Useful Websites - Filling Your Car

If you are an unaccompanied disabled driver it can be very difficult getting the help at petrol stations. The situation has been made even more difficult by the introduction of chip and pin as this has made paying very difficult for drivers who cannot easily get out of their vehicle, as standard card terminals cannot be used on the forecourt.

myhailo.co.uk

Simply press the button on your MyHailo fob to alert filling station staff that you need assistance. This is a rebranding of the Contacta system we reported on in a previous edition. If you have a Contacta fob it will work just the same. This system has been adopted by Sainsburys, Asda, Tesco and Cooperative service stations service-call.net This is system uses an infrared transmitter and has the benefit of there being a very large number of participating stations.

fuelservice.org - recommended by Heather Murrant

This is a smartphone app that will let you find a petrol station know in advance of arrival if there is a person available to help you at the petrol station before you arrive. If you don’t use a smartphone there is a text messaging service you can use. It has plenty of stations across the country, and the nearest to the centre are at Middlewich, Northwich and Sandiway.

New Road Tax Rates 2017

If you receive the enhanced rate for mobility for PIP or the higher rate for mobility for DLA then you are eligible to apply for exemption of Road Tax.

If however you receive the standard rate mobility component of PIP then you are eligible to apply for a 50% reduction.

To claim the 50% reduction the vehicle must be : • Registered in the disabled person’s name or their nominated driver’s name. • It must only be used for the disabled person’s personal needs. That means
the vehicle can’t be used by the nominated driver for their own personal use. • You can only have one vehicle tax exemption or reduction at any one time • You can apply for the 50% reduction if you get the Standard Rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

If you are entitled to the 50% discount, then you can ONLY obtain this by sending the appropriate paperwork to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1DZ.

For more information visit: www.gov.uk/ financial-help-disabled/vehicles-andtransport

Assessment of Fitness to Drive by Gary Jones Centre Manager

Opening of an accredited driving assessment service for the Cheshire and Wirral region.

With increasing demand for drivers to undertake assessment of their Fitness to Drive following onset of cognitive or physical changes that could impact upon driving ability, a new accredited driving assessment service will begin operation  in March 2017 to serve the Cheshire and Wirral regions.
Supported by The Department for Transport this  new venture will be staffed by a team of experienced Occupational Therapists and Driving Advisers to ensure the most complete and robust assessment of  cognitive, visual and physical abilities in relation to an individuals’ practical Fitness to Drive.

As an accredited member of Diving Mobility (www.Drivingmobility.org.uk), Chester Driveability is able to deliver assessments on behalf of DVLA, Motability and health professionals who are advising on the Fitness to Drive of individual patients.

Chester Driveability will be operated by The Wales Mobility and Driving Assessment Service (www.wmdas.co.uk) who have over 25 years’ experience of assessment of Fitness to Drive on behalf of DVLA, health professionals and individual service users.

Useful Travel Websites

3Hfund.org.uk
Last year, 3H helped over 750 disabled people, and their carers, to get a break away. They provide subsidised group holidays for the physically disabled at well researched venues – giving their carers a valuable period of respite at the same time.

lyneal-trust.org.uk
The Lyneal Trust offers adapted canal boats and cottage holidays for day trips or full week holidays in beautiful North Shropshire for people with disabilities, their family, friends and carers. 
abta.com/tips-and-latest/accessible-travel ABTA has a checklist for disabled and less mobile passengers that can be completed and sent to your travel agent to identify your requirements and provide appropriate support.

hoegrangeholidays.co.uk
These attractive log cabins in the Peak District were winner of the 2015 Catey’s Accessibility Award and are one of this year’s finalists of the Access for All Tourism Award. 

openbritain.net
This well designed website for accessible tourism in the UK lets you to filter holidays that meet your specific access needs to find suitable destinations and places to stay, whether this means wheelchair access or bathroom adaptations.  All of the properties are self-assessed, however if you are looking for some extra assurance look out for the Visit England logo on venues that have been professionally assessed.

pitchup.com
Fancy a bit of glamping in a pod in the middle of Wales or a caravan holiday. This site includes a filter for sites with disabled facilities.

accessibleguide.co.uk
Packed with over 200 inspiring ideas for fantastic worry-free days out with reviews, hints and tips on some of the UK’s best attractions written by and for disabled people.

Trains Taxis in the UK by Jon McVey

Rail
Travel assistance is Network Rail’s service to make rail services more accessible for people with disabilities.  If you have difficulty walking long distances, use a wheelchair or scooter the service can help with getting on and off trains. It is recommended to book at least 24 hours before your journey to give time to make arrangements if for example, the station is not step free.

My experiences have been very good, each time an attendant with a ramp was ready in good time to board the train and my natural apprehension has always been alleviated when someone was waiting at the destination station, although just in case, I always carry the Travel Assistance contact number. 

There are reports where people have had  difficulties because the assistance has not been there or they have the wrong ramp for the type of carriage, but for the most part it
seems to work.

For a list of contacts visit nationalrail.co.uk and search for “Information for disabled passengers”

Taxis

I recently visited London to participate in a research project and was quite apprehensive because it was the first time I had gone in my wheelchair and had been told to get a black cab.  At Euston there was a designated rank and as soon as we arrived a cab pulled up and set up a ramp. It was tight but boarding was not a problem. All cabs also have an intermediate step and high visibility grab handles to help people with limited mobility enter the vehicle. I was impressed that on each occasion when hailing a taxi in the middle of London the first available cab always stopped without hesitation, although admittedly one cabbie was enthusiastic to try his ramp having just completed “the knowledge”.  Apparently all licensed black cabs drivers receive training and their cabs are wheelchair accessible.