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.

The trial which is set to take place in March will give you the opportunity to trial the device for 2 weeks. This exciting new device delivers more than a standard satellite navigation system. You can get information on blue badge parking bays, accessible toilets and even access information about venues close to your destination.

The trial will involve attending a briefing where the project content, aim and objectives will be outlined, a brief explanation on how to use the device and an introduction to the questionnaire to be answered during and after the trial. You will also need to attend a debriefing at the end of the trial where participants will be asked to feedback their experiences, exchange views with other participants and technical partners and help formulate conclusions and make recommendations.

At DisabledGo we are keen for our users to get involved in the trial, if you are interested and would like more information please contact Anna Borthwick, Head of Business Development and Marketing. E: anna.borthwick@disabledgo.com or call 01438 842710

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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.

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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

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They say that at this stage in the development process they do not envisage making significant changes to the broad principles or scope of the assessment and so are not seeking views on these.

The Department is keen to hear views from all interested parties but in particular from disabled people and disability organisations.

How to respond to this consultation

Start date 16 January 2012
End date 30 April 2012

You can respond by email and post to:

Email: pip.assessment@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

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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.

 The following models will no longer be available in the UK from February 2012:

• Kangoo (the car version, not the van)
• Wind Roadster
• Modus
• Grand Modus
• Laguna Hatch
• Laguna Sport Tourer
• Laguna Coupe
• Espace
• Grand Espace

That leaves just the Clio, Twingo, Megane and Scenic ranges on sale.  All the axed models are currently unprofitable in the UK, and a decision will be made within the next four months on whether the next generation Laguna will even be engineered for right-hand drive.

But Renault has a few tricks up its sleeve and will launch an array of new models – and the new Dacia budget brand – in the UK in 2012 to broaden the range.

We at Disabled Motoring UK have asked Motability if they have concerns over the changes to Renault, Motability said: “Occasionally individual manufacturers change their approach to the UK market, and this can mean that their ability to supply cars at competitive prices is affected.  However, Motability enjoys strong relationships with a very wide range of car manufacturers and the impact that one manufacturer has is relatively limited.

For those customers who presently are in a Renault, Motability has worked hard with Renault to ensure that the pricing remains as competitive as possible with the Clio at Nil AP, Megane at £580 AP and Scenic at £495 AP.  However, regrettably Renault have decided that going forward they won’t offer a number of models in the UK market including the Kangoo, Modus, Grand Modus and Laguna models. 

Here we will be pleased to help customers with any information that they need to choose an alternative car when they reach the end of the lease.  For WAV customers who are affected by the withdrawal by Renault of Kangoo from theUK, we continue to have 29 similar small WAVs available, including the Peugeot Partner, Citroen Berlingo and Fiat Qubo, all available from £695 AP.”

Motability can be contacted by calling 0845 456 4566, or click here to visit their website

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The car parks that are participating are Abingdon, Chinatown, Park Lane, Queensway, Soho, Trafalgar, Reading, Liverpool and Croydon. To receive the discount please type in the promotional code which Disabled Motoring UK  will provide to any member by phone 01508 489449 or email enquiries@disabledmotoring.org.

We hope this discount will help members especially in the West End of London where it is very difficult to park.

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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

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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

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