Factsheets

INTRODUCTION

This user guide contains information about transport and mobility for disabled people. It contains information on financial help and various schemes available for disabled people.

You are advised to check with transport companies about any concessions and facilities before you travel.

The information in this user guide is for guidance only. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that information is accurate and up to date, it should not be treated as an authoritative or complete statement of the law. DIAL UK does not accept liability for the consequences of any misinterpretations, errors or omissions.

CONTENTS

CONCESSIONARY TRAVEL

Buses

England

Scotland

Trains

Wheelchair users, people registered blind and partially sighted people

Eurostar

Ferries

CONCESSIONARY SCHEMES IN THE LONDON AREA

Taxicard scheme

Freedom Pass

Congestion Charges and Blue/Orange Badge Holders

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Disability Living Allowance

Applying

BLUE BADGE SCHEME

Applying

Where you can use the badge

England

Wales

Scotland

MOTABILITY SCHEME

DOOR TO DOOR TRANSPORT

Community Transport

Social Car Schemes

Dial-a-Ride

TRIPSCOPE

Driving

Driving Licence at 16 years old

Mobility Centres

Learning to Drive

Powered Wheelchairs, Scooters and Buggies

Air Travel

Coaches

USEFUL ADDRESSES

USEFUL PUBLICATIONS

USEFUL WEBSITES

MOBILITY CENTRES

Associate Members

Other Mobility Centres

 

CONCESSIONARY TRAVEL

Buses

Wales

If you are disabled, an essential companion for a disabled person or are of pension age (men at 60) and you live in Wales you are entitled to a free concessionary bus pass. This will entitle you to free bus travel in all local authority areas in Wales and is available from your local authority office.

England

If you are disabled or are of pension age and you live in England you are entitled to a free bus pass. This will entitle you to a discount of at least 50% on bus travel in your local authority area. Areas in a different local authority area close to you may offer a similar scheme so that you can use your bus pass in their area as well as your own. You can use the bus pass at any time on a Saturday or Sunday or bank holiday, on other days it is available between 9.30 until 11pm (9.30am until 4.30am in London)

Scotland

If you are a blind person and live in Scotland you can travel free on buses. Many local authorities in Scotland may offer concessionary fares to your companions too. If you want to use this service contact your local authority transport office for further details.

Older and disabled cardholders in Scotland are entitled to free local off peak (after 9.30am) bus travel in their existing concessionary scheme boundaries. Many local authorities offer more than the minimum concessionary scheme, you should contact your local authority transport office / travel centre for details. Eligibility is 60 for both men and women.

Trains

If you are disabled you can get a disabled person’s railcard which costs £14 per year. This will save you up to one third on rail fares throughout Great Britain and includes the same discount for a travelling companion. You can get a leaflet called ‘Rail Travel for Disabled Passengers’ which is available from staffed railway stations or from the headquarters of train operating companies. If you already have a railcard this can be renewed at:

Disabled Person’s Railcard Office
PO Box 163
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE12 8WX
Tel: 0191 218 8103
Minicom: 0191 269 0404

Wheelchair users, people registered blind and partially sighted people

If you are a wheelchair user but you don’t have a Railcard, you can get a discount for yourself and a travelling companion on single and return tickets. If you are registered blind or partially sighted you can only get a discount if you have a travelling companion with you.

Eurostar

If you are a wheelchair user the Wheelchair user fare enables you to travel in your own wheelchair in a special part of the train. One travelling companion can accompany you at a reduced rate, but please note that you must travel together on Eurostar for the companion fare to be valid. For further details of ticket types and assistance you can get as a disabled people contact: Eurostar Tel: 08705 186 186.

Ferries

If you are a member of The Disabled Drivers Association they have arrangements with car ferry companies which allow full members and their cars to be carried at substantial discounts both to and from the continent and within the British Isles. Contact the Disabled Drivers Association for more details:

Disabled Drivers Association
Ashwellthorpe
Norwich
NR16 1EX
Tel: 0870 770 333
Fax: 01508 488173
Email: ddahq@aol.com

CONCESSIONARY SCHEMES IN THE LONDON AREA

Taxicard scheme

If you are disabled and live in the London area there is a scheme to help you to travel by taxi at a cheaper rate if you cannot use buses or trains. To be eligible you must be unable to use buses or trains because you are blind or have a permanent or long-term disability which seriously impairs your ability to walk. You must live in a London Borough that participates in the schemes.

