Cornwall Mobility, the accredited Driving Mobility centre with headquarters in Truro, was proud to recently host the latest Powered Wheelchair and Mobility Scooter (PWMS) Retailer Training course.

The course aims to provide safer roads for all, by ensuring retailers are trained to carry out appropriate client assessments so the most suitable mobility equipment is prescribed.

PWMS Assessors Shelly and Shawn ran this engaging and insightful course from Cornwall Mobility’s centre at Skypark, Exeter.  All retailers who attended became qualified to ensure their customers only receive equipment that they can control safely. These approved skills can be displayed through a qualification certificate and eye-catching window sticker.

It was a positive day with fantastic feedback from attendees – Cornwall Mobility would like to thank everyone who took part.

To sign up for a free training course near you, contact Driving Mobility on: info@drivingmobility.org.uk

#PWMS #DrivingMobility

Driving Mobility, the charity that coordinates ‘fitness to drive’ and mobility equipment assessment centres for the Department for Transport, will be offering OT-led CPD seminars on its exhibition stand at the OT Show – B55, NEC, 27-28 November 2024.

The CPD schedule this year will be:

1. ‘Hubs Mobility Advice Service – how do we keep connected in
the community?’

Date and times: 27 Nov – 10:30-10:45 and 12:30-12:45
Speaker: Maisie Casey- RDAC Manager Business Operations

Synopsis

Operated by Driving Mobility, the Hubs Service advises on accessible transport solutions that enable people to stay connected with their community and beyond, especially when driving is not an option. Hubs aims to do this through:

• Encouraging and enabling older drivers to consider a driving retirement plan
• Providing guidance on inclusive public transport options
• Signposting to local partners such as community transport schemes
• Travel ‘befriending’ and ‘buddying’ services
• Providing information on the legal rights of disabled passengers
• Offering advice on appropriate mobility equipment

Learning outcomes
Attendees will gain insight into how the Hubs Mobility Advice Service works with healthcare professionals to improve awareness of transport and travel options for clients with restricted mobility. The session will also explore how the Driver Retirement Plan is a working tool that can help avoid the trauma of driving cessation.

2. ‘The Driving Assessment Experience’

Date and times: 27 Nov – 11:30-11:45 and 14:30-14:45
Speaker: Dominic Hibdin- RDAC Assessment Manager and ADI

Synopsis

Emily from Swansea, an OT student with cerebral palsy, has been able to drive and hence attend University thanks to the South Wales Driving Mobility Centre. Emily will explain her experiences as a learner driver with a disability and how the Driving Mobility service benefited her both as a consumer and trainee healthcare professional.

Learning outcomes

Visitors will be able to understand Driving Mobility services in more detail – ranging from clinical  assessments to guidance on vehicle adaptations and specialist driving tuition. Emily will highlight what this means to her in terms of independence and future career development.

3. ‘The Power of Early Powered Mobility’

Date and times: 28 Nov – 10:30-10:45 and 12:30-12:45
Speaker: David Blyth, Centre Manager William Merrit

Synopsis

The session will increase awareness and knowledge of the benefits of powered mobility in young children through the Powerchair Loan Scheme.  giving independence often for the first time.

Learning outcomes

• Beneficial evidence of providing powered mobility at an early age
• Powered mobility for young children is more than learning wheelchair skills
• Increased accessibility though our new ‘Schools Squad’

4. ‘The role of the OT in a Driving Assessment’

Date and times: 28 Nov – 11:30-11:45 and 14:30-14:45
Speaker: Rebecca Houlden, Occupational Therapist (RDAC)

Synopsis

This CPD session will outline the role of occupational therapists in driving assessments. It will demonstrate how they provide cognitive and on-road assessments.

Learning outcomes

• Awareness of the steps an occupational therapist carries out during a client assessment
• The steps required to ascertain if a driver is safe to drive
• Awareness of assessment challenges in relation to different medical conditions
• Consideration of which vehicles and adaptations are most suitable
• Advice on obtaining a driving licence, theory tests and driving lessons
• Building confidence with a driving instructor

Full Show conference programme here: https://www.theotshow.com/why-visit/2024-conference-programme

https://www.drivingmobility.org.uk/

https://www.hubsmobilityadvice.com/

#MyDrivingMobility

National charity Driving Mobility, has been awarded a significant three-year Motability Foundation grant, to work with DriveAbility Scotland to continue to expand its vital driving assessment services in Scotland.

