I really didn’t want a stair-lift – Anne Craig

By 2007 I was struggling with the 7 inch risers on the stairs in our home and I knew I had to do something.

I tried everything to avoid having that stair-lift! I investigated bungalows in the vicinity, to discover that anything with a similar square footage to our home would cost at least £100K more. Then I researched a proper lift for our home, to discover that it could only be built onto the outside and in the process would block the main access into our garden. The lift was quoted at about £17K and with building costs it was just not feasible. Then I investigated a through-ceiling lift, to discover that it was around £9K and I would lose some of my lounge and – shock horror – my dressing table in the bedroom, with nowhere else for it to fit! No way!!

So I reluctantly started researching stair-lifts. Only to find that in 2007 there was only one brand that could deal with the 2 bends in my stairs. The company was ThyssenKrupp, a Dutch company which at the time sold their Flow 2 range through Acorn. Curved stair-lifts cost more, have to be individually manufactured and have to be more engineered than a straight lift. The cost was £7,500. Gulp. There was a small range of colours but since I was having to redecorate anyway I tried to make the chair look an integral part of the hall stairs and landing. No easy feat!

The chair, which has a safety belt, swivels round 70° to negotiate narrow, steep and bendy stairways and rides on a tube which is securely anchored by 7 metal stanchions along the length of the staircase. As you can see from the photos, it intrudes into the stairs to allow the chair itself to go up and down without touching the walls.

The seat itself is powered by a battery which is automatically recharged when docked at the bottom station. The seat armrest controls take 2 LR14 batteries. Since it is powered by batteries, the stair-lift can be used during a power cut. If the batteries fail, the emergency cord can be pulled out and the chair can descend so you don’t get stuck. There are additionally 2 wireless “call and park” remote control handsets which each take 2 LR14 batteries.

How has it been? I have had the stair-lift for seven and a half years now so it has cost about £1K per annum so far. I expect it to last another 10 years or so with servicing at around £100 each time. It has stopped working 4 times. Twice because I hadn’t noticed the replaceable arm batteries were needing to be replaced, once for a mystery stoppage which the engineer fixed the next day (it happened late at night), and once because the main battery needed replacing (I was informed by Acorn that the whole main power unit had to be replaced at a £2K cost which was completely incorrect when I checked with ThyssenKrupp. Once I complained the matter was sorted out satisfactorily, but if I hadn’t investigated……)

The installation and call engineers need special training so on call out it is important to specify the need for a Flow2 specialist.

There are silly things that I find annoying. It is difficult to open the arm rest cover to replace the batteries, the footrest mechanism is weak (hubby has had to tie it up with a hidden plastic tag), the thing is a bit slow and it does take up a bit
of space at the top of the stairs.

But overall it does get me up and down stairs. I can carry things on it and it enables me to continue living in our home with its easy access, lovely garden and its short distance to the village with its independent shops, restaurants, cafes, pubs and a supermarket. A necessary evil!!

If you are ready for a stair-lift please speak to Sue Walker at the NMC, your OT or an Independent Living Centre before doing anything. It is a lot cheaper if you have straight stairs and you may be eligible for free support. (I was over the monetary threshold). Although I had no advice when I got my lift, the world has changed a lot since 2007!

Stair Lifts

When you have a disability there comes a point when climbing stairs can become very exhausting and risky. When you get to this stage it is worth considering the options. You could think about moving (this can be very costly and you might not either want to, or feel ready to move to a single-storey property) or, stay where you are and consider installing a stair-lift.

Choosing a stair-lift
It is really important to choose a stair-lift that best suits your needs, lifestyle and works with your home. Stair-lifts can vary enormously in price.

Before placing an order it is advisable to have your stairs assessed so that you can choose the right stair-lift for your type of stairs. They will:

• measure your stairs and the supplier will be able to tell you if you need to make any adjustments to accommodate the new stair-lift for example move a radiator.
• ask if you are left or right handed and suggest which side the controls should go.
• measure the length of your leg when sitting to ensure that you don’t graze your knees when going up and down. They will want to know your weight and will ask about your mobility.
• explore the option of adding power features which might be useful in the future.

You can get either a straight stair-lift or curved stair-lift. Straight stair-lifts can only travel in straight lines and therefore cannot turn a corner or go around a bend. They can be more suitable for narrow stairs. Curved stair-lifts have tracks and are designed to suit staircases that turn corners. They tend to have a snugger fit.

