Information and Resources for Drop Zones and NGB’S
Specialist equipment
Rainbow Tandem Suit (designed of passengers with lower and upper limb weakness or paralysis) Please contact us via Facebook for more information on the equipment and UK and Europe based training
Light communication for system to support teaching AFF/RAPS courses with students who are hear of hearing/deaf. Please contact us via Facebook for more information on purchasing equipment and training.
Mutant Harness: Although the Mutant was designed for swooping there are several paraplegic skydivers with low jump numbers who have been trained by flight 1 instructors to use this technology to improve safety. This equipment has the potential to increase inclusion and safety in the sport.
What drop zones do to improve facilities and the experience for visitors with disabilities, skydivers and tandem passengers with physical or learning disabilities. (based on comments/results from interviews)
This section below is not just in relation to potential tandem students, AFF students of skydivers but also relates to family members who have come to watch their daughters/son/grandchild’s big day. The spectator might have a physical disability or may have limited function due to frailty.
Disabled Parking Bays (with signs to indicate a potential fine to deter people using the bays with blue badge)
Disabled toilets with radar Keys - Disables toilets are often are used by people who are not disabled, locked or unclean. Some people with a disabilities require the use of a toilet more urgently, having to wait because they are in use by someone who is not disabled could put them at risk of embarrassing situations. Having a locked door does reduce this risk and improves the chances of the facility being clean however it means a disables person does not have the same accessibility to toilets than a non disabled person. They have to ask permission to use a toilet and find someone with a key. A radar lock is the system used in the UK at over 10,000 public disabled toilets and is relatively cheap to install.
Improve Visual Representation - There is a lack of visual representation of role models or examples of inclusion on drop zone websites and social media platforms.
Roll out steps for getting on the plane instead of ladders (a lift may also be useful ) - roll out steps. Being able to be as independent in skydiving activities and at skydive facilities as an able bodied person has the ability to empowers disabled sports person/ customers.
Handrails, ramps, tactile strips and disabled showering facilities. Simple adjustments like a shower stool and grab rails can be used to improve current facilities if purpose build facilities are not an option. Skydivers with prosthetic limbs need to remove these in the shower, not having anything to sit on or hold onto has resulted in injuries at dropzones for very little cost. Tactile strips are placed near stairs to inform a person who is blind of the hazard.
Hearing Loop systems: An estimated one in six people in the UK suffers from some form of hearing impairment. The hearing loop is a vital equipment to support people who have hearing impairments. In relation to skydiving this would be useful for checking in at DZ's, tandem briefs, classroom learning and audio manifest calls.
Manual handling training for jumpers/staff to assist people onto the plane/into wheelchairs on landing using safe techniques and provided dignity.
Disability point of contact at each drop zone - A member of staff who deals with all enquires to ensure consistently with information and who may have additional training.
Sign Language: Staff and jumpers to have access to the British Sign Language booklet and staff members to have basic sign language training. Tandem brief with sign language interpretation.
Burble: helps improve independence for skydivers with hearing impairment.
Padding on aircraft seats If someone has paraplegia then can have muscle wastage around their gluts. Sitting on hard seats/surfaces can be a risk for pressure sores which can be fatal.
Get an accessibility assessment: Get someone with a physical disability or an occupational therapist to access your drop zone to get an expect opinion on what could be easily improved (often people can think a drop zone is accessible but not realise the obstacles).
Current UK legislation from the 2010 Equalities Act states that companies must make their workplaces as inclusive as possible to both employees and customers. This includes the need to undertake ‘reasonable adjustments’ which help to make life easier for disabled service users, which includes those who are hearing impaired.
What National Governing bodies can do to improve inclusivity, safety and experience for people with physical and learning disabilities. (based on comments/results from interviews)
Audible versions and sign language versions of Manuals, Website, Safety Bulletins, Magazines and YouTube content - There are likely to be over 10% of members/instructors who have dyslexia who may struggle to read content and may even avoid progressing in the sport due to fear over needing to read the manuals for tests. Often people who are deaf have written English is a second language and may either not be able to read written English or they may be able to read only basic English but not to high enough level to read complex manuals.
Sign language Interpreters for events and socials
Disabled parking: At HQ’s and also enforced at event. There is often events where staff car parking signs are placed and no one abuses these spaces but often people with park in non disabled bays.
Improve Visual Representation - There is a lack of visual representation of role models or examples of inclusion on governing body websites and social media platforms.
Handrails, ramps, tactile strips and disabled toilets at HQ’s.
Funding: Specified accessibility fund - To allow drop zones to apply for funding to support them improving facilities and services. Examples of what the funding could be used for
Rainbow suits and training
Roll out steps for emplaning
Sign language interpreters for events and AFF and canopy courses
To fund instructors and drop zones owners to attend events/training opportunities: for example Para boogie (Germany) to understand risk assessments and specialist equipment for tandem jumps and AFF courses:
Paid subscription to App like Sign live for chief instructors/instructors and staff members to be able to communicate with students and qualified skydivers who communicate with sign language and vice versa.
Fund/Produce Skydiver Sign Language Booklets to drop zones +/- members
Support Riggers with continued professional development via online seminars/talks to help understanding and adjustments of equipment for people with disabilities.
Introduce Outdoor Para Sport competition categories at UK and international level.
Apply for grants from charities and government schemes to improve funding for equipment and accessibility for its drop zones that are keen to improve inclusion.
What Can Manufacturers do to improve inclusivity, safety and experience for people with physical and learning disabilities. (based on comments/results from interviews)
Improve Visual Representation - There is a lack of visual representation of role models or examples of inclusion on governing body websites and social media platforms.
The Power of Brands to Champion Accessibility - Invest in manufacturing specialist equipment and adjusting current equipment to improve inclusion and safety for people with physical disabilities in the sport. . In an analysis of the most inclusive brands in the US, it was found the top 10% of inclusive brands , they are seen as more innovative, visionary, caring and helpful. They are considered more differentiated from other brands, drive stronger advocacy, and get people more emotionally connected. And that translates to the bottom line – people are more behaviourally committed to using inclusive brands, translating to a 40% greater future brand value.