Taxicard members pay a flat fare decided by the London Borough. You can book a taxi by telephone, at a taxi rank or by hailing a cab. You should apply to the social service department where you live to obtain information and to get an application form.

Freedom Pass

The Freedom pass enables disabled people in London to have free travel on all buses in the London Transport network. It also allows free travel on National Railways within the Greater London area, tube and dockland light railways, Croydon Trains – some restrictions apply. Holders of disabled and blind persons freedom passes are entitled to free travel on London Transport buses and tubes at all times. The pass is free and is valid for up to two years further information can be obtained from:

Freedom Pass,
Transport and Environment committee
New Zealand House
80 Haymarket, London
SW1Y 4TZ
Tel: 020 7484 2929
Fax: 020 7484 2919

Congestion Charges and Blue/Orange Badge Holders

If you are an Orange/Blue badge holder you are exempt from London Congestion charges. However the exemption is not automatic, you must register with Transport for London and pay a one-off administration charge of £10. To obtain a registration pack or find out further information contact:

Congestion Charging
PO Box 2982
Coventry
CV7 8WR
Tel: 0845 900 1234
Minicom: 020 7649 9123
www.cclondon.com/exemptions.shtml

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Disability Living Allowance

Disability living allowance is a benefit for adults and children with disabilities. It includes a mobility component, which is available for people who find it difficult to walk or get around. Disability living allowance is tax-free, not means tested and is not dependent upon paying National Insurance contributions. It is paid on top of any earnings or any other income you may have. It is almost always paid in full on top of any other social security benefits you may be receiving. Disability living allowance is paid at two rates from April 2004:

Higher Rate = £41.05p
Lower Rate = £15.55p

The higher rate is awarded to people who are unable to walk or virtually unable to walk.

The lower rate is awarded to people who can walk but who need someone to be with them while walking outdoors.

To qualify you must be under 65. Children can get the higher rate of mobility from the age of three, and the lower rate at the age of five. You don’t have to spend the money on mobility if you are awarded the benefit it can be spent on anything you like.

Applying

You can get a claim form from a local Benefits agency or from the freephone Benefits Enquiry Line 0800 882 200 or by completing a tear off slip on the leaflet DS 704 which is available in post offices, social security offices and advice agencies.

If you get the higher rate mobility part of Disability Living Allowance you will be eligible for:

• Exemption from road tax
• Blue Badge scheme
• Motability
• Driving licence at age 16

If you need help to fill in a claim form a local DIAL may be able to help you. You will find their address at the end of this user guide or in the find-a-dial section of DIAL UK’s website: www.dialuk.org.uk.

BLUE BADGE SCHEME

The blue badge scheme applies to disabled people who are either drivers or passengers. It gives blue badge holders parking concessions nationally for on street parking. To be eligible to a blue badge you must be over two years old and fit one of the following criteria:

• Receive the higher rate of the mobility component of DLA
• Use a motor vehicle supplied by a government department
• Receive a government grant towards their own vehicle
• Receive war pensioners’ mobility supplement
• Registered blind

If you don’t fit into any of these categories you may still be entitled to a blue badge if:

• You have a severe disability in both upper limbs and cannot turn a steering wheel by hand even if it is fitted with a turning knob
• You have a permanent and substantial disability which means you are unable to walk or have considerable difficulty in walking

In these cases you will need medical evidence from your doctor or physiotherapist to support your application and it will be issued at the discretion of your local authority.

The scheme applies throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. There may be restrictions in parts of Central London and certain town centres.

Applying

If you live in England or Wales you should apply to your local authority social services department. People living in Scotland should contact their Chief Executive or local authority, and people living in Northern Ireland should apply to the Department for Regional Development, Roads Service, Western Division.

You will have to complete an application form and provide two passport-sized photographs which should be signed on the back. There is a charge of £2 to cover the cost of the Blue badge. Local authorities in Scotland have the discretion to charge up to £2.

The blue badge can be used in any vehicle but is for your use only. It must not be used by anyone else; you risk being fined up to £1000 and having the badge withdrawn if you breach this condition.