Various chairs can fit on to either straight or curved staircases. Each chair has different features and benefits. You can opt for a manual swivel seat or a powered swivel seat.

When companies visit your home there should no pressure and no obligation. It is a good idea to have a second person with you, a PA, family member or friend. Some companies favour one maker of stair-lift, others do not. Remember to ask about a warranty and service plan. Local Independent Living Centres are also a good source of advice.

Delivery, Installation and After Sales
Delivery tends to depend on the type of lift you order. The more complex the order then the longer the lead time. Most stair-lifts only take a few hours to install but the more individualised the stair-lift then the longer it will take. Occasionally, slight alterations may need to be made prior to the lift installation. It is important to find out about what support is available should something go wrong with the stair-lift and also about servicing.

Benefits of having a star-lift
The thought of having a stair-lift can be daunting. However, try and think about the benefits of having one.

• It will reduce the amount of effort required by you. This is particularly important at the end of the day when you are likely to be really tired as you climb the stairs to bed.
• As a result you will conserve energy.
• It will give you greater independence.
• It will allow you to go upstairs more often if you need to. There’s nothing quite like regaining the pleasure of going up and down stairs whenever you like.
• It will allow you to be with your family.

Companies that specialise in stair-lifts… Stannah - www.stannah.com Handicare www.handicare.co.uk Age UK – www.ageuk.org.uk – T 0800 566 8742 (7 days a week) Abbey Stairlifts – www.stair-lift-comparison.co.uk

Pass Plus Experience by Hannah Langford

I passed my practical driving test in August 2014, which was an important milestone for me.

As I have a Motability car, I was encouraged to undertake the Pass Plus course, as this can lower insurance premiums and improve driver safety. Even if this had not been the case, I would still have been keen to undertake this course because the Pass Plus tuition focuses on motorway driving and adverse driving conditions.

I completed the Pass Plus with my driving instructor in 2 x 3-hour lessons.

I found the experience very worthwhile, as it improved my confidence. The Pass Plus is a very good way to expand your driving experience after passing the practical test as it develops your awareness of risks and how to deal with different situations. During the lessons I was given helpful tips and advice about breaking down on the motorway, night driving, driving in adverse weather conditions and general driving on motorways.

As part of the course I was able to drive into Manchester, which is where I work.  This is a route that I had not done before and was something I was a bit wary of, but I now feel more able to tackle this route.

I was also required by my instructor to simulate breaking down on the motorway, so that I could see how it felt to move onto the hard shoulder and then re-join the motorway. Hopefully this will not happen to me when I am out driving, but I now feel more prepared for this situation should it occur.

I am very glad that I completed the Pass Plus and would recommend it to others who have recently passed their practical driving test.

Motability covered the cost of The Pass Plus tuition as I am between the ages of 16 and 24.

If you would like more information about learning to drive or adapting your vehicle please contact Sue Walker at NMC who will be able to signpost you in the right direction.

Pass Plus Tuition

What is Pass Plus?
The Pass Plus Course is a practical training course that was set up to make newly qualified drivers safer and better drivers. It takes at least 6 hours. Whilst it can be taken at any time, it is most useful to new drivers in the year after passing their test.

Booking Pass Plus
* You need to book Pass Plus with a Pass Plus registered approved driving instructor (ADI).
* DVSA Pass Plus Team – passplus@dsa.gsi.gov.uk Tel: 0115 936 6504

Discounts
* The cost of taking your Pass plus Test will depend on where you live, the instructor or driving school, and how long your training takes.
* Some local councils offer discounts off the full Pass Plus training costs. Check out your local council. Please note that ALL local councils in Wales offer discounted Pass Plus courses. Go to Pass Plus Cymru for more info.

How Pass Plus training works
Pass Plus training takes at least six hours. It has 6 modules, covering driving :

* In town
* In all weathers
* On rural roads
* At night
* On dual carriageways
* On motorways

All the modules should be practical lessons and usually you will spend 5.5 hours driving. You will be assessed throughout the course and to pass you will have to reach the required standard in all modules.

After you have successfully finished your training you will be sent a Pass Plus Certificate. Many car insurance companies offer a substantial discount to drivers who have successfully completed the Pass plus course.

