Mobilise - Promoting mobility for disabled people

Download a PDF of the classified ads from the February issue of Mobilise magazine. Accessible holidays, vehicles, mobility aids and more.

Mobilise member Sally Hyder had despaired of ever finding a suitable vehicle to transport her large family and all their kit. She tells us about her quest to find the perfect Motability car for her and her tribe.

“I need a car that will carry me, my electric wheelchair, three children (one of whom is disabled), my husband, an au pair, an assistance dog, a trumpet, a harp and hockey kit!” This was the opening gambit that began my conversations with car dealers during my quest for that perfect car – and often that was the end of that! The responses varied enormously, from “Motability cars should not be used as family vehicles” to a comical “Not all at once… unless you want to buy a lorry?” Continue reading »

Blue Badge holders face insults and intimidation when trying to park

Results of a recent Baywatch survey show that not only do disabled people have trouble parking at the supermarket but also face verbal abuse if they dare to question a non Blue Badge holder.  These are just a few of the comments noted by Baywatch participants who surveyed their local supermarkets for Disabled parking.

“I can’t count the number of times I’ve been sworn at or threatened with violence whenever I have spoken to a non Blue Badge holder.” Mr Harrison, Doncaster

“What used to be disabled spaces are now ‘parent and child’ spaces and the parking attendants are rude and threatening to any disabled people trying to park in what used to be their bays. Members of the public are worse. One outraged mother threatened to break my windscreen and let down my tyres while I was in the shop. Her “toddler” was about 12 years old!” Anon, York

“I asked a man if he knew he was taking up a disabled bay he said “Yes, but why should you get better parking?”

When I tried to explain I have difficulties walking and need that space he said “Why don’t you just f**k off and stay at home then?” Thomas, County Durham Continue reading »

Hi everyone, I’m Graham Footer, the new Chief Executive of Mobilise. I took up my post at the beginning of January and I must say I am absolutely thrilled and honoured to be part of Mobilise. This is a very exciting time for both Mobilise and me and I am looking forward to working with the organisation to develop its current plans, expand its membership and become the principal organisation in the UK representing the mobility interests of disabled people. Continue reading »

2008 saw the 60^th anniversary of the launch of the Morris Minor, and 2009 marked a very happy 50^th birthday for the Mini. Jim Rawlings raises a toast to two British classics.
Few cars engender more genuine love and devotion in their owners than a Morris Minor. The development of the  Minor has given rise to many stories, some apocryphal but some more reliably documented. Sir Alex Issigonis’ own recollections are particularly interesting. He described the final refinements of the design process thus: “I wasn’t very happy with the final version, so I went to the shop one evening and told the mechanics to cut it in half!” The original prototypes were 57 inches wide, but Sir Alex ordered the two halves to be moved apart until he felt the proportions were right. This added four inches to the width of the car – and a reminder of this decision can be seen on all Morris Minors, in the flat strip that runs down the centre of the bonnet. Continue reading »

Misuse of satnav means business drivers are ‘driving blind’ says the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM). Many people in rural areas will have seen or heard of lorry drivers getting stuck in narrow lanes after blindly following their satnav’s cheerful instructions.  If the UK were to introduce ‘road trains’ (articulated 60 tonne mega-liners stretching up to 82ft), as has been discussed recently, these incidents could be much more serious says the IAM. Continue reading »

Campaign News from Helen Smith, Director of Policy and Campaigns

The Department for Transport is currently looking at whether there is a need to change the legislation covering powered mobility vehicles. This is because currently mobility vehicles are covered by several pieces of legislation, the most recent of which is the “Use of Invalid Carriages on Highways Regulation 1982.” The legislation is now over 25 years old and in that time there has been a steady increase in the number of these vehicles. Current estimates suggest there may be around 300,000 in the UK. There has also been an increase in the number of reports of injuries to pedestrians, including some deaths. Continue reading »

Mobilise member Jill Brown relished the freedom that having her own vehicle gave her – but after nine years in her trusty Ford Courier it was time for a change. After test-driving several other vehicles she discovered the Mercedes Vaneo WAV; and it was love at first sight!

I have a Complex Myopathy and Osteoporosis and because of my disability am not allowed to drive. I wear a firm neck collar, various other supportive splints and can only walk short distances using a rollator.  However I have a wonderful team of friends who drive me and my assistance dog Yates when we need to go further than I can travel in my Pride Jazzy electric wheelchair. I thoroughly enjoy the freedom that having my own vehicle provides. As well as attending hospital appointments etc Yates and I regularly travel to concerts as well as enjoying days out at the beach and other places of interest. Last year we had two holidays in Cornwall which added a good few miles to our total, although my average annual mileage has only been about 3000 miles. Continue reading »

Mobilise invites you to the first Regional Forum, to be held on Saturday 13th March 2010.

All Mobilise members both full and associate are warmly invited to attend the first regional forum. Come along and meet the Chairman Adrian V Stokes and the CEO Graham Footer along with some of the other Mobilise staff and trustees. Continue reading »