INDEPENDENT LIVING Amanda Turner
Mira Showers
BKU’s Matt Broughton spoke to Amanda Turner, Associate Channel Manager – Communications at Mira Showers about the Select Flex.
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understanding the Specification market needs and identifying trends to create campaigns that resonate with both specifiers and consumers,” explains Amanda. “I also work closely with other teams in the business to optimise marketing efforts and make sure that we’re driving customer satisfaction.” With around 1.8 million multi-generational households in the UK, when designing with inclusive living in mind, Amanda says it’s important to consider not only the physical space but also sustainability and social equality. Therefore, designing products, and more specifically a shower, requires a truly holistic approach that accounts for all age groups and abilities. “Mira’s Select Flex is perfectly suited for homeowners with accessibility needs,” says Amanda. “It’s the UK’s leading inclusively designed mixer shower, supporting users with a wide range of accessibility needs, including those with limited visual acuity, dexterity, or mobility, as well as vulnerable users”. Key features include:
M
y role as Communications Manager for Specification involves
Effortless Flexibility, Ultimate Accessibility. The shower has been specifically designed to provide an enhanced accessible showering experience that can be used whether standing, seated or with the assistance of a carer. Featuring a visually optimised design developed in conjunction with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), it is the only RNIB ‘Tried and Tested’ accredited mixer shower.
During Mira’s product development process all user touchpoints were considered, with extensive user testing with the target audience conducted to ensure an effective, inclusive design, to provide a safe and enjoyable showering experience for users with accessibility needs.
Visually Optimised, Accessible Design. The Select Flex incorporates multiple features to offer an unparalleled accessible showering experience. The simple push-button actuation negates the need to adjust temperature and flow control every time the shower is used, making it far easier to operate particularly where assisted showering is required.
The shower’s detents and visuals have been developed in conjunction with the RNIB to ensure that it is optimised for those with visual impairments. The high contrast colours used, along with an anti-reflective surface makes showering controls more visible and raised icons and tactile graphics have also been incorporated. Easy to Operate. Furthermore, ergonomic controls, including an easy-grip loop-handle lever for temperature and a lever for flow adjustment plus audible feedback, ensure the shower is easily handled by all users; in particular, those with limited dexterity.
The patented low-friction slide bar enables easy, one-handed adjustment of showerhead height between standing and seated showering. Moreover, the showerhead has been optimised to provide a gentle spray mode, suitable for those with sensitive skin. Designed to Last. Internally tested beyond average lifetime use, the Mira Select Flex ensures durability through design and materials, including a brass valve and TMV3 approval. Durability is tested in several ways, including testing to simulate up to 100 years of use. Mira’s commitment to quality includes real-life testing on trial sites to provide reassurance in performance and usability. Sustainable Design. Mira considers Design for the Environment (DfE) a core tenet of its product
26 BKU JUNE 2024
development as part of its environmental efforts. On the Select Flex, Mira has included the use of sustainable materials such as high performing internals to limit environmental impact whilst providing a premium finish.
Amanda believes the key to improving users’ experiences is to be willing to become thoroughly educated on those with accessibility needs: “As Robin Spinks from the RNIB said about the Select Flex, ‘What we’ve really seen is a company who’ve been willing to ask questions, to listen to users, to consult with expert organisations, and then to take those findings and actually integrate them into the design process so that what comes out at the other end is a thoughtfully designed, inclusive and pleasant to use product.’” As for other Mira products to watch in 2024, Amanda suggests we all take a look at the Mira Atom Matt Black. “With a contemporary and highly sought-after matt finish, this shower effortlessly blends style with outstanding performance, creating a premium showering moment that will leave users feeling refreshed and revitalised. Tested to extremes, Mira’s unique matt black finish has undergone rigorous testing to guarantee long-lasting performance and style – even with heavy use or hard water. Available in both single and dual outlet, this premium addition to the Atom family includes a handset with four luxurious spray experiences, with a convenient push-button, as well as a luxurious overhead deluge promising a superior showering experience.”
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