An accessible pushchair created by Bath charity Designability to help disabled parents and carers has won a major award.
Designed with mass manufacture in mind, Designability’s innovative design, pictured, replaces the traditional rear wheels/footbrake assembly, turning any conventional pushchair into an accessible pushchair.
Currently in prototype format, it secured Baby Products Association’s (BPA) Concept and Innovation Award at the recent Harrogate International Nursery Fair, where the product was launched.
Designability, which creates products that enable disabled people to live with greater independence, is now looking for a commercial partner to bring the pushchair to market.
The charity, which began life in 1968 as the Bath Institute of Medical Engineering, has since helped more than 300,000 disabled children and adults live with greater independence.
It is best known for its iconic Wizzybug powered wheelchairs for very young disabled children. To date, they have been loaned to more than 1,300 children, typically aged between 14 months and five years.
Designability director of design and innovation Matt Ford said the new accessible pushchair, which has been developed over the past four years, had the potential to transform the lives of thousands of disabled parents and carers, enabling them to live with greater independence.
“It really is a game changer that helps address one of the main inequalities disabled parents and carers face; the ability to take their babies and very young children out independently,” he added.
“As a national disability charity, we have been aware of the need for this product for many years. It is our most requested product, and we estimate that there are around 20,000 disabled parents in the UK alone who could benefit.
“Our hope long term is for this product to change the lives of disabled parents not just in the UK but across the world.”
BPA membership and technical support manager Julie Milne said every year the award judges were impressed with the creativity of the entries and it was always difficult deciding which stood out more than the others.
“However, it was felt that Designability’s entry could be life-changing for parents who are wheelchair users as it is the first product of its kind that will allow them to use a regular pushchair just like any other parent,” she added,
The award was presented by BPA chair Marc Hardenberg to Designability engineering innovation manager Dario Canini, pictured above, left, with Matt Ford.
Designability also received a certificate and prize of £1,000 free legal advice from awards sponsor Sarah Ludlam of law firm Brabners.
Designability’s team of designers and engineers based at Bath’s Royal United Hospital create life-changing assistive products to help disabled people who are facing challenges every day.
The charity’s mission is to make products and technology more accessible to everyone. The team follows the principles of human-centred design – everything it develops is done in response to what people tell them they need.
