iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Kid2 is studying for the driving theory test. This one made us laugh. I mean, I remember car radios being stolen and security key ones coming in… from when I was about 8? I’m waiting for the steering wheel lock and hot wiring questions. So many very random topics in there!

Driving theory practice question asking “how can you help to prevent your car radio being stolen? 4 options-
Park in an unlit area
Leave the radio on
Park near a busy junction
Install a security-coded radio

Sorry realised that reads snarky - was agreeing with you! Lots of try before you buy definitely needed- choosing is hard - especially when even trying things out requires complex adjustments to fit a “quick fix” device to your chair the first time (*after* the first time it’s quick on and off!!)

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Handcycles are great (I have one) but they are mechanically more complex than power only attachments (some can be a bit prone to break!), and they’re much bigger and more expensive than power-only models. Fabulous for many of us but not always the “better” option by any means…

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wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk

In the UK, highways laws are a big problem for using powered aids that go above 4 or 8mph in public spaces though, which limits usefulness of “invalid carriages” for making local trips - see WfW’s campaign on this: wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk/our-campaign...

Campaigning for inclusive cycling, Wheels for Wellbeing

Wheels for Wellbeing is an award-winning charity supporting disabled people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the benefits of cycling.

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Hi! I don’t use a power attachment but yes, loads of makes & cheaper than powerchairs usually (& versatile!) - Triride prob biggest brand in UK (Italian). Basics to look out for inc weight limit, range, attachment mechanism, wheel size, grip on uneven/slopey ground (traction uphill), reliability…

By Cory Doctorow (GPG 0xBF3D9110957E5F4C) @doctorow.pluralistic.net · 01/10/2026

Reposted by TandemKate

Here's a funny thing about the right to vote: it wasn't won by voting.

Two suffragists in period dress, ceremonially putting ballots into a ballot box. The background has been replaced with an elaborate collage of 19th C printing-press parts. The ballots are glowing with radiant spikes. The face of the ballot box has been replaced with an Nvidia Vera Lynn GPU.

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Reposted by TandemKate

Disability News Service @johnpring.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

The BBC has failed to explain why the host of its flagship current affairs programme Question Time has repeatedly pushed the idea that social security spending must be cut, while ignoring official figures that debunk claims it is “spiralling”. #BBCQT www.disabilitynewsservice.com/bbc-fails-to...

disabilitynewsservice.com

BBC fails to explain why Question Time host repeatedly fails to debunk the lie of ‘spiralling welfare’

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Reposted by TandemKate

Will Norman @willnorman.co.uk · 02/10/2026

Really enjoyed joining @wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk this week to learn about Wheels4Me - an amazing inclusive cycle hire project providing adapted cycles for people with disabilities. with @walkwheelcyclet.bsky.social Pedal UK & Motability Foundation

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TandemKate @tandemkate.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

I’m hopeful - Max did great stuff while he was in post…

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TandemKate @tandemkate.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Busy shared space without kerbed/tactile protected pedestrian space isn’t fine if you’re a small child, frail, have any disability that means you can’t easily communicate or reliably move in ways others will predict… So, shared space only for extremely low-use rural routes, not busy places.

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TandemKate @tandemkate.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Wouldn’t it be great if the projects in that area coordinated and provided accessible cycle & public transport access? Aside from cycle route and on-route access considerations eg mini shuttles on Oxford St, I’m astounded (amongst other things) that Oxford Circus doesn’t have full step-free access!

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TandemKate @tandemkate.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

To and from trees for supplies in this context, surely? 😁

TandemKate @tandemkate.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Front garden sustainable drainage feature now catches all water off the drive and front of house. Front of house re-divirtable into sewer if El Niño proves too much - but all looking really positive so far, about 1 year in! 15+ trees of various sizes in this space too- fab red dogwood saplings!

A green front garden with a just-visible dip in the middle and lots of small trees with range of plants including grass, lady’s Nando’s and bulbs beneath

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TandemKate @tandemkate.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Also hastening to add this photo was taken pre-cleaning, just after I realised that what I’d thought was a crusty layer on a solid section of fridge was in fact a crusty layer over depths of hideous liquid mankiness

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TandemKate @tandemkate.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Bicarb and vinegar are my favourites!

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TandemKate @tandemkate.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

So this is where the condensation drain inside the fridge goes. Moral: Do not have children who tip chocolate sauce, cream, milk etc into the condensation channel. It smells baaaad. The container isn’t removable. Cleaned with funnel, pipette, hot water & baby bottle sterilising tablets. Ewww.

Compressor unit and condensate catching container on back of fridge. Container is full of mystery brown yuck, which is also splashed onto the fridge back. Cleaning kit in foreground.

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7. Last one: A good employer with lovely HR is worth their weight in gold! They can really help with sorting issues like dodgy landlords and weak course providers. Keep asking for & accepting help early! Loads of best wishes to everyone applying for degree apprenticeships this year!

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6. Degree provider: You can change course provider if you’re not happy. Thing1 was studying at the lcollege local to the employer. It was *awful*. Poor admin, teaching, everything. He got in touch with a different provider, & with employer support has transferred to a really good course.

5. Block release vs day release study: Think about distance and time to travel to wherever you’ll need to study, and ask the employer about travel and accommodation expenses as relevant.

