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									pdnet Forum - Recent Posts				            </title>
            <link>https://pdnet.org.uk/community/</link>
            <description>pdnet Discussion Board</description>
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							                    <item>
                        <title>RE: Duke of Edinburgh Award with wheelchair user</title>
                        <link>https://stage.pdnet.org.uk/community/migrated-forums-discussion/duke-of-edinburgh-award-with-wheelchair-user/paged/3/#post-3432</link>
                        <pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 11:13:04 +0000</pubDate>
                        <description><![CDATA[Here is the information I received from the lovely contact Jane put me in touch with. She has been so helpful - thank you Jane!

I&#039;m a full time power chair user with quadriplegic CP and I c...]]></description>
                        <content:encoded><![CDATA[Here is the information I received from the lovely contact Jane put me in touch with. She has been so helpful - thank you Jane!

I'm a full time power chair user with quadriplegic CP and I cannot walk at all. I also have care support needs
 
I don't want you thinking I only managed it because I'm a super strong paralympian! I'm being flippant but I hope you see my point!
 
D of E was so good for me. Yes I had fantastic TAs but it was also a way for me to experience being away from home and my parents etc which non disabled kids more readily experience...

For my Bronze award, I did an ecology study. I went with a couple of teaching assistants and my best friend (who couldn't do standard DoE expeditions due to hurting her back), as well as a couple of older pupils who came with us as their voluntary hours for their silver DoE. We had to still use OS maps to navigate etc. I was expected (with my group) to still cook on the camp site with the other DoE pupils, but then I went back to stay in a youth hostel with my best friend and the two TAs. At the time, I had an offroad buggy (think 3 wheeled toddler buggy but adult sized) which TAs or the older pupils (both sports lads!) pushed. If I'm going to be completely honest, they chose an ecology area which they mistook for a wooded area, but in fact it was more an urban park, so the ecology study was on clover and some squished daisies!!! When we got back to school, we had to do an assessed powerpoint presentation on our ecology study
 
For Silver DofE, we went canoeing and did the distance on the canals of Wales! School liaised with the outdoor activity centre Marle Hall (I think that was the name) that the school had existing links with. Marle Hall itself is inaccessible, but the instructor came with us to Wales! For Silver DoE, I was in a group of 5, made up of my friend as above, but also three other girls who couldn't do the standard expedition for ND reasons/health. The canoe set up was 2 canoes rafted together with wooden planks. They rafted them to reduce our chances of capsizing. They then tied a white plastic garden chair into the canoe, so I had a seat! They sawed the legs off! TAs/teachers would meet us at checkpoints and a teacher was in a canoe nearby for safety. It was the same set up as above with cooking/everything outside, but sleeping in the youth hostel!
 
I'm really sorry, I can't remember the campsite/youth hostels but Silver DoE was in Conway Wales
 
For volunteering. I was volunteering anyway so that was easy. At a club for people with LD. For physical, I counted my dance sessions I had every week at musical theatre group. I was told I could count my physio though.
 
I'm really conscious you're probably bound by more red tape/health and safety now than we were at the time...
But you can get lifting/carry slings to get in and out of boats, mobile hoists for youth hostels...
RYA have adapted sailing/boats and perhaps somewhere like the Calvert Trust could help?
 
You can also hire all terrain chairs - the main ones are Mountain Trikes or Trekinetic (which has an electric version)...
 
Hope that's helpful!]]></content:encoded>
						                            <category domain="https://pdnet.org.uk/community/"></category>                        <dc:creator>Sam Wright</dc:creator>
                        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://stage.pdnet.org.uk/community/migrated-forums-discussion/duke-of-edinburgh-award-with-wheelchair-user/paged/3/#post-3432</guid>
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				                    <item>
                        <title>RE: Duke of Edinburgh Award with wheelchair user</title>
                        <link>https://pdnet.org.uk/community/migrated-forums-discussion/duke-of-edinburgh-award-with-wheelchair-user/paged/3/#post-3431</link>
                        <pubDate>Thu, 04 Jun 2026 10:08:21 +0000</pubDate>
                        <description><![CDATA[Thanks. I will reply again afterwards]]></description>
                        <content:encoded><![CDATA[Thanks. I will reply again afterwards]]></content:encoded>
						                            <category domain="https://pdnet.org.uk/community/"></category>                        <dc:creator>joanne.chambers@southglos.gov.uk</dc:creator>
                        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://pdnet.org.uk/community/migrated-forums-discussion/duke-of-edinburgh-award-with-wheelchair-user/paged/3/#post-3431</guid>
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                        <title>RE: Access adaptations - forgetting fire escapes</title>
                        <link>https://stage.pdnet.org.uk/community/migrated-forums-discussion/access-adaptations-forgetting-fire-escapes-2/#post-3430</link>
                        <pubDate>Thu, 04 Jun 2026 08:46:14 +0000</pubDate>
                        <description><![CDATA[Completely agree. Accessibility should not be judged solely on whether a wheelchair user can enter a building. Safe evacuation is equally important.

