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

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A joint campaign run by the Department for Transport in conjunction with Boots the Chemist has raised the question of the effects that taking prescription medicine can have on your driving.

The campaign involves 1million leaflets being distributed through 2,600 Boots stores, while medicine bags will be labelled with stickers prompting drivers to check with their doctor or pharmacist that they are safe to drive while taking their medicines. This safety campaign has prompted Mobilise to explore the issue further.

Studies in the UK show that the presence of medicines in drivers killed in road accidents is around 6%, equivalent to approximately 150 fatalities a year. Continue reading »

Want to get back into driving? Andrew Dalton, Information Officer at The William Merritt Disabled Living Centre and Mobility Service, explains how a mobility centre could help get you back in the driving seat.

Having a limb injury or illness that has stopped you driving can have a big impact on your mobility and quality of life. But with a bit of help you may be able to return to the wheel. At The William Merritt Disabled Living Centre and Mobility Service in Leeds we offer a Mobility Service that can assess your ability to drive and recommend adaptations to make it easier and safer.

Our aim is to help people get back on the road if possible, and to help people drive safely. Being able to drive again can open many doors. If driving is not for you we can also help make getting into and out of cars as a passenger easier. Continue reading »

Mobilise member Fred Walden is a regular visitor to London. He tells us about three of his favourite accessible hotels.

Copthorne Tara Hotel, Kensington

Over the last twenty years I have stayed many times at the London Tara Hotel in Kensington and booked one of their adapted rooms. The Tara was one of the first hotels in London to properly cater for visitors with disabilities and they have adapted around a dozen rooms on their Mezzanine floor by fitting roll-in showers, ceiling hoists, automatic doors and special furniture. Continue reading »

Information Officer Marta Bartosiewicz goes back to basics and explains the different aspects of motor insurance.

In this day and age you can insure pretty much anything and it is up to you if you want to be protected in case of an unfortunate incident. However, when it comes to motor insurance people who drive a motor vehicle have a legal obligation to obtain at least a minimum cover.

With so many different companies bombarding us with endless choices and potential savings, many people can be confused and unsure what cover is best for them. Jargon and the sheer volume of information can be intimidating to say the least.

However, it is critical to get a cover to suit your needs as many people (including some members of Mobilise) get caught unaware every year. Continue reading »

When his mental and physical health deteriorated leaving Daniel Anderson-McIntyre disabled, he encountered some very different attitudes among employers. Not all were positive. He tells Mobilise his story.

In 2006, at the age of 29, I became disabled.  This wasn’t just an overnight thing but was gradual over several months and I believe, looking back, had been going on for a number of years beforehand.

My disability consists of a mental illness, known as Conversion Disorder, which causes me several physical and mental disabilities.  I have difficulty for example with walking, often using my wheelchair or crutches to get around.  Among the more “invisible” problems are my poor memory and lack of ability to concentrate for long periods of time. Continue reading »

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 »

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 »

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 »