James Sweeney, 57 from Derry, has been able to continue driving with a disability thanks to the Driving Assessment Grant (DAG), funded by the Motability Foundation and provided by Disability Action, accredited by the charity Driving Mobility.

James works in domiciliary care administration for the Department for Health in Northern Ireland. He has lived with spinal muscular dystrophy since birth and, until recently, has been able to drive a standard manual car. Driving independently is essential for James as he is only able to walk short distances due to his condition. After the Covid pandemic he noticed that his mobility had changed, particularly in his legs, so he decided to contact the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) Northern Ireland. They advised that he booked a driving assessment at his local Driving Mobility centre, which is managed by the charity Disability Action. At that time James was not aware of a grant that could pay for his assessment and any adapted driving controls he might need. When he was informed that he might qualify for a grant to the cover the cost he was delighted.

James picks up his story: ” I needed to make sure I was safe on the road, for me and everyone else. I met with one of the centre’s Driving Assessors, Andrew, who explained the process and made me aware of the grant. I was unaware there was funding to cover the cost of driving adaptations to a private car. This was fantastic news. I completed a driving assessment for about 40 minutes in one of the centre’s cars where I got to try out push-pull hand controls for the accelerator and brake. Andrew recommended the best hand controls and then all I had to do was get quotes from different suppliers and the grant would pay for them to be fitted. It was a fluent and quick process in the end and very stress free.”

DAG is a grant funding scheme funded by the Motability Foundation and administered by Driving Mobility to assist disabled drivers who are not Motability Scheme customers. The grant can help towards the costs of a driving assessment, vehicle adaptations and familiarisation lessons at a Driving Mobility Centre.

James’ private car was fitted with his new controls and after two months of use, he finds the adaptations second nature to use. “I feel like I have been driving with them for years,” says James. He goes on to thoroughly recommend Driving Mobility: “I think they do an excellent job and without them I wouldn’t have been aware of the grant. I enjoy photography so being able to drive independently will help me continue with this hobby. However mainly the car is for day-to-day living, even just getting to the shops on my own is massive. I want to remain independent and not have to rely on others. Having the hand controls has given me more confidence to be out driving and I feel safer on the road. Driving Mobility has given me the freedom to get out and about and get anywhere I want to.”

In conclusion he adds: “I would recommend Driving Mobility services 100%. Firstly, I think they are extremely professional yet friendly and approachable at the same time. They made the process very comfortable right from the beginning. It was straightforward and there was no pressure. I have always had the philosophy of finding ways to make my life easier and so using hand controls was the solution I needed. It is a massive step forwards in terms of my mobility and independence.”

Are you looking for a grant to help with the costs of a driving assessment and vehicle adaptations? Click here to find out more about how to apply: https://www.drivingmobility.org.uk/useful-information/driving-assessment-grant/

#MyDrivingMobility

Fatal Accident Inquiry determination highlights

Alexander Paul Thomas Irvine (“Xander”) died as a result of having been struck by a motor vehicle on Morningside Road, Edinburgh, on 30 June 2020.

The cause of the collision was the loss of control of the vehicle by the driver and owner, Edith Duncan. who was aged 91. Ms Duncan lost control of the vehicle while attempting to perform a turning manoeuvre on Morningside Road, Edinburgh, a two-way street in an urban area. As a result she drove her vehicle onto the opposite carriageway, over the kerb and onto the pavement, striking Xander and his mother. The loss of control was entirely caused by Edith Duncan’s inability to perform safely what would otherwise have been a routine turning manoeuvre. She was, at the time, suffering from significantly impaired cognitive ability as a result of undiagnosed frontotemporal dementia, and was unfit to drive or hold a driving licence.

Driving Mobility response

Like everyone else we are deeply saddened by this tragic event and our thoughts are with the family of Xander Irvine.

We noted the recommendations of the Sherriff’s Fatal Accident Inquiry. Particularly the statement that drivers should only continue driving if they have ‘successfully undertaken a short initial cognitive assessment. Failure to pass that assessment should result in both the application for renewal, and any current licence, being suspended pending further assessment’.

