Disabled Motoring UK - Disabled Motoring UK is the charity for disabled drivers, passengers & Blue Badge holders.

European Association of service providors for persons with disabilities (EASPD) and DisabledGo are looking for volunteers!

Do you have a disability and drive regularly? If you can answer yes to these questions then why not get involved in a very exciting trial for a ‘Sat Nav’ that is set to launch in 2012. Continue reading »

2by2 Holidays, a specialist operator that organise holidays for travellers who have physical and mobility impairments, have teamed up with South African Tourism to bring you an exciting online competition opporuntity. The competition is called ‘Feel Different’ with a top prize of a tailor-made holiday to South Africa worth £5,000.

The online competition will run from 20 February-25 March.

The ‘Feel Different’ competition will encourage people to log on to 2by2 Holidays’ website (www.2by2holidays.co.uk) and tell the specialist how they want a holiday to make them feel. 2by2 Holidays will respond to each entry with a South African holiday recommendation.

For example, an entrant may say: “I want to feel… reconnected to my children again as my hectic work schedule means we don’t spend any quality time together.” 2by2 Holidays could suggest that the entrant reconnect with their children on safari in a malaria-free game reserve, ending the experience with some family-fun time at the activity-packed Sun City resort.

Each week, for five weeks, five finalists will be chosen based on the following criteria:

• Impact – how will the person entering be affected by the win?
• Creativity – how original is the idea?
• Quality of submission – how much thought and effort went into the submission?
• Number of online votes received – how did the online community respond to the submission?
• At the end of five weeks, a panel of judges will select from the 25 finalists and one lucky winner will win a South African holiday for two valued at £5,000.

Runner-up prizes include copies of Nelson Mandela’s book Long Walk to Freedom.

Remember the competition does not open until 20 February, but get your thinking caps on.

To enter the competition, log on to www.2by2holidays.co.uk after 20 February. 

To book a holiday to South Africa, log on to www.2by2holidays.co.uk or call 01582 766122.

See the latests ads for accessible holidays, vehicles and more…

London 2012 is seeking volunteer performers for the biggest show on Earth – the Paralympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

Think you could perform in front of an audience of millions of people from around the world? The search is on for volunteer performers for the Paralympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

Artistic Directors, Jenny Sealey, Bradley Hemmings and Kim Gavin are searching for 5000 volunteer performers to fill roles as general all-round performers. They are looking for both disabled and non-disabled applicants, previous experience is not required. London 2012 say: “we’re really looking for enthusiasm and commitment. Anyone with a positive attitude, huge amounts of energy and a willingness to perform in front of a stadium audience and to millions of people around the world can apply for an audition.” The only eligibility criteria they state is; you must be aged 18 years or older on 1 March 2012 and be able to meet the commitments of rehearsals.

Don’t Delay! The closing date for applications is 22 February 2012.

To find our more about how to apply for an audition and for full details on the commitments involved please click here

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched a consultation exercise on the second draft of the assessment criteria for Personal Independence Payment.  In particular, it is seeking views on the changes that have been made since the first draft, the proposed descriptor weightings and entitlement thresholds and the draft regulations. The consultation document can be found here. Continue reading »

Renault UK have announced a dramatic shake-up of its range – it’s axing all sales of the Laguna, Espace, Modus, Wind and Kangoo in the UK from February 2012. They will also cut about one-third of its 190 dealerships. The cut backs are part of a big drive to improve the profitability of Renault in Great Britain.

They also plans to stop the majority of its rental and Motability sales to improve profitability. Such sales are hugely subsidised, so instead it plans to focus on retail and core fleet business where it has to discount  less. As part of the changes, Renault UK forecasts a significant reduction in sales in 2012, and 2013 levels will only be on par with 2011. Continue reading »

The parking company Q-Park have generously agree to give all Disabled Motoring UK members a 15% discount off parking from online bookings from their Prebooking Engine which is advertised on www.q-park.co.uk. Continue reading »

 For accessible holidays and vehicles

The British Parking Association (BPA), the largest professional association in Europe representing organisations in the parking and traffic management industry, today highlights the perils of parking for Blue Badge holders when the car parks are busy, as they are in the January sales. The sales period means traffic is congested and drivers are stressed, leading to the increased appeal of parking in a Blue Badge bay, where the motorist is not entitled. If motorists park in these bays without a badge they are inconveniencing those drivers who need them most and are probably breaking the law.

A survey, conducted by the British Parking Association in the autumn, focused on the public’s opinions on the use and misuse of Blue Badge bays. The survey revealed that 73% of motorists feel that people wrongly parking in Blue Badge bays designated for disabled drivers should be clamped or towed away.

Finding a parking bay during the January sales is hard enough, but with limited access for Blue Badge holders, there is a real need for bays to be clear. The British Parking Association survey found that 70% of respondents agreed that there should be stronger enforcement of Blue Badge and parent and child bays. Yet next year the government plans to ban clamping and towing away on private land under its Protection of Freedoms Bill, leading to a likely increase in abuse of Blue Badge bays which will directly affect disabled people directly.

Other results from the survey included 23% of respondents admitting that they would risk getting a parking ticket when in a rush, whereas 90% said they wouldn’t risk getting clamped or towed when in a rush. This further emphasises the need for clamping and towing away as a crucial deterrent in managing Blue Badge bay areas.

Chief Executive of the British Parking Association, Patrick Troy, said: “The January sales period can be a busy time of year, with car parks more in demand than they have been for the rest of the year. Blue Badge holders, have those badges for a reason. When people decide to take it upon themselves to park in a Blue Badge bay they are causing unnecessary stress to those that need the spaces. We are simply asking shoppers to think about the reason there are dedicated Blue Badge bays in the first place.”

Director of Policy and Campaigns at Disabled Motoring UK, Helen Dolphin, said: “If it is difficult this year to stop people from parking in Blue Badge bays it will be even more difficult next year of the Government proceeds with its proposed ban”

Blue Badge holder, Richard Powderhill, said “I find it highly frustrating and inconvenient when motorists without Blue Badges park in specifically reserved bays for those who hold a badge as they have mobility difficulties. I feel the abusive use of these bays will continue and potentially get worse unless there are strict measures kept in place that allow these motorists to be clamped and towed away. I’m sure many other Blue Badge holders mirror my opinion that freeing up these bays is essential, especially during the busy sales period.”

For more information or if you have any questions about the advise that the BPA gives please go to click here

Major reforms have now been brought into effect to crack down on Blue Badge fraud and abuse. 

As of the 1 January 2012 in England and Scotland, local authorities  will only legally be able to issue new design Blue Badges. Wales will start to issue the new design from April 2012. In the new design we will see very significant changes which will be much harder to copy, forge and alter. The new Badge will be made from fused PVC layers, use complex printing patterns like those used in passports, and include holographic features, Braille and a digital photograph. The Badge will be printed and distributed from a single specialist printer, Payne Security.

The new charging policy will be introduced in Scotland and England; Scottish authorities will now be able to charge up to £20.00 for a Blue Badge and English authorities up to £10.00. 

The online application process is now in place and can be accessed at www.direct.gov.uk  

For the full announcement from the Department for Transport please click here