The QEF team at Carshalton has delivered another successful free open day this week displaying a comprehensive range of adapted vehicles, products and services for independent living.

The Get Going Live driving feature was busy all day with young drivers and those new to disability taking advantage of the opportunity to test drive accessible vehicles around the unique QEF private road network. The event was well supported by a range of exhibitors and was officially opened by Sue Rogers MBE, Manager for Mobility Centres in England at the Department for Transport. Motability Ambassador, Chris Edwards, also supported the day with a series of informative seminars which were well attended. Overall attendance was healthy with a diverse range of visitors including individuals with restricted mobility, families with disabled children, healthcare professionals and representatives from charities such as Age UK.

The diversity of features which included accessible vehicles, wheelchairs and mobility scooters perfectly reflected QEF’s standing as a new Hubs centre. This was enhanced by its existing TryB4uFly services which continue to prove popular as the interest in accessible air travel continues to grow. The mobility scooter test drive course provided by TGA was also popular with many QEF colleagues and visitors keen to understand more about these products and the latest advice regarding road safety.

#MyDrivingMobility

Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People (QEF), accredited by Driving Mobility, will be hosting a free-to-attend mobility open day so disabled people of all ages can discover the latest solutions for mobility, including driving adapted vehicles.

Date: 9^th October 2019
Location: QEF Mobility Services, 1 Metcalfe Avenue, Carshalton, Surrey, SM54AW
Time: 10am – 4pm

ALL PRESS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS WELCOME

Michelle Giles, QEF Mobility Centre Manager says: “This event will provide a unique experience for disabled people looking to increase their independence by learning to drive. Our knowledgeable team can provide support and guidance on driving an adapted car around our private track. We’ll also have Occupational Therapists available to help with mobility challenges for both children and adults. Overall the day promises to be really informative and very rewarding.”

QEF Mobility Services is proud to be part of the nationwide Driving Mobility network. Supported by the Department for Transport, Driving Mobility centres 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. Centres operate either as independent charities or within an NHS Trust. QEF is also part of the new regional transport ‘Hubs’ project which now offers additional information-led services regarding accessible bus, train, coach and taxi travel. Help with accessible locations and attractions can also be obtained along with awareness of useful local groups, charities and organisations. Advice on assisted air travel is also a particular speciality at QEF with its Tryb4uFly assessment service.

At the forthcoming QEF Mobility Open Day, there will be a display of the latest assistive equipment and QEF’s professional team will be offering free mobility assessments for children and adults. As part of the ‘Get Going Live’ feature, teenagers with disabilities or individuals new to restricted mobility, will have the opportunity to drive an adapted car around QEF’s private track. Children’s disability charity MERU, part of the QEF group, will also be exhibiting paediatric mobility and accessibility products, and will also be offering free adaptions of children’s toys so they can be used with an accessible switch.

The event will be officially opened by Susan Rogers MBE, Manager for Mobility Centres in England at the Department for Transport. Motability Ambassador, Chris Edwards, will also be in attendance to provide the latest advice regarding the popular adapted vehicle and assistive equipment leasing scheme.

Event highlights:

• ‘Get Going Live’ – experience driving an adapted car on a private track
  with a qualified instructor. Open to everyone aged 15+
• Vehicle seating and transfer, mobility scooter and wheelchair assessments
• Specialist mobility scooter track
• ‘Bugzi’ assessments – small powered wheelchairs for children under 5
• Mobility scooter and wheelchair assessments
• Specialist child car seat advice
• QEF Tryb4uFly assessments – advice and information regarding air travel with a disability
• Free toy adaptations so they can be used with an accessible switch
• Latest information on the Motability scheme
• All introductory assessments are free on the day if booked in advance.

To book your free introductory assessment  call QEF Mobility Services on:
Tel: 020 8770 1151 or email: mobility@qef.org.uk.

www.qef.org.uk/mobilityopenday

#MyDrivingMobility

The second in a series of regional Get Going Live! events, focusing on accessible motoring and independent mobility, has successfully taken place at the William Merritt Centre’s annual AccessAbility exhibition in Leeds.

18th October. Centenary Pavilion, Leeds United Football Club. LS11 0ES.

The William Merritt Centre, based in Leeds and Sheffield, is one of twenty independent organisations, many with satellite centres, which offer professional information, advice and driving assessments for people seeking assistance with mobility. Supported and accredited by Driving Mobility, all centres are staffed by Occupational Therapists as well as Approved Driving Instructors so that safety and driving solutions for individuals with injuries, disabilities or restricted mobility are maximised. As well as conducting assessments on behalf of the DVLA, Motability and healthcare professionals, Driving Mobility accepts self-referrals.

