Disability news

The components of AIDE

Student designs smart mobility aid to allow people with dementia to live independently for longer and reduce the strain on the care system

According to Alzheimer’s Research UK, one million people in the UK will have dementia by 2025 and this will increase to two million by 2050.

Optic components.

Former competitive swimmer designs pool navigation aid for visually impaired athletes

Since its invention in the 1980s, the ‘tapping method’ has been used to guide visually impaired swimmers in the pool.
Anisha Johal and Charlotte Blackburn-Peer

What is university life like if you have a neurological condition? Two students share their inspiring stories from their time at Loughborough

Anisha Johal and Charlotte Blackburn-Peer are both preparing to graduate from Loughborough University next week.
Photo of one of the play orange and pink patchwork playmats Ella created on a bed of flowers

Textiles student creates playful installation for children with multi-sensory impairments as part of her final-year project

A final-year Textiles student has created an interactive play experience for children with special educational needs.

George Bates in action

GB legend Bates becomes new Lightning Wheelchair Basketball coach

Loughborough University has secured a major coup with the appointment of Great Britain’s George Bates as Head Coach of the new Lightning Wheelchair Basketball team.

Zak Skinner in action

Double gold for Skinner at European Para Championships

The European Para Athletics Championships took place in Bydgoszcz, Poland between the 1st and 5th June, with Loughborough students past and present, and Loughborough-based athletes contributing towards Great Britain and Northern Ireland’s 37 medal haul.

Colleagues from Loughborough University and the English Institute of Sport (EIS) will collaborate on a new study to investigate the mental health and wellbeing challenges faced by Para athletes.

New study to investigate the mental health and wellbeing challenges of elite Para athletes

Colleagues from Loughborough University and the English Institute of Sport (EIS) will collaborate on a new study to investigate the mental health and wellbeing challenges faced by Para athletes.

A new research project will investigate para sport media

Research project to delve into gender equality in Para sport media

An academic from Loughborough University has been granted funding to investigate gender equality and inclusion in Para sport media.

An image from Loughborough University's para sport project in Africa

IPC to provide free-to-air coverage of Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Sub-Saharan Africa

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is to provide free-to-air (FTA) coverage of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Sub-Saharan Africa as part of its efforts to raise awareness of Para sport and its athletes in the region.

Wheelchair Basketball

IWBF appoints Loughborough University to lead on Classification research and development of a new Minimum Impairment Criteria (MIC) for wheelchair basketball

IWBF, the international governing body for the sport of wheelchair basketball, has collaborated with British Wheelchair Basketball to commission Loughborough University to undertake a research project on their new minimum impairment criteria (MIC).

An image from Loughborough University's para sport project in Africa

Loughborough University to play role in £1million+ Para Sport Against Stigma project that aims to change attitudes towards people with disabilities in Africa

A £1.89m collaborative project between Loughborough University, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the University of Malawi, Chancellor College will aim to overcome stigma and discrimination against people with disabilities in Africa.

Nik Diaper has landed a key role for Tokyo 2020.

Diaper secures director role with Boccia UK

Nik Diaper, Loughborough University’s Head of Para Sport, has been appointed to Boccia UK’s board of directors.

Experts in Sport: Para sport special: What does it take to prepare the British team for the Paralympic Games?

As the clock counts down to next summer’s postponed Paralympics Games, this week’s ‘Experts in Sport’ podcast takes a timely look at what it takes to create an optimum performance environment for ParalympicsGB at the Games.
Theia.

Student designs autonomous way-finding device for visually impaired people unable to home a guide dog

There are more than 253 million visually impaired people worldwide, yet only a small proportion use a guide dog to get around, the remaining majority rely on white canes.

Illustration of a woman with a prosthetic leg.

Prosthetic limbs affect our attitudes to disability – expressive design might change things for the better

Amputation can have a devastating effect on a person’s body image and sense of self. The use of prosthetic limbs may help, but when it comes to their appearance, options are often limited.
Illustration of an older woman with a younger woman

New study further supports that age-related hearing loss in patients taking cognitive tests may result in misdiagnoses of dementia

The early and correct diagnosis of a cognitive impairment – such as dementia – is crucial as it allows interventions and treatments that may slow the progression of a patient's symptoms to be quickly put in place.

Illustration of old people taking a survey at home during the pandemic.

Survey launched in a bid to understand how coronavirus restrictions affect osteoarthritis risk in over 60s

Researchers at Loughborough University are investigating how changes in physical activity that are a result of the global health pandemic are related to osteoarthritis development and symptoms.

Research to investigate impact of COVID-19 pandemic on family carers

The experience of family carers during the COVID-19 pandemic will be explored in a new international study by Loughborough University and several universities across the world.
Almost one hundred delegates gathered at Holywell Fitness Centre this week as Loughborough University officially launched its Para sport vision

Loughborough signals intent with Para sport launch

Almost one hundred delegates gathered at Holywell Fitness Centre this week as Loughborough University officially launched its Para sport vision.

Loughborough joins forces with Asia counterparts

Loughborough University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Korea Paralympic Committee Icheon Training Centre (KPC) as a commitment to developing research into Para sports science.