Designability

Meet Wizzy and Bean! You may have spotted a trend going around online where people transform themselves or their products into a doll with accessories using AI. Well, we think this version produced by a Wizzybug mum is SO much better! Harriet created this using her own creative skills. It features her young daughter and, very importantly, it includes her Wizzybug powered wheelchair! Thanks for sharing it with us 😊 #DollTrend #CreativeDesign #Wizzybug

Did you know that children with visual impairments can use Wizzybug, too?   With close supervision and support, children with a visual impairment can be encouraged to experience the action of movement. There is research which has demonstrated that this can help children to develop visual maps of their environment – how cool is that?   If you’re not sure about whether a Wizzybug would be suitable your child, you can find the answers to lots of frequently asked questions on our website: https://lnkd.in/ekAa3qe4 #Disability #WheelchairLife #Wizzybug #VisualImpairment

Just look what Wizzybug kids are capable of! We were thrilled to see that Bobby, who recently featured in our Wizzybug [award-winning!] documentary, made history by being the first wheelchair mascot for Manchester United at Old Trafford ♿️🙌🏻❤️ Bobby now uses a bigger powered wheelchair after outgrowing his first powered pal, Wizzybug, but seeing how far he’s come is such a special moment. Congratulations to Bobby and here’s to many more amazing lifetime achievements. #Wizzybug #AnythingIsPossible #WheelchairLife

Matilda’s One Year Wizzy-versary! ♥️ If this isn’t the most joyful piece of content you’ve seen on the internet this week then we’d love to see what is! Thank you to Matilda’s mum and dad for sharing this marvellous montage which shows exactly what Wizzybugs can bring to young, disabled kids. They shared: “The difference that Matilda’s Wizzybug has made in the last year is pretty immeasurable. “Her Wizzybug is independence, a means to escape, a way to play with other children, to race, to chase, it’s an ambulance, it’s a police car, it’s a way to hunt the Gruffalo and to go on bear hunts. “We’ll be forever grateful to Designability for giving Matilda all of the above and more ♥️.” [Video description: You see Matilda from when she first got her Wizzybug, through to the present day. She’s full of joy and happiness as she twirls, moves and explores in different places, inside and outside, in her Wizzybug powered wheelchair.] #Disability #Wizzybug #DisabledChildren #ProductDesign

We often hear that families are worried about the cost to get to Bath, Leeds or Larne for a Wizzybug appointment.   We don't want this to prevent families from applying for a Wizzybug so we've set up a special fund to ensure that ALL families can attend their Wizzybug appointment without having to worry about the cost of petrol and/or an overnight stay (if necessary).   The fund covers the cost of getting to where they need to be so that they can focus on the most important thing – getting their child’s Wizzybug powered wheelchair!   It is not means tested and people will have the option to select the ‘Access Fund’ option when completing an Wizzybug application: https://lnkd.in/ekAa3qe4   #Wizzybug #WheelchairLife #Disability #FamilySupport

We want to find out which aspects of travel could be helped by better design. We know that existing poor design affects disabled people’s travel across different types of transport and stages of the journey, from planning and booking journeys, through to getting on and off a vehicle and moving around inside. This week we will begin meeting with a range of disabled people face to face, shadowing their journeys, and holding interviews and workshops relating to specific barriers that people experience.  We will be sharing our findings in due course but, in the meantime, you can find out more about this project and National Centre for Accessible Transport (ncat) online: https://lnkd.in/emBZvEXv #ncat #Accessibility #AccessibleTransport #Disability

“I'll never forget his big beaming smile the first time he rode around our living room at a snail’s pace saying "My Wizzybug, my Wizzybug!" Colson has had his Wizzybug for nearly a year and he’s been loving all of the ways it’s enabled him to join in, as well as bringing him lots of attention! He’s been with his family to fairs, parks, woodland walks, a charity Halloween hunt, and even a wedding in it! His dad told us: “He's still yet to fully master the controls but he gets better with each use and he has so much fun every time he uses it, whether he's a ‘good’ driver or not. “He loves telling people about his Wizzybug and showing it off whenever he can. His favourite thing is showing them how good he is at doing donuts!” Colson was hesitant to use it at first but has quickly grown very fond of his Wizzybug. His dad added: “We're extremely grateful for what the Wizzybug has provided both Colson and our family with which is many more opportunities for Colson to be included. “He loves the attention and the chance to show people his very own wheels.” [Video description: first you see Colson at birth, hooked up to support machines and blinking slowly towards the camera, then it transitions to Colson now, sitting in his Wizzybug powered wheelchair, looking happy and causing chaos in his house, bumping into things and having fun] *Music: Illuminate You, Weary Eyes #Disability #Wizzybug #WheelchairLife

Wizzybug powered wheelchairs are suitable for children aged 14 months and up. The best bit is each one can be adjusted as a child grows to accommodate their larger size. It’s all small mechanical tweaks which can be done by a family at home. We have a whole host of video tutorials that can show you how! Most children can use a Wizzybug until they’re about 5 years old, or until they exceed the maximum weight and height limits. So, the earlier a child gets a free Wizzybug from us, the better 😊 https://lnkd.in/ekAa3qe4 #Disability #Wizzybug #WheelchairLife

It’s been a little while since we shared a glimpse behind the scenes but work definitely hasn’t stopped, if anything, it’s stepped up a gear! We’re hoping to get more accessible pushchairs out to families very soon after applications closed last month and there’s been some great progress in the development of Wizzybug 2. • The first of our free 20 accessible pushchairs fresh off the production line • Meeting with a family we’re supporting • A snippet of a Wizzybug handover with one of our OTs • A little bit of crimping in the workshop while working on a Wizzybug 2 • Arranging parts in our make-shift car for our accessible vehicle design work • Bright red Wizzybugs waiting for their new child owners • Machining in action (mind your ears if you’re wearing headphones!) You can find out more about our current projects on our website: https://lnkd.in/eUJtgvkN #Disability #Charity #InclusiveDesign #Designability #BehindTheScenes

Bobby did it! Bobby’s Wizzybug story won Silver in the People’s Choice Award at the Smiley Charity Film Awards 2025 😀 We wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who voted for Bobby. We think this quote from his parents in the short film sums it up: “The first time he used it [Wizzybug], I was crying. To see him get a bit of independence. Bobby was 2 and he wanted to get out and about. “Once he started driving, there was no stopping him. “Wizzybug is the reason Bobby is the way he is today; I truly believe that.” You can watch Bobby and Wizzybug’s film here: https://lnkd.in/eta7NfYQ #CharityFilmAwards #ThirdSector #Documentary