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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.

We contacted the DVLA who supplied the following information:

“It is an offence to drive or attempt to drive while unfit through drugs, and the law does not distinguish between illegal drugs and medicines. Sections 4(1) and (2) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (‘the 1988 Act’) say that a person who, when driving or attempting to drive – or in charge of – a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road or other public place, is unfit to drive through drink or drugs is guilty of an offence.

This law exists because a driver who is impaired through drugs is at risk of having an accident. Insurance will be affected by a conviction or an accident linked to drugs and medicines in the same way as it is for drink-driving and the penalties are the same.”

Common sense dictates that the medication should be taken as prescribed, adhering to the correct dosage and following the information supplied on the package, enclosed leaflet or by your pharmacist or doctor. However, some prescription and over-the-counter medicines have side effects which could include:

Drowsiness

Dizziness or feeling lightheaded or faint

Feeling edgy, angry or aggressive

Blurred vision

Feeling nauseous

Having reduced coordination, shaking, reduced reaction times

Feeling unstable

Sometimes a combination of different drugs can interact to create a different effect. Side effects can also be more severe if medication is taken at the wrong time, in the wrong doses or too frequently.

There can also be a wide variation between individuals in their tolerance to different drugs. Being tired or hungry can also affect your reaction to a particular medication. The speed with which medication is absorbed into the bloodstream also varies depending on a person’s size, age, weight and gender.

It is not always possible to predict how, when and for how long medicine will affect a person’s ability to drive safely. A driver may not even notice they have been impaired until it is too late.

Dispensers operate with the benefit of the British National Formulary (www.bnf.org) which updates every six months and aims to give healthcare professionals up-to-date information on the use of medicines which includes selection, prescribing and dispensing. It also lists 35 cautionary labels in Appendix 9. Those with a reference to driving include:

[2] Warning. May cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive or operate machinery. Avoid alcoholic drink.

[19] Warning. May cause drowsiness which may continue the next day. If affected do not drive or operate machinery. Avoid alcoholic drink.

If any of these warnings appear on the label for your medication, it is important that you abide by them and do not drive.

So what can an individual do?

It is every driver’s responsibility to ensure that they are safe to drive. If a driver is taking medicine, they must be sure that their ability to drive is not affected. The best way to find out if you are safe to drive is to ask for advice from a doctor, healthcare professional or pharmacist. They will advise you on how to take the medicine to control your medical condition without risking your safety by driving when impaired.

Remember you could be affected by something as basic as having an anaesthetic at the dentist.

If you are concerned always try to adopt a few rules to ensure the safety of yourself and others:

If you have missed a dose of your medication do not drive if your condition could make driving dangerous e.g. if you have diabetes or epilepsy

Do not drive if you are tired

Seek alternative forms of transport or get a friend to drive you.

Ask if there is an alternative e.g. anti-histamines that does not make you drowsy.

If in doubt, always:

Seek the advice of your doctor or pharmacist before driving.

Stop driving NOT taking the medicine

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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.

The Mobility Service offers assessment, impartial advice and information on driving ability, vehicle adaptations, driver/ passenger car access, wheelchair accessible vehicles, and loading wheelchairs and scooters into your vehicle. The team is made up of two occupational therapists, one physiotherapist, four approved driving instructors and an administrator/information officer. Driving assessments take place at our centre and cost £75-00 for a self referral. Car access assessments and powered wheelchair and scooter assessments are free.

Taking to the road

A car driving assessment could last up to three hours and is made up of an office-based component and an on-road assessment lasting approximately one hour. You will have the benefit of expert supervision from an occupational therapist or physiotherapist and an approved driving instructor. We aim to make it enjoyable – it is not a driving test!

Clients sometimes do a cognitive test, including testing reactions. Then there’s an opportunity to try out different adaptations to find out what suits you best, before taking to the road for a driving assessment with a driving instructor.

You’ll be sent a report following the assessment from the occupational therapist that will identify whether you are judged able to drive safely or not. If there are adaptations that could help you to drive you will be provided with further information on these. If you self-refer for an assessment, the report will be sent direct to you, but if you have been referred by an agency such as the DVLA or Motability the report will be sent directly to them.

How much will it cost?