Pass Plus is available to anyone.

For more information: DVSA Pass Plus Team, passplus@dsa.gsi.gov.uk Tel: 0115 936 6504 Visit https://www.gov.uk/pass-plus/overview

Important Benefit Informaton– for DLA claimants born on or before 8th April 1948

Changes to contact numbers for those claimants of DLA who were born on or before the 8th April 1948.

From 25th February 2015 claimants in receipt of Disability Living Allowance whose date of birth is on or before the 8th April 1948 will transfer to the Attendance Allowance Unit. The reason for this is because claimants in receipt of DLA who are 65 years of age or older do not need to be assessed for the new Personal Independence Payment. It has therefore been decided that all pensioners in receipt of a disability benefit should now be dealt with by the Pension Service.

As a result from the 25th February claimants in receipt of DLA whose date of birth is on or before 8th April 1948 should contact the Attendance Allowance Service Centre on 0345 (0845) 605 6055.
 
Those in receipt of DLA whose date of birth is on or after the 9th April 1948 should continue to contact the DLA Helpline 0345 (0845) 7123456.

Claimants calling the DLA Helpline will hear a message advising them to contact the Attendance Allowance Service Centre if their date of birth is on or before the 8th April 1948.

Gov.uk will be updated to reflect these changes.

The Personal Independence Payment Enquiry Helpline will continue with its existing number 0845 850 3322 whilst new claims to PIP can be made by calling 0800 917 2222.

New website focus on technology enabled products - www.telmenow.com

The website is the brainchild of a company established to highlight and create opportunities for leading-edge health technology to help more people live independently in their own homes. In many cases, the biggest barrier is not cost, it is accessibility. Visit: www.telmenow.com/ for easier and more comprehensive access to technology for independent living. Tbhe site brings together information
about the range of assistive technologies available, the people and their conditions that items would be suitable for and, crucially, whether selected products will work together.

Lasting Power of Attorney – Sue Walker

Lasting Power of Attorney
After recently attending training, and then having to assist my mother with setting up lasting power of attorney, I thought it would be a good time to pass on some information and experience.

There are two types of LPA and you can set up one or both types:
1. The property and affairs LPA which allows the attorney you appoint to deal with your property and finances, as you specify.
2. The health and welfare LPA which allows  the attorney you appoint to make health and welfare care decisions on your behalf, only when you lack the
mental capacity to do so yourself.

Your Attorneys
It is important that you take care to appoint attorneys that are trustworthy and have the appropriate skills to make any proposed decisions. It is a good idea to appoint more than one attorney so that they can act jointly on your behalf and responsibility is shared.

Certificate Providers
This can be one or two persons. They sign as witnesses to show that you understand the LPA, and they also provide statements to say how they know you and that you are able to make this decision for yourself, and are not being put under undue pressure.

Named persons
These are people that you want informing that you are registering LPA so they can raise concerns if needed. If you have two certificate providers you do not need to have any named persons because already there are joint responsibilities for decision making.

Setting up LPA
Setting up LPA does not mean that you give up control and it will only be used when circumstances, and you, decide it is needed. If LPA is not in place when it may be needed the Court of Protection will appoint a deputy to act on your behalf.
If you leave it and you are not able to make the decision yourself it becomes very difficult and expensive.

To set up your LPA you can:

1. Work with a solicitor - legal fees on average £350 - £500 + vat. In addition the court fees are £110 per document (one for property & affairs, one for health & welfare)
2. Another option is to download the forms from the internet, complete them yourselves and send them to the Court of Protection. The cost is just the court fees £110 per document. Keep photocopies of all the documents in the event of any issues.

 If you have a large portfolio of property, land and savings it would be advisable to work with your solicitor. This increases the costs but they provide legal support. If your property and affairs are more straight forward I think it is a good idea to look at doing it yourself. We downloaded the forms from the internet and found them very easy to fill in.

We had two people who have known my mother a long time to be certificate providers. They needed to say how they knew Mum, how long they had known her and that she was making this decision herself. As a family we decided to only apply for the property and affairs LPA. In our circumstances we didn’t need the health and welfare LPA. We had a small problem where the certificate provider had written a separate letter and it should have been on the form, and as a consequence we had to match up the dates to the original documents. The court official was great with advice and it did not cost us anything extra. My mother now has LPA and is relieved that we can support her.

