Since the outbreak of Covid-19 in the UK, personal protective equipment (PPE) has been much talked about and often in short supply. If you’re disabled or have a health condition and use carers or personal assistance, gloves, masks, hand sanitiser and aprons are likely to be even more important.
On the Disability Horizons Shop, we’ve been able to get a range of Covid essentials. Here, we round up 6 items that are particularly useful or unique.
Extra-thick plastic apron
These disposable aprons are made of extra-thick polythene material and are 50% thicker than the NHS standard.
They are waterproof, so help to stop splashes from bodily fluids, and help to limit any virus particles transferring from the wearer.
The sizing is universal, with waist ties to ensure a secure and comfortable fit for everyone.
You can buy these extra-thick aprons on their own or in large packs of 100 or 250.
Visit our guide to keeping safe from Covid-19 when using carers or PAs for tips on what you can do to minimise the risks.
Lip reading face mask
These lip-reading face mask provides protection whilst enabling communication for those who rely on lip-reading due to hearing impairments.
It has a clear, transparent panel over the mouth that allows for better interpretation of facial expressions and visible communication needed for lip reading.
Not medical grade but created to provide a physical barrier against and from coughs and sneezes while still offering full visual communication with people who rely on lip-reading.
Quality, double layer fabric with clear anti-fog PET window sewn-in – eliminate the visual communication barrier that is presented by typical, full-coverage masks.
Ergonomic design and adjustable, elasticated ear straps mean that these lip reading face masks are unisex, and suitable for most face shapes and sizes.
Read more about the lip reading face mask on the Disability Horizons Shop.
Breathing bracket insert for face mask
This breathing bracket insert is particularly useful if you have severe breathing/respiratory issues or other difficulties with a face mask but want to wear one for protection.
This PET plastic, 3D face mask insert expands the breathing space available whilst wearing a face covering, by creating extra room around the nose and mouth.
The frame shape supports the fabric of the mask, and creates a dome of airflow with extra air space and a bigger surface area for the mask to filter and allow airflow. This mask frame also helps to ensure the mask fabric does not cover/touch your mouth or nostrils when inhaling.
This is also ideal for those who wear glasses – the extra space for airflow in front of the mouth and nose means less chance of warm, moist, exhaled air being forced upwards towards the eyes/glasses.
Visit the Disability Horizons Shop to purchase the breathing bracket insert for a face mask.
Face mask exemption cards, lanyards and badges clip
Rules in different parts of the UK require people to wear a face covering or mask in different public indoor settings. But, if you have a medical condition or disability that makes it difficult for you to wear one, you can self-certify as being exempt from having to wear one – read our dedicated story on the face mask rules and exemptions to find out more.
To help ensure disabled people don’t get fined when they’re genuinely exempt, we’ve created an exemption card.
Our face mask exemption card comes on a lanyard or badge clip. It is a durable, portable pass that you can wear around your neck or pinned to your coat or top while travelling, in shops and or anywhere you need to.
The bright red lanyard has ‘MASK EXEMPT’ written in white capital letters so it is easy to see. The credit card-sized ID badge further explains your mask exemption as being due to a “disability/health condition”. Both can be shown and read at a safe distance.
There is also the option to purchase the ID card with a badge clip instead of a lanyard, which can be worn on shirts, tops or coats.
The pocket-sized design of the ID, badge clip and lanyard means it can be stored in your coat or bag making it easy to access and put around your neck or pin to you.
We also sell an I need to lip-read – ID card for hearing impaired, which exempts family, friends or carers of people with a hearing impairment from wearing a face mask so the deaf person can lip read.
You can purchase the face mask exemption card lanyard or clip badge and the lip-reading ID card on our shop website.
Make sure you know the rules around wearing face masks in the UK by reading our guide.
I’ve Been Vaccinated Covid-19 card – lanyard or badge
Our Covid-19 vaccination card and lanyard is an immediate, visual aid to show others that you have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
These have been produced with care staff and service workers in mind, such as bar or restaurant staff, teachers, delivery drivers or workmen in the home, to help reassure clients and members of the public that you have been fully vaccinated.
If you are non-verbal or have difficulty communicating, you may also find this a useful way to show you have been vaccinated.
This is NOT a vaccine passport and is NOT proof of vaccination. You may be asked to provide proof using the Government-mandated format when it is introduced – see more in our dedicated story on the Covid vaccine pass.
But you may find this card useful to keep on show whilst travelling or at work in areas where you have already proved your vaccination status.
If you are fully vaccinated, buy our Covid-19 vaccination card on the Disability Horizons Shop.
Social distancing lanyard
The eye-catching design of our social distancing lanyard and card is an immediate, visual aid to help others understand the importance of keeping socially distant for you, whilst still keeping your personal space.
Large, bold lettering on the lanyard, in highly-visible red, states: ‘KEEP 2M DISTANCE’. The card reads: ‘PLEASE KEEP 2M DISTANCE. I have a health condition and am at higher risk if I catch Covid-19. Thank you.’
It could be particularly useful if you are unable to easily or quickly move away from someone who has come too close, for example, because you use a wheelchair or have limited mobility.
If you have a hidden disability or condition that makes you at greater risk if you catch Covid-19, it’s also a good way to signal to others that social distancing is important for you.
If you are visually impaired and less able to keep distant from others yourself, it will help alert people to stay away from you.
It would be useful for children with health conditions or disabilities and adults who might find it difficult to understand the new rules and importance of social distancing.
There is also the option to purchase the ID card with a badge clip as well as the lanyard, which can be worn on shirts, tops or coats.
BUY our 2M distance lanyards NOW on the Disability Horizons Shop.
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