The cost for a self referral is £75; however we also receive referrals from the DVLA, Motability, Rehabilitation Companies and Access to Work, who may pay for the assessment. If you have been referred by DVLA, you will not have to pay.

We have a variety of vehicles available for assessment, which include a Vauxhall Meriva (Semi-Automatic), Vauxhall Zafira (Automatic), Toyota Yaris (Semi-Automatic), Nissan Micra (Automatic), Ford Focus (Manual), Ford Fiesta (Automatic), Fiat 500 (Manual) and VW Caddy (Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle). Some vehicles have adaptations which can also be trialled.

Getting in and out

A driver / passenger car access assessment will look at how you can get in and out of a vehicle more easily. A therapist will assess and identify appropriate types of vehicle and transfer equipment, offering an opportunity for a full demonstration and trial of vehicle/equipment giving you advice and information to help you make your choice.  If you live in Yorkshire we can offer a driver / passenger Car Access assessment at your own home, using our Volkswagen Caddy, a specialist wheelchair accessible vehicle that is fitted with various adaptations. There is a cost of £25 for an outreach/home assessment.

We also offer specialist driving assessments in a wheelchair accessible Chrysler Grand Voyager for £100, fitted with an automatic side access ramp and full hand controls including electronic radial and central ring accelerators; mechanical push brake, infra-red switching unit, a secondary control bleep system and an electronic linear slide accelerator and brake. The power assistance on the Chrysler’s steering has been lightened to 10 lbs and the driver’s seat is electronically adjustable for transfers.  If your own wheelchair is not suitable to use for driving a suitable crash-tested wheelchair is available.

Not just about cars!

At the William Merritt Centre we’re not just all about cars. We offer a free and impartial information, advice and assessment service on a wide range of equipment from kitchens, bathrooms and walkers through to help with reading and writing.  Why not come along to one of our open days to see our equipment and find out which are best for you?

More information

The William Merritt Centre is based in Leeds. To find out more, or to book an assessment, call 0113 3055288 or visit www.williammerrittleeds.org.

The William Merritt Centre is part of the Forum of Mobility Centres, a network of seventeen similar centres that stretches across the UK. To find out where your nearest Mobility Centre is, call the Forum of Mobility Centres on 0800 559 3636, or visit www.mobility-centres.org.uk .

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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. The Tara is close to Kensington High Street with all its shops and restaurants but it is a bit of an uphill push to get there. The other push I sometimes find hard at the Tara is getting to the end of the corridor as the luxurious carpets are very thick and make it hard work. Heavy fire-proof doors can often be a problem at hotels but the Tara has push button powered doors on the hallways and automatic bedroom door openers.

Holiday Inn Express, Limehouse

I have also enjoyed an excellent stay at the Limehouse Holiday Inn Express in the East End. Whilst there I discovered that the Holiday Inn group were very proud of their adapted rooms. The budget price Limehouse Holiday Inn Express has at least one adapted room on each floor and I was impressed with the size and design of them. The location is not that brilliant but the rooms are spacious, modern and very well designed. Checking online I found prices for the week ahead from £75 per night. The Express Holiday Inns don’t tend to have bars and restaurants but often include a generous continental breakfast in the price.

Holiday Inn, Bloomsbury

The Holiday Inn Bloomsbury is located just off Russell Square in Central London and sits adjacent to the fantastic Brunswick Square shopping centre which also contains a cinema and many great eateries. The Hotel has two Blue Badge parking spaces but you can also park in the nearby residents’ permit bays with a Blue Badge.

The adapted rooms are more modern and fancy than the Tara’s rooms but less well adapted. As an independent paraplegic I don’t need the heavily adapted rooms so this suited me very well. The bathrooms don’t have roll-in showers but do have well designed baths with many handrails, and transfer platforms behind.  Some rooms have tracked ceiling hoists. Overall the quality of the fittings and decor were better than the rooms I used at the Tara and also slightly larger. The only slight problem I had was with the heating one night and I have been told that the management are looking into a more user friendly system and hopefully one that can be controlled from the bedside. The adapted rooms are on the two lower floors and are not too far away from the lifts.