Please note that LPA has completely replaced the existing enduring power of attorney because the new powers include Health as well as Property and Affairs.

Two Useful websites: www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney/overview www.which.co.uk/power-of-attorney

Cough Assist Machine, A Patient’s Perspective – Andrea Duckworth

It was whilst at a routine home appointment to replace my ventilator (which I use at night), that the nurse explained that she felt my breathing seemed slightly laboured and I seemed a bit hoarse.

She suggested a few things, one of which was a Cough Assist machine. A few weeks later she came back to visit, armed with the Cough Assist Machine and the Respiratory Physiotherapist.

They both explained how the machine worked and took me through it step by step. Firstly they had a go just to illustrate how it worked. Then it was my turn! It took a bit of getting used to but they adjusted the settings until I felt comfortable with them. The pressure is quite forceful but the key is to get into a good rhythm.

It took me a little while to feel really comfortable using it. The idea is that I use the Cough Assist machine prophylactically (as a preventative measure) to keep everything clear and flowing smoothly, rather than waiting to get a bad cough or cold and then really needing to use it, but actually feeling to tired and weak to use it. It is quite a forced pressure but one that you can get used to.

I try and use the Cough Assist morning and night so that once I get out of bed in the morning I am able to clear any secretions that have developed overnight, and again before I get into bed in the evening so that I clear any secretions before I lie down at night.

It is another gadget to store but it’s just under my bed and I just pull it out to use it. I have really found that this has helped me – it makes my throat feel clearer, my breathing seems better and I feel more alert. I feel I am doing as much as I can to help my breathing be as effective as possible within the disease limitations. I hope that I do not pick up coughs and colds but I am reassured that my Cough Assist machine will help that bit more if I do get one!

Cough Assist Machine – A Clinical Perspective Jonny Smith

Cough assist (or Mechanical Insufflation-Exsufflation) is a chest clearance device which uses negative air pressure to simulate a functional human cough. The machine works by delivering a preset 'breath in', or inhalation, which fully inflates the lungs and moves air behind secretions. It then rapidly switches to a preset 'breath out', or exhalation, which draws secretions mouthwards to be cleared from the chest. This is typically performed through a mouthpiece or mask and the newer machines have various settings to tailor the treatment to the individuals.

Chest infections can be extremely dangerous, particularly if you are unable to clear your chest effectively. Regular use of a Cough assist prevents accumulations of secretions within the chest, which in turn removes favourable conditions for bacteria to multiply and helps to prevent chest infections. In addition, in the event of a chest infection, the cough assist removes infected secretions to clear the airways and improves breathing - just like a functional human cough!

Individuals may require a cough assist when they have weak respiratory muscles - those such as the diaphragm, muscles of the ribs and abdominals - and can no longer effectively clear their chests independently. The guidance for individual need of a cough assist is contained within the British Thoracic Society guidance on Neuromuscular Conditions, which was published in 2012. Cough assist machines are becoming much more widely used because of the advantages they confer over other chest clearance options (such as suction or manual-assisted coughing) with relatively few drawbacks. The most effective method of using a cough assist device is to use it every day, even when you are feeling well, to fully inflate the lungs, keep secretions moving and prevent issues such as chest infections from ever occurring.

If you feel your cough is weak, or has weakened recently, to the point where you are unable to effectively clear your chest, you should alert your physiotherapist or specialist clinician as you may be in need of respiratory support. Even if you feel capable of clearing your chest when you are not unwell, the effects of infection and repeated coughing can leave you fatigued and adversely affect your cough strength. As always, prevention is better than cure! And it is better to have &
rarely need, than rarely need & not have!

Keeping Warm - Brrr.... it’s cold! – Sanjay Vaja

During the past few years, and more so since being in a wheelchair, I have found myself feeling the cold a lot more.  I've tried different ways to keep warm.  Ultimately, it’s been about learning what works for my body. However, there are some general things that I wanted to share, in case they help others.

For me, it’s about keeping my ‘core’ warm – my upper body / chest area. If my upper body is cold, my body says ‘right, time to conserve energy’ and literally switches off the heating to my feet. No matter how many thick socks or thermals I’m wearing, or sitting with the fan heater on, it doesn’t make any difference if the internal heating has been switched off.  

