Try b4u Fly
Concerned about any of these things?
- What equipment can I take on the plane?
- Will I be able to get to the toilet during the flight?
- How will I get from my wheelchair to the airline seat?
- How will my child cope with flying?
If you are considering flying or are taking your child on a flight but are concerned about how you will manage on a practical level, we would recommend booking a Try b4u Fly assessment. We have an aircraft fuselage at the Centre where you can try equipment that helps you or your child transfer and board the aircraft together. We have seating and postural supports to determine which suits you or your child best and train you on how to use them.
All assessments are taken place by a qualified occupational therapist. The main features of a Try b4u Fly assessment are:
- Showing you seating and transfer equipment with the opportunity to try them
- Exploring the benefits of the different systems
- Advising you on airline choice
- Experience transferring in and out of your or your child’s wheelchair and using an on board wheelchair.
- An opportunity to raise questions about your journey.
Any questions?
How do I book an assessment?
Using the Book button below, please complete the Try b4U Fly questionnaire and then select a date and book your assessment, we recommend that this is at least 6 weeks before your date of travel. There is a fee of £115 to pay when you book.
What happens at the assessment?
During the assessment we will discuss the procedure from check in, to boarding the aircraft and disembarking from the aircraft. We will also discuss toileting needs, supportive seating and transfers on to the aisle chair and aircraft seat. We will physically carry out transfers as hoists are only available at certain airports.
What happens after the assessment?
Following your assessment you will receive advice and information on the equipment that you tried. A list of reputable retailers and funding sources that you can loan or buy equipment from for when you go on your travels. We will write a report following your assessment and post/email this to you after your assessment together with any photographic evidence to help your airline understand the situation.
Please do not hesitate to contact the Centre if you have any further questions about Try b4U Fly assessments for you or your child.
Buggies & trikes
The tricycle clinics for children are arranged on a regular basis at St Chad’s Parish Centre, Headingley, in Leeds.
Two companies attend the clinic with us, offering a range of adapted tricycles to give the postural support and gear options to meet the needs of your child. Many children who are unable to sit or stand independently can achieve a pedalling action with the right postural support.
We hold buggy/manual wheelchair clinics for children at the Centre approximately every two months. Two companies attend the clinic with us offering a range of attendant or self-propelling buggies and wheelchairs, which offer a range of different postural supports.
Any questions?
How do I book an assessment?
Use the Book button below to select a date and book your assessment. Once the assessment is booked a short questionnaire will be sent to you which needs to be returned before the assessment. This is so we can ensure the best equipment is available for your child on the day of the assessment.
There is no charge for the assessment.
What happens at the assessment?
A paediatric occupational therapist will complete a brief interview first asking details about your child’s medical condition or disability and how this affects them. The occupational therapist will then carry out a practical assessment of your child’s postural needs and your child can try out tricycles or buggies. The therapist will also consider any needs you may have helping your child get into and out of the equipment.
What happens after the assessment?
You will receive advice and information on the equipment that your child tried and a list of reputable retailers and funding sources, usually this is sent as a report after the assessment. We can also send reports to funding sources to confirm that the equipment your child tried is suitable and needed.
Technology
Access to technology is key to happy, independent living. If you are struggling to use your computer, phone, switches or other devices in your home, then we can work with you to find solutions to make things easier. We can give you help with the following:
- PCs and Macs
- Mobile phones and tablets
- Switches, devices and panels that control your heating and lighting at home
- Home appliances
Any questions?
How do I book an assessment?
Use the Book button below to book your assessment. Once an assessment is booked an appointment letter will be sent to you with a short questionnaire which needs to be returned before the assessment so we can ensure the best equipment is available. There is no charge for this assessment.
What happens at the assessment?
An occupational therapist will complete a brief interview first asking details about your medical condition or disability and how this affects you. We will then take you to the technology area where you can try out our latest adapted devices and switches and even learn how to adapt technology yourself.
What happens after the assessment?
Following your assessment, you will receive advice and information on the switches and devices that you tried. Some switches can be bought from the Centre or the therapist can give you a list of reputable retailers and funding sources.
Accessible gaming
We regularly run free of charge drop-in accessible gaming sessions during school and college holidays. These sessions are open to children, young people, parents, carers and siblings as well as professionals. We have a range of games consoles such as the Playstation 3, Playstation 4, Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii using switches, various controllers and adaptors, to play with independently or in teams.
We can also offer individual accessible gaming assessments with an occupational therapist to identify the best equipment for your or the young person’s needs.
Any questions?
How do I book an assessment?
Use the Book button below to book an assessment with an occupational therapist (or you can come into the Centre during one of our drop-in sessions and try the gaming equipment then). There is no charge for the assessment.
What happens at the assessment?
An occupational therapist will talk to you first about your or your child’s medical condition or disability and how this affects them. They will then take you to the technology area at the Centre where you or your child can try out the games consoles using adaptations and switches.
What happens after the assessment?
You will receive advice and information on different switches and adaptations. Certain switches can be purchased through the Centre, for others your therapist will advise you where to buy them
Toys
Here at the Centre we have an assessment service and lending library for adapted toys and switches for children.
Toys such as bubble machines, Nerf guns, soft toys, remote controlled toys and most mainstream toys can be simply adapted with a variety of switches to enable many children with limited movement to operate them. The toys encourage movement, teach children about cause and effect and create an enjoyable learning experience.
Any questions?
How do I book an assessment?
Use the Book button below. Once the assessment is booked a short questionnaire will be sent to you which needs to be returned before the assessment. This is so we can ensure the best equipment is available for you on the day of the assessment. There is no charge for this assessment.
What happens at the assessment?
An occupational therapist will talk to you first about your child’s medical condition or disability and how this affects them. They will then take you to the technology area at the Centre where your child can try out various adapted toys with different switches to identify the most suitable.
What happens after the assessment?
You will receive advice and information on different toys and switches. Certain switches can be purchased through the Centre, for others your therapist will advise you where to buy them. Feel free to borrow switches and adapted toys from our lending library for a couple of weeks. In return for a small donation to the work of the Centre, we can adapt your own toys, fitting switches to them, in return for a small donation.