Editor ’ s note
Editor ’ s note
Welcome to OTnews
As we head into summer , many of us will be looking forward to travelling abroad for a much-needed holiday . In the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics , UK residents made 23.8 million visits abroad in 2020 ; 74 % fewer than the previous year , because of the COVID-19 pandemic .
But disappointingly , disabled passengers continue to suffer from poor levels of support at airports across the country , with many having an ‘ unacceptable level of service to disabled people ’, according to the Civil Aviation Authority ( CAA ).
Occupational therapists at the Queen Elizabeth ’ s Foundation for Disabled People recognise that flying can be a daunting prospect for disabled people and on pages 14-15 , they share how they are supporting them to make informed choices and be more confident in air travel .
Based around the need for disabled people to try different seating and transfer systems in preparation for flying , they explain how the service has grown and developed since its birth in 2011 .
June is Pride Month in the UK , and RCOT is committed to leading innovative change to promote equity and social justice . Following discussions with the occupational therapy community ’ s wider affinity group representatives about how we can better collaborate and work in partnership to campaign for a more inclusive and supportive culture , which welcomes and supports those groups that are under-represented and historically marginalised , a pilot project commenced early last year .
The pilot set up three steering groups – more recently renamed as expert advisory groups – whose aim is to act as a sounding board for ideas and projects , as well as being a critical friend to RCOT .
To help celebrate Pride , on pages 20-23 , we talk to RCOT ’ s LGBTQIA + expert advisory group members about how and why they volunteered their time to be part of the pilot , the main priorities to date and the progress and impact they feel they ’ ve been able – and not able – to make .
That ’ s just a taste of what ’ s inside ; I hope you enjoy the issue this month and if you have any feedback , or would like to share your service developments in the magazine , please email me at editorial @ rcot . co . uk
I ’ d love to hear from you
Cover image : © wundervisuals via Getty Images
Tracey Samuels Editor
If you have any feedback about this issue of OTnews , or would like to contribute a short article or feature for a future publication , please email me at : editorial @ rcot . co . uk
June 2023 OTnews 3