GLIDEABILITY - Access for people with disabilities
The club welcomes
people with disabilities and makes every effort to provide trial lessons and full
membership on a 'mainstream' basis as for people without disabilities. For those
individuals or groups who are unable to take up 'mainstream' membership, the club
provides special mid-week events for individuals or groups according to demand.
See sections 1 to 7 below for details.
1. People with physical disabilities
2. Help with boarding
3. People with hearing impairments
4. People
with sight impairments
5. User comments
6. Notes
7. GLIDEABILITY
brochure
Please contact the club in advance at 07709 808276 to make arrangements.
| 1.People with physical disabilities The club has been assisted by The Sport Northern Ireland Lottery Fund and The Enkalon Foundation to enable purchase of a specially adapted glider that will provide equality of access for people with disabilities. This is fitted with hand controls to replace the foot operated rudder pedals so that persons with a disability affecting the lower limbs may achieve the same skill level and progress at the same rate as others. The new glider entered service in July 2007. The club has installed a ramp to provide easy access to the clubhouse for wheelchair users. There is a wheelchair accessible w.c. facility. The hangar floor has level access and is readily accessible to wheelchair users. The airfield itself is of short level grass and movement between buildings is across short grass. Call 07709 808276 to make arrangements. |
Listen to a podcast of a radio feature that was broadcast on Radio Foyle during the formal opening of our new facility for people with disabilities. Hear a wheelchair user describing his flight from the cockpit. |
| 2.Help with boarding An electrically operated hoist is available to assist with entry and exit for wheelchair users and those with mobility problems. Please note that the design of the two-seat gliders allows a maximum weight of 103 kg or 227 lbs or 16 Stone per occupant. Young people are welcome however they must be physically large enough to be able to reach the controls of the glider in order to benefit from a lesson. Call 07709 808276 to make arrangements. |  |
| 3.
People with hearing impairments The club can offer training in two-seat side-by-side seating configuration that allows easy communication between instructor and pupil. This is very suitable for offering lessons to those who are deaf or who have impaired hearing. This facility is currently available in a Dimona two-seat self-launching motor glider. Hearing dogs are permitted on the premises. Call 07709 808276 to make arrangements. |
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4. People with sight impairments The club can offer training in two-seat gliders for people with sight impairments. This can be provided in a regular glider, however, if it is considered necessary to have side-by-side seating arrangement, it can be provided in a Dimona two-seat self-launching motor glider. Guide dogs are permitted on the premises. Call 07709 808276 to make arrangements. |
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| 5. User comments - recorded by people with disabilities who have sampled gliding at Bellarena.
| "It was magic." "A very positive experience." "Instructors are very patient and explain everything to you. Nothing is too much for them to help you. The group I was with, all had different disabilities." "The staff were helpful, understanding and patient." "Great day, everyone very friendly." "It made me feel I could do anything" |
6. Notes - The Ulster Gliding Club is a member of The British Disabled Flying Association www.bdfa.net | We regret that the 'U.K. Air Navigation Order' prohibits the club from offering trial lessons to persons with a mental health problem. |
| 7. GLIDEABILITY brochure | <Click for 312KB version> Low res. for viewing - suits dial-up <Click for 1.2MB version> High res. for printing - suits broadband |