How do I keep the upper body/chest area warm?
Thin layers and long sleeved tops. Either a long sleeve thermal top, or cotton long sleeve T-shirts, or just an ordinary long sleeved shirt. Sometimes with, or without a short sleeve T-shirt underneath. Then a thin long sleeve jumper on top (eg a thin lambswool jumper). Those big woolly jumpers don’t do much for me, plus they are heavy and restrict movement. There’s also room for a fleece on top of it all if I’m heading out.

My neck
Mum always tells me to keep my neck warm – and she’s right – it makes a huge difference! If my neck is shielded from the wind and cold, I feel noticeably warmer. Plus it seems to be quite trendy these days to wear a scarf.

Shoes
My podiatrist ordered some insulating insoles for me. A thin polystyrene looking layer that can go on top of existing insole, or a thicker one that can replace the existing insole.  I can really feel the difference when I've got them in. Simple, but effective.

Socks
I tried some Bridgedale Comfort Trekker socks and also some Bridgedale Endurance Trekker socks. They are really warm wool socks and not too thick – the Endurance Trekker ones are warmer. Just be careful as you may need bigger shoes but for around the house, they’re great. The other ones I've found great are the everyday M&S wool blend socks – they look and feel like normal socks but are warmer.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bridgedale-Endurance-Trekker-Mens-Socks/dp/B000OIOQXA
http://www.marksandspencer.com/2-pairs-of-lambswool-blend-thermal-long-socks/p/p20027016

My podiatrist suggested I try ‘silver socks.’  They are recommended for people who have Raynauds. They’re designed to “minimise the radiative heat loss by actively reflecting 95% of the body’s energy back to the skin. This makes them a lot warmer compared to conventional socks.” I’m not sure if they worked or not – I need to try them again now that I've worked out to keep my core warm. Perhaps that will be a winning combination? They can be found at the Raynauds Shop: http://www.rsa-shop.co.uk/index.php

Other useful information about chilblains and keeping warm can be found on the Raynauds website under the Raynauds menu on the right: http://www.raynauds.org.uk/index.php

Gloves
For a while now I've used ‘magic gloves’ that are thin but have little rubber bobbles that help with grip. I used them to grip cold handrails or walking sticks or just because my hand is exposed on the controller arm. They are a ‘one size fits all’ and I've seen them for £1 in Macclesfield (if you want me to get you a pair!).
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Warm-Magic-Gloves-GL313/dp/B004APQ0A0/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1423595499&sr=8-5&keywords=magic+gloves

Thermal tops
I've found some nice brushed cotton ones from Tesco, with a faux fleece inside. Long sleeve and nice and warm. Most outdoor shops also stock long sleeve thermal tops. My advice would be to make sure that they are not too heavy and that they don’t restrict your daily movement too much.

Thermal bottoms
I have tried a few. Some with a thick elastic waistband but that’s awkward when going to the loo and some with or without a fly (with is easier). I've recently found the pair that seem to work for me – Peter Storm (from Millets/Blacks). They have a soft finish, are stretchy and are slim fit which keeps me warm.  They have a comfortable elastic waist band and soft stretchy ankle cuffs. Everything ticked!
http://www.blacks.co.uk/mens/084170-peter-storm-mens-thermal-pants-
khaki.html

Diet and exercise
Diet and exercise are also important. A good diet gives you enough energy to keep warm, and exercise helps with circulation (and keeps physios happy!). Warm drinks and soups are great too!

Sleeping
I have an electric under blanket on my profiling bed. It’s on a timer so it comes on in good time to warm my bed, and switches off when I’m far away in dreamland.  It’s great but the one I’m using so far from Argos, seems to stop working after 4 or 5 months. Perhaps because I’m using the backrest all the time to sit up in bed?  Argos keep replacing it but we’re looking for a better one.

Hopefully there’s something in here that will work for you. If you would like any further information please do drop me a line. Please e.mail sanjman108@gmail.com

Take care and keep warm! Sanjay

Riding For The Disabled – Susan Moore

I joined my local “Riding for the Disabled” group in 2002 at the age of 54, having never having sat on a horse before! After completing a rider application form, and a medical questionnaire (that my GP completed) I was placed on a waiting list. It was some weeks before I was offered a place to ride each week.

