If you are disabled, being mobile is a vital part of independent living - going to the shops, visiting friends, going to work and having trips out or going on holiday. Here is given information on the help you can get.

Financial help If you are unable or virtually unable to walk, you may qualify for the Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance (see Benefits and Allowances for Disabled People). You can spend this money on whatever means you prefer to get around. There are different rates for the Mobility Component depending on your impairment.

People who are getting the higher rate of the Mobility Component of the War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement ( and whose vehicles are used exclusively by them) can also claim exemption from Vehicle Excise Duty (Road Tax)

V188 Exemption from Vehicle Excise Duty for Disabled People from main Post Offices, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) or DVLA Local Vehicle Registration Offices (in the local phone book under ‘Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions’)

Motability If you are getting the higher rate of the Mobility component of Disability Living Allowance or the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement, you can apply to an organisation called Motability for help in hiring a new car, buying on hire purchase new or used cars or wheelchairs on preferential terms.

For more information on Motability

RADAR mobility Factpack 3 Money Matters. Price £2

Parking your car

The Blue Badge Scheme (European Parking Card) offers concessions such as free use of on-street parking meters and pay and display bays. Badge-holders may also be exempt from limits on parking times imposed on others and may park for up to three hours on yellow lines except where there is a ban on loading and unloading. You may qualify if you:

Are receiving the higher rate of the Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance or War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement;Use a motor vehicle supplied by a government health department;Are registered blind;Have severe disability in both upper limbs, drive a motor vehicle regularly but cannot turn the steering wheel by hand even if that wheel is fitted with a turning knob; or

Have a permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking.

The Blue Badge can be used throughout most of Great Britain and European Economic Community Countries. However there are some areas of central London which have their own schemes for people who live and work in the area. Access to certain town centres may be prohibited or limited to vehicles with special permits. The Blue Badge scheme does not apply to private roads or at airports.

Your social services / social work department/local council will tell you how to apply for a Blue Badge.

ORANGE/BLUE  BADGE  INFORMATION

The Orange Badge issued in England, Northern Ireland or Scotland was out of use by 31 March 2003 and replaced by the Blue Badge (European Parking Card).
For More information on The Blue Badge
For information on reciprocal parking schemes with Europe
For information on reciprocal parking with other countries

Advice there are a lot of choices to be made before you are happily, safely and economically on the road - in obtaining insurance, learning to drive, getting needs assessed, choosing a car, having modifications made to controls and access. Here are some sources of good impartial advice:MAVIS (Mobility Advice and Vehicle Information Service)This is the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions’ own centre at Crowthorpe in Berkshire. It offers assessment and advice on driving ability, consultation on car adaptation and vehicle familiarisation sessions using its own facilities. It’s free information service covers all aspects of personal outdoor mobility, including information about similar centres in other parts of the UK. Tel: 01344 661000

Banstead Mobility Centre Provides information to disabled people, their families and professional workers; carries out assessments for car drivers and passengers, demonstrates and assesses a wide range of powered vehicles and lightweight wheelchairs and gives driving instruction.

Information is free. You will be charged a fee for other services. The Centre also arranges residential driving courses. Tel: 0208 770 1151

There are also local mobility centres throughout the country which can provide advice and assessment. Most belong to the Forum of Mobility Centres which aim to increase awareness of mobility issues and to promote research. Mobility Centres can also supply details of Approved Driving Instructors who have experience in teaching people with disabilities. For a list of Mobility Centres visit the Forum of Mobility Centres:
http://www.mobility-centres.org.uk/

The Mobility Road Show 2007
19-21 July, Kemble Airfield Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Open 10am daily, free admission and parking
http://www.justmobility.co.uk/roadshow

Ability Car Guide, RICA Motoring and Mobility for Disabled People by Ann Darnbrough and Derek Kinrade. See also chapter in the Authors’ Directory for Disabled People'.

Motoring Associations

These offer advice and publish information on matters of personal mobility - including vehicles and conversions, insurance and legal requirement. All have local branches or representatives and encourage local group events:

Mobilise

Disabled Motorist Federation Tel: 01743 761 889

The rescue services offers a variety of concessions and special help and information for disabled members:

AA (Automobile Association) Tel: 0990 448 866

Disability Helpline Tel: 0800 262 050

Green Flag (formerly National Breakdown Tel: 0113 236 3236 )

RAC (Royal Automobile Club) Tel: 01454 20800AA Guide for Disabled Traveller.

Rail Services Fare concessions The Disabled Person’s Railcard valid for 12 months entitles you to reduced rates. If you are a young person accompanied by an adult, he or she travels at the same rate. Details of discounts and who qualifies are in booklet Rail Travel for Disabled Passengers from stations and travel centres.Special arrangements If you need help in transferring between your car and train or other special arrangements, you should try to give at least 48 hours’ notice of your journey.

