I was interviewed by NAIDEX a few weeks ago regarding the disability equipment market. I was in a slightly belligerent mood….Let us know if you agree or disagree with my views???
Hear about the inspiration behind Fiona Jarvis’ latest venture, and how she has never let her disability stand in the way of her style.
Fiona Jarvis is an inspiration. She has lived and worked in London for 30 years, much of which she spent focusing on her career as a sales manager for various software companies selling multi-million pound systems to the financial sector. She was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis after falling off her high heels in a bar once too often, and has become progressively disabled over a 25 year period. Now a wheel chair user, she passionately believes that style and disability should co-exist – a vision that inspired her to found her new venture, Blue Badge Style.
How did you come to set up Blue Badge Style?
For 25+ years I worked for various large software companies. Operating mainly in the Finance sector selling multi-million pound systems. However, due to progressive disability I became adept in finding ‘cool’ places to go with clients, places that held no surprises regarding accessibility & facilities. There was nowhere to find this information and no one site for anything to do with disability and style. I realised that there must be other people with the same needs so I collated this knowledge into a Website and more latterly a Mobile App – Blue Badge Style.
Can you describe the work that you do with Blue Badge Style?
The Blue Badge Style website is the first “one stop shop” for the less able, their friends and family, that gives accurate information on stylish places to go, things to do and products to buy. The App & Site are a‘Vogue/Michelin Guide for the Less Able’ detailing everywhere that a stylish person would want to go and spend money. The accreditation of‘As Recommended By Blue Badge Style’, is intended to be a sought after mark of quality.
What are the main achievements of the business that you are most proud of?
Following on from the idea that we provide accurate information on places to go we developed PADs (Pictorial Access Descriptions) that are similar to access statements but they follow the journey of a disabled ‘customer’ (rather than an inconvenient health & safety issue) through a venue and comply with the ‘anticipatory’ element of the Equality Act. They are an online ‘access brochure’ welcoming customers rather than a cold compliance statement. They are hosted by BBS with a link to the venue site via the Blue Badge Style icon. They are applicable to any public building and in particular hospitality venues. They tell you what to expect facilities and/or potential obstacles. We won a prize for our efforts in October 2014, for Social Innovation from the European Investment Bank – our greatest achievement to date along with a presentation we gave to the Houses of Parliament regarding our PADs.
Without giving too much away, can you give us a preview of what you will be speaking about at Naidex this year?
I’ll be talking about the state of the equipment market and how this lead to our taking things into our own hands! We will also be talking about the shopping experience for people with disabilities based on research we did within the BBS community.
What would you like to see retailers in the mobility and rehabilitation industry do more of?
I’d like to see more fashionable and stylish designs. This doesn’t just mean just making things in different ‘loud’ colours. I want my wheelchair to be a statement about me just as my Mercedes soft-top did, when I could drive! I want shoes that fit and are ‘on trend’ I used to buy a pair every season. Now I’m lucky if I buy a new pair once a year. Being semi house bound means I have to look at the equipment all day so mostly it’s hidden away in a room where it’s rarely used.
What do you think have been the most important changes in the healthcare industry in recent years?
The fact you can add to the cost of a prescription and buy the equipment you think looks and suits you best. I’d like to see more devolved powers of choice going to the patient. I don’t need to be told I can’t use something if it’s not NHS approved. I’m the patient/customer and I know my body best and I know what works for me. I will always take advice but don’t tell me I have to accept the standard issue equipment!
What would you like to see changing in the future in the industry?
All of the above plus I want to see Conran or Phillipe Starck inspired equipment available to buy in my lifetime!! Manufacturers are so scared of health and safety issues or extra expense that it’s stifling development. There are plenty of people out there who’d pay a premium for stylish equipment. If I were cynical I’d say that too much money is being made from the status quo and that change is not wanted. I also want OT’s to understand that style remains even if your body has given up. Style is the one thing you can still have control over and improves one’s outlook on life. I want the same buzz out of buying an ‘aid’ as I do buying a new handbag!!
Fiona is speaking on the Commerce and Industry stage on Wednesday 29th April.