News and Events
Latest News and Events
LAUNCH OF THE NEW STYLE BLUE BADGE
Regulations governing the changes for the badge design and fee will come into force on 1 April 2012. Detailed guidance on the administration of the Blue Badge Scheme is being prepared and will be published by the Welsh Government shortly.The regulations will improve enforcement procedures to tackle misuse and fraud of the Blue Badge Scheme.
The existing Blue Badge design is very easy to copy and to forge, and details such as expiry date can be altered. The new Blue Badge design includes raised texture features, a hologram and has been tested to withstand severe temperature changes. The written information on the badge has been changed (to clarify the correct use of badge) and an up to date photograph of the badge holder must be submitted and digitally scanned on the back of the badge to ensure the badge holder can be identified if necessary.
Old style badges will be valid until the end of their expiry date but renewals and new applicants will receive the new style badge from April 1 2012.
From April 2012 local authorities will not be able to charge individual holders for their Blue Badge. However, the regulations allow local authorities to charge a fee of up to £10.00 for an organisational or replacement badge. Local authorities may not charge for replacement badges if there is evidence that the badge as been stolen, for instance where the badge holder has reported the theft to the police and provides the authority with a police incident number. This charge will be at the discretion of the issuing local authority and will be communicated clearly to Blue Badge applicants.
STOP BLUE BADGE ABUSE
There may not be many new blue badges around at the moment. But over the next 3 years when eligible people’s badges expire, they will be issued with a new style Blue Badge. The new badge will have a unique identifying number which will enable parking attendants to get more information about the user from wherever the badge was issued.
Some of the information won’t be seen, therefore, people won’t be able to alter the data. Stolen badges will also be able to be detected, thus stopping fraud?
Local Authorities will have to police the scheme to ensure the badge is being used properly and by the right person? It can be as high as 40% in some areas of the country!!!!!!!
Some Local Authorities are already looking into this type of abuse – e.g.Lambeth / London employ a team of Blue Badge Fraud Investigators. They are trying to ensure that every blue badge is being used in the right place?
Disabled Motoring U.K. sent someone out to observe the actions of the ‘blue badge fraud team consisting of a parking investigations manager, two fraud investigators and a parking attendant. The team started early one morning observing some of the traders. Most of the traders didn’t have trader business parking payments displayed. Some were displaying blue badges instead!!!!!!
- ·Blue badge users can park all day free of charge.
- ·A business Permit costs £600 and parking without a permit costs £3.00 per hour!
Disabled Motoring U.K. – Campaign news
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THE MOBILITY ROADSHOW - DRIVING FORWARD, 21,22,23rd JUNE 2012
Peterborough Arena (East of England Showground)
Register online for your free tickets at
www.mobilityroadshow.co.uk or call 0845 241 0390
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FREE DRIVING EXPERIENCE FOR YOUNG AND NEWLY DISABLED PEOPLE
Two national charities, Disabled Motoring UK and Mobility Choice, the team behind the annual Mobility Roadshow have announced three all day events for 2012.
Young people with disabilities can gain a driving licence at 16, a year ahead of those who are not disabled. Thats great news, but where do you start?
If you are young, disabled and keen to get behind the wheel, or newly disabled (at any age) and want to research adapted motoring options, Get Going Live is for you. You can test drive a selection of adapted vehicles, including drive-from-wheelchair WAV's in a safe environment accompanied by experienced professional drivers. Also on hand will be expert advice in a friendly no-pressure environment from organisations and companies with a wealth of knowledge - from chosing an instructor with experience of teaching disabled motorists to finding out about the adaptations and vehicles that are right for you.
Get Going Live! dates are:
14 July - Donnington Park Launch Pad, Derbyshire
28 July - Yorkshire Event Centre, Harrogate
11 August - TRL Wokingham, Berkshire
You must be over 14 to test drive adapted vehicles on a safe on-site road system, accompanied at all times by a professional driver. Younger prospective learners are welcome to practise transferring, familiarise themselves with controls and may also travel as a passenger with an instructor.
Around the driving there is a fun action packed programme of activities including a 7m all-ability climbing wall with over 20 routes to the top.
For more information contact:
Rosemary Vaux at Mobility Choice press office
tel 020 89435343 mobile 07792 72 62 41
email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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THE MOTABILITY ROADSHOW, CHEPSTOW RACE COURSE JULY 7th
Staff from the south Wales Mobility Centre will be in attendence at this event and can be found on the Forum of Mobility Centre UK stand.
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SCOOTER SMART- CARDIFF
As many as a 150 people a year in the UK are estimated to die or suffer serious injuries in accidents invovling mobility scooters. Cardiff Council's Road Safety Team organised a pilot training course for users of mobility scooters in conjunction with the Wales Mobility & Disabled Assessment Service. The course comprised of a seminar and practical training. The pilot course proved very popular and further seminars have been arranged.