Driving Mobility coordinates a network of charity-funded and NHS centres across the UK which provide clinically-led ‘fitness to drive’ assessments, guidance on mobility equipment and accessible travel advice. Supported by The Department for Transport (DfT) in England, Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) and Occupational Therapists (OTs), guide and support individuals who self-refer or are signposted from the DVLA, the Motability Scheme, Police and NHS. Every member of staff is committed to enabling people with disabilities to drive or travel safely.

Opened in 2021, DriveAbility Scotland was the first Driving Mobility centre to support Scottish residents. It is now a registered charity in Scotland. The centre in Glasgow established a fleet of dual controlled cars with various specialist driving adaptations so clients could be assessed and given recommendations. However, funding to keep the service open had become a challenge and there was a risk of closure, until the Motability Foundation  offered a substantial grant to Driving Mobility

This funding will ensure services are sustained until 2027 and have allowed the charity to implement and plan:

• Expansion to full time services at new headquarters in Glasgow
• Develop new centres and outreach services outside the Central Belt
• Purchase new vehicles and fit with adaptations, including a drive-from-wheelchair option
• Recruit and train more staff
• Update IT systems

Andrew Swain, DriveAbility Scotland Centre Manager, comments: “The team and I are absolutely delighted with the £1.5 million that Motability has granted us. As the future of our services were in jeopardy, along with the independence of disabled Scottish drivers, we had to reach out to this valued stakeholder. Driving Mobility and Motability have always worked closely together to achieve common goals and this latest investment reiterates our strong relationship.”

“The funding will deliver significant change in Scotland. Not only will it bring services closer to more communities, but it will also strengthen our proposition in terms of assessment adaptations and vehicles. Ultimately meaning more people are enabled with all the mental health and well-being benefits it provides. Our team has a renewed sense of vigour.”

Andrew also adds: “While the Motability Foundation funding will enable us to build up a network of services across Scotland, we will need the support of the Scottish Government to keep the service viable in the longer term.  If the model of funding support built up by the Department for Transport in England could be replicated by Transport Scotland it would ensure that we can continue to support disabled and older drivers across all regions of Scotland.”

This positivity has been reiterated by Lisa Jones, Motability Foundation Director of Charitable Operations, who concludes: “We’re delighted to award Driving Mobility with this grant to expand its driving assessment services in Scotland, so that disabled people interested in learning to drive have the tools they need to do so. Awarding grants to experienced organisations like Driving Mobility helps us to make an immediate difference to the transport needs of disabled people.”

#MyDrivingMobility

Driving Mobility will be exhibiting its disability awareness training services at the Professional Recovery Tow Show 2024, 18th and 19th of September, Telford International Centre.

This free-to-attend event is a cornerstone of the vehicle recovery industry, drawing in around 1,200 visitors from across the UK and beyond. In terms of exhibitors, in partnership with National Highways, Driving Mobility (the national charity that co-ordinates fitness-to-drive assessment centres), will be highlighting its range of services including support for vehicle recovery professionals so that the recovery of drivers at the roadside, who require extra physical or cognitive assistance and/or drive adapted vehicles, can be more appropriate and effective.

The event will be an opportunity to view and purchase Driving Mobility’s Disability Awareness Training Video for roadside professionals. Contact info@drivingmobility.org.uk for further information or to place an order.

Alongside learning about Driving Mobility and its services, visitors will have the opportunity to explore the latest advancements in truck and equipment technology. There will also be live demonstrations of cutting-edge recovery methods held in front of a galleried audience.

Driving Mobility looks forward to engaging with the vehicle recovery community at this important industry event. See you there!

#MyDrivingMobility

Keith Dungait, 47 from Morpeth north of Newcastle, has regained his ability to drive following a life changing neck injury, thanks to the clinical support of North East Drive Mobility (NEDM, a Driving Mobility centre).

Keith is married with two boys aged 11 and 13. He runs his own health and nutrition business from home and is a full-time powered wheelchair user. A fan of sport and ex rugby player, Keith experienced a traumatic injury several years ago when he accidently dived head first into a shallow swimming pool on holiday in Majorca. This resulted in immediate CPR, intensive care for two weeks and over five months in hospital. Today he has rebuilt his life and remains positive despite lasting anxiety from the accident. In terms of mobility in a car, he has been a passenger in the family’s wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) up until receiving an assessment and tuition from the Driving Mobility staff at NEDM. Keith is now ready to start driving again.

Supported in England by the Department for Transport, Driving Mobility co-ordinates a network of 24 fitness-to-drive and mobility equipment assessment centres across the UK. With over 80 outreach facilities, this clinically led service is provided by Occupational Therapists and Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) who focus on enabling as many people as possible. NEDM is Keith’s nearest centre which has supported him over a few years to now be able to drive again. He self-referred after Driving Mobility services were recommended to him when being treated at the James Cook Hospital, Newcastle. The Covid pandemic delayed the process but nevertheless Keith has managed to complete several assessments and driving lessons to ensure he has the skills to drive with hand controls.

