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Getting around

For disabled people, transport is a crucial part of independent living - for getting to work, visiting friends, shopping and the freedom to go further afield. This section describes the assistance you can get - again starting locally. See 'Helpful organisations' for the full addresses of the organisations mentioned in this section.

Help with costs

If you are unable (or virtually unable) to walk, you may qualify for the Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance (see 'Money matters' in this section).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.

Vehicle Excise Duty (Road Tax) People who are getting the higher rate of the Mobility Component or the War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement (and whose vehicles are used exclusively by them) can also claim exemption from Vehicle Excise Duty (Road Tax). Form DLA404 (or MLS303 in Northern Ireland) must first be obtained from the Benefits Agency. This must then be presented together with the car log book and Form V10 (or Form V11 at renewal) to claim the exemption.

Reference point: Exemption from Vehicle Excise Duty for Disabled People (V188). This explanatory leaflet is available from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) or DVLA Local Vehicle Registration Offices (in the local phone book under DVLA).

Congestion charges
Due to the particular problems of traffic in the central London area, a congestion charging scheme will be in operation from 17 February 2003. Cars entering the zone from 7.00-18.30 on weekdays will have to pay a daily charge of £5 which allows you to enter, drive around and leave the charging zone as many times as you wish in one day. Blue Badge holders (see below) are given a 100% exemption from this fee if they register with Transport for London, but you must do this in advance of your visit. Registration packs are available from 0845 9001234 (Textphone: (020) 7649 9123) or by writing to Congestion Charging, PO Box 2985, Coventry CV7 8ZR. Further background on the scheme can be obtained from Transport for London's website (www.cclondon.com).

Motability
If you are getting the higher rate of the Mobility Component of the 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. Motability has its own lease scheme that runs over a threeyear period and its own hire purchase scheme.The price will reflect special discount agreements with motor car and wheelchair manufacturers. For details of how to apply, telephone the customer service helpline:
(01279) 635666 (Mon-Fri 8.45-17.15);
Textphone: (01279) 632273;
Website: www.motability.co.uk.

Discounts
 Local car dealers can give details of special discounts offered by many leading motor manufacturers.

Help with parking

The Blue Badge Scheme offers a national arrangement of parking concessions for disabled people with severe walking difficulties who travel either as drivers or as passengers.The concessions only apply to on-street parking and include free use of parking meters and pay-and-display bays. Badgeholders may also be exempt from limits on parking times imposed on others and can park for up to three hours on yellow lines (except where there is a ban on loading or unloading or other restrictions).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 a registered blind person;
  • 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 badges can be used throughout the UK and while travelling abroad within the European Union (EU) and in some other countries.

However, the scheme does not apply in the four central London boroughs as they have their own local 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 most airports.

Action point: Your social services department will tell you how to apply for a Blue Badge.A list of local issuing offices is available from the Department for Transport's website, together with further background information on the scheme.

Getting 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 your needs assessed, choosing the car, having modifications made to controls and access. Here are some sources of good impartial advice.

Mobility Advice and Vehicle Information Service (MAVIS)
This is the Department for Transport's own centre at Crowthorne in Berkshire. For disabled and older motorists, it offers assessment, advice on car and van adaptations, and advice on vehicle access. A charge is made for assessment. Its free information service covers all aspects of personal outdoor mobility, including information about similar centres in other parts of the UK.
Tel: (01344) 661000;

Queen Elizabeth's Foundation Mobility Centre (formerly the 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 for those who have been assessed.
Tel: (020) 8770 1151;
Website: www.qefd.org.uk/mobilitycentre.

Local mobility centres
 There are also local mobility centres throughout the country that can provide advice and assessment. Most belong to the Forum of Mobility Centres which aims to develop a systematic approach to driving assessment, 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.
Action point: For a list of mobility centres, contact MAVIS.
Tel/textphone: (01344) 661000;

The Mobility Roadshow is a major national motor show for disabled people which brings together a wide range of vehicles and equipment with the opportunity to test drive.The Mobility Roadshow takes place every year. For information contact Mobility Choice (the charity that organises the event) on 0870 7703222.
Website: www.justmobility.co.uk/roadshow.

Reference point: See chapter in the Directory for Disabled People by Ann Darnbrough and Derek Kinrade. Published by Pearson Educational.
Tel: (01279) 623623.

Reference point: The booklets below, plus others on similar topics such as safe lifting, are all obtainable from Ricability (Research Institute for Consumer Affairs), 30 Angel Gate, 326 City Road, London EC1V 2PT.To get a copy send a stamped addressed A4 envelope with stamps to cover postage. The guides are also found on their website at www.ricability.org.uk.
Car Controls is based on a survey of over 200 users of car controls and looks in depth at the types of adaptations available to help you drive if you have a disability. (June 2002, 52 pages,A4, 87p in stamps.)
Getting a Wheelchair into a Car gives comprehensive information about devices that help get a wheelchair into a car such as rooftop hoists, interior hoists, racks and trailers. (June 2002, 44 pages,A4, 76p in stamps.)
Ins and Outs of Choosing a Car: A Guide for Older and Disabled People is an advice guide on what to look for when choosing a car. It includes features that can help, tips on getting in and out of a car, and ways of adapting a car to suit you. (June 2002, 52 pages,A4, 87p in stamps.)
People Lifters gives comprehensive information about the types of devices that help wheelchair users get into a car. (June 2002, 32 pages,A4, 66p in stamps.)

Motoring associations

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

Disabled Drivers'Association.
Tel: (01508) 489449;
Helpline: 0870 7703333.

 Disabled Drivers Motor Club Ltd.
Tel: (01832) 734724.