The sessions include:
The law and the Highway Code and how it applies
Safety advice and being seen and heard
Planning your journey
Starting - Reversing - Stopping
Simulate manoeuvring in congested pedestrianised areas
Using pedestrian crossings, mounting / dismounting pavements and avoiding street furniture
Travelling around a mock road route and roundabout
Free copies of "Safe Scoot Highway Code" and Older Persons Guide to Road Safety booklets
Free mobility scooter and battery security marking
For further information and details contact: Germaine Walsh or Maurice Lawrence at:
Cardiff County Council Road Safety Centre
Maindy Centre, Crown Way, Off North Road, Cardiff CF14 3AJ
Tel No: 029 2078 8521 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it www.roadsafety.cardiff.gov.uk
SHORT SHARP FACTS ABOUT MOBILITY SCOOTERS JAN 2012
Mobility Scooters are divided into 3 classifications under the use of ‘Invalid Carriages on the Highways Regulations 1988
- ·Classification 1:
Manual Wheelchairs, self propelled or attendant propelled, not electronically propelled –
THESE DO NOT NEED TO BE REGISTERED WITH D.V.L.A.
- ·Classification 2:
Powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters, for footway/ pavement use.
Maximum speed of 4mph, an unlade weight not exceeding 113.4kgs.
THESE DO NOT NEED TO BE REGISTERED WITH D.V.L.A
- ·Classification 3:
Mechanically propelled invalid carriages that are constructed or adapted to be capable of exceeding a speed limit of 4mph but incapable of exceeding a speed of 8mph on the level under it’s own power. Such scooters are for both road and pavement use. They mustbe fitted with a device capable of limiting the maximum speed to 4mph for use when travelling on footways/pavements. The unladen weight must not exceed 150kgs
THESE NEED TO BE REGISTERED WITH D.V.L.A.
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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - DECEMBER 15TH 2011
Following the Annual General Meeting and Ballot held on December 15th 2011 the names of the 9 people elected as Trustee's of the WMDAS are:
Mr Gordon Starkey, Mrs Jenny McKinlay, Mr Ian Morrison, Mr David Rose, Mrs Pat Taylor, Mr Paul Brewer, Mr David Taylor, Mrs Shirley Shorney and Mr David Schuster.
At the first Executive Meeting a Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary were elected as follows:
Mr Gordon Starkey, Chairman - Mr David Schuster, Treasurer - Mr David Rose, Secretary
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ON LINE APPLICATION SERVICE
Due to demand we now offer an online application form service. Just click on the Online Application section, fill in the required fields and press the submit button, thats it. We will contact you by telephone to arrange an appointment date and payment method. Of course, you are still most welcome to telephone for an application form to be sent to you or print off a copy of the application form, complete and return by post.
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ASSESSMENT FEE INCREASE
It was with regret that the Trustees instructed our organisation to increase the fees for mobility assessment. This was the result of the sharp increase in fuel and maintenance costs.
There has not been an increase for over 5 years but unless an increase is implemented to cover the loss in income and increase in expenses the charity cannot guarantee that it can continue to operate at its present standard.
Improvements in the equipment and vehicles available for passenger assessment was discussed and the decision was taken to increase the cost of passenger assessments to the same rate as driving assessment because the time taken on a passenger assessment can often take longer to complete.
The rates remain good value for money. All assessments are greatly subsidised as the true cost of an assessment is £450. We suggest that if you require adaptations or advice on your driving requirements and you are considering a Motability vehicle or are currently a Motability customer, contacting Motability can often result in them referring you to us for an assessment at no cost to yourself.
The revised cost of an assessment is as follows:
Full Driving Assessment £85
Passenger Assessment £85
Review driving assessment £30
Driving familiarisation £26 per hour
Assessment for Solicitors £600
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ACCESS GUIDE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND
The Access guide details how to get information about services, how to plan a journey, information on accessibility of services and what assistance is available. The Guide also has information about access at all Translink stations and halts.
The Guide is available online at http://translink.co.uk/accessibilty.asp or through the Translink Contact Centre on 0289066 6630
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SCOOTER INFORMATION
Safe Scoot - visit www.safescoot.co.uk
From deciding if a mobility scooter really suits your needs, to chosing which model to buy Halfords offer comprehensive advice - wwwhalfords.com
SCOOTER INFORMATION FOR TRAINERS
The Safe Scoot Trainers Guide and DVD is essential information for organisations that may wish to run mobility scooter safety awareness events nationwide. For further information please contact the Social Marketing Team on 01953 4255560 or online
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Motability Managed Adaptations Programme
Around 400 different adaptations are available through the Motability Managed Adaptations Programme when you order your next car.
The programme includes many adaptations at no extra cost. Motability adaption installers will be happy to help you choose the right adaptation for your needs. There are more than 100 adaptation installers across the U.K. Contact details and information on the adaptations they provide can be found by using the ‘Find adaptation installers’ tool at motability.co.uk For more information download the brochure ‘Your guide to adaptations’.
A typical assessment will help you understand what types of adaptations could help your driving or travelling experience.
To find your nearest centre call: 0800 559 3636 There may be a charge for assessments, speak to your local centre to find out more or call us on 0800 093 10000
Taken from Lifestyle Magazine – Issue 75
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Disabled Motorists U.K.
Produce a guide to Mobility vehicles, code of practice + various forms needed for registering a scooter. They are available upon request. Information Officers can help filling in forms + offer further advice.
Information Enquiry Service: - 9am – 1645pm
0845 8501 861
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CLOSURE OF ROOKWOOD HOSPITAL
Rookwood Hospital in which the south Wales centre is located is earmarked for closure in 2014. The staff in the south Wales centre although uncertain of their future location have been assured that the service will continue to be funded by the Welsh Assembly and it appears that at present plans are for the service to be re located to the Artificial Limb Service that is located on the present Rookwood site.
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