Useful organisations
Blue Badge Network
The Blue Badge Network has up to date legislation, information, news and ideas relating to parking concessions in particular and disability issues in general.
198 Wolverhampton Street
Dudley DY1 1DZ
Tel: 01384 257 001
Fax: 01384 257 371
headoffice@bluebadgenetwork.org.uk
www.bluebadgenetwork.org.uk
DirectGov
A website providing information about public services. They have useful sections on motoring and on disability, even a map showing the locations of disabled parking spaces.
www.direct.gov.uk/disabledpeople
Disabled Living Foundation
The DLF provides advice and information on all aspects of disability equipment. They have a database of products and suppliers with details of conversions, hoists and lifting equipment, car seats, vehicles for hire, vehicle accessories and much else. It's always worth contacting them.
380-384 Harrow Road
London W9 2HU
Local rate Helpline: 0845 130 9177
(weekdays 10am to 4pm)
Textphone: 020 7432 8009
www.dlf.org.uk
www.livingmadeeasy.org.uk
Disabled Motorists' Federation
The DMF is an umbrella organisation for disabled motorists' clubs. It provides information to individuals about travel, including advice on vehicles and modifications. The Way Ahead, quarterly, is free to members. Membership £12 a year.
Mr J.E. Killick (Hon Secretary)
145 Knoulberry Rd, Blackfell,
Washington, Tyne & Wear NE37 1JN
Tel/Fax: 0191 416 3172
jkillick2214@compuserve.com
www.dmfed.org.uk
DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency)
Drivers Medical Group
Tel 0870 600 0301
Fax 0845 850 0095
eftd@dvla.gsi.gov.uk
www.direct.gov.uk/motoring and follow link to 'medical rules'
Northern Ireland: Driver & Vehicle Agency
Driver Licensing Medical Section
Tel: 0845 402 4000
www.dvani.gov.uk and follow link to 'medical conditions'
HM Revenue and Customs
HM Revenue and Customs has information on VAT relief (VAT Notice 701/7) and motor vehicles (VAT Notice 701/59) for disabled people
Tel: 0845 010 9000
Text: 0845 000 0200
Web: www.hmrc.gov.uk
Mobilise
The Disabled Drivers' Motor Club and the Disabled Drivers' Association merged to form Mobilise in 2005. It is a self help organisation run for disabled people by disabled people, and concerns itself with the needs of disabled people primarily by encouraging greater independence through enhanced mobility. There is a regular magazine for members. Membership is open to disabled and able drivers, and costs £14 per year (£18 for joint members).
Ashwellthorpe
Norwich, NR16 1EX
Tel: 01508 489449
Fax: 01508 488173
enquiries@mobilise.info
www.mobilise.info
Mobility roadshow
Mobility Roadshows have a wide range of adapted cars to see and try, as well as mobility products. Manufacturers and organisations are on hand to give advice and demonstrations. The Mobility Roadshows are free and take place annually in England and every two years in Scotland. They are organised by Mobility Choice. Contact them for dates of future shows:
Tel: 0845 241 0390
Fax: 0845 241 1236
choice@gtnet.gov.uk
www.mobilityroadshow.co.uk
Contact Disability Action for details of the Belfast Roadshow:
Tel: 028 9029 7880
Fax: 028 9029 7881
Textphone: 028 9029 7882
marketing@disabilityaction.org
www.disabilityaction.org
Motability
The Motability Scheme enables disabled people to use their government-funded mobility allowances to obtain a new car, powered wheelchair or scooter. If you get the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance or the War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement you can use it to lease a car (including maintenance and servicing costs, comprehensive insurance and breakdown assistance) or buy one on hire purchase.
City Gate House
22 Southwark Bridge Road
London SE1 9HB
Tel: 0845 456 4566
Textphone: 0845 675 0009
www.motability.co.uk
National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA UK)
This is a trade association set up to improve standards and represent the car conversion industry. Members undertake to carry out work to an agreed and written standard. They have a complaints procedure and a directory of members on their website. For further details see: www.nmedauk.org or call 01784 470860.
REMAP
If you can't find anything to meet your needs, REMAP may help. It is a voluntary organisation of engineers who invent, design and make devices for people when nothing exists on the market to solve their particular problem. Members give their services free. There are around 100 branches of REMAP in the UK. To find the nearest, get in touch with:
England, Wales and Northern Ireland
D9 Chaucer Business Park
Kemsing
Kent TN15 6YU
Tel: 0845 130 0456
Fax: 0845 130 0789
info@remap.org.uk
www.remap.org.uk
Scotland
David Reid
Forgue House
Forgue
Huntly AB54 6DA
Tel: 01466 730 736
Fax: 01466 730 705
remap-scotland@btconnect.com
www.remap-scotland.org
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