The swanky bar and restaurant were all accessible and the Brunswick Square shopping centre is only 100m away and is very wheelchair-friendly. On Saturday mornings there is a superb food market selling fresh produce and exotic cooked food. I was very impressed with the Holiday Inn and enjoyed my stay there. It is a prestigious hotel so prices start at about £130 without breakfast – the Tara was slightly cheaper. If you don’t want a large expensive breakfast there are plenty of cheaper cafes and restaurants nearby, and a Waitrose too.

Shopping around

For future visits to London I will be checking out some of the other Holiday Inn Hotels and if I book online I can hopefully get a good deal too! The company has a great website that enables you to choose the adapted rooms. It is a common misconception that you get better prices if you book well in advance but in fact some of the best bargains are available last minute if the hotels have empty rooms. If your budget is stretched then Travelodge also have some London Hotels with adapted rooms that can be identified and booked online, however I would recommend a confirmation phone call too if an adapted room is essential for you.

More information:

Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington

Scarsdale Place
Kensington
London (UK)
W8 5SR

Tel: 020 7937 7211

www.copthornetara.co.uk

Holiday Inn Express London – Limehouse

469-475 The Highway

London

E1W 3HN

Tel: 020 7791 3850

www.exhi-limehouse.co.uk

Holiday Inn London-Bloomsbury

Coram street

London

WC1N 1HT

Tel: 0871 9429222

For up-to-date membership offers for Holiday Inn hotels, see our Concessions page.

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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.

Third party vs comprehensive?

“Third party” (sometimes known as “Third party only”) covers bodily injury or damage to other people’s property, and this is the very minimum insurance you can get. It doesn’t cover you or your own property. “Third party fire and theft” adds extra protection when your vehicle is stolen or fire damaged.

“Comprehensive” or “Fully comp” insurance additionally includes accidental damage to your own car. If your car or your adaptations are valuable then it is advisable to take fully comprehensive cover.

However, the word ‘comprehensive’ can be very misleading. Many insurance companies or brokers can have very different underwriting criteria. Some insurers can include limited cover for stolen possessions from your vehicle, medical expenses and/or personal accident protection; some may not include them at all. Some allow you to drive other vehicles – but you should always check, rather than assume, that this is the case. Others may or may not cover any outstanding credit owed if you have bought your vehicle on a credit package. Check what your comprehensive insurance covers you for as it may contain limitations and exclusions.

Uninsured Loss Recovery (ULR)

Having a road traffic accident can be stressful enough, without the worry of being financially burdened as a result. Many consumers believe that their comprehensive motor insurance gives them complete legal protection cover. This may not be so and you may still suffer financially after an accident that wasn’t your fault.

Uninsured Loss Recovery (sometimes called Motor Legal Protection) provides the policyholder with cover for legal expense costs to pay for a solicitor who will pursue a guilty third party in order to recover your uninsured losses such as your policy excess, hire car charge, loss of earnings and any other expenses caused by the third party negligence. The insurance covers the costs of pursuing a personal injury claim. ULR often provides free 24 hours legal advice.

Think about add-ons!

When choosing your car or motor insurance don’t forget to cover your car adaptations in your vehicle. It is a good idea to be insured in addition to the market value of your vehicle. Insuring adaptations on a new for old basis may be something worth considering when choosing the level of your motor insurance.

Other extras can include courtesy car, breakdown assistance, legal protection, medical expenses etc.

It is also to have additional named drivers and/or temporary insurance for any driver in an event of an emergency.

Always read the small print of your policy to make sure the alternatives offered in case of a breakdown or accident are suitable to your needs.

Driving abroad

According to the RAC as many as 17% of British drivers will travel on Europeans roads and unfortunately a large number of these will be unaware of what their insurance covers them for trips abroad. Unfortunately for some people it can be a very costly eye opener if they are involved in an accident and will have to make a claim.

The core of the problem is that many people do not read their cover policy, which most likely would state that in an event of taking the car abroad the comprehensive insurance policy is automatically downgraded to basic third party.

Read your policy carefully before you set off. You may need to obtain extra cover or European Breakdown cover and/or you may need to inform your insurer prior to your trip abroad.

There are three items you must read carefully and make sure that all aspects of your insurance are up to date. Check these items:

Certificate – the document which verifies insurance coverage and conditions to listed individuals as well as the effective date, type of insurance and amount of applicable liability.