Before setting up his business 24 years ago, Keith worked on his family farm. Driving large tractors with hand throttles became second nature so using different controls to accelerate and brake, without using his legs, felt quite familiar at NEDM. Keith picks up his story: “North East Drive Mobility were massively supportive, they couldn’t have helped me anymore. They understood my concerns and step-by-step they kept me relaxed throughout the whole process. My assessments lasted for around an hour and half each time, I was given the opportunity to safely drive a suitable vehicle around their private track so my needs could be assessed.”

Keith continues: “They made me feel confident and as I drove tractors many years ago, I was comfortable with using a hand throttle. I’ve found handling the vehicle easy especially as towing 12 ton of corn was previously normal for me. However, they appreciated I still got anxious around hospitals, as being in one for so long after my accident, so they let me take my time and step outside regularly for fresh air. Being able to get in and out of the driving seat from my powerchair was a new experience so again, I never felt rushed.”

Following his assessments, Keith was deemed safe to drive with hand-controlled push-pull accelerator/brake, steering ball, powerchair locking system and a six-way electrically adjustable driving seat. This type of seat can be rotated and repositioned for easy transfers in and out of a powerchair. Driving Mobility’s report was sent to the DVLA with the recommendation that his driving licence was returned. Specialist driving lessons were also recommended to ensure he remained comfortable with driving in this new way, whilst he waited for a suitable vehicle to be adapted.

“When I started my driving lessons, NEDM arranged to bring the accessible van to me at home instead of me having to drive to Newcastle. This was so much easier as I was in familiar places when practicing. They kept underlining they wanted to help me get back on the road at my own pace. They were so understanding.”

Today, Keith has his licence back and is now ready to drive again.  He is in the process of applying to Motability for a grant so he can get one of their vehicles adapted with the controls he needs. He should be independent soon, able to drive himself and his family wherever instead of being a passenger in the back of their WAV. Plus, he can once again grow his business. To conclude Keith says: “From the outset NEDM were so focused on getting me back on the road. And fitting around me and making me feel comfortable. Suzie and Emma at the centre were so helpful and accommodating. They bent over backwards to help me – fantastic people. I couldn’t recommend them enough.”

#MyDrivingMobility

Driving Mobility will be exhibiting at the upcoming ADINJC & Intelligent Instructor National Conference & Expo ’24, in association with AcciDON’T Driving School. 

Sunday 29th September, Newark Showground, Lady Eastwood Centre, Lincoln Rd, Coddington, Newark, NG24 2NY. 

Supported by the DVSA, this free-to-attend event offers a comprehensive agenda for driving instructors. Attendees can look forward to a variety of displays, hands-on activities and seminars held across three dedicated areas. The Live Stage will feature industry-leading trainers and a special session by Loveday Ryder, CEO of DVSA, who will discuss the organisation’s future plans and host an open Q&A.

Whether you are a new instructor, considering a career in driving instruction, or part of a franchise, the ADINJC & Intelligent Instructor National Conference & Expo ’24 is an event not to be missed. We encourage all visitors to stop and meet the friendly and knowledgeable representatives from Driving Mobility.

To secure your free ticket, please visit https://events.intelligentinstructor.co.uk

We look forward to meeting you there!

#MyDrivingMobility

Camille Craven, 58, from Scotland’s Western Isles, has been able to regain her confidence in driving with a disability, thanks to the new DriveAbility Scotland satellite assessment centre in Aberdeen. 

Camille works as an Estate Services Manager responsible for tourist facilities and activities. In June last year she felt she was struggling to move her right foot safely and lost confidence with driving. This resulted in her husband needing to take time off to drive her to work, the shops and hospital for regular appointments. Camille discussed these difficulties with her Healthcare Specialist who signposted her to Motability, who referred her to DriveAbility Scotland.

A member of the national charity Driving Mobility, DriveAbility Scotland provides clinically led, ‘fitness-to-drive’ and mobility equipment assessments. These services focus on enabling as many people as possible so they can maintain or regain independence with restricted mobility. Clients self-refer or are signposted from the NHS, DVLA, Motability and the Police.

