Designability

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Designability A UK charity that designs to make the inaccessible accessible. We invent solutions that remove barriers disabled people face everyday.

Designability is a small, national charity that enables disabled children and adults to live with greater independence. Our vision is a future where every disabled person has the products they want to live the life they choose. Our expertise is in user centred design, creating products with and for disabled people to improve and enrich their lives. This is not just about products people need, but products they want to use. We create great looking, easy-to-use products that go beyond basic functionality. And we partner with industry to help as many people as we can – we’ve transformed over 300,000 lives to date. As a charity, our mission is get the right products into the hands of those who need them. We build prototypes and develop new products in response to specific needs, in the hope that our products will inspire new markets to blossom. We do not receive any statutory funding, so all of our work relies on voluntary donations. Please note: we are unable to sell to the USA or Canada due to the high cost of product liability insurance.

23/10/2026

From 0 – 42km: Stevie’s road to the London Marathon 2027!

We’re all rooting for Stevie who will be running next year’s world-renowned route to support Designability.

In Stevie’s words: “I wanted to take on this challenge because Designability has supported my family by supplying my three-year-old daughter with a Wizzybug.”

Stevie’s daughter, April, has been using a Wizzybug powered wheelchair for over a year and it’s ‘completely changed her outlook on life.’

Join us as we follow along with her training as a beginner runner to being in the exclusive 1% of the population who ever run a marathon in their lifetime!

If you’d like to sponsor Stevie, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/stevie-dews

Video description: The video opens with Stevie running and talking to the camera about how she’s training to run the London Marathon 2027 in aid of Designability. Then it switches to more footage of her running with her voiceover, explaining about why she wants to support Designability. Next, you see footage of April in her Wizzybug as Stevie explains how it’s helped her as a young child. Finally you see footage of Stevie completing a 5km race at Sandringham as you hear her children shout “go mummy!”

21/10/2026

Cars have not been designed with everyone in mind.

Having a vehicle with features that aren’t accessible means disabled drivers and passengers are facing many obstacles. It makes leaving the house harder. Getting to appointments is more difficult.

Seeing friends and family is often made impossible.

Over the last few years, we undertook a project to explore how vehicles could be improved, to restore independence and reduce isolation.

The project, grant funded by the Motability Foundation, highlighted issues when getting in and out of cars, lack of space, seating that doesn't meet people’s needs and problems using controls.

Together with disabled people, we worked on developing a set of accessible vehicle design opportunities.

The result is evidence-based guidance for designers, engineers, site operators and manufacturers to highlight areas for the improvement.

These opportunities are over on our new website: https://designability.org.uk/project/accessible-vehicle-design/

Video description: An animation of a driver looking stressed at the wheel because the vehicle is not accessible enough for them. You then see the person outside of the car, shaking hands with a person outside. They then get back into the car looking happier because adaptations have been made to make their life easier and move accessible.

Who fancies taking on the adventure of a lifetime to support Designability?We’re looking for people to head to northern ...
19/10/2026

Who fancies taking on the adventure of a lifetime to support Designability?

We’re looking for people to head to northern Morocco, on a unique trekking adventure to experience a total solar eclipse!

The trek takes place with Discover Adventure in the beautiful Rif Mountains, Morocco’s northernmost chain of mountains.

The challenge commences on 31 July 2027; a second date added on due to overwhelming demand. If you’re up for taking part, we’d recommend booking on ASAP!

There are different payment and fundraising options to cover the cost of the trip, all the while raising money to ensure that we can continue inventing opportunity for disabled people across the UK.

To find out more, get in touch with our fundraising team: [email protected]

Image description: A shot of the Rif mountains, alongside an image of a total solar eclipse. Text: Take on the adventure of a lifetime in Morocco to support Designability!

17/10/2026

Repair, Refurbish, Reuse ♻️

As part of International Repair Day, we wanted to shine a light on how each of our wonderful Wizzybugs doesn’t just benefit one child, but up to three!

We give out Wizzybug powered wheelchairs free of charge to children in the UK and each of them will use them until they’re big enough to move onto to a bigger wheelchair.

The best bit?

At the end, they get packaged up, shipped back to us and our technicians get them looking fresh for the next family!

