DISABLED AFLOAT RIVERBOATS TRUST

The Disabled Afloat Riverboats Trust exists, primarily, to provide boating holidays for people with physical or learning disabilities together with their carers, families and friends. They welcome:

Unaccompanied individuals.
People with a carer(s).
People with other family members.
People with friends.
Small groups with one or more carers.
Carers looking for respite.

The only rule is that there should be one disabled person on board!
 

On DART trips  people are encouraged to participate as much as they want to in activities both on and off the boat. This list is a start, not all activities are suitable for everyone or available on all navigations, and you will be able to think of many others yourselves.

Running the boat

• Steering.
• Helping with locks - this can take many forms from helping to operate the gates and paddle gear to holding onto ropes.
• Helping with cleaning and tidying up

Helping with catering

• Preparing food - everything from peeling potatoes to cooking Sunday lunch.
• Laying the table
• Washing up - always has to be done unless you eat out all the time!
• Preparing drinks - why is it that they are always thirsty?

On board recreation

• Board and other games - Most of the craft used carry a few old favourites and you are welcome to bring your own.
• Art and craft work

Watching the world go by

• Birdwatching - There is a good selection of birds on the rivers, heron are common and you may also spot a kingfisher from time to time.  - Photography.

Cook's night off

• Catering on  trips is expertly handled by  enthusiastic catering volunteers. The style of catering depends on the person on board but the standard is always good. On longer trips, arrangements are usually made to eat out one evening, an event known as Cook's night off!

Other activities

• Where possible holidays also offer off boat activities such as theatre visits, ten pin bowling and anything else that may be going on locally, sometimes including a visit to the pub!

THEY SAY : "The last year has been an exciting one for DART. Our expansion has continued with more trips than ever and in 2008 we have some interesting new routes and variations on old ones. We also hope that our work on risk assessment will prove useful to managers and care professionals in homes and domicilliary care agencies".

 For more detail and information on the 2008 programme :-

www.glosdart.co.uk

 The Royal International Air Tattoo Flying Scholarships for the Disabled
in memory of Group Captain Sir Douglas Bader CBE DSO* DFC*

Our Heritage
In 1983 Paul Bowen and Tim Prince, on behalf of the Royal International Air Tattoo, inaugurated Flying Scholarships for the Disabled to perpetuate the indomitable spirit of air ace Group Captain Sir Douglas Bader.

 After losing both legs in an accident, Sir Douglas persisted in his efforts against all odds to resume his flying career with the Royal Air Force. He went on to achieve fame in World War II as a fighter pilot and gifted leader and pursued his talent for flying into a long and successful civilian career. Sir Douglas was a dedicated supporter of disabled people to whom he set a great example of courage and determination. He personally devoted much time to encouraging countless people to come to terms with their physical disabilities. From 1976, until his death in 1982, he was President of The Royal International Air Tattoo and was an inspiration to the many volunteers committed to raising funds for the relief of hardship and distress amongst past and present members of the Royal Air Force and their dependents.

The Fulfilment of our Aims
Although the primary aim of the scheme is to give disabled people the opportunity to realise their full potential through the pleasure, the thrill and freedom of flying, a few students complete sufficient flying to qualify for a Private Pilots Licence.

Nearly 300 disabled people have participated in the scholarship scheme, several are paraplegic, and others are disabled as a result, for example, of cerebral palsy, rheumatoid arthritis, MS, ME, spina bifida and poliomyelitis.

All students who can satisfy their Chief Flying Instructor during a general handling flying test that they have reached an acceptable standard of competence, compatible with the nature of their disability, are awarded the Flying Scholarships for the Disabled badge.

About the Scholarship

If after applying online you are considered suitable we will ask you to send us more detailed information about your personal and medical history. At the same time you will also be asked to submit a short essay. A Preliminary Selection Board, which is held early each year, will then decide whether to short list you for the Final Selection Board which is usually held in April at RAF Cranwell .

At RAF Cranwell you will undergo flying aptitude tests, medical examinations and interviews. While at RAF Cranwell you will encounter, perhaps for the first time, the challenge of aviation and demonstrate your ability to climb into an aircraft cockpit, which is not nearly as difficult as it might appear to be at first sight.

And if you pass the Final Selection Board you will be presented with your scholarship certificate at a special ceremony at the Royal International Air Tatoo (RIAT).

Applying for a Scholarship
If you are:-
-disabled
-over 17
-not in full-time education
-resident in the UK
- can communicate easily

Then YOU can apply for a Flying Scholarship.

Initially please e-mail us for an application form, or click here to complete our online enquiry form. on the website - www.toreachforthesky.org.uk

Alternatively you can write to :
The Director
Flying Scholarships for the Disabled
Douglas Bader House
Horcott Hill
Fairford
Gloucestershire GL7 4RB
Telephone 0870 800 1942
Facsimile 0870 800 1941