Where you can use the badge

You can use the badge to park free of charge and without time limit at on-street parking meters and pay and display on-street parking. You can park in places that have time limits, for example on dotted yellow line, for as long as you wish. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland you can park on single and double yellow lines for up to three hours, in Scotland there is no time limit. The local authority can impose time limits for badge holders.

If a police officer or traffic warden asks you to move your vehicle you must oblige. You can get a leaflet giving full details of the scheme from:

England

Department of Transport/Local Government and the Regions Mobility and Inclusion Unit
Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DR
Tel: 020 7944 2914

Wales

National Assembly for Wales
Transport Policy Division
Cathays Park
Cardiff
CF10 3NQ
Tel: 029 2082 6501

Scotland

Scottish Executive Development Department
Transport and Local Roads Division
Area 2E
Victoria Quay
Leith
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ
Tel: 0131 244 0860/0869

MOTABILITY SCHEME

Motability is a national UK charity, which helps disabled people and their families to become more mobile.

Aims: To help people with mobility problems obtain more freedom.

Activities: Helps people who qualify for the higher rate mobility component of DLA or the War Pensioners Mobility Supplement to hire or buy a car or buy a powered wheelchair.

Conditions: Must be in receipt of higher rate mobility component. The lower rate mobility component or the care component is not considered.

Motability Address:

Motability
Goodman House
Station Approach
Harlow
Essex
CM20 2ET
Help line 0845 456 4566
Fax: 01279 632 000
Web: www.motability.co.uk

There are three main ways available to obtain a vehicle. These are:

• A new car on a three-year contract hire lease.
• A new or used car on hire purchase, over a term of two to five years.
• A new or used powered wheelchair, or scooter on hire purchase, over a term of one to three years.

Contact Motability for further details.

DOOR TO DOOR TRANSPORT

If you are disabled and you don’t have transport of your own there are a number of schemes that may operate locally. These are usually run by voluntary organisations and are operated by helpful, specially trained staff and at a reasonable price.

Community Transport

Community Transport Organisations may run Social Car Schemes, or provide door-to-door transport such as Dial-a-Ride. They may have a pool of vehicles to hire to local member groups or associations with or without a driver. They usually have wheelchair accessible vehicles that can be hired by local community groups, including disability groups. To find out whether there is a Community Transport Organisation in your area contact:

Community Transport Association
Highbank
Halton Street
Hyde Cheshire
SK14 2NY
Tel: 0161 351 1475

Social Car Schemes

Social car schemes are run by voluntary organisations that have volunteers who use their own cars to drive people who cannot use public transport. These are usually local trips, but some will take you longer distances. The charge is based on the distance travelled. Some schemes will only take you to the hospital, doctors’ surgeries or to collect prescriptions, others will take you wherever you want to go.

These schemes are run by a variety of organisations such as Council for Voluntary Services or Volunteer bureau, The Women’s Royal Voluntary Service, mainly for health or welfare purposes, but you will need a letter from your doctor or the local Social Services department to say you cannot use public transport. You will find their telephone number in your telephone directory. The British Red Cross may also run voluntary car schemes (see useful addresses).

Dial-a-Ride

Similar to the social car scheme, most towns have a door-to-door transport service. This scheme is available for people who cannot use public transport. Specially adapted accessible minibuses or cars are used.

As a local resident you will have to register with the scheme and you will need to book in advance to travel with them. Fares are usually based on local bus fares and some will accept concessionary passes.
Information on local Dial-a-Ride can be obtained from the Transport Planning Department of your local County Council, Unitary Council or Metropolitan Borough Council. The Social Services Department may also have information or check with the Local Council for Voluntary Service, Rural Community Council, Citizens Advice Bureau, or Library. The Community Transport Association can also give details (see above).

TRIPSCOPE

Tripscope is a national transport information and advice service for disabled and older people. The service is free; enquiries are accepted by telephone, letter or tape. Tripscope can help you to plan your journey by advising about the best way to travel and any facilities available to you. They can also advise you on any discounts that may be available. They will answer questions on a range of transport matters both at home and abroad. They are not a travel or booking agency.

