Mobilise - Promoting mobility for disabled people

When driving in Europe, there are numerous rules and regulations that differ from country to country.  To help you stay safe and legal on the roads this summer, Mobilise Motoring Editor Jim Rawlings has put together his top tips for motoring in Europe.

Before driving abroad you should always familiarise yourself with the driving laws of the country you are visiting, check your breakdown and medical cover and check your insurance. The following advice is intended to flag up some of the most common ‘pitfalls’ that await the unwary driver, but it is not comprehensive; if you are traveling abroad we would strongly suggest undertaking some further research on the exact legal requirements of the countries you intend to visit. Happy holidays – and don’t forget to cancel the milk!

Germany

Some German Autobahns have no speed limit. However, where speed limits are displayed they are rigorously enforced. Continue reading »

Taking place at ExCeL London on September 29^th & 30^th, Naidex South will have a dedicated Car Zone, with many of the UK’s leading manufacturers of wheelchair accessible vehicles including Aspect Conversions, Brotherwood, Brook Miller, Lewis Reed and Sirus Automotive exhibiting their latest vehicles.

The Car Zone will provide visitors with a fantastic opportunity to talk to different manufacturers and compare products in one convenient location.  Mobilise will also have a stand within the Car Zone so if you have any questions about the Blue Badge scheme, parking, refuelling or any of our campaigns, why not come and talk to us there?

Event Director Liz Virgo commented: “We are delighted that so many of the UK’s leading vehicle converters and related organisations will be at Naidex South.  We hope to replicate the tremendous success of the Car Zone at Naidex in April and believe that disabled drivers based in London and the South East will have no better opportunity to meet with so many leading companies under one roof”. Continue reading »

In spite of the current economic climate many holiday makers will still be jetting off this summer in pursuit of sun, sea and sand. To help make sure everything goes according to plan, Mobilise Information Officer Marta Bartosiewicz has compiled this checklist of useful information for travelers with disabilities.

Booking your holiday

When contacting the holiday company, airline or hotel be clear about your access requirements.  You may find it helpful to use a form such as the Checklist for Disabled and Less Mobile Passengers which is available to download from www.abta.com or call 020 3117 0500 for a copy.

Confirm reservations in writing and check all arrangements before you leave.

Make sure you know the airline’s policy on the carriage of mobility equipment and oxygen cylinders.

Contact the airline and discuss your disability or medical condition with them. Some airlines may require your doctor to complete a Medical Information Form (MEDIF) which will last for one journey. Continue reading »

During 2009, Motability reviewed the provision of powered wheelchairs and scooters on the Motability Scheme.  Following that review, Motability concluded that a single Scheme, offering a full range of mobility solutions, from scooters through to powered wheelchairs, cars, adaptations and wheelchair accessible vehicles, is the best option forward to provide more value and excellent service to its customers.  This will enable the Scheme to have a more co-ordinated approach to the full range of mobility solutions, so that a customer could, for example, move easily from having a car to having a powered wheelchair or scooter if their needs or circumstances changed.  In the longer-term, the Scheme will also look at ways to provide customers with a combined solution e.g. a car and scooter to fully meet the customer’s mobility needs. Continue reading »

Misuse of satnav means business drivers are ‘driving blind’ says the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM). Many people in rural areas will have seen or heard of lorry drivers getting stuck in narrow lanes after blindly following their satnav’s cheerful instructions.  If the UK were to introduce ‘road trains’ (articulated 60 tonne mega-liners stretching up to 82ft), as has been discussed recently, these incidents could be much more serious says the IAM. Continue reading »

The Welsh Assembly has announced a program of improvements to the Blue Badge scheme in Wales. The Minister for the Economy and Transport, Ieuan Wyn Jones, said: “We need to ensure that the people who are most in need of a Blue Badge are able to access the service quickly and efficiently, and we make best use of modern technology to reduce the abuse of the Blue Badge Scheme.” Continue reading »

Around 400,000 people injured in road accidents could benefit from much speedier compensation, under a more streamlined compensation system announced by the Ministry of Justice.

The new system will apply to personal injury claims valued between £1,000 to £10,000 in damages (around 80% of all motor personal injury claims).   Continue reading »