DRIVING MOBILITY
Getting
On the
Driving Mobility are helping disabled people get behind the wheel, feeling safe and comfortable while doing so
ROAD
riving Mobility is a registered charity who help elderly and disabled people achieve independence through motoring. They have a network of over 20 driving assessment centres across the UK, and lots of additional satellite centres within charities and NHS centres, so there is likely one very close to you that can offer everything you need to get on the road.
in their lessons, or help with drivers who may have special educational needs.
Driving Mobility offer all sorts of assessments and tests. They offer driving tests for disabled people, but that’s just one of the many services you can access at a Driving Mobility centre. If you have concern of how a medical condition may impact your driving, require modifications to your vehicle in order for you to control it safely, they can help. They also offer help to people who are considering buying WAVs - wheelchair accessible vehicles, parents and carers who may need an adapted car, or people who have experienced illness, injury or accident and would like to get driving.
Angela said: “I have always loved driving. I owned a FR sportscar before my illness which was fantastic, however five years ago I thought I would never drive again. The team at the hospital and Derby DrivAbility have been amazing, their support and knowledge has got me back on the road safely and with confidence. Many of the adaptations by Des Gosling are small but they make a massive difference. I’m lucky that I have good sensations in my arms so using the large touch screen to operate many of the controls is no hassle. I have tried prosthetic arms but I just can’t get on with them. All the clever features that have been added to my car mean I can get in and out on my own and I feel in control when driving. When my car first arrived, I was so excited I drove over 500 miles in the first week!
D
Assessment centres offer valuable advice on which adaptations drivers may need, drivers’ ability, wheelchair and scooter loading and transport, and access to vehicles. Additionally, a number of centres offer advice on: wheelchair and scooter selection, motorcycles or HGVs, assessments for taxi drivers and PSV licence holders, postural support seating for air travellers, and paediatric assessment. Young prospective drivers can benefit greatly from the services offered by Driving Mobility. First-time drivers who want to get behind the wheel, but may need a small amount of additional help, will find Driving Mobility are able to help with many things, from offering Deaf Aware driving instructors to aid 24
with
Driving Mobility’s Derby centre helped Angela Yates, a passionate driver, get back behind the wheel after an illness. They helped implement a number of adaptations to her car, including a steering cup, friction assisted door handles, easy release customised gear shift, and more.
“Before I went anywhere on my own I had specialist familiarisation driving lessons so I could get used to the new controls. When you experience a life changing operation, you don’t suddenly forget to drive, you just need to learn to drive differently. I’d driven a standard car for over 13 years however using my new controls wasn’t that difficult. The main issue I had come up against when trying other cars was getting in and out, but not with my Toyota. Derby DrivAbility helped me feel comfortable behind the wheel once more.”