Schedule – a document which indicates the level of cover which must be read with conjunction with the policy booklet

Policy Booklet – it is a guide to your cover detailing when to make a claim, what items are covered, and the terms and conditions.

If things go wrong

Before you accept any cover make sure that the insurer is regulated by the Financial Services Authority. In an event of unresolved dispute between you and your insurer the complaint can be investigated further by the Financial Ombudsman.

More information

The Financial Ombudsman Service
South Quay Plaza
183 Marsh Wall
London E14 9SR

Tel: 0800 234 567

www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk

Association of British Insurers

51 Gresham Street
London
EC2V 7HQ

Tel: 020 7600 3333

www.abi.org.uk

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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.

I have been working in 1^st line IT Support now for around 11 years and in 2006 was employed in the private sector by a large multinational food company.  I went from walking normally one week in the office, albeit with some stumbling and falling, to walking with a stick and then, after trying to avoid it for some weeks, using my wheelchair to get around full time.

The first time I entered the office in my wheelchair I was extremely nervous and wondered what my colleague’s reactions might be.  I needn’t have worried – the wheelchair was simply accepted and didn’t seem to phase anyone or provoke any unwanted attention.

For their part my employer contacted my GP for info on how best they could accommodate me and any changes they may need to implement in my work or working environment.  They also arranged an independent Occupational Therapy Assessment, again so that they could find out how best to help me continue in my work.

My GP advised that I should avoid stressful situations which meant that my workload was reduced and at one point it was suggested that I could work in the company mail room which I found quite upsetting and which never came to pass.  Other items that came out of these assessments were that a different keyboard/mouse might be useful as I often have problems gripping a mouse, so I use a touchpad instead.

Every suggestion that came back was run past me and if I agreed it was implemented – the company even decided to give me every Tuesday off to visit a support group but kept me on full pay and paid for taxis to and from work when I couldn’t drive.  Nothing, it seemed, was too much trouble.  Being new to disability I was completely unaware of the DDA and would never have dreamed of asking for any of the adjustments they made, even though they did help enormously.  My view was that my problems were my problems and I had to deal with them.

Hit by redundancy

That employment ended with redundancy when the company decided to outsource IT to a third party.  We were transferred under TUPE rules to become employees of that third party who announced that they wanted us to relocate to Milton Keynes and admitted that the two office buildings they had there were both inaccessible to wheelchair users.  So the only option for me was redundancy.

So now, faced with unemployment and still coming to terms with my newly acquired disability, I was forced to start searching for work.  Cue much sending of CVs to various agencies and jobsearch websites.  Most of the jobs I were applying for I was more than qualified for but it seemed that no-one was even interested in inviting me for interview.  The only interviews I was getting were from the “two ticks” organisations – public bodies who had the “Positive About Disabled People” symbol on their forms and the guaranteed interview organisations.

A lot of these very blatantly were simply going through the motions and doing what they were required to do. Then there was an interview in Leeds.  Again I turned up, dressed as smart as I could (shirt and tie – jackets don’t go well with wheelchairs) and ready for yet another disappointment.  The interview itself I felt went badly and I left thinking I would never hear from them again.

Two days later I got a call from that organisations HR department asking why I hadn’t mentioned the fact that I was disabled on the application form.  I had completely missed the entire Equality section of the long form and had therefore gotten through to the interview on my own merits!  It transpired that they were offering me the job but needed me to complete the form first.  I hastily completed the form and emailed it back to them.  I was offered the job and accepted straight away.

Being a public sector organisation there are a lot of things that need to be done it seems when a disabled person is employed.  I was invited to visit the office for a day to assess whether I could get around and what adaptations might need to be put in place.  It was decided that a powered door opener on the main entrance and my own parking space in the garage under the building were needed.  Again I couldn’t have asked for this and the parking space, in Leeds centre, is worth its weight in gold!

A new manager, a new attitude

So, adaptations in place and I was working again.  Then my line manager took maternity leave and problems started.  Another manager was appointed to my team and his attitude and knowledge seemed to be based around 50 years in the past.  I was made to feel unreliable, useless and a burden to the rest of the team everytime I had a hospital or doctor appointment, or one of the kids or my partner were ill.  He would pick apart the work I had done each day looking for mistakes and making it known when he felt he had found the slightest thing wrong.  It seemed nothing I could do was good enough, even when I was working longer hours and doing more work than the rest of the team.

