are very focused on ensuring our management team is supported and kept up-to-date with the best practices and wider developments that impact on the local service.

“All of our staff receive regular supervisions, have a high level of training and are enthusiastic and committed to their roles.

“There is definitely a real sense of a team ethic across the West and we are confident that our customers know and have working relationships with staff, to such a level where they feel able to express their needs freely.”

Anne-Marie is also continually striving to improve the service and is thankful to the Care Inspectorate for providing further key points for the West to work on.

She said, “We are always trying to improve our service therefore it’s great to receive feedback from the Care Inspectorate on how to do this.”

Blackwood Chief Executive Fanchea Kelly was also delighted with the housing support services report.

She said: “I’m thrilled with the five star review the West received for its committed and attentive staff and it’s great that the customers feel so at home and confident about sharing their opinions.

“It’s a testament to Blackwood’s commitment to providing a high level of care and support to customers and a further demonstration of our determination to provide respected and praised levels of care.

“The people who use Blackwood services are at the heart of shaping its future. Their experiences and input steer policy and innovation through involvement at Board level, in regional scrutiny panels and via tenant surveys.

“Therefore, it’s fantastic to know that one of the key strengths in the West is the care and support provided by the staff.”

Residents at a Glasgow care home have been among some of the first to try out and provide invaluable feedback on a unique and innovative invention for wheelchair users.

Blackwood’s Belses Gardens care home, which provides integrated accommodation for people with physical disabilities, hosted a focus group with designer Corien Staels, in which residents were invited to test her temperature-cooling wheelchair cushion, named Wheelair®.

Belgian native Corien, who is currently working on an Entrepreneurship Masters at the University of Glasgow, spoke of how she had the idea for the cushion design when writing her undergraduate dissertation.

Corien said:

“The idea was sparked from a conversation with my course supervisor, who is a wheelchair user, which opened my eyes to the temperature problems faced by those in wheelchairs and the lack of products available to control this.

“My Wheelair® design allows the user to better regulate their body temperature through airflow which removes the heat and moisture that builds up behind the back, and therefore cools them down while simultaneously increasing their comfort.”

The residents at Blackwood’s Belses Gardens care home were eager to try out the cushion and were able to offer plenty of essential feedback for Corien, such as their preferred colour and type of material and any possible improvements.

Corien added:

“Co-creation, making products alongside others, is very important to me and it was fantastic to hear the Blackwood residents’ input.

“I’m not in a wheelchair myself so I don’t know what works best and without the advice from those who will eventually be using the products, my design cannot benefit them.

“Being at Belses Gardens and talking to the varied group of residents helped me think ahead on how I can better solve the user’s needs with my products and also gave me many ideas for future projects.”

Paul Richoux, Social Media Co-ordinator at Blackwood, said:

“The residents all had a fantastic time and really enjoyed the session.

“One of our residents, Valerie, said the cooling cushion was a great invention and she’d definitely like to have one if she can one day.

“We are so thrilled with the positive response the cushion received and wish Corien all the best for the future of her fantastic invention, which our residents are already keen to get their hands on.”

After finishing her dissertation, Corien plans to fully focus on the product design. She has been awarded a Royal Society of Edinburgh Fellowship, which will allow her to work full-time on the business from September onwards, while receiving valuable mentorship and support.

Her ultimate goal is to get the Wheelair® cushion to the stage where it will be offered on the NHS.

More information on the Wheelair® cushion can be found at the following link: http://www.staelsdesign.com/.