Driving, Transport, Accessibility

For more information on driving please see HemiHelp’s Driving information sheet.

Five to 16-year olds, as well as adults with hemiplegia, may qualify for a Disabled Person’s Railcard. Children pay the normal child’s fare, but an adult travelling with them gets one-third off the standard adult fare. Adults and another adult accompanying them both get one-third off.

Reduced fares may be available for disabled children on local bus services, and disabled adults are entitled to free travel on local buses. Contact your Local Authority or CAB.

Forum of Mobility Centres - Website: www.mobility-centres.org.uk
A network of centres around the UK and its extensive website has all kinds of information, links etc for disabled drivers. Although independent, the centres are recognised by other mobility organisations including Motability and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

Mobility Information Service - Website: www.mis.org.uk
This is an organisation run mostly by disabled people which was originally set up as an assessment centre but now provides information and advice on a range of mobility questions. The website includes a list of possible sources of financial help.

There is an interactive online map at www.direct.gov.uk/bluebadgemap with details of Blue Badge parking bays, local council parking rules, accessible public toilets, train stations, shopmobility centres, accessible beaches, football grounds and much more across the UK.

DisabledGo - Website: www.disabledgo.info
An organisation set up by disabled people to remove barriers to mobility by providing accessibility guides to locations and venues across the UK and now in Europe too. Their fantastic site tells you everything you want to know about any given town or city, from loos to clubbing, and has a guide to university and college campuses - accommodation, bars, sports facilities, the lot!

Mobilise - Tel: 01508 489 449 Email: enquiries@mobilise.info Website: www.mobilise.info
Previously the Disabled Drivers Association and the Disabled Drivers Motor Club

Getting car insurance can be a problem for disabled drivers, especially young ones. The following companies offer cover (for 16 year olds as well).

BJK Insurance Brokers Ltd - Tel: 01271 345005 Fax: 01271 323677 Email: info@bjkinsurance.co.uk
Website: www.bjkinsurance.co.uk
Specialises in minibus insurance and coach insurance to the charity, youth and community sector as well as working with the traditional commercial and personal insurance markets.

Chartwell Insurance - Tel: 020 8958 0900 Email: info@chartwellinsurance.co.uk
Website: www.chartwellinsurance.co.uk Specialist car insurance policies for disabled drivers.

En Route Insurance - Tel: 0800 783 7245 Email: info @enrouteinsurance.co.uk Website: www.enrouteinsurance.co.uk

Fish Insurance - Tel: 01772 724442 Email: admin@fishinsurance.co.uk Website: www.fishinsurance.co.uk
Car insurance company dealing only with disabled drivers.

KF Garner & Company - Tel: 01925 633807 Email: insurance@kfgarner.co.uk Website: www.mobilityinsure.com

Tesco Car Insurance - Website: www.Tesco-Car-Insurance.co.uk
Telephone for a quote as website will not give accurate quote for 16 yr old driver