Previously a feature of the national Mobility Roadshow which closed in 2017, Get Going Live! relaunched for the first time in early October 2018, at the Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People (QEF), a Driving Mobility centre in Carshalton.

This latest event, hosted by the William Merritt Centre, proved popular all day with both young and older individuals, with existing or progressive conditions, benefitting from free test drives and independent, professional advice. Teenagers, from the age of 14, were provided with unique opportunities to trial adapted vehicles for the first time, in safe surroundings, enabling vital preparations for future driving with a long-term condition or disability. Vehicle manufacturers showcased their latest products as part of the Get Going Live! feature and also within the AccessAbility exhibition itself, allowing event visitors to discover suitable options for assisted and independent motoring.

David Blythe, William Merritt Centre Manager, comments: “We are delighted that our annual AccessAbility exhibition, incorporating Get Going Live! has been so well attended by both visitors and exhibitors. The Get Going Live! feature offered our visitors fantastic opportunities to try adapted and accessible vehicles, accompanied by a specialist driving instructor. This unique experience allows end-users of all ages to make informative decisions regarding safer driving as well as vehicle purchasing and adaptations.”

The wider AccessAbility exhibition successfully showcased new and innovative assistive technology and equipment from leading specialist suppliers. A number of charities were in attendance providing one-to-one advice and information for disabled children and adults or those with additional needs. The exhibition also offered a special gaming area showcasing adaptations which enable access to computers, mobile phones, tablets, toys and computer games whilst providing an area to chill out and have fun.

David Blythe concludes: “The Centenary Pavilion at Leeds United Football Ground has provided an amazing setting for a showcase of assistive products and services that enable people to live with greater independence. We wish to thank everyone involved in organising this rewarding event and look forward to a positive future for both the AccessAbility exhibition and Get Going Live! events.”

The Carshalton based Driving Assessment Centre, managed by the Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People, will be hosting a relaunched Get Going Live! event so that young and recently disabled people can experience assistive driving.

Friday 5^th October. 9:30am – 4pm. Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People (QEF),1 Metcalfe Avenue, Carshalton. SM5 4NR. Free admission and accessible parking.

QEF Mobility Services is one of sixteen independent organisations, many with satellite centres, which offer professional information, advice and driving assessments for people seeking assistance with mobility. Overseen by the charity Driving Mobility, all centres are staffed by Occupational Therapists as well as Approved Driving Instructors so that safety for drivers with injuries, disabilities or restricted mobility is maximised. As well as conducting assessments on behalf of the DVLA, Motability and healthcare professionals, Driving Mobility accepts self-referrals.

Get Going Live! – Try Adapted Driving And Explore Options For Accessible Motoring

QEF Mobility Services is delighted to be hosting the first in a series of free-to-attend Get Going Live! which will be officially opened by Mayor, Councillor Steve Cook and Mayoress Pauline Cook of the London Borough of Sutton.

The Get Going Live! events which focus on younger people with disabilities, novice drivers and individuals that have become recently disabled. Get Going Live! was originally a popular feature of the national Mobility Roadshow which was held annually from 1983 up until 2017. Attendees to this relaunched exhibition will be able to safely test drive a range of accessible and adapted vehicles around a dedicated test track with qualified specialist instructors. The event will provide the opportunity for visitors and their families, including teenagers from the age of 15, to try adapted driving for the first time and explore options for accessible motoring.

What’s On at Get Going Live!

Features of the event will include:

• Free test drives and driving assessments (pre-booking required) please call 0208 770 1151 to book
• Displays from a range of assistive product specialists who supply WAVs (Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles), mobility scooters, wheelchairs and more
• The latest range of adapted driving controls and assistive technology
• Informative presentations regarding accessible motoring
• Refreshments and ample level parking
• Accessible aviation travel training

Marion D’Moirah from QEF comments: “We are delighted to be hosting the relaunched Get Going Live! event. Based on its popular heritage, we believe it will be well attended and deliver a unique experience to young and recently disabled individuals seeking driving independence. Our friendly and knowledgeable team will be on hand to offer the latest guidance regarding assisted driving and to provide instruction around our test drive track. We will have around 30 vehicles available for test drives and overall the atmosphere of the day promises to be fun and fully rewarding.”

Exhibitors at Get Going Live!

Click an exhibitor’s name to see more information…

Get Going Live! Talk schedule: In the Board Room