This is a unique opportunity to hear from the Heads of Innovation at Motability Operations and Motability, the Charity, who’ll be sharing their innovative work to support the transition to EVs for all disabled people.  Discover how they’re harnessing the knowledge and expertise of different partners and local authorities to find new and creative solutions to ensure EVs become accessible for all.  Plus find out more about the new national accessibility standard for public charging, ensuring no one gets left behind in the transition to electric.

Wheelchair basketball is a fast-paced and fast-growing sport that allows non-disabled and disabled people to compete together in its domestic leagues and competitions.

This session offers the chance to meet Lee Manning, who made history at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, winning bronze with Team England in the first ever appearance of wheelchair basketball in a Commonwealth Games. He’ll be sharing the inside story of what it takes to represent your country internationally.

A busy summer lies ahead for the GB Men and Women’s wheelchair basketball teams with both squads travelling to Dubai in June for the 2023 World Championships – where the men’s squad will be looking to defend their World Championship title.  Both teams will then head to Rotterdam for the 2023 European Championships. A critical competition that decides the Paralympic qualification for Paris 2024.    

In this session Lee and Justine, will share insight into what it takes to prepare the GB Wheelchair Basketball teams for these back-to-back international competition, and the legacy of the squads’ international success on the sport in the UK.

They’ll also talk about the sports ambitions to ensure more people can access the sport, and how the ‘Inspire a generation’ programme is helping more people to play and participate in wheelchair basketball.  

We hope you’ll be inspired to give the sport a go at one of the many community clubs across the country or if you’re at the NEC, why not take the opportunity to shoot some hoops at a dedicated basketball zone at the event.

You may have seen Matthew and Cristian on the BBC’s Dragons’ Den recently. The people behind Adapt Ability who have helped bring Omeo to the UK. Omeo is the world’s only hands-free mobility device. Steered by the user shifting their bodyweight, Omeo can tackle a wide range of terrains too, from muddy paths to sandy beaches.

Following their successful appearance on Dragons’ Den earlier this year, Matthew and Cristian will be joining us in the new Innovation Zone at The Big Event, and taking to the Speaker Sessions stage to talk all about the future of mobility technology, and his experience with Omeo… and the Dragons.

There are many things to consider before moving to an electric vehicle. Join Sam from Motability Operations Ltd as he shares his knowledge of electric vehicles and things to think about when deciding if an electric vehicle is right for you.

Connor from our new home charging partner Easee will then showcase the features and benefits of their charging unit (included at no extra cost, or customers leasing their first pure battery electric vehicle) – covering everything from installation to customer support. 

Currently around 10% of customers benefit from adaptations to help make driving or travelling easier or more comfortable. But could adaptations transform the driving experience for many more people?

Find out more from Dale, who has worked at Motability Operations for 4 years having previously spent 8 years at RAC. He has many years of experience working within the automotive industry, giving him great insight into the real day-to-day experiences of Scheme customers with their WAV or adaptations.

Join Helen Dolphin as she chats to Antonia from Euan’s Guide, the award-winning disabled access charity, best known for EuansGuide.com, the disabled access review website and the UK’s largest Access Survey. Helen will be asking Antonia about the latest survey results (which over 7000 disabled people took part in), including how the survey highlights the impact of the cost-of-living crisis. They’ll also share how you can take part in this year’s survey, launching in the autumn.