Any accessible means of escape should co...]]></description>
                        <content:encoded><![CDATA[Completely agree. Accessibility should not be judged solely on whether a wheelchair user can enter a building. Safe evacuation is equally important.

Any accessible means of escape should comply with the relevant requirements of Approved Document M (Access to and Use of Buildings) and Approved Document K (Protection from Falling, Collision and Impact), with suitable ramps, gradients, landings and surface finishes. An exit that leads onto a narrow gravel path, uneven surface or other inaccessible route cannot realistically be considered accessible for many wheelchair users or those with mobility impairments.

Where it is not reasonably practicable to provide an accessible escape route, appropriate measures such as protected refuges/safe havens, evacuation procedures and suitable fire compartmentation should be considered. Accessibility should mean that people can use and leave a building safely, not just enter it.

There is some useful information available on accessibility requirements for public buildings which may help those reviewing their premises and accessibility plans: <a href="https://www.rapidramp.co.uk/ramp-regulations-to-public-buildings" target="_blank">https://www.rapidramp.co.uk/ramp-regulations-to-public-buildings</a> I hope that helps]]></content:encoded>
						                            <category domain="https://pdnet.org.uk/community/"></category>                        <dc:creator>RapidRampSystems@gmail.com</dc:creator>
                        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://stage.pdnet.org.uk/community/migrated-forums-discussion/access-adaptations-forgetting-fire-escapes-2/#post-3430</guid>
                    </item>
				                    <item>
                        <title>RE: Duke of Edinburgh Award with wheelchair user</title>
                        <link>https://pdnet.org.uk/community/migrated-forums-discussion/duke-of-edinburgh-award-with-wheelchair-user/paged/3/#post-3429</link>
                        <pubDate>Thu, 28 May 2026 14:34:46 +0000</pubDate>
                        <description><![CDATA[Thank you Sam!
x]]></description>
                        <content:encoded><![CDATA[Thank you Sam!
x]]></content:encoded>
						                            <category domain="https://pdnet.org.uk/community/"></category>                        <dc:creator>Gina Mime</dc:creator>
                        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://pdnet.org.uk/community/migrated-forums-discussion/duke-of-edinburgh-award-with-wheelchair-user/paged/3/#post-3429</guid>
                    </item>
				                    <item>
                        <title>RE: Duke of Edinburgh Award with wheelchair user</title>
                        <link>https://pdnet.org.uk/community/migrated-forums-discussion/duke-of-edinburgh-award-with-wheelchair-user/paged/2/#post-3428</link>
                        <pubDate>Mon, 18 May 2026 09:23:24 +0000</pubDate>
                        <description><![CDATA[Thank you!]]></description>
                        <content:encoded><![CDATA[Thank you!]]></content:encoded>
						                            <category domain="https://pdnet.org.uk/community/"></category>                        <dc:creator>Sam Wright</dc:creator>
                        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://pdnet.org.uk/community/migrated-forums-discussion/duke-of-edinburgh-award-with-wheelchair-user/paged/2/#post-3428</guid>
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				                    <item>
                        <title>RE: Duke of Edinburgh Award with wheelchair user</title>
                        <link>https://pdnet.org.uk/community/migrated-forums-discussion/duke-of-edinburgh-award-with-wheelchair-user/paged/2/#post-3427</link>
                        <pubDate>Mon, 18 May 2026 08:36:44 +0000</pubDate>
                        <description><![CDATA[Hi Sam via various retired staff and ex-pupils we have tracked down
the student who gained her Gold DofE. She is more than happy to be contacted. If you email me on jane.carter@pdnet.org.uk ...]]></description>
                        <content:encoded><![CDATA[Hi Sam via various retired staff and ex-pupils we have tracked down
the student who gained her Gold DofE. She is more than happy to be contacted. If you email me on jane.carter@pdnet.org.uk I'll put you in touch with each other.]]></content:encoded>
						                            <category domain="https://pdnet.org.uk/community/"></category>                        <dc:creator>Jane Carter</dc:creator>
                        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://pdnet.org.uk/community/migrated-forums-discussion/duke-of-edinburgh-award-with-wheelchair-user/paged/2/#post-3427</guid>