Driving Mobility is a charity dedicated to providing help and advice to older and disabled people on safe independent mobility. We accredit a network of independent and NHS ‘fitness to drive’ assessment centres across the UK. These centres already routinely provide this type of assessment either on self-referral by the older person or their family or through a referral from DVLA, the NHS, Motability or the police.

Our clinical assessment services help to enable drivers, of all ages and abilities, to retain or regain the ability to drive safely. Older drivers make up a significant proportion of the clients who come to our centres for assessment by a qualified clinician (generally an occupational therapist) and an Approved Driving Instructor.

Our professional teams carry out cognitive and practical driving assessments, to identify clients who are able to continue to drive safely, those who are not considered safe and individuals who may need tuition. We also provide help and advice on alternatives to driving for those not considered safe to continue behind the wheel.

Driving Mobility centres carry out some 13,000 assessments annually.  Between 3,000 and 4,000 each year are people who have some form of cognitive impairment including dementia. Approximately half of those tested are likely to be found to be unfit to drive.

#DrivingMobility

Attended by a healthy number of local mobility equipment dealers, Herts Ability, the accredited Driving Mobility centre based in Welwyn Garden City, has hosted the latest Powered Wheelchair and Mobility Scooter (PWMS) Retailer Training Course.

Supported by the Department for Transport in England, the charity Driving Mobility provides this customer assessment and safety training scheme for mobility scooter retailers. The courses aim to improve road safety for all – through a process that ensures people looking to purchase, or hire mobility vehicles, are given comprehensive advice on the right product for their individual needs along with safe driving guidance.

The course at Herts Ability was split in two halves, welcoming two different groups to complete the training. Attendees had a range of expertise from new starters to assessors and manufacturers of specialist equipment. Following an indoor presentation and discussion, the trainees completed a test drive on different scooters and wheelchairs and experienced what this element of an assessment would involve. The participants also learnt about visual field deficits and other vision impairments, using specialist glasses which proved to be an insightful exercise. Both groups came together for lunch where some good quality networking took place.

James Hinkins, who led the course said: “It was a pleasure to support these independent companies in completing the PWMS retailer training. I believe we all formed new professional relationships which will be beneficial to not just us, but individuals living in the local area with restricted mobility. By working together, we can ensure better, more appropriate mobility product provision for greater independence and road safety in the community.”

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

#DrivingMobility #HertsAbility #PWMS

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
Speaker: Maisie Casey – RDAC Manager, Business Operations

Date and times: 28^th Nov – 10:30-10:45
Speaker: Maisie Casey – RDAC Manager, Business Operations

Synopsis

Operated by Driving Mobility, the Hubs Mobility Advice 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 12:30-12:45
Speaker: Dominic Hibbin – RDAC Assessment Manager and ADI

Date and times: 28^th Nov 12:30-12:45
Speaker: Rebecca Houlden – RDAC Assessment Manager and OT

Synopsis

Assessment Managers from the local Driving Mobility centre, operated by RDAC in Solihull, will provide an overview of what clients can expect when attending a driving assessment.

Learning outcomes

OT delegates will have a greater understanding of:

• What is a driving assessment.
• Roles within a driving assessment service.
• Adaptations and equipment.
• Where to access driving assessment services.

3. ‘The role of the OT in driving assessment and outdoor mobility’

Date and times: 27^th Nov 14:30-14:45
Speaker: Dominic Hibbin – RDAC Assessment Manager and ADI

Date and times: 28^th Nov 14:30-14:45

Speaker: Rebecca Houlden, RDAC Assessment Manager and OT

Synopsis

This CPD session will outline the role of occupational therapists in driving assessment and outdoor mobility.

Learning outcomes

OT delegates will have a greater understanding of:

• The role of an OT in driving assessment and outdoor mobility.
• Assessing physical and cognitive ability.
• Medical fitness to drive.

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

https://www.hubsmobilityadvice.com/

 

#MyDrivingMobility