Each Wizzybug is disassembled, cleaned, repaired with new parts (if needed), re-programmed, safety checked and fully prepped ready for its new young owner.

Sustainable mobility.

This refurbishment was a simple one, mainly because there weren’t lots of stickers to remove, but we always LOVE to see the stickers and customisation 😊

It's also important to note that whilst this reel is 1min long, the refurbishment process takes approximately five hours!

Video description: An ASMR style video of the different steps involved in getting a Wizzybug refurbished ready for its next child owner. You see close-ups and cutaways of a technician unboxing it, removing the seat pads and straps, re-programming, removing parts, cleaning, machining a fresh joystick part, switching out a worn out wrist pad, and re-assembling before it gets parked up with other Wizzybugs, ready for testing and re-allocation.

Did you know our FREE fun, Wizzybug powered wheelchairs are also available in Northern Ireland?We work with the Mae Murr...
14/10/2026

Did you know our FREE fun, Wizzybug powered wheelchairs are also available in Northern Ireland?

We work with the Mae Murray Foundation to ensure disabled children aged 14 months and over in NI can benefit.

Families can keep them for as long as they need them and then they come back to be refurbished for another child to use.

We are able to provide Wizzybugs free of charge in Northern Ireland thanks to players.

You can find out more and apply for a free Wizzybug on our website: https://designability.org.uk/wizzybug-scheme/

**Please share this post to help us spread the word!

Image description: A young child uses a Wizzybug powered wheelchair to explore and have fun outdoors. Text: Free! Fun powered wheelchairs for disabled children across the UK, including Northern Ireland.

Our Accessible Pushchair wins at the iED Engineering Design Awards!We’re over the moon to share that our innovative adap...
09/10/2026

Our Accessible Pushchair wins at the iED Engineering Design Awards!

We’re over the moon to share that our innovative adapted pushchair has been recognised by the Institution of Engineering Designers.

The Accessible Pushchair scooped best ‘Inclusive Design’ and Jim, Chief Executive and Matt, Director of Design & Innovation, collected the accolade on behalf of the Designability team.

These awards recognise the people, products and ideas making a meaningful difference across engineering and product design.

What a great way to end the week!

Image descriptions:

1) A mum smiles broadly at the camera while holding her happy baby in her arms. Mum is seated in a manual wheelchair connected to an accessible pushchair, designed by Designability. Text: Our Accessible Pushchair has won an inclusive design award!
2) Jim and Matt from Designability hold the award and pose for a selfie.

We are always looking at ways to make the Wizzybug Scheme even better for families. One area we're exploring is ways to ...
06/10/2026

We are always looking at ways to make the Wizzybug Scheme even better for families. One area we're exploring is ways to reduce the travel time for families, so that they can get their free Wizzybug more easily (and quickly!).

We’re excited to be teaming up with Driving Mobility to pilot some potential new handover locations around the country. This could offer more options to add to our existing sites in Bath, Leeds and Larne, Northern Ireland.

Last week the Driving Mobility therapists visited Designability for some Wizzybug training from our experienced team.

Lynn, senior clinician at Designability, said: "This pilot is a fantastic opportunity to build new connections with the experienced teams at Driving Mobility, working together to make it even easier for families across the UK to access a free Wizzybug powered wheelchair for their disabled child.

"We thoroughly enjoyed welcoming the teams and sharing our experience, knowledge and, of course, our passion for Wizzybug during our training day.

"We’re really excited to see where this pilot takes us and the difference it could make for even more families across the UK."

Image descriptions:
1) Members of the team at Designability with therapists visiting from Driving Mobility, smiling as a group for the camera while stood behind three Wizzybugs. A laptop is balanced on one of the Wizzybugs showing one of the therapists joining remotely on a video call. Text: Working with Driving Mobility to pilot some potential new Wizzybug handover locations around the UK

2) The therapists from Driving Mobility gather round a Wizzybug to receive a tutorial from one of Designability’s technicians in how to adjust and use a Wizzybug. Text: Last week the Driving Mobility therapists visited Designability for some Wizzybug training from our experienced team.

