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

Mark Cooper, political campaigner and learner driver, finds some aspects of life with L-plates only too familiar.

I am learning to drive at the moment; the two hours I spend behind the wheel every week literally take me to a different place. Outside of the car I am a young, unemployed disabled person, frustrated that all I have to look forward to is my fortnightly trip to the job centre followed by a large hot chocolate and my weekly dose of Masterchef. But once I get inside the car I become something else – a focused, motivated individual, striving to pass my test so that I can achieve my ultimate ambition. And what is that, you might ask? Well, one day I hope to be the ‘Star In The Reasonably Priced Car’ on Top Gear! Continue reading »

To read our response to the recent consultation on Disability Living Allowance, click here

The Department for Transport announced reforms to the Blue Badge scheme today, describing the changes as “major reforms to crack down on drivers who abuse the disabled parking system.”

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In the fight against Blue Badge abusers some local authorities are employing Blue Badge fraud investigators. Paul Slowey, a director of the company Blue Badge Fraud Investigation (BBFI)  tells Mobilise about a day in his life on the hunt for abusers in Enfield, London.

09.00 Start work at the Civic Centre along with two other BBFI fraud investigators.

One is the contract manager and assigned to this Borough and the other a case manager who runs prosecutions.

As well as helping with the running of prosecution cases and on street operations  I run the company. I enjoy working with the large number of stakeholders and have ten years experience of running on-street operations with multiple stakeholders. On the contract in this Authority I have an outstanding team of very professional staff including a retired Detective Inspector with 30 years policing experience and an ex-manager from the Home Office who managed Counter Terrorism cases.  I spend the first hour redrafting the protocol on joint working with the Authority and the police. I find the better the processes the smoother the on street operations will be. Once an operation starts and badges are being ceased/vehicles removed and people arrested it can become a little complex and to prosecute things must be watertight. Continue reading »

Jackie Weeden tells us about the scooter formation team that is putting the fun into fundraising!

The Red Wheelies Mobility Formation Team like many things came about by accident.   All the team members have  multiple sclerosis and ride mobility scooters and  wanted to race their scooters, after all even lawn-mowers are raced so why not scooters? After some initial trials and tribulations to be allowed to race they found a suitable venue.  It was while waiting to race that a couple of the girls started weaving in-and-out of each other and eureka the Red Wheelies were born.  A dressage choreographer designed the original  routine, a uniform was agreed on and as the scooters being used were all red the name Red Wheelies seemed just right. The Red Wheelies were born and took part in fun days raising money for local MS charities. Continue reading »

David L. Jackson talks to Mobilise magazine about having an ‘invisible’ disability.
There is clearly an underclass in existence within disability circles.
Excluded from the able-bodied lifestyle by our diminishing physical abilities, and likewise from disabled communities by blinkered perceptions and prejudice, the underclass I am talking about are those who have an invisible disability.  In my case, we are talking about severe and often debilitating pain, a result of my unilateral decision to refrain from living on high-strength  medication in an attempt to live a fulfilling and rewarding life. Continue reading »