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

Sunday 14^th July. The date of one of the most eagerly awaited events in the calendar. No, not the UEFA EURO 2024 final, but Driving Mobility’s North West Regional Open Day!

A great team effort saw staff from Chester DriveAbility (CDA), DriveAbility North West (DANW), Regional Driving Assessment Centre, Manchester (RDAC) and William Merritt Centre (WMC) come together as part of Warrington Disability Awareness Day (DAD). Organised annually by Warrington Disability Partnership, DAD 2024 took place at Walton Hall Gardens, with Driving Mobility recognised, and thanked, for being one of the event sponsors.

Spilling out of a large marquee, the Driving Mobility stand was one of over 100 displays in and around a large, tented village across the gardens highlighting a range of solutions which support independent living and mobility.

Useful discussions took place with other organisations exhibiting on the day, including the Limbless Association, the Amputee Foundation and vehicle adaptations company BAS (NW).

It was the interactive elements of Driving Mobility’s display stand which caught the attention of visitors, including three adapted cars and a large, powered wheelchair and mobility scooter (PWMS) test track. The track was put to good use by visitors trialling mobility scooters and a powered wheelchair, as well as a Wizzybug.

Pictured below with Keith Roper, Driving Mobility Chief Operating Officer (centre), are staff from CDA, DANW, RDAC and WMC.

The national charity Driving Mobility and its Herts Ability Driving Assessment Centre in Harlow, have hosted a popular Open Day dedicated to helping drivers with disabilities.

Jointly organised by Herts Ability, East Anglian DriveAbility and South East DriveAbility, the event offered the opportunity for public and professional visitors to discover the latest driving adaptations and wheelchair friendly vehicles for people with restricted mobility. Several vehicle adaptation companies and an NHS wheelchair team worked alongside Driving Mobility staff to offer a varied showcase of assistive equipment. The day attracted a healthy number of visitors and VIPs including Councillor Sue Livings and charity patron Jonathan Goodwin.

Injured celebrity stunt performer Jonathan, a Herts Ability client and wheelchair user, commented: “The Open Day has been a fantastic opportunity for people to come along and see the potential for driving independence. There are so many solutions these days to help overcome driving challenges especially as technology is moving on at pace. You can only start to understand what might suit you by getting hands-on with equipment – this is what today has all been about.”

Alongside exploring the array of accessible vehicles, specialist controls, equipment hoists and mobility scooters on display, visitors were able to experience driving with adaptations on the unique test drive track located on site. This facility was busy all day with clients and occupational therapists testing various methods of driving and different vehicles first hand.

Sean Lawrence, CEO of Herts Ability, concluded: “Today has been a success on many levels. We have engaged with local NHS staff who will now signpost more people to our services and in terms of end users, we have helped a wide range of different people get behind the wheel. As Jonathan said, there are so many ways you can drive these days with a medical condition or limited mobility and it is our job to advise and make more clients aware of these possibilities. Our Open Day has been the perfect platform for this and so we would like to thank all our exhibitors and supporters for making it happen.”

City Mobility, Inverness is set to host the PWMS Retailer Training in Inverness on the 23 August 2024 with the support of DriveAbility Scotland.

Culloden-Balloch Baptist Church Office, Wellside Road, Balloch, INVERNESS IV2 7GS. 11am-3pm.

The training scheme, provided by Driving Mobility which is backed in England by the Department for Transport (DfT), aims to enhance road safety through comprehensive training for PWMS retailers and hirers. By offering free training, including both online modules and practical sessions, the scheme equips retailers with the skills needed to assess clients effectively, ensuring that individuals with mobility difficulties receive the most appropriate scooters or powerchairs.

Driving Mobility is a national charity which coordinates a network of fitness to drive and mobility equipment assessment centres. Its PWMS scheme fosters closer collaboration between retailers and it’s services so client referral pathways are strengthened. Retailers can refer clients needing more extensive clinical assessments to occupational therapists at each Driving Mobility centre so the most appropriate equipment is recommended for the best outcome.

The PWMS Inverness course marks another step in a series of well-attended training sessions across the UK. This ongoing program continues to expand, with future events planned in various locations:

23rd August 2024 – Culloden-Balloch Baptist Church Office, Wellside Road, Balloch, Inverness, IV2 7GS (organised by City Mobility, supported by DriveAbility Scotland from their Aberdeen outreach centre)

20th September 2024 – Devon Assessment Centre (Managed by Cornwall Mobility), Unit 13, Dakota Way, Skypark, Clyst Honiton, Exeter, EX5 2GE

17th October 2024 – Herts Ability, Suite 4, Wentworth Lodge, Great North Rd, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 7SR

Lunch will be provided at all venues.

The national charity Driving Mobility is inviting all members of the public and professionals, with an interest in driving with a disability, to its Herts Ability Driving Assessment Centre in Harlow for a free Open Day on the 11th July 2024.

Thursday 11th July, Herts Ability (an accredited Driving Mobility Centre), The Road Safety Centre, Edinburgh Way, Harlow, CM20 2BX. 10am-3pm. Free admission and accessible parking.

