Monthly Archives: July 2018

Disability, Mental Health

Morrisons ‘quiet hour’ for autistic shopping introduced

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Supermarket chain Morrisons has introduced a weekly “quieter hour” for autistic shoppers who struggle with music and noise.

Its UK stores will dim lights, turn music off, avoid using the tannoy and turn check-out beeps down on Saturdays from 09:00 to 10:00.

The movement of trolleys and baskets will also be reduced, it says.

The National Autistic Society says it is a “step in the right direction” for those who find shopping a struggle.

Other shops, including an Asda supermarket in Manchester and a Tesco Extra in Alloa, Clackmannanshire, also hold “quiet hours” and the National Autistic Society is encouraging retailers to take part in a nationwide “autism hour” in October.  More

Equality, Gender

Ethel Williams: Honour for Newcastle’s first female GP

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Ethel Williams

A campaigning suffragette who became Newcastle-upon-Tyne’s first female GP has been honoured with a plaque.

Ethel Williams set up her practice in 1904 after championing better health care for women and children.

Despite graduating from the London School of Medicine, she had to gain her internship abroad as women at that time could not train in British hospitals.

A plaque commemorating her achievements has been erected by the local council on the house where she lived.  More

Disability, Inspirational Diversity Champion of the Month

Inspirational Diversity Champion of the Month – July 2018

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Disability Awareness Day takes place on 15 July and with this in mind we have chosen JJ Chalmers as our Inspirational Diversity Champion of the Month.

JJ was a Royal Marine with 42 Commando and in May 2011, he sustained devastating injuries in an IED blast in Afghanistan where he suffered facial injuries, lost two fingers and his right elbow disintegrated.

He was put back together by a team of medics, having nearly 30 operations and consequently it gave him a new perspective on life giving him the confidence to follow his dreams.

In September 2014, JJ took part in the Invictus Games and was a medal winner in non-amputee cycling, he Captained the trike team, he received a gold medal for the Men’s IRecB1 Recumbent Circuit Race, he won a bronze in the 1-mile time trial and he also won a bronze medal in the 4 × 100m mixed relay race.   In July 2016, he returned — as an Ambassador — to the 2016 Invictus Games, telling his story at the opening ceremony.

JJ went on to work with the BBC on their coverage of the games as well as presenting National Paralympic Day for Channel 4.  He travelled to Rio, as a presenter for Channel 4’s award-winning coverage of the 2016 Paralympics, as well as appearing as a guest on The Last Leg, broadcast nightly live from a studio in Rio.

In February 2017 JJ began presenting sports segments on BBC News and commentated on the Lord Mayor’s Show.  In 2018 the Commonwealth Games in The Gold Coast saw him presenting the BBC Sport’s TV coverage live on BBC One.

To find out more about JJ and what he is doing see here https://twitter.com/JJChalmersRM

To find out more about Disability Awareness Day see here https://www.disabilityawarenessday.org.uk/show/