Living made easy

If you have designed or invented a product for the disability market, you might be interested in finding out how you can obtain a manufacturer and/or how you can bring your product to the market. This page provides a guide to organisations that may be able to help you.

Before you do anything else, it is first worth checking whether any similar products are already available. DLF maintains the UK's only comprehensive, impartial database of daily living equipment - DLF Data - which contains over 14,000 current products. You can also search Living made easy or phone our helpline (Monday - Friday between 10am and 4pm): 0845 130 9177 who will be able to advise you about what is currently available on the market. Our information includes the contact details of the products' UK suppliers - you may be interested in talking to them if you are successful in securing a manufacturer.

ATcare (www.atcare.co.uk)
ATcare is a social enterprise that seeks to transform lives by ensuring high quality assistive technology products are designed and developed to meet the needs of users such as older and disabled people. ATcare works with users, statutory authorities, manufacturers, retail, universities and third sector organisations to stimulate creative partnerships, broker innovative solutions and deliver the benefits of technological advances to the market.

British Design Innovation (BDI): www.designdirectory.org
BDI is the national resource for those seeking to connect with the UK commercial design and innovation industry. Their design directory is designed to assist client organisations to select a short list of firms.

Business Link: www.businesslink.gov.uk
Business Link is a government website which gives practical advice for businesses including a guide entitled 'Find support for inventors'. This guide explains where inventors can get the support and advice they need at different stages of their product's development.

The Design Council: www.designcouncil.org.uk
The Design Council are a centre of thinking and insight into new ways to do business. Their work shows how design can tackle big challenges and improve everyday life. They run practical demonstrations and support programmes for private industry and the public sector.

Devices for Dignity (D4D): www.devicesfordignity.org.uk
Devices for Dignity is a Department of Health national pilot programme. They've been set up to drive forward innovative new products, processes and services to help people with debilitating conditions deal with their daily challenges. They work with inventors, clinical and healthcare staff, industry, academics and patients. Their services range from provision of prototype design, development and fabrication, access to patient focus groups and clinical research facilities through to commercial contacts. They can also provide assistance and expertise in applying for funding and advice and guidance to help you navigate NHS procurement.

The Health Design & Technology Institute (HDTI): www.hdti.org.uk
HDTI offers the opportunity for products within the community and consumer healthcare market to be tested and evaluated within the Institute. By facilitating collaboration between users, companies, healthcare practitioners and designers, their facilities allow the feedback of valuable information to the design and development of your product.

The Helen Hamlyn Centre: www.hhc.rca.ac.uk
The Royal College of Art (RCA) Helen Hamlyn Centre provides a focus for people-centred design and innovation. It has a special research focus on inclusive design. In 2000 they launched (in collaboration with the Design Business Association) the 'DBA Inclusive Design Challenge'. This is an annual design competition to create a mainstream product, service, environment or communication which can be enjoyed by people of all abilities.

The Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS): www.mas.bis.gov.uk
MAS is designed to help manufacturers streamline processes, reduce waste, become more energy efficient and generally improve their business.

NHS Innovation Hubs: www.innovations.nhs.uk
England has nine regional NHS Innovation Centres (hubs). The Centres were established to champion the cause of healthcare innovation and to identify, develop and commercialize innovations and Intellectual Property created by NHS staff.