The final straw came when I was excluded from a briefing session being held in London.  I asked why I had been excluded and was told by this manager that it was felt that my mobility problems and family commitments would make it difficult for me to attend.  I pointed out that I could deal with my mobility problems myself and was used to life being difficult.  I wasn’t excluded again.

I think that becoming disabled has given me a unique viewpoint on life and on working life in particular.  It has been a real eye opener to a whole world of which I knew nothing previously and has shown that in some people old fashioned attitudes towards disabled people are still rife, but also that there are good employers and people out there who will bend over backwards to accommodate disabled people.

The trick is to find them…

This article first appeared in the March 2010 issue of Mobilise magazine, which goes out to all our members and includes reviews of adapted cars and mobility equipment, features on accessible travel and leisure, campaign updates, news, competitions and real-life stories.
Membership of our charity costs just £16 per year and includes your monthly subscription to Mobilise.

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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. Hidden speed cameras in residential and suburban areas are common (limit 50km/h) and the minimum speed on a motorway is 37 mph (60 km/h).

A warning triangle is essential equipment and headlights are compulsory during daylight hours if the visibility is poor. At night traffic lights are often switched off or flash amber.

Some city centres restrict cars depending on their emissions and these areas are indicated by a sign showing green, yellow or red. To enter you must display a sign available from approved garages on production of your car registration document and a small fee.

Italy

Most motorways are toll roads. Older green driving licences are not always accepted so it is recommended you update to a photocard licence. It is compulsory to carry a warning triangle and a reflective jacket in the vehicle.

France

All drivers in France must have one warning triangle and one reflective jacket in the interior of their vehicle (not just in the boot!) This regulation is enforced with on-the-spot fines of between €90 and €135.

In built up areas the use of the horn is prohibited except in cases of “immediate danger”. Overtaking stationary trams is prohibited when passengers are boarding/alighting.

Spain

If it is daylight and you aren’t in a built-up area you must sound your horn to indicate your intention to overtake someone. At night you should flash your headlights instead.

If you wear spectacles you must carry a spare pair with you.

You must wear a reflective jacket if you exit the vehicle on motorways or busy roads.

Cars towing a caravan must display a yellow triangle on a blue background at the front of the vehicle.

Advice for Motability Customers

If you drive a Motability vehicle and are visiting any EU country, Croatia, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein or Switzerland you do not need to contact RSA Motability before you travel. You will however need to contact RSA Motability if your total travel to an EU country or those additional countries detailed will exceed 90 days in any 12 month period.

You do not require a Green Card for these countries but you should take your Certificate of Motor Insurance with you as proof of cover. For other countries not listed you should contact RSA Motability at least three weeks in advance of your journey. Motability Operations advise that you obtain European breakdown cover before you take your car abroad.

Satnav / Radar Detectors

In most European countries it is strictly prohibited to use equipment that detects radar / speed cameras; many satnavs available in the UK have this feature built in.

In some countries you may be prosecuted for carrying a radar-detecting device even if the device is switched off, so check before you travel and if in doubt, stick to a map!

The following organisations offer useful advice:

The AA

Enquiries +44 161 495 8945

Minicom for hearing impaired members
0800 328 2810  (Mon–Fri 8am–7pm, weekends 9am–5pm)

Institute of Advanced Motoring (IAM)

In all countries featured, the following are compulsory:

Original Registration Document

Motor vehicle insurance

Headlamp adjustment

GB Sticker/ Euro-symbol on your number plate

Useful items:

A spare set of car keys

Fire extinguisher, first aid kit, tool kit, spare bulbs

Your driving licence and passport – check if you’ll need an International Driving Permit

Your UK motor insurance certificate & Green Card (if issued)

Breakdown policy and contact numbers

Travel insurance documents

Emergency helpline numbers

This article first appeared in the June 2009 issue of Mobilise magazine, which goes out to all our members and includes reviews of adapted cars and mobility equipment, features on accessible travel and leisure, campaign updates, news, competitions and real-life stories.
Membership of our charity costs just £16 per year and includes your monthly subscription to Mobilise.