From first spins to a “monster truck” ✨A’s journey shows what’s possible when the right support is in place.A, a young p...
02/10/2026

From first spins to a “monster truck” ✨

A’s journey shows what’s possible when the right support is in place.

A, a young person placed with Credo Care - Disability Fostering, has a muscle wasting condition. From the outset, it was clear that using a manual wheelchair independently would be extremely difficult for them. Shortly after moving in with their foster carer, A’s OT visited and immediately recognised their determination and potential for independence.

She suggested one of our Wizzybug powered wheelchairs.

From the very first days, A was captivated. For the first few weeks, they enjoyed driving the Wizzybug using a ‘hand over hand’ technique, carefully learning how it worked. Then one day, something clicked and suddenly they were driving independently. One of their favourite things to do was spinning donuts, a trick they still proudly perform today in their powerchair.

The Wizzybug quickly became part of everyday life. A loved taking it to the park, where they could decide exactly where they wanted to go, often leading the way with confidence and excitement. They also used it at nursery, where its compact design meant it fitted neatly under tables, allowing A to play freely alongside their peers and feel fully included in day to day activities.

Throughout this time, A’s foster carer watched their confidence and independence grow each day. The Wizzybug gave A the freedom to approach other children at the park, initiate friendships, and explore the world around them. It also supported the development of important life skills, such as crossing roads safely and confidently navigating their environment.

As A grew, they eventually outgrew their Wizzybug and returned to using a manual wheelchair. By this stage, their joint contractures had tightened, and self propelling was no longer possible. Then, by chance, during a routine visit to wheelchair services to adjust their chair following a growth spurt, a clinician noticed A’s history.

“Oh, they’ve had a Wizzybug,” she said. “The powerchair specialist is here today — let’s assess A now.”

A passed the assessment with flying colours and, at just three years old, became the first young person in Kent to be provided with a powered wheelchair. When it arrived, A was overjoyed to regain their independence. They proudly call it “my monster truck” and regularly receive compliments for their excellent driving skills.

A’s foster carer strongly believes that without A’s early experience with the Wizzybug, they may never have been given the opportunity to be assessed for a powerchair at such a young age.

More importantly, the confidence, independence and social skills A developed through early powered mobility have helped shape the happy, sociable young person they are today, a child who loves being out in the world and making friends.

We’re proud to work in partnership with organisations like Credo Care Fostering to ensure that children like A have access to opportunities to help them thrive ❤️

Image description: A sat in their Wizzybug powered wheelchair, with an emoji over their face to protect their identity.

Did you know that children with visual impairments can use powered wheelchairs, too? ❤️With close supervision and suppor...
30/09/2026

Did you know that children with visual impairments can use powered wheelchairs, too? ❤️

With close supervision and support, children with a visual impairment can be encouraged to experience the action of movement with a Wizzybug.

There is research which demonstrates that this can help children to develop visual maps of their environment. Never underestimate the ability of young kids!

Visit our website to find out more about Wizzybug: https://designability.org.uk/wizzybug-scheme/

Image description: A very young child uses a Wizzybug powered wheelchair outside on some tarmac. You see a close-up of their hand using the joystick. The text reads: Kids with visual impairment can use powered wheelchairs. Research shows that a Wizzybug can help children to develop visual maps of their environment.

25/09/2026

Getting a pram is such a special milestone for expectant parents. Which is why we want parents who are wheelchair users to have the same experience as non-disabled mums or dads.

Emily is expecting the arrival of her daughter any day now and is getting ready with a bit of Accessible Pushchair practise!

She’s using the world's first pushchair for manual wheelchair users. An adapted and re-engineered pushchair especially for disabled parents and carers.

In the next 12 months, you will have the opportunity to purchase an Accessible Pushchair in the UK as part of a limited run.

You can register your interest on our website: https://designability.org.uk/product/accessible-pushchair/

Video description: Emily sits on a sofa and introduces herself on camera before you see a series of clips that shows her connecting the pushchair to her wheelchair, taking off the handbrake, moving it around on a path outside and then disconnecting the pushchair. Music: Original, Jared Marc (from Audiio)

Address

Wolfson Centre Royal United Hospital, Combe Park
Bath
BA13NG

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+441225824103

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