Living off the Scottish mainland and in the Western Isles, Camille benefited from DriveAbility Scotland’s brand-new satellite centre which has just opened in Aberdeen. It meant she didn’t need to get to the main centre in Glasgow. She begins her story:

“I read Motability’s website that in Scotland if you want to drive with adaptations, you need to go to a DriveAbility Scotland centre for a driving assessment. I made contact with them and they explained how they would recommend the right controls for me and how I might be able to lease an adapted car through Motability. The centre in Aberdeen had literally just opened so I decided to book an assessment and was actually one of their first clients. I went along and didn’t really know what to expect so was nervous, but Fiona and Alex went out of their way to be kind and explain everything from start to finish. They put me at ease in an automatic adapted vehicle and allowed me to try both pull push hand controls and a left foot accelerator.”

“Once the driving part of the assessment was done, we went back to the centre and they discussed everything. They asked me what I thought about the options and I said the hand controls for braking and accelerating felt a bit alien and more tricky for me. I felt a lot more comfortable with the left foot accelerator. Following the visit, I was posted my report with all the information and recommendations set out clearly which I could take to a car adaptation centre such as City Mobility.”

Camille has driven for many years and being behind the wheel remains fundamental to her career and lifestyle. She continues: “Driving independently is important to me for work. At the moment, I rely on either my husband taking me to and from work or my colleagues picking me up. Friends also take me places. The island I live on is quite big and our main town for supermarket shopping is 60 miles away. I do have a local shop just over a 5 minute drive away, but I must rely on other people to get further afield, especially for hospital appointments. So being able to drive myself again means I can get to work and go shopping without asking for help.”

In summary, Camille has been very impressed with the level of service and support she has received from DriveAbility Scotland. She encourages everyone with restricted mobility, who wants to drive, to reach out to the charity to see if they can help. “I think for anybody that’s concerned about their confidence when driving, I would definitely recommend DriveAbility Scotland as they are so helpful. The team do their very best to put you at ease and in the end, there is nothing to worry about, it is not a test. You’ll receive very good independent advice and guidance.”

“They kept saying we are not here to judge you; we are here to help you with your future driving. We want to find what’s going to help you get the best out of driving. I would say for anybody that’s having mobility issues or thinking they are never going to be able to drive again, not to write it off at all and get in touch with them. DriveAbility Scotland will do whatever they can to help you get back on the road and keep you on the road.”

#MyDrivingMobility #DriveAbilityScotland

Driving Mobility has appointed a full time, permanent Chief Operating Officer (COO) to work alongside current CEO, Edward Trewhella.

With extensive experience of providing services for disabled people, Keith brings to this new role a broad spectrum of knowledge that will enhance the charity’s services and initiatives. With several years on the Driving Mobility Board and directing its ShopMobility UK operations, Keith already has ample insight he can leverage in future charity decisions and strategies.

Supported by the Department for Transport, Driving Mobility co-ordinates a network of ‘fitness-to-drive’ and mobility equipment assessment centres. Its team of Approved Driving Instructors and Clinicians advises self-referring clients and those signposted from the DVLA, Motability, NHS and the Police. If driving is not or has never been an option, the new Hubs Mobility Advice Service from Driving Mobility offers alternative accessible transport guidance. Many of Driving Mobility’s new initiatives will be part of Keith’s remit as he aims to strengthen services and opportunities for people with restricted mobility across the UK.

“The decision to accept the appointment was made easier by my passion for improving outcomes for disabled people and my admiration for the work of the charity,” says Keith. “These are exciting times for the charity and its clients as adapted vehicles continue to evolve at pace. Equally, with the scope of Driving Mobility services diversifying year-on-year, my new role promises to be both engaging and rewarding.”

Keith’s career has spanned many aspects of civil service and local government as well as with national, regional and local charities. His most recent leadership and management responsibilities included core operations at award-winning disability charity Dial West Cheshire. Keen on networking, learning from others and sharing good practice, Keith’s wealth of relevant skills will add value to the Driving Mobility proposition.

In conclusion, Edward Trewhella, Driving Mobility CEO adds: “We are delighted that Keith is now onboard fully with the charity. His expertise and approach will accelerate our progress and reach – ultimately resulting in more people with disabilities becoming enabled through our services.”

#MyDrivingMobility

Driving Mobility, the charity that accredits a network of specialist driving assessment centres, is reopening its UK services with Covid-19 safety measures so drivers can once again receive expert guidance regarding assisted motoring.