TRIPSCOPE Address:

TRIPSCOPE
The Vassall Centre
Gill Avenue
Fishponds
Bristol
BS16 2QQ
Helpline: 0845 758 5641

DRIVING

When you apply for a new driving licence you will have to complete form D1 which contains a section asking about any problems you have with your health.

If you already have a driving licence you are required by law to inform DVLA of any health problems that have developed or any you already have that have worsened after you got your licence. You should write to the Drivers’ medical Unit at DVLA giving your driver number or full name and date of birth. If you fail to inform DVLA you will be committing a criminal offence. Leaflet D100 obtainable from post offices explains the sorts of conditions you should report.

If you inform DVLA of a health problem you will be asked to complete a medical questionnaire that asks about your condition. You will also have to give consent for your doctor to provide details to DVLA about your condition. You are legally obliged to give this permission, if you refuse you may be refused to apply for a licence or have your licence withdrawn.

When the DVLA has enough information to make an assessment about your ability to drive they will decide to either:

• give you a licence with no restrictions
• give you a licence for a set period i.e. one, two or three years. This will be reviewed when the licence runs out
• refuse or withdraw your licence
• to restrict the licence to particular vehicle with adaptations

If you are refused a licence DVLA will return any fee you sent with the application. If you become well again you can reapply for the licence to be renewed. The DVLA will make medical enquiries and if they are satisfactory a licence will be issued. In some cases you may be asked to re-take a driving test, if you do have to take a test it will be the driving test only, not the written test. There won’t be a fee to pay.

You can challenge a decision by asking DVLA to reconsider its decision or appeal against the decision in the magistrate’s court (Sheriff’s court in Scotland).

Driving Licence at 16 years old

The usual age of applying for a licence is 17, however if you receive the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance you can apply for a driving licence at the age of 16.

MOBILITY CENTRES

If you are thinking about learning to drive you can get advice from one of the many assessment centres around the UK. They can offer you advice on different types of controls and equipment available to help you to drive. They can give you an assessment and recommend the best equipment to suit you. The level of service varies from one centre to another and you may need to visit a centre out of your area to get the best assessment. It is a good idea to ring the centre first to discuss your requirements before you book an appointment. If the centre can’t meet your requirements they will be happy to recommend another centre to you. (see list of Mobility Centres)

Learning to Drive

Some of the assessment centres can also provide driving lessons or can recommend suitable qualified driving instructors.

POWERED WHEELCHAIRS, SCOOTERS AND BUGGIES

If you are thinking about buying a powered wheelchair, scooter or buggy you should do as much research as possible before deciding to buy. It is important that you check out prices with different companies and to ask the right questions, as there are lots of options to choose from to suit your particular needs.

Many of the mobility centres mentioned previously can offer expert and independent advice and you may be able to try out some of the vehicles available.

AIR TRAVEL

If you are travelling by air it is a good idea to contact the airline/airport beforehand to find out what facilities are available for disabled people, and whether any special arrangements need to be made. Your travel agent should be able to tell you what facilities are available.

If you are on the Internet a website offering information on the services for disabled people by airlines, and hotels listed in the UK that are accessible at: www.everybody.co.uk.

COACHES

Coaches can be difficult for disabled people to access because of their high steps and most cannot carry wheelchair passengers unless the coach has been specially adapted or you can sit in a normal coach seat, and the wheelchair folded and kept in the luggage compartments. Some coach operators will assist you but it is a good idea to contact them at least seven days beforehand to make arrangements.

Coach stations have varying facilities for disabled people, you should check with the travel agent or coach company what is available at all stages of their journey.

USEFUL ADDRESSES

British Red Cross Society, 9 Grosvenor Crescent, London, SW1X 7EJ Tel: 020 7235 5454

Community Transport Association, Highbank, Halton Street, Hyde, Cheshire, SK14 2NY. Tel: 0845 130 6195 (Advice Service)

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Customer Enquiries (Drivers) Unit, Swansea, SA6 7JL, Driver License Enquiries –
Tel: 0870 240 0009. Customer Enquiries (Vehicles) Unit, DVLC, Swansea, SA99 1BL, Vehicle Registration & Licensing Enquiries –
Tel: 0870 240 00010