For further information and a video click here

As a charity, Herts Ability provides fitness-to-drive and mobility equipment assessments for people with disabilities. Co-ordinated by Driving Mobility and supported by the Department for Transport, Herts Ability aims to enable as many drivers as possible through clinical guidance on the most appropriate adapted controls and vehicles. Other services include specialist driving tuition and advice on accessible transport choices if using a car is not an option. Its clients self-refer or are signposted from the DVLA, Motability, NHS and Police.

Members of the public who are seeking to maintain or regain independence are invited to learn more about Driving Mobility services at this South East Open Day. Professionals who support these clients, such as Occupational Therapists and Approved Driving Instructors, are also invited to ensure their skills and knowledge are up to date.

In addition to Herts Ability, there will be members available from two other Driving Mobility Centres at the event. Representatives from East Anglian DriveAbility and South East DriveAbility will be showcasing their services which are available in Essex/Suffolk and Kent respectively.

The Open Day will offer public visitors:

• A showcase of all Driving Mobility services
• A chance to discover the latest driving adaptations and wheelchair friendly vehicles
• Test drives in adapted cars
• Advice on travel as a disabled passenger
• Free guidance on all aspects of personal mobility and equipment

For professionals visitors:

• Ways to improve everyday practice
• Engagement with clients to understand and solve current challenges
• Fresh insight from networking with fellow peers
• Develop career opportunities

Free refreshments will be available for all visitors along with goodie bags and insightful literature. The event promises to be a positive and welcoming experience for people of all ages and professionals with a vested interest in assisted driving. For further information contact: James.hinkins@hertsability.org.uk

Jonathan Goodwin, 44 from Potters Bar, is a retired escapologist and stunt performer who has been able to drive again following a life-changing accident through the support of Herts Ability, a Driving Mobility Centre.

Jonathan enquired about a driving assessment in the winter of 2022 after moving back to the UK. He had been living in America for 15 years until sustaining severe injuries during a stunt rehearsal for the TV show ‘America’s Got Talent: Extreme.’ The intention was for Jonathan to avoid two swinging cars colliding into him whilst he was suspended 30 feet in the air and attempting to escape a straitjacket, upside down. Instead, the cars were released too early crushing Jonathan and exploding on impact. Jonathan fell resulting in life changing injuries which led to five months in hospital and a long road to rehabilitation. Jonathan managed to pull through this ordeal and is now a successful entrepreneur running an innovative, online hypnotherapy clinical called Project Rewire. As a full time wheelchair user, Jonathan wanted to get back to driving independently so contacted Herts Ability for help.

Herts Ability, based in Welwyn Garden City, is part of the Driving Mobility network. Driving Mobility, a charity supported by the Department for Transport, co-ordinates 16 independent ‘fitness to drive’ and mobility equipment assessment centres across the UK. Many with outreach facilities, each centre employs Approved Driving Instructors and Occupational Therapists who provide clinical assessments and recommendations to clients signposted from the DVLA, Motability, NHS and Police. These consultations ensure drivers with disabilities can remain safely on the road through the most appropriate vehicle adaptations, techniques and training. Jonathan took a proactive approach to getting back behind the wheel by self-referring himself to expedite the possibility of receiving his driving licence back after his accident.

Jonathan picks up his story: “I had returned from America and felt like I had become a burden to my partner. I was very reliant on her if I wanted to go anywhere or do anything. My recovery was a long process; however, I needed to try and get back to driving as soon as possible. Back in 2022 during the pandemic it was taking longer for the DVLA to process cases and as I assumed they’d send me on some sort of driving assessment, I took the initiative and found Herts Ability. I hoped with their direct connections with the DVLA and a successful outcome to my assessment, I could get my licence back sooner rather than later”.

“Herts Ability were more than happy to help. We scheduled my driving assessment and honestly and truly, it couldn’t have been easier, everyone was super lovely. It was clear they were very good at doing their job and taking due diligence. The team really made sure the process was as comfortable as possible”.

“The assessment involved a desk based cognitive session and then we went out in one of the centre’s cars. I totally understood having a cognitive assessment as I’d had a very significant accident; however, thankfully I didn’t hit my head so have no issues. Once in the car it was a bit of an unusual situation for the Herts Ability Assessors as I had used adapted driving controls in the past during my stunt work. I hadn’t used them in the capacity that I was doing, but it probably made it a little bit easier for me to pick up. Saying that, I don’t think for most people adapted controls would be too difficult”.

“The outcome was I passed with flying colours and the adaptations recommended to me were a hand operated push-pull system for accelerating and braking and a steering ball. Herts Ability submitted their report to the DVLA and within a matter of a few weeks I was given the all clear to drive again with the right adapted vehicle. I found PB Conversions online who were also fantastic and managed to convert my Volvo at very short notice before Christmas”.

Jonathan has been driving for over a year now. He hopes to qualify for a Motability vehicle soon as he has been back in the UK long enough. As he lives in a remote, rural location with no public transport links, being able to drive is priceless. More recently Jonathan was asked by Herts Ability to become one of its Patrons which he proudly accepted.

In conclusion he says: “I was very flattered to be asked to be a Patron of the charity especially as I had such an amazing experience with Herts Ability. I’m all for promoting the charity and getting more people to understand that driving is possible with a disability. The adaptation technology that exists today is extraordinary”.

#MyDrivingMobility