Driving Mobility Centres provide professional, clinically-led driving and mobility assessments for individuals who have restricted mobility. Service users self-refer or are signposted to its 20 Centres from the DVLA, Motability, the Police and healthcare professionals such as GPs and Occupational Therapists. These Centres provide over 70 outreach facilities bringing the service close to where people live, and which are managed by independent charities or NHS departments – all focused on helping people with disabilities or life changing diagnosis to continue driving safely. Since the lockdown in March, Driving Mobility assessment appointments have been suspended following guidance from the Government. However, from the 6^th July, Centres will be reintroducing services with a phased approach so that clients and staff remain safe from coronavirus.

Edward Trewhella, CEO, Driving Mobility, comments: “Every centre is preparing to reopen for safe driving assessments. All our staff are keen to get going and have been busy organising new procedures in terms of Covid-19. Our Approved Driving Instructors and Occupational Therapists will be fully observing Government guidelines and NHS clinical principles, so clients experience a rewarding driving assessment that focuses on a positive outcome. We have a backlog of enquiries which will be resolved as quickly as possible and our teams are ready for new stakeholder referrals to begin once more.”

Members of the public, as clients, will need to be in a vehicle with Driving Mobility assessors, and this will involve several new procedures to reduce risk. These will include the use of PPE and hand sanitiser, thorough disinfecting of vehicles, open windows at all times and limited close personal contact. Use of assessment rooms and waiting areas will all be adjusted in accordance with advice from Public Health England.

Edward continues: “We believe our services are now more vital than ever before in terms of supporting peoples’ independence. With current advice to avoid public transport where necessary and to take extra precautions if you have underlying health conditions, the ability to drive a car independently with a disability has great significance for mental health and wellbeing. Our Centres also provide assessments and guidance on solutions for mobility that facilitate social distancing, such as powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters. These comprehensive services which encompass all aspects of accessible travel, provide the key to many who have been unable to leave home in an appropriate and safe manner.

Edward concludes: “Driving Mobility is the national voice of assisted driving and independence – now is the time this will be even more pronounced.”

As one of the UK-wide Driving Mobility assessment centres, Salford’s RDAC has given powerchair user Paula Taylor from Bolton the route to complete driving independence through its specialist assessment and advice service.

Charity Driving Mobility, supported by the Department for Transport, accredits twenty independent organisations which offer professional driving assessments to people who need to gain, or retain, the ability to drive following a diagnosis involving impairment or disability. Service users can self-refer or are signposted by the DVLA, Motability, Police and healthcare professionals such as GPs. The new, custom-built RDAC centre in Salford advises Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cheshire drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, mobility scooter and wheelchair users on independence mobility.

Paula, aged 46, has driven the same adapted vehicle since a car accident in 2001 which caused a progressive decline in health and mobility. Following injections in 2003 to treat Fibromyalgia, she became paralysed from the neck down and spent a year recuperating in hospital. Paula was subsequently diagnosed with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), a debilitating complex pain condition in her limbs.  Now a full-time wheelchair user, Paula’s needs have recently changed and she finds unaided transfers into her car particularly difficult. Having first visited a Driving Mobility centre fifteen years ago, she decided to arrange another assessment at RDAC Salford in preparation for a new vehicle purchase. Paula wanted to ascertain that she was still using the most suitable adaptations and which controls would fit her new vehicle.

Paula comments: “Following my time in hospital, I became very depressed as I needed help with everything. I knew something had to change and my first Driving Mobility assessment in 2004 was incredibly helpful. In fact, I have used the recommended adjustable floor-mounted hand control ever since. I now have a more limited range of movement and a PA visits during the week to assist me – but I’m determined not to lose my driving independence, especially with five children and seven grandchildren. As I wanted to thoroughly research all my options, I contacted RDAC who have been really helpful.”

Following an update regarding Paula’s medical history and a cognitive assessment, Sean Barratt, RDAC Centre Manager, suggested Paula trial various new hand controls to operate the brakes and accelerator, as well as steering wheel rim controllers. However, as Paula found them unmanageable over extended periods of driving time, Sean subsequently recommended she updated her current controls to a Carospeed Menox. This can be installed in most vehicles and is highly adjustable to suit individual requirements. Sean also recommended a steering wheel ball and pedal adaptations to enable Paula to be more comfortable in the car.

Paula concludes: “To be able to talk to a specialist about individual needs and receive impartial advice is so reassuring. I discovered exactly what I needed, and I was delighted that all the adaptation recommendations were suitable for any vehicle. I’m grateful to the Centre staff for also spending time trying to establish which new vehicle would be best for me. They considered transfer requirements and which car could cater for my hoist and powerchair. Following my assessment, I have ordered a new accessible vehicle which fits me like a glove and is so easy to transfer into. The hands-on information that people can receive from Driving Mobility centres is unparalleled. I certainly know where to go next time I need advice!”