National Association of Councils for Voluntary Service, 3rd floor
Arundel Court, 177 Arundel Street, Sheffield, S1 2NU. Tel: 0114 278 6636

Women’s Royal Voluntary Service, National Services Customer Centre, 2 Alexander Gate, Ffordd, Pentam, Cardiff, CF24 2SA.
Tel: 029 2089 4880. Web: www.wrvs.org.uk

Volunteering England, New Oxford House, 16 Waterloo Street, Birmingham, West Midlands, B2 5UG, Tel: 0121 633 4555, Fax: 0121 633 4043, Email: info@vde.org.uk

Freedom Pass, Transport and Environment committee, New Zealand House, 80 Haymarket, London, SW1Y 4TE, Tel: 020 7747 4777.

Association of London Government (Taxicard), New Zealand House, 80 Haymarket, London, SW1Y 4TE, Tel: 020 7747 4777.

DART – The Accessible Transport Users Association, Room 210, The Colour Works, Abbot Street, Dalston, London, E8 3DP. Tel: 020 7241 2111, Fax: 020 7254 6777, Email: dart@transportforall.com
Web: www.transportforall.com

RADAR, 12 City Forum, 250 City Road, London, EC1V 8AF. Tel: 020 7250 3222, Fax: 020 7250 0212, Minicom: 020 7250 4119,
Web: www.radar.org.uk Email: radar@radar.org.uk

Disabled Drivers Motorclub Ltd, Cottingham Way, Thrapstone, Northamptonshire, NN14 4PL. Tel: 01832 734 724, Fax: 01832 733 816 web. www.ddmc.org.uk email: info@ddmc.org.uk

Access and Mobility, Transport for London, Transport for London,
Windsor House, 42-50 Victoria Street, London, SW1H OTL. Tel: 020 7941 4500, Tel: 020 7222 1234 (24 hour Info Line),
Fax: 020 7941 4605, Textphone 020 7918 3015 (Travel info),
Web: www.tfl.gov.uk (Travel Info) email: travinfo@tfl.gov.uk

Access for All Limited, Knowsley Farm,The Green, Weeton, Preston, Lancashire, PR4 3WB Tel: 0845 130 4125,
Email: accessforall@access-aid.org Web: www.access-aid.org

Specialised Vehicle Fund, c/o Motability, Goodman House, Station approach, Harlow, Essex CM20 2ET. Tel: 0845 456 4566

MAGIC, Mobility and General Information Centre, PO Box 2056, Century Road, Hillmead, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN5 5LG, Freephone: 0800 240 241 Minicom: 0800 169 3048, Fax: 01793 691 880,
Email: help@fordmagic.co.uk Web: www.fordmagic.co.uk

Mobility Roadshow, Mobility Choice, Macadam Avenue, Crowthorne Business Estate, Old Wokingham Road, Crowthorne, Berkshire, RG45 6XE. Tel: 0870 770 3222, Fax: 0870 770 3277, Email: choice@gtnet.gov.uk

Scotrail, Customer Relations, Caledonian Chambers, 87 Union Street, Glasgow, G1 3TA. Tel: 0845 601 5929,
Email: enquiries@scotrail.co.uk Web: www.scotrail.co.uk

Transport Advisory Committee – Northern Ireland, Disability Action, Portside Business Park, 189 Airport Road West, Belfast, BT3 9ED. Tel: 028 9029 7880, Fax: 028 9029 7881, Textphone: 028 9029 7882, Web: www.disabilityaction.org

Disabled Drivers Association, National Headquarters, Ashwellthorpe, Norwich, Norfolk, NR16 1EX. Tel: 0870 770 3333, Fax: 01508 488 173, Email: DDAHQ@aol.com, Web: www.dda.org.uk

Disabled Living Foundation (DLF), 380/384 Harrow Road, London, W9 2HU. Tel: 020 7289 6111 Helpline: 0845 130 9177, Minicom: 020 7432 8009, Fax: 020 7266 2922.