                    </item>
				                    <item>
                        <title>RE: Duke of Edinburgh Award with wheelchair user</title>
                        <link>https://pdnet.org.uk/community/migrated-forums-discussion/duke-of-edinburgh-award-with-wheelchair-user/paged/2/#post-3426</link>
                        <pubDate>Mon, 18 May 2026 08:36:40 +0000</pubDate>
                        <description><![CDATA[I have a student doing Bronze and is completing her walk next weekend using her wheelchair. We are using Ocean Rock and they have been really good and it was them that said it was possible]]></description>
                        <content:encoded><![CDATA[I have a student doing Bronze and is completing her walk next weekend using her wheelchair. We are using Ocean Rock and they have been really good and it was them that said it was possible]]></content:encoded>
						                            <category domain="https://pdnet.org.uk/community/"></category>                        <dc:creator>mcurtis</dc:creator>
                        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://pdnet.org.uk/community/migrated-forums-discussion/duke-of-edinburgh-award-with-wheelchair-user/paged/2/#post-3426</guid>
                    </item>
				                    <item>
                        <title>RE: Duke of Edinburgh Award with wheelchair user</title>
                        <link>https://pdnet.org.uk/community/migrated-forums-discussion/duke-of-edinburgh-award-with-wheelchair-user/paged/2/#post-3425</link>
                        <pubDate>Thu, 30 Apr 2026 13:59:16 +0000</pubDate>
                        <description><![CDATA[Hi Joanne,
That sounds amazing - any feedback would be very gratefully received. Good luck to your daughter!]]></description>
                        <content:encoded><![CDATA[Hi Joanne,
That sounds amazing - any feedback would be very gratefully received. Good luck to your daughter!]]></content:encoded>
						                            <category domain="https://pdnet.org.uk/community/"></category>                        <dc:creator>Sam Wright</dc:creator>
                        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://pdnet.org.uk/community/migrated-forums-discussion/duke-of-edinburgh-award-with-wheelchair-user/paged/2/#post-3425</guid>
                    </item>
				                    <item>
                        <title>RE: Duke of Edinburgh Award with wheelchair user</title>
                        <link>https://pdnet.org.uk/community/migrated-forums-discussion/duke-of-edinburgh-award-with-wheelchair-user/paged/2/#post-3424</link>
                        <pubDate>Thu, 30 Apr 2026 13:55:55 +0000</pubDate>
                        <description><![CDATA[My daughter is embarking on her bronze award in August through &#039;Anyone Can&#039;. They are using catacanoe&#039;s for the journey and offer Bronze, Silver and Gold. They are based in the Lake District...]]></description>
                        <content:encoded><![CDATA[My daughter is embarking on her bronze award in August through 'Anyone Can'. They are using catacanoe's for the journey and offer Bronze, Silver and Gold. They are based in the Lake District. I believe there is also somewhere in Somerset that offers Silver and Gold. I'm happy to share details and feedback on how she got on.]]></content:encoded>
						                            <category domain="https://pdnet.org.uk/community/"></category>                        <dc:creator>joanne.chambers@southglos.gov.uk</dc:creator>
                        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://pdnet.org.uk/community/migrated-forums-discussion/duke-of-edinburgh-award-with-wheelchair-user/paged/2/#post-3424</guid>
                    </item>
				                    <item>
                        <title>RE: Duke of Edinburgh Award with wheelchair user</title>
                        <link>https://pdnet.org.uk/community/migrated-forums-discussion/duke-of-edinburgh-award-with-wheelchair-user/#post-3423</link>
                        <pubDate>Thu, 30 Apr 2026 12:53:55 +0000</pubDate>
                        <description><![CDATA[Thank you, Jane - that&#039;s fantastic!]]></description>
                        <content:encoded><![CDATA[Thank you, Jane - that's fantastic!]]></content:encoded>
						                            <category domain="https://pdnet.org.uk/community/"></category>                        <dc:creator>Sam Wright</dc:creator>
                        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://pdnet.org.uk/community/migrated-forums-discussion/duke-of-edinburgh-award-with-wheelchair-user/#post-3423</guid>
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