Aerobility to host Parastronaut workshop to help shape project supporting astronauts with physical disabilities
Disabled flying charity Aerobility is hosting the workshop this September with the Parastronaut Topical Team at Aerobility’s headquarters (Blackbushe Airport, Camberley, GU17 9LQ). It will be run by the Parastronaut Topical Team, Dr Irene Di Giulio, and Aerobility’s CEO Mike Miller-Smith MBE.
People with disabilities, as well as people in the disability sector, such as carers, physios and volunteers, can now sign up to take part in the half-day workshop which will contribute to the team’s work on physical disability and human space flight.
Dr Irene Di Giulio, Lecturer in Anatomy and Biomechanics at King's College London, will lead the workshop and speak to participants about the major barriers to human space flight. The participants will then work in small groups and discuss what their personal barriers to human space flight may be.
Participants will give their insights about accessibility, adjustments, training, adaptations, aids and support. Their feedback will be collected anonymously. This information will then be used by the Topical Team to shape the future of human space flight.
The Parastronaut Topical Team is a group of researchers and people working in aviation working together to support the European Space Agency’s project on astronauts with physical disabilities.
CEO of Aerobility Mike Miller-Smith MBE has been an advocate for disabled space flight for many years. At Naidex 2023 (the UK's biggest and most established event for the disability community) Mike gave a Main Stage presentation entitled ‘One giant leap for mankind – The work underway to make space flight accessible and how you can get involved’.
This is a half-day workshop on Tuesday 19th September, with registration starting at 9.30am for a prompt start at 10am. It is expected to finish by 1pm, when lunch will be offered. The team is able to cover travel expenses (upon presentation of receipts and up to £50), and can offer a small compensation for your time (£10/h).
Those interested in signing up can do so here: https://forms.office.com/e/Y7cXJt4Ei2