Disabled Living Centres, Disabled Living Centres Council, Redbank House, 4 St Chad Street, Cheetham, Manchester M8 8QA. Tel: 0161 834 1044, Fax: 0161 839 0802. Textphone: 0161 839 0885,
email: dlcc@dlcc.org.uk

USEFUL PUBLICATIONS

Access to the Underground, Access & Mobility, Transport for London, Windsor House, 42-50 Victoria Street, London, SW1H OTL, Tel: 020 7941 4600 FREE``

Disabled Travellers’ Guide, Automobile Association, Lambert House, Stockport Road, Cheadle, Cheshire, SK8 3BW. Tel: 0800 262 050. Free to AA members, £4.99 to non members

The Blue Badge Scheme. Leaflet available free from Social Services departments or from the DfT (Department for Transport) free literature line Tel: 0870 1226 236.

Travel Information for Older People, Age Concern Factsheet 26, Age Concern, Freepost SWB 30375, Ashburton, Devon, TQ13 7ZZ, Tel: 0800 00 99 66, Web: www.ace.org.uk FREE

Rail Travel for Disabled Passengers, Individual copies available from staffed train stations, For larger supplies and for version on audio tape Contact: Distribution Manager, National Railcard Office – ATOC Ltd, 3rd Floor, 40 Bernard Street, London WC1N 1BY.

Travel and Cancer, CancerBacup, 3 Bath Place, Rivington Street, EC2A 3JR. Email: orders@cancerbacup.org.uk
£1.95, free to people who have cancer Tel: 0808 800 1234 orderline, Web: www.cancerbacup.org.uk

Wheels within Wheels – a guide to using a wheelchair on public transport, Department for Transport, Ricability, 30 Angel Gate, City Road, London, EC1V 2PT, Tel: 020 7427 2460

USEFUL WEBSITES

Department for Transport: www.dft.gov.uk

MOBILITY CENTRES
MEMBERS OF THE FORUM OF MOBILITY CENTRES (list obtained from the Forum of Mobility Centres www.justmobility.co.uk/forum)

Forum of Mobility Centres, Therapy Department, Wrightington Hospital, Wigan, WN6 9EP, Tel: 01257 256 280.

Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation Mobility Centre, Damson Way, Fountain Drive, Carshalton, Surrey, SM5 4NR, Tel: 0208 770 1151, Fax: 0208 770 1211 info@mobility-qe.org,
Web: www.qefd.org/mobilitycentre I D P W T also Training Courses and Residential Accommodation.

Regional Driving Assessment Centre, West Heath Hospital, Rednal Road, Birmingham, B38 8HR Tel: 0121 627 8228, Fax: 0121 627 8629 I D P T (Open Monday only)

Cornwall Mobility Centre, Tehidy House, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3LJ. Tel: 01872 254920, Fax: 01872 254921, Email: mobility@rcht.swest.hns.uk, Web: www.cornwall-homepage.co.uk I D P W T A also wheelchair repairs, independent living and drop in centre.

Derby Regional Mobility Centre, Kingsway Hospital, Kingsway, Derby DE22 3LZ. Tel: 01332 371929, Fax: 01332 382377,
Email: info@derbyregionalmobilitycentre.co.uk, Web: www.derbyregionalmobilitycentre.co.uk. I D P T A

Scottish Driving Assessment Service, Mobility Centre, Astley Ainslie Hospital, 133 Grange Loan, Edinburgh, EH9 2HL. Tel: 0131 537 9192 Fax: 0131 5379193 I D P also Mobile Assessment Service

Kilverston Mobility Assessment Centre, 2 Napier Place, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 3RL. Tel: 01842 753029, Fax: 01482 755950, Email: mail@kmacmobil.org.uk, Web: www.kmacmobil.org.uk I D P W (Open Monday am, Tuesday and Thursday, or Wednesday and Friday by appointment)

Mobility Advice and Vehicle Information Service (MAVIS), O’Wing Macadam Avenue, Old Wokingham Road, Crowthorne, Berkshire, RG45 6XD, Tel: 01344 661000, Fax: 01344 661066, Email: mavil@dft.gsi.gov.uk, Web: www.dft.gov.uk/access I D P

Mobility Centre, Specialist Neurological Rehabilitation Services Division, Regional Neurological Centre, Hunters Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4NR, Tel: 0191 219 5694, Fax 0191 219 5693
Web: www.nap.nhs.uk/snrs I D P

