Motability & Getting about moan...

RedFox_2

It's very late but I'm just sounding off here as its on my mind, but I rang up Motability on a few days ago regarding a WAV (Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle)...

*Massive foreword coming up*

I've had 3 cars through the scheme previously, the last ended in 2007. At the time I had a full time job and bought my own, albeit a very impractical, car. Still, the problem persisted in the way that I still needed someone from home and at work to help me get my manual chair in/out, and as much as my colleagues loved me it became annoying for them over time so I reverted back to my parents driving me to and from work. I had my car for over a year before I sold it, since I hardly drove it...but I was daft with my money and wanted a nice car irrespective of my disability or the practicality of it.


Since then I had to give up work in early 2010, and late that year I was given an all new electric-wheelchair for me to use inside the house & outside, much more comfortable than my old-fashioned manual wheelchair, and of course more independent. Previously, and even now, I've always had to rely on someone else help me get from A to B. This is usually my parents, and I had pretty much accepted that for the majority of my life, but since I've used my electric-chair I've had a much different outlook on how I want to be able to get about freely on my own, but I've hit a number of travel barriers thus far...

First off local bus routes are terrible as we're considered to be on the end of the boundary & no adapted buses pass.

Secondly the R&R (Ring & Ride) service isn't very reliable, you have to prebook a good week in advance and can only fit into their schedule if the bus is local to you at whatever time, I've yet to successfully book since joining in early 2011.

Thirdly I was made aware in 2011 of a Travel Voucher scheme, whereas I pay £30 for £120 in taxi vouchers, great I thought!...until the local taxi services said they don't have an adapted vehicle (one did but now doesn't), leaving only Black Cabs. Again though, taxi services DO NOT like accepting Travel Vouchers and I can recall one particular time I had to ask a convoy of Black Cabs if any of them would take me home and they all denied ever of hearing of the vouchers or one guy who I initially asked said his ramp was 'broken.' Eventually after explaining in the rain to one guy what they had to do to reclaim the money he agreed to take me the 5-7 miles home...now if I didn't have any problems with them the 2-way ride to the nearest tram station which I take into town is around £12 E/W, thats about 5 trips within a 12 month period that I can take before I can reapply for more vouchers.

So as you can see I've basically been stuck for the most part in getting anywhere, even for basic things like going to the cinema etc.

I have no other choice than using my old wheelchair for appoitments at the GP or hospital or going to watch my football team, or if I go out for a meal/drink that isn't on my doorstep. If I'm that desperate to get out I'll use the old chair but its uncomfortable and very annoying that I have to cope this way, the wheelchair service will not repair that old chair or offer me another as this electric-chair is now my default chair, the manual is officially there for emergencies.

*End massive foreword*

...so I decided to speak and get a better understanding about WAV's and far more importantly the cost as its clear & understandable to see that they're going to be expensive.

Basically they offer a very standard WAV which is around £700 non-refundable Advance Payment, which is very popular and affordable, but its manual, i.e. manual lift and manual door. The type I've looked into online is a Wheelchair Transferrable Vehicle, i.e. fully automated door & ramp, auto lock down of your electric wheelchair and a drivers seat that comes way back and turns 90 degrees for you to transfer, or even one that you can drive right up to the steering wheel in your own chair. Now I'd 'prefer' a transferrable type so that others can use the car if needed.

Naturally as I said that type of vehicle is expensive, if not the most on the scheme. Seeing as I don't work asking for a non-refundable £13k for a 5 year lease isn't really an option, but within the Motability Scheme is a grants section for people who cannot afford the Advance Payment, clearly this being the most expensive there is very strict criteria for a means tested grant. Immediately I thought I don't work so is that helpful or not for the grant, the nice lady asked me questions regarding my disability, my work status and if I was on the higher rate mobility. Pretty quickly she said I did not qualify, so knowing my luck I kinda accepted it but asked her why, well the main point is that I don't work, but I said if I did work or wanted to return to work having a vehicle of that nature is a must and work or no work I couldn't afford that price tag. She apologised again but said that I'd need to be in full time employment, or education (iirc of what she said to me). That was that!

Now I'm an understanding person and hate causing a fuss, and I know that there is no money and they could not possibly accept every request for a grant towards the AP otherwise everyone would be choosing BMW's and what not, but it just bums me out that I simply cannot get out of the house easily, to go to town, to go on a day out or simply go to the cinema without the hassle of tying down a Black Cab who ultimately pulls a face when I try to pay using vouchers!

/end exceeding long moan.

sgriffiths

I am also in an electric wheelchair, used to drive, but now because I cant get into the driving seat of our manual WAV, dont.
I rely on my husband or daughters taking me out. would love to work but I couldnt get there on my own.

I hate feeling so dependant on others, and so trapped in the house. But as you say to get a drive from wheelchair or transfer chair car is just financialy out of the question. Have you looked at used WAVs with the adaptations necessary.

I wish you every success in your search. Good luck.

moose1982

I know it's not much help right now, but within the next 5 years (so 2017), all buses must be wheelchair accessible. I think it's a couple of years later for coaches like Megabus and National Express. I saw that on the Direct.gov website. It might be worth a call to whoever does the buses around your way and asking when they are hoping to introduce accessible buses to your route? If they get a few requests, they may see a business reason to get that bus into service quicker.

RedFox_2

sgriffiths wrote: »

I am also in an electric wheelchair, used to drive, but now because I cant get into the driving seat of our manual WAV, dont.
I rely on my husband or daughters taking me out. would love to work but I couldnt get there on my own.

I hate feeling so dependant on others, and so trapped in the house. But as you say to get a drive from wheelchair or transfer chair car is just financialy out of the question. Have you looked at used WAVs with the adaptations necessary.

I wish you every success in your search. Good luck.

I have looked at used WAV's its how I started my research but ultimately I don't have two buttons to rub together let alone afford the cheapest used WAV I've seen at 8.5k!

moose1982 wrote: »

I know it's not much help right now, but within the next 5 years (so 2017), all buses must be wheelchair accessible. I think it's a couple of years later for coaches like Megabus and National Express. I saw that on the Direct.gov website. It might be worth a call to whoever does the buses around your way and asking when they are hoping to introduce accessible buses to your route? If they get a few requests, they may see a business reason to get that bus into service quicker.

They are not bad in other areas but its boundary services that run through where I live, and naturally not crucial bus routes, if I was 3-4 miles further into our city then I'd have no problems as I have a friend who gets to go everywhere in his chair on the buses!