Getting on
The first hurdle that I had to overcome was actually getting onto a horse. I was able to stand, and with lots of help (it took four helpers) I managed to get onto the mounting block. Dismounting proved to be somewhat easier, but still required three helpers. Initially the whole procedure seemed awkward and clumsy but it soon got easier when the mounting team became familiar with the type of assistance that I required.

Some groups do have wheelchair mounting blocks with ramps and some groups have hoists. However I have not had experience of using either of these so I am unable to say how easy/difficult they are. My group now have a higher mounting block. It has an extra step but a much bigger area for rider and helper to stand on, so it does make the process much easier and safer.

First session
At my first riding session I was led on a kind, well-mannered horse at a gentle walking pace. I was riding in a group with four other riders and after a few weeks I experienced my first trot! It gave me a sense of freedom that I hadn't
experienced in a long time and I went home feeling so much better both physically and mentally. Physically my posture improves at least for the hour I am sat in the saddle, and the movement of the horse actually helps to loosen me up. Over the years I have lost even more muscle strength but with the help of an experienced, sympathetic instructor and helpers I have been managed to overcome any issues as they have occurred. Due to the muscle wasting effects of FSH I have only partial use of my right arm and learnt to ride with adapted reins that have a bar across the centre which I can hold with one hand.

Time to compete
In 2009 I competed for the first time in an "Introduction to Dressage" class at the RDA West Mercia Regional Dressage competition. As this was an introduction class I was able to do the class being led, however, I still had to do all the work without the leader influencing my movements. I achieved a second place and my first rosette!

This success spurred me on to want to do more competing and the following year I applied to the RDA national office to be profiled and graded as a para rider. This involved being assessed and classified by an RDA physiotherapist trained in the para equestrian classification system. I was graded as a 1a rider which enabled me to compete in grade 1a walk only dressage tests. The grading assessment is not dissimilar to the muscle assessments carried out by the physiotherapists at the NMC!
 
In 2011 I won the grade 1a class in the RDA Regional Dressage championship qualifying class and two months later I qualified to compete in the RDA National Championships where I gained a respectable 5th place. I qualified again in 2013 and gained 7th place. In championship qualifying classes and the championships themselves you are required to ride completely independently - it's just you and the horse alone in an empty dressage arena for what at the time, seems like an eternity.

Volunteer
As well as being a rider I am also a volunteer with my group. In 2008 I was invited to join the committee as the group’s rider representative and a few months later I became the groups Volunteer Co-ordinator, a role I continue to do today.

Being a volunteer as well as a rider, I do feel that I am giving something back, even
if it is only my time. It is very enjoyable and rewarding knowing that in a small way you are helping others to enjoy what you enjoy yourself. On occasions it can be frustrating too, but knowing that without the committee and an army of willing helpers, people like myself and my fellow riders would not be able to participate in a very enjoyable and for some, challenging activity. Last October I was approached by the chair of the West Mercia Regional committee asking if I would consider taking on the role of Regional Rider Representative. After much thought and pondering, I thought 'why not', so now I have another new challenge to get to grips with.

Why did I choose to learn to ride?
So why did I choose to take up riding? I was finally diagnosed with FSH at the age of 46 having had unexplained symptoms from birth and spending huge chunks of my childhood/teenage years backwards and forwards to various hospitals. In the same year I was also diagnosed with diabetes. At this stage I was still reasonably mobile and with my diet, managed to keep everything under control until 2001 when a sudden and rapid change in the diabetes meant I had to go on to insulin injections.  I was told some sort of gentle exercise would help too. Walking and swimming were non-starters. I was using a wheelchair outdoors and had lost partial use of one arm and I had never learnt to swim anyway. I had always wanted to ride, so it seemed like an obvious choice.  

Pleasure and enjoyment
Riding for the Disabled has given me so much pleasure and enjoyment as well as enabling me to achieve in a sport. Something I never thought possible. It has also given me some wonderful opportunities, far too many to mention and I have made many good friends along the way. All riders whether physically or severely learning impaired, young or old are on a level playing field and equal to each other. This applies whether riding in a group session or competing. To quote the RDA motto, "It's what you can do that counts".

Anyone wanting to know more about riding or volunteering with the Riding for the Disabled Association should consult the RDA National website at www.rda.org.uk