Mobility Service of the Disabled Living Centre (West of England)
The Vassal Centre, Gill Avenue, Fishponds, Bristol, BS16 2QQ.
Tel: 0117 965 9353, Fax: 0117 965 3652,
Email: mobserv@dlcbristol.org I D P W T

North Wales Mobility & Driving Assessment Service, The North Wales Resource Centre, Glan Clwyd Hospital, Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire, LL18 5UJ. Tel: 01745 584858, Fax: 01745 582762
Email: alexbarr@btconnect.com I D P

Northern Ireland Mobility Centre, Disability Action Portside Business Park, 189 Airport Road West, Belfast, BT3 9ED. Tel: 028 9029 7877, Fax: 028 9029 7881 Email: mobilitycentre@disabilityaction.org, Web: www.disabilityaction.org I D P T Mobile Driving Assessment Service

Oxford Driving Assessment Service, Oxford Centre for Enablement, Windmill Road, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LD. Tel: 01865 227600, Fax: 01865 227294 Email: oxford.mobilityservice@noc.anglox.nhs.uk
I D P W T

South Wales Mobility & Driving Assessment Service, Rookwood Hospital, Fairwater Road, Llandaff, Cardiff, CF5 2YN, Tel/Fax: 029 2055 5130, Email: WDDAC@btconnect.comI D P

William Merritt Disabled Living Centre and Mobility Service, St Mary’s Hospital, Green Hill Road, Armley, Leeds, LS12 3QE.
Tel: 0113 305 5288, Fax: 0113 231 9291
Email: wwwmobilityservices@cwcom.net I D P W

Wrightington Mobility Centre, Wrightington Hospital, Hall Lane, Appley Bridge, Wigan, Lancs, WN6 9EP. Tel: 01257 256 409, Fax: 01257 256 409, Email: mobilitycentre@alwpct.nhs.uk I D P T (Open all day Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday am)

Key:

I Free information service for disabled and elderly people, their families and professionals.

D Vehicle choice with control options and advice on ability to learn, continue to drive or return to driving

P Assessment and advice for passengers getting in and out of vehicles and about safe loading of wheelchairs and other equipment

W Advice on the selection and use of wheelchairs (powered and manually propelled) and scooters

T Driving tuition, for novice drivers, those returning driving after a break and those changing to a different method of vehicle controls

A Fitting of car adaptations for both drivers and passengers with Disabilities

Associate Members

DART Driving Assessment & Advice Service, Ditton Ward, Preston Hall Hospital, London Road, Aylesford, Kent, ME20 7NJ. Tel: 01622 225673, Fax: 01622 225630, Email: janicestannard@nhs.net

Hertfordshire Action on Disability Mobility Centre, The Woodside Centre, The Commons, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL7 4DD, Tel: 01707 324 581, Fax: 01707 371 297,
Email: driving@hadnet.co.uk, Web: www.hadnet.org.uk

Other Mobility Centres

The Aintree Driving Assessment Centre, The Donald
Todd, Rehabilitation Centre, University Hospital Aintree, Longmoor Lane, Fazakerley, Liverpool, L9 7AL, Tel: 0151 529 3039,
Fax: 0151 5290 3031

Clatterbridge Driving Assessment Centre for the Disabled, Wirral Limb Centre, Clatterbridge Hospital, Bebington, Wirrall, CH63 4JY
Tel: 0151 604 7439, Fax: 0151 604 7438

Mid Staffordshire Driving Assessment Service, Cannock Chase Hospital, Brunswick Road, Cannock, WS11 2XY. Tel: 01543 576416
Fax: 01543 576555

Mobility Information Service, Unit B1 Greenwood Court, Cartmel Drive, Shrewsbury SY1 3TB. Tel: 01743 463 072, Fax: 01743 463 065 Email: mis@nmcuk.freeserve.co.uk

Motoring Advice, Assessment and Tuition Service, Blackheath Drive, Clontarf, Dublin 3, Ireland. Tel: 00 3531 833 8241, Fax: 00 3531 833 3873

Mobility Freedom, 20 Fowey Avenue, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 7RE,
Tel: 01803 616 6611 or 01626 353942

Contact your local DIAL group if you require further information. Details of the local group can be found on the Find-a-Dial section of the DIAL UK website or by contacting DIAL UK Tel: 01302 310123.