Disabled Motorists Federation.
Tel: (0191) 416 3172;
Email: JKillick2214@compuserve.com.

The rescue services offer a variety of concessions and special help and information for disabled members.

AA (Automobile Association).
Tel: 0870 5500600;
Helpline: 0800 262050;
Disability helpline: 0800 262050;
Textphone: 07900 444999;
Website: www.theaa.co.uk.

Green Flag Assistance (formerly National Breakdown).
Tel: (0113) 390 4000;
Helpline: 0800 0001111;
Website: www.greenflag.com.

RAC (Royal Automobile Club).
Tel: 08705 722722 (Mon-Fri 8.00-20.00, Sat 9.00-17.00);
Website: www.rac.co.uk.

Reference point: AA Guide for the Disabled Traveller.
Helpline: 0800 262050.

Rail services

Fare concessions
 The Disabled Person's Railcard is valid for 12 months and entitles you to reduced rates of up to a third. If you are a young person accompanied by an adult, he or she travels at the same rates. Railcard helpline: (0191) 269 0303.
Reference point: Rail Travel for Disabled Passengers.This booklet is available from stations, travel centres and travel agents. It contains details of discounts and who qualifies for fare concessions, plus an application form for a rail card.

Special arrangements
 If you need help in transferring between your car and a train or other special arrangements, you should try to give at least 24 hours' notice of your journey. Contact National Rail enquiries: 08457 484950.

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 if given advance notice.There are usually trolley refreshment services, and many trains have wheelchairaccessible toilets. Sleeper cabins are not wheelchair-accessible and are 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. For assistance at stations, disabled people should contact either the station or the rail company. Many main-line stations have toilets accessible to wheelchair users and are opened with the National Key Scheme key (see under 'Other sources of help' below).You can buy a key from RADAR.
Tel: (020) 7250 3222;
Textphone: (020) 7250 4119;
Website: www.radar.org.uk.

Local transport

The Government has introduced regulations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) to require buses, coaches, trains and trams to be accessible to disabled people, including wheelchair users.

Regulations covering bus and coach accessibility - the Public Service Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 2000 - affect new vehicles carrying more than 22 passengers, used on local and scheduled services, since 31 December 2000. Since that date, new full-size single-deck buses over 7.5 tonnes and double-deck buses have had to be fully accessible to disabled people, including wheelchair users. All full-size single-deck buses over 7.5 tonnes will be fully accessible from 1 January 2016, and all double-deck buses from 1 January 2017.

Also since 31 December 2000, new buses weighing up to 7.5 tonnes and coaches have had improved access for ambulant and sensory-impaired passengers, and wheelchair access from 2005. All buses weighing up to 7.5 tonnes will be fully accessible from 1 January 2015 and coaches by 1 January 2020.

Proposals for access to other services, such as tours and excursions and small vehicles with capacity for carrying 22 passengers or less, will be subject to further consideration and consultation.

Regulations covering access to trains - the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 1998 - came into force on 1 November 1998 and have applied to all new rail vehicles entering service since 1 January 1999. These Regulations, which were the first to be implemented under Part V of the DDA, considerably improve access for disabled passengers to new rail vehicles.

Many areas already have wheelchair accessible taxis and/or doorto- 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 who are unable to use public transport.

Action point: 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).

Reference point: The following leaflets are available, free of charge, from Transport for London Access & Mobility Unit.
Tel: (020) 7941 4600;
Textphone: (020) 7222 5600 (Mon-Fri 9.00-16.30);
Email: access&mobility@tfl.gov.uk;
Website: www.tfl.gov.uk.
Access to the Underground - A step-by-step guide to stations on the Underground and the Docklands Light Railway.
Airbus (A2).
Low-floor bus routes (complete list).
Mobility Buses (local area maps and timetables).
Stationlink.
Travellers help pad.

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. Equipment is also available for hire.
National helpline: 0845 7585641;
Website: www.tripscope.org.uk.

RAMP is a service from the Disabled Motorists Federation which can provide free route maps and may be able to offer other useful information for disabled people, such as where there are attended filling stations and wheelchair accessible meal stops.
Tel: (0191) 416 3172;
Email: JKillick2214@compuserve.com.

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

The National Key Scheme is used to provide access to over 5000 public toilets that might be subject to vandalism unless kept locked.
Action point: For details of how to obtain a key contact RADAR.
Tel: (020) 7250 3222;
Textphone: (020) 7250 4119;
Website: www.radar.org.uk.
Or send an SAE for an information sheet to the address in the section 'Helpful organisations'.

Voluntary organisations providing information on mobility issues include DIAL-UK, British Epilepsy Association, Limbless Association,RADAR, RNIB, Spinal Injuries Association, Stroke Association.

Reference point:
Door-to-door: a guide to transport for people with disabilities.
 Available from RADAR, this booklet gives information on all forms of transport for disabled people together with contact addresses.
Tel: (020) 7250 3222;
Textphone: (020) 7250 4119;
Website: www.radar.org.uk.
Driving after a stroke (ref. S22). Available from the Stroke Association.
Tel: 0845 3033100;
Website: www.stroke.org.uk.
Out and about: a guide to safe travel for disabled people.
Available from the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, it provides simple practical advice.The Trust also offers talks and training to groups of people with disabilities.
Tel (training dept): (020) 8876 0305.
Get wheelchair wise - a wheelchair user's guide to public transport.
Together with other useful booklets, this publication is available from Department for Transport's Mobility and Inclusion Unit.
Tel: (020) 7944 5281;

For further information about equipment for mobility see 'Equipment and aids for daily living'.

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