East Anglian DriveAbility’s Thetford centre to unveil new driving and scooter assessment facilities for elderly and disabled locals
East Anglian DriveAbility (EAD), one of Driving Mobility’s UK assessment centres for elderly and disabled drivers, will be officially opening its enhanced Thetford centre on 11th July, 10am-4pm.
East Anglian DriveAbility (EAD), one of Driving Mobility’s UK assessment centres for elderly and disabled drivers, will be officially opening its enhanced Thetford centre on 11th July, 10am-4pm.
Official opening of new facilities at East Anglian Driveability at 2 Napier Place, Thetford, IP24 3RL. All press, healthcare professionals and public welcome.
Free access to the TGA test drive course for safe mobility scooter driving awareness.
Driving Mobility accredits twenty independent organisations which offer professional support and driving assessments to people who need to gain, or retain, the ability to drive following a diagnosis involving impairment or disability. EAD is part of this network with centres in Thetford and Colchester. In addition to driving assessments and guidance regarding adapted vehicles, its Occupational Therapists and Driving Advisors provide several additional services focused on suitable mobility scooter, powerchair and wheelchair provision.
Service users at EAD either self-refer or are signposted by the DVLA, Motability, Police and healthcare professionals such as Occupational Therapists (OTs) and GPs. The EAD centres are managed by a team of specialist OTs, Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) and administration staff who are focused on recommended solutions for independent mobility. Now with enhanced facilities at the Thetford centre, EAD has the ability to extend and diversify services further with a view to helping more East of England drivers to remain on the road. The new extension includes an impressive training room for drivers and professionals and a larger reception which is spacious and welcoming.
EAD invites all healthcare professionals and members of the general public with an interest in adapted driving to attend the event. A vast range of adapted vehicles, WAVs (wheelchair accessible vehicles), specialist steering and driving controls will be on display and attendees will have the opportunity to try the vehicle simulator. Vehicle conversion companies will be supporting along with specialist suppliers such as Autochair car boot hoists and TGA mobility scooters. A scooter test drive course will be available so visitors can experience part of the EAD assessment process and determine which product is suitable for their needs.
Yvette Bateman, CEO, East Anglian DriveAbility, comments: “The official opening of our new extension promises to deliver a successful day for all. We are proud of our new facilities and the enhancement to services on offer for all elderly and disabled drivers within East Anglia. Sue Rogers from the Department for Transport and Helen Dolphin MBE, our Chair and well known accessible transport campaigner, will be available throughout the day. They will be able to explain the latest developments in legislation and topics such as disabled parking and the extension to the Blue Badge scheme. The team and I invite everyone with an interest in independent mobility to attend.”
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East Anglian DriveAbility ensures new driving future for James following severe spinal injuries
East Anglian DriveAbility has enabled new driving possibilities for James Kipling from Kings Lynn
East Anglian DriveAbility (EAD), one of Driving Mobility’s UK assessment centres, has enabled new driving possibilities for James Kipling from Kings Lynn, after a motorbike accident resulted in traumatic injuries to his spine.
Driving Mobility accredits twenty independent organisations which offer professional support and driving assessments to people who need to gain, or retain, the ability to drive following a diagnosis involving impairment or disability. EAD is part of this network with centres in Thetford and Colchester. In addition to driving assessments, its Occupational Therapists and Driving Advisors provide several additional services including guidance regarding specialist paediatric car seats and mobility scooters.
Following James’ motorbike accident two years ago, metal implants were inserted into his back to support his damaged spine. Now a wheelchair user and unable to walk, James began to investigate how he could learn to drive a vehicle for the first time. His GP advised that Driving Mobility provides specialist driving assessments with professional advice regarding suitable adaptations. Following a self-referral, James visited his local centre, EAD, in 2018.
James, age 24, comments: “I felt quite nervous when I arrived at EAD but I was very impressed from the start. The Centre staff ran through my medical records and assessed my physical and cognitive abilities and then asked me to try a Static Assessment Rig. This is a driving simulator that can be fitted with different adaptations to match individual requirements. I was able to operate the accelerator and brake from the steering wheel, which gave me a good idea of how I could drive a car whist in a safe, controlled environment.”
EAD’s Static Assessment Rig provides information on reaction speeds, vision, steering ability and braking strength. As James successfully completed this part of the assessment, EAD felt confident he was ready to proceed to driving a dual-controlled vehicle accompanied by a Centre Driving Advisor.
James comments: “The Driving Assessment was amazing! The same adaptations were fitted to the vehicle and because I had already practised with them on the driving simulator, I picked it up straight away. The whole experience was made straightforward and easy for me.”
Following his assessment, Driving Mobility provided James with a comprehensive written report which he took to his GP for medical approval to drive. The DVLA were updated and James subsequently passed his theory test. He is now applying for a Motability vehicle which will be fitted with the recommended driving controls and is looking forward to applying for his driving test.
James concludes: “I would prefer to use my own adapted car for driving lessons, so that I get plenty of practice with the adaptations best suited to me. I already have a transfer board to assist me with getting from my wheelchair into a car and I plan to use the centre ring accelerator and a side handbrake that I trialled at EAD. I’m really feeling confident and positive about future driving and I’m very grateful to the EAD team for helping me get to this point.”