Northern Ireland Trailblazers Inclusion Now campaign.

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The Motability Scheme
The Motability Scheme is available for people who are in receipt of the higher rate mobility
component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
and various other benefits. If you are eligible, you can exchange your allowance for the lease
on a car, which lasts between three and five years. Wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) are
available on the scheme, which can offer more freedom and independence. In some cases,
it is possible to drive from your wheelchair.
Suzanne Glover, 20, shares her story about recently learning to drive from her wheelchair:
I have recently got my first drive-from vehicle, a Volkswagen caddy, which is very
exciting! I was assessed by Motability just after I got my provisional licence at 16.
We looked to see which car would be most suitable in terms of size and adaptability
for the controls. I found out about possibly being able to drive by talking to others
with SMA (spinal muscular atrophy) and similar conditions. I contacted Disability
Action, who guided us through the process and gave us information about initial
assessments. I met with an assessor from Motability, we looked at my physical
strength by test-driving a car, and this enabled us to see what I could and couldn’t do.
The assessor explained the process of getting the adaptations and learning to drive.
I would definitely learn
how to drive if I had heard
about the existence of
a drive-from vehicle!
At the moment, I have a
non-adapted Motability
car but find it a challenge
getting in and out of it.
Frances Ashe
“Motability staff members were generally supportive and helpful. I started the
process just after my 16th birthday (I’m now 20). Over the four years, I have had a
number of hold-ups such as missing paperwork, waiting for funding approval and
a new wheelchair. I had to change my wheelchair last year, which meant that the
adaptations were halted until I got my new chair.
LEARNING TO DRIVE – TOP TIPS FROM SUZANNE
BE PATIENT and start the process early!
MAKE SURE you check at the start that your wheelchair is suitable to be driven
from, so you have plenty of time to change your wheelchair if necessary.
IF YOUR CONDITION changes, ask for another assessment to make sure that
the adaptations are still suitable and any necessary alterations can be made.
KEEP IN CONTACT with your caseworker in Motability so you can get updates
on the progress of your car and are aware of the next steps.
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