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1. Checklist for holidaymakers with disabilities

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.

Accommodation

Your travel agent or tour operator should be able to advise you what’s available, but you may also decide to call the hotel, resort or cruise liner directly to speak to someone directly.

Before you go

Make sure your passport is valid (some countries require a passport to be valid for at least 6 months at the time of the departure) and you have the necessary visa (if required).

Leave copies of your passport and other documents with your family or friends. It is also useful to take photocopies of your documents with you.

Check with your doctor (at least 6 weeks before your departure) what vaccinations and other health precautions you may need. Take enough medicine with you to see you through your trip and any delays.

Take enough money for your trip and some back-up funds, such as travelers’ cheques or credit cards. Find out how you can replace them if they get lost or stolen, and keep a separate note of their numbers.

Get a good guidebook and research your destination before you go.

Insurance

Always make sure that you have full travel insurance. Some standard policies do not cover mobility equipment, so check first to see if it is covered under your household policy before taking out separate cover.

Most disabled people will be able to get holiday insurance through mainstream suppliers. However, if you’ve got a serious medical condition you may need to seek cover from a specialist insurer. Always check the small print for any exemptions to the policy.

If you have a medical condition you may need to undergo a medical check up. This can mean calling a helpline to give details of your condition, or asking your doctor to complete a questionnaire or a declaration of fitness to travel. Alternatively, you might simply be required to sign a declaration stating that you aren’t traveling against doctor’s orders, don’t have a terminal prognosis, haven’t received in-patient treatment in the last six months and aren’t awaiting treatment or traveling in order to obtain it

Anyone traveling within the European Economic Area or Switzerland should also carry a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), formerly known as the E111. You can apply for this online www.ehic.org, by phone on 0845 2030 or at some Post Offices.

Before departure

Try to check in early. If queuing is difficult, make yourself known to airline staff. Disabled people are usually boarded first, so it’s essential to arrive in good time.

When checking-in your luggage, remember that crutches, canes, braces and small removable parts of wheelchairs (e.g. foot rests) may be carried as part of your hand luggage. Some airlines may include these in your weight allowance.

If you are taking your own wheelchair you may be required to transfer to another wheelchair so your own can be loaded onto the plane. To avoid loss or damage, remove seat cushions and any other parts that could easily become separated from the chair, and take these items on board with you.

Useful contacts

Access to Air Travel for Disabled People, The Code of Practice Tel: 0870 1226 236 / Textphone: 0870 1226 405

Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO)
Tel: 0845 850 2829 (for visa-related enquiries contact the UK Embassy of the country you intend to visit)                                                                                

ABTA Ltd

Tel: 020 3117 0500 / email: abta@abta.co.uk www.abta.com

Photograph by Marta Bartosiewicz

This article first appeared in the June 2009 issue of Mobilise magazine, which goes out to all our members and includes reviews of adapted cars and mobility equipment, features on accessible travel and leisure, campaign updates, news, competitions and real-life stories.
Membership of our charity costs just £16 per year and includes your monthly subscription to Mobilise.

No related posts.

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.” A five-year program of improvements has been planned.

The main commitments to improve the scheme are to:

• extend eligibility of the Scheme to children under 3 years of age with specific medical conditions;
• extend eligibility of the Scheme to new groups of disabled people;
• provide people who experience major traumas, strokes or require joint replacements with a temporary Blue Badge.
• look at options to improve the application and  assessment process;
• work with local authorities to streamline the administration process;
• reduce Blue Badge abuse by establishing a system of data sharing between local authorities, improving Badge security features and look at the possibilities of civil enforcement officers being able to seize Blue Badges that are being used unlawfully;
• and work with partners such as the British Retail Consortium to tackle parking abuse in private car parks.

Helen Smith, Mobilise Director of Policy and Campaigns, said: “Mobilise is pleased to see that Wales is bringing in very similar changes to England. We welcome the news that abuse is going to be tackled, as this is still a huge problem with the Scheme and stops genuine disabled people from being able to park close to their destination.”

To discuss any of our News and Features, why not come to the Mobilise forum and join the debate?

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