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4. Transport: A lot of engineering apprenticeships are based in industrial parks near motorways but miles from anywhere to live. If you can’t drive (Thing1 doesn’t drive), even getting to an interview for some apprenticeships may be challenging, to say the least. Consider locations carefully!

3. And for housing: if your apprenticeship is somewhere that doesn’t have a university, be aware that most landlords (for lodgings) won’t accept 18 year olds. This was the hardest bit for Thing1 to support, even with a lovely employer & parental help. You can be very much pushed in the deep end!

2. Big firms often seem to have very organised & supportive schemes, a bit like being a student - helping with accommodation, social stuff, etc.. Small firms may not. Be prepared to be on your own or need to ask carefully for help for finding housing if moving away from home!

Thing1 is now in 2nd year of an engineering degree apprenticeship. Stuff it would have been handy to know 2 years ago: 1. Applying may be fiddly and expensive: Lots of different forms (not one UCAS form), travel for interviews in remote places etc.

Phil Sturgeon 🌳🚵⚓️ @philsturgeon.com · 16/08/2026

Hooboy. It’s that time of year where year 13 students need to start applying for courses or jobs. My 2p-worth of experience for anyone that age or their families: Degree apprenticeships! TL:DR - not like applying for degrees…

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Reposted by TandemKate

Some people think “rewilding” means land abandonment. If rewilding means not doing anything why am I constantly knackered. Grass is scythed, topped, and grazed. Drainage ditches blocked. Controlled burns in dry old conifer plantations until they can transition back to damp temperate rainforest.

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TandemKate @tandemkate.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Showing a main image of what looks an awful lot like it could be a managed grouse moor or similar? (Not an expert here, welcome correction and all that)

TandemKate @tandemkate.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Sounds fabulous but will be visiting family that weekend I’m afraid- prior to spending my birthday having a “spa treatment” - I mean, needles and lying down are involved - so it must be a spa, right? Radiofrequency ablation of nerves in 4 joints is… actually sort of a good birthday present!

TandemKate @tandemkate.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

First proper outing on my new (extremely secondhand) handcycle - this is awesome! Kid3 informs me i’m going to start taking her to parkruns again now this lets me “run”…

Handcycle and my knees as seen from my wheelchair seat. Inlocalnatire reserve/park

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Reposted by TandemKate

Wheels for Wellbeing @wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk · 12/08/2026

Paid opportunity for Disabled people: Please share Are you interested in floating bus stops? Are you a Disabled person based in the UK? Why not apply to the Floating Bus Stops Disability Advisory Group? Applications close midnight Wednesday 09/09/2026 wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk/floating-bus...

wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk

Floating Bus Stops Research Disability Advisory Group - Information and Application Form

Wheels for Wellbeing is an award-winning charity supporting disabled people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the benefits of cycling.

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TandemKate @tandemkate.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Very similar here. It’s been much easier finding a suitable school for our autistic child who is learning-Disabled than for our autistic child who isn’t. We home educated our older kids (by choice). There were many academic, autistic children home educated due to lack of suitable school places.

TandemKate @tandemkate.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Oh wow, yes, the whole “multi-agency” thing. My record “signposting” incident is being sent in a circle of “we can’t offer support but *they* can!” by 7 or 8 different agencies - inc school, community paeds, GP, A&E, CAMHS, children’s social care, virtual school & PAS. No actual support offered!

TandemKate @tandemkate.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Also, does anyone really think primary teachers aren’t already identifying the kids likely to end up NEET? I have 2 kids in this category (neither will be NEET, hopefully, b/c both now have robust EHCPs). Good schools support them getting SEND help. Bad schools exclude them. All schools spot them!

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TandemKate @tandemkate.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Diversifying from the Bilge Pump In Bath (currently on pause due to the ongoing Broken Bath Shower situation) & Washing Up Tub With Handles, we now have Extended Washing Machine Hose To Garden & Bucket In Shower grey water Keep Plants Alive & Kate Climate Anxiety Reduction strategies in play!

A washing machine hose attached to an extension with two jubilee clips - one screwed on straight, the other worryingly wonky

A large building bucket with handles, half full of water in a shower cubicle

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TandemKate @tandemkate.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

There are bats zooming around our urban garden every evening. Fabulous.

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TandemKate @tandemkate.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

I have now hinted heavily to the relevant household personnel that I would be graciously pleased to receive a Lego Friends Flower Shop for my birthday…

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TandemKate @tandemkate.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Fortunately I also have a serious Lego Friends fan in the household… she may be interested in getting “me” (or rather, us) a set for my upcoming birthday… The “pink sparkly unicorns” phase has been 12 years and counting in this house - I’m not a pink sparkly person at all so it amuses me a lot!

The Ranty Highwayman @rantyhighwayman.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Reposted by TandemKate

Great Scott! Lego now has a tandem.

Lego mini figures of Doc Brown and Marty McFly from Back to the Future in a purple Lego tandem with black handlebars.

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TandemKate @tandemkate.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Ooops! I think that was my fault - I gave the social media person the wrong link so they must have needed to make a new post…

TandemKate @tandemkate.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Hope other people find this article useful - it’s just an outline of bits we’ve found helpful over the last 2 decades of cycling with children with various of us also being Disabled people. Please ask any questions here too if I might be able to help!

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TandemKate @tandemkate.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Really nice video explainer of why some ways police are testing e-cycles for legality don’t work here. We’re really pleased many police forces are taking training on this now, and especially that our info on mobility aids will be included in the training materials.