InterCity Services Most trains now have wide access doors, automatic interior doors and grabrails and are accessible to wheelchair users by ramps kept at all stations. Most Standard Class coaches have a space for a wheelchair at one end, and space can be made in First Class, given advance notice. There are usually trolley refreshment services, and some trains have wheelchair accessible toilets.

Sleeper cabins are not wheelchair-accessible and therefore not suitable if you need help when transferring to or from your wheelchair.

Eurostar services operating from Waterloo to Paris and Brussels are fully accessible to wheelchair users. Although wheelchair spaces are only accessible in First Class, wheelchair users pay only standard fare plus a small supplement.

Stations RailTrack is improving facilities to make stations easier to use. Many main-line stations have toilets accessible to wheelchair users and are opened with the National Key Scheme. This scheme is used to provide access to over 4,000 public toilets which might be subject to vandalism unless kept locked.

Rail Travel for Disabled Passengers - from stations, travel centres and travel agents.

Local Transport A growing number of bus routes all over the country are now served by low floor buses which are wheelchair accessible and much easier for anyone who has difficulty with stepsOver the next few years regulations will be introduced under the Disability Discrimination Act which will require all future public transport (buses and coaches, trains and trams and licensed taxis) to be accessible to disabled people, including wheelchair users.Many areas already have wheelchair accessible taxis and / or door to door transport services such as ‘Dial-a-Ride’. Travel costs on local public transport may be free or subsidised by the local authority, some of which may have schemes such as taxi cards or vouchers for people unable to us public transport.For further information about accessible transport and concessionary fares in your area, contact your county council’s Public Transport Information Officer or your local Passenger Transport Executive (PTE).

Access in London guide book for disabled people, RADAR £7.95

Access to the Underground: a step-by-step guide to each station for elderly and disabled people. From London Transport, Tel/textphone: 0207 918 3312

Other sources of help

Tripscope offers reliable transport advice and information, free of charge and nationally, for disabled and elderly people planning local, long-distance or foreign holidays, including airport transfers and transport at your destination

National helpline Tel: 0345 585641

Ramp is a service from the Disabled Motorists federation which will provide free route maps with attended filling stations, accessible WC’s, wheelchair access, meal stops and B&B accommodation. Allow three days notice Tel: 01743 761181

The British Red Cross provides an escort service for elderly or disabled adults and children using trained people. Travel is by private cars, Red Cross Ambulances or public rail, road and air transport. Expenses are charged. Contact your local branch for details.

The National Key Scheme as mentioned previously is used to provide access to over 4,000 public toilets.

For details on how to obtain a key contact RADAR Tel: 0207 250 3222 or send a S.A.E for information sheet.

Purchase Equipment

The Focus on Disability Shop has aids and equipment in various categories including:
Bathing Aids
Feeding Aids
Kitchen Aids
Walking Aids
Wheelchairs
Reachers
Click Here.

Mobility Smart – Comprehensive catalogue of equipment.
http://www.mobilitysmart.cc
Email: links@mobilitysmart.cc
A company that offers everything on the one site. Aids that could help your disability & mobility.

Canes
http://canemart.com/
Specialist walking cane company in California
Fritz Canes, Hat and Waistband Stretcher, Cane Tips.
Description: Offers canes and cane accessories including adjustable canes, elegant, aluminum, long, silver, and travel canes.

Voluntary organisations providing information on mobility issues include: DIAL-UK/British Epilepsy Association/ Disability Scotland/ Limbless Association/ RADAR/ RNIB/ Spinal Injuries Association/ the Stroke Association.

RADAR Mobility Fact Packs Pack 1- Getting started (assessments, driving instruction, driving licences and insurance), Pack 2- Motoring Equipment (accessories, control and conversion, Pack 3- Money matters (Vehicle Excise Duty, car tax, Disability Living Allowance, discounts and concessions).

The Department of The Environment, transport and the Regions’ Mobility Unit has produced a booklet giving information on all forms of transport for disabled people together with contact addresses: Door to Door : a Guide to Transport for People with Disabilities.

Tel: 0207 890 6100

Powered Wheelchairs, Scooters and Buggies, RICA

Driving after a Stroke (ref 522), from the Stroke AssociationOut and About: a guide to safe travel for disabled people - provides simple practical advice. From The Suzy Lamplugh Trust, who also offer talks and training to groups of people with disabilities. Tel: 0208 392 1839

Flying High - a practical guide to air travel - Disabled Living Foundation

Access to Air Travel, RADAR

See ‘Addresses’ for full addresses of organisations mentioned in ‘Mobility’

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