Mobility

Schemes designed to improve the mobility of Community Care clients include:

  • Disabled Drivers Scheme
  • Blue Badge Scheme

Disabled Drivers Scheme

The Disabled Drivers Scheme provides assistance to people who are disabled in obtaining a specially adapted vehicle to suit their disability and needs. Professional advice is available on suitable vehicles, vehicle adaptations, or specialist equipment. Financial assistance may be available either towards a deposit to purchase or rent a suitable vehicle under the Motability Scheme subject to Occupational Therapy assessment, towards annual running costs or for specialist adaptations.

People in receipt of the higher rate of Mobility Allowance or the higher rate of the Mobility Component of the Disabled Living Allowance, who after assessment by an occupational therapist, require a particular vehicle or adaptation, may apply.

Financial assistance may be available to those who are not eligible for the Motability Scheme because of age, or if the allowance is time limited.

The applicant's financial situation and that of the family will be taken into consideration.

For more details and information about how to apply, call Social Care on 01595 744400.

 

The Blue Badge Scheme

The Blue Badge Scheme provides a national arrangement of parking concessions for people with severe walking difficulties who travel either as drivers or passengers. The scheme also applies to registered blind people and people with very severe upper limb disabilities who regularly drive a vehicle but cannot turn a steering wheel by hand. It allows badge holders to park close to their destination. The national concessions allow badge holders to park on-street but they may not apply to car parks.

You can apply for a badge if you:

  • receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance
  • receive a War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement
  • use a motor vehicle supplied for people with disabilities by The Scottish Government or the Department for Work and Pensions
  • are registered blind
  • have a severe disability in both upper limbs, regularly drive a motor vehicle but cannot turn the steering wheel of a motor vehicle by hand
  • have a permanent and substantial disability which means that you are unable to walk or have very considerable difficulty in walking. (In this case you may be asked some questions to help the Council decide if you are entitled to a badge)
  • are unable to walk or have considerable difficulty in walking because of a temporary but substantial disability which is likely to last for a period of at least 12 months but less than 3 years

also children under 2 whose medical needs require that he or she is accompanied by bulky medical equipment which includes in particular any of the following:

i) ventilators;

ii) suction machines;

iii) feed pumps;

iv) parenteral equipment;

v) syringe drivers;

vi) oxygen administration equipment; and

vii) continual oxygen saturation equipment

People with a psychological disorder will not normally qualify unless their impairment causes very considerable, and not intermittent, difficulty in walking.

The badge is issued to the individual entitled and can be used in any car in which that individual is travelling, as a passenger or driver. The Badge must be removed from the vehicle at all other times.

The badge must not be used by anyone else. This constitutes a criminal offence.

Shetland Islands Council provide reserved parking places for badge holders.

If you think you may be entitled, contact Transport Services at:

20 Commercial Road, Lerwick, Shetland or

